Celebrated table

META

META in Lugano, at Piazza della Riforma 9: a fusion and Italian kitchen under chef Arturo Fragnito, awarded one Michelin star in 2026.

The story

META Lugano: Fusion and Italian Tasting Menu at Piazza della Riforma 9

META, at Piazza della Riforma 9 in Lugano, runs a fusion and Italian kitchen that holds one Michelin star (2026). The restaurant moved here in October 2025 from Paradiso, taking over the former Federale on the central square.

Chef and cooking style

Chef Arturo Fragnito trained across Australia, Italy and Switzerland, and the menu traces that path. The tasting menu is built as a map of flavors and memories, with seasonal produce chosen for its authenticity.

Standout dishes

Gault&Millau gave the restaurant 16 points in 2026. The Med Fusion menu opens with amberjack in leche de tigre and moves to ravioli filled with charcoal-grilled lamb, brightened with green curry and fresh mango. Black sea bass comes with white asparagus, Oscietra caviar and wild garlic, and dessert might be yogurt with strawberries and rhubarb.

Recognition

Awards & accolades

2026
Gault&Millau
16
16
2026
Michelin
1 Star
1 Star

Details

At a glance

Gault&Millau 2026 — 16
Michelin 2026 — 1 Star
Cuisines Fusion, Italian
Services Air Conditioning, Outdoor Seating

History

On the record

2026
Michelin — 1 Star

High quality cooking

2026
Gault&Millau — 16

In October 2025, Meta relocated from the Glaspalast Mantegazza in Paradiso to the central Piazza Riforma, taking over the former Federale. A brasserie is being established on the ground floor, while the next chapter of Meta unfolds on one of the upper levels. The ambitions remain just as high. Chef Arturo Fragnito, who is still largely unknown and succeeds star chef Luca Bellanca, describes his goal this way: "I want to turn every dish into an experience, an encounter between authentic flavors and new perspectives, leaving behind a memory that transcends mere taste." Thus, a farewell performance at the old Meta in Paradiso. Kicking off the Med Fusion menu is a ricciola (amberjack) prepared in leche de tigre, following the Peruvian tradition. This is followed by a scallop paired with Pata Negra ham and vin jaune—a bold and successful combination. Next comes the menu’s highlight: ravioli stuffed with charcoal-grilled lamb, accented with a hint of green curry and fresh mango—a sophisticated interplay of earthy smoke, spice, and fruity lightness. The Glacier 51, a black sea bass from distant waters, receives an exciting twist: white asparagus, Oscietra caviar, and wild garlic! The meat course is equally impressive: a tenderly cooked duck served with cherries and red onion marmalade. To conclude, two refreshing desserts: citrus with pink peppercorns, and yogurt with strawberries and rhubarb—perfectly balanced in flavor and artfully shaped like a flower. Chef Arturo Fragnito made an excellent impression during the GaultMillau visit. His major test at the Piazza Riforma location still lies ahead. Expectations within the Mantegazza family are high. Story to be continued.

Location

Find us

Piazza della Riforma 9, Lugano, 6900, Switzerland
Lugano, Switzerland
+41 91 601 12 94
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