In the firmament of Swiss haute cuisine, META's Michelin star continues to shine. Despite a year of transformation—with a change of chef and a move to the heart of Piazza Riforma—the Lugano restaurant has managed to maintain its coveted distinction, confirming its position as one of the most solid and recognized landmarks on the Ticino gastronomic scene.
The news came from Lausanne, Where the Michelin Guide Switzerland 2025 was presented at the EHL Hospitality Business School. An event that established new players, but above all, rewarded the ability to evolve without losing its identity. GOAL This is a clear example: the team has been able to lead the project into a new phase, maintaining the spirit of research and quality that have brought it this far.
Stars illuminate the whole of Ticino
In a Canton that for years has been distinguished by its high concentration of starred restaurants, the Michelin star of META takes on a special significance. The restaurant, already known for its contemporary approach and its cuisine, which balances local and innovative, has undergone months of renovation. The move and change in management could have destabilized the artistic direction, but the ability to maintain high standards convinced the selectors of the Red Guide.
Also making the news on the same evening was the Ticino debut of the chef Felix LoBasso, who got his first Swiss star with the Felix Lo Basso Restaurant from Sorengo. The Apulian chef, already an award-winning chef in Italy, brought his signature Mediterranean cuisine to the Lugano area, winning over the judges with his sensitivity and technique.
A solid Ticino but still waiting for the big leap
In the overall budget, Switzerland saw the allocation of 18 new stars, with three restaurants going from one to two. Ticino, on the other hand, maintains a stable profile: the double star by Marco Campanella La Brezza in Ascona remains solid, as do those at Ecco Ascona, Locanda Orico in Bellinzona, Osteria Enoteca Cuntitt in Castel San Pietro and I Due Sud in Lugano.
La Michelin star of META, therefore, represents a testament to continuity in a competitive and constantly evolving landscape. In a year in which many venues have revamped their identity, the Lugano restaurant's success underscores the region's ability to maintain high quality and consistency over time.
Switzerland, home to big names and promising talent
Among the four confirmed three-star “temples” — Schloss Schauenstein by Andreas Caminada, the Restaurant de l'Hotel de Ville by Franck Giovannini, the Memories by Sven Wassmer and the Cheval blanc by Peter Knogl — a gastronomic landscape is emerging that continues to invest in training, creativity, and the valorization of local areas.
Special awards for dining room service and pastry-making also went to establishments from Germany and French-speaking Switzerland, confirming the diversity and vitality of the Swiss culinary scene.
META's Michelin star and the future of Ticino cuisine
For Lugano and Ticino, the Michelin star of META It's more than just recognition: it's the confirmation of a vision. A sign that the region can grow while maintaining its authenticity, with a cuisine that embraces innovation without losing its connection to its roots.
In the heart of the city, in Piazza della Riforma, between tradition and experimentation, the META continues to represent a point of reference, a place where the passion for cooking meets the measure and precision that the Michelin Guide has rewarded for over a century.
