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Gran Cafe al Porto

via Pessina 3, Lugano 6900, Switzerland
091 910 51 30
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Ranked #9 of 162 restaurants in Lugano
Dining options: Breakfast/Brunch, Reservations
6 visitor photos
Restaurant details
Dining options: Breakfast/Brunch, Reservations
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91 reviews from our community

85% Recommend
    43
    35
    7
    3
    3
Rating summary
    Food
    Service
    Value
    Atmosphere
Date Rating
Sala Capriasca / Ticino / Switzerland
Senior Contributor
24 reviews 24 reviews
6 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 4 April 2013

Great ambiance, lovely pastry and cuisine, a historic place in the centre of the city of Lugano with different designed rooms inside, but also a great place to be seeted outside and just having a coffee an watching people in Via Pessina ...

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See 3 more reviews by RemySteinegger for Lugano
Midlands, UK
Senior Contributor
32 reviews 32 reviews
21 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 1 April 2013

This is a stylish and beautiful cafe right in the middle of the historic town centre. Their cakes look beautiful, but give me an English (clotted) cream tea any day!

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See 4 more reviews by c_swift1 for Lugano
Lugano, Switzerland
Contributor
12 reviews 12 reviews
7 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
130 helpful votes 130 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 27 January 2013

Nice atmosphere I was invited to dinner with my collegues.I was served a disgusting orange juice. Good appetizer. First and second lukewarm and good but small portions. Great dessert. coffee not special.

Was this review helpful? Yes 4
Geneva, Switzerland
Senior Contributor
42 reviews 42 reviews
32 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
18 helpful votes 18 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 13 January 2013

It is a place to see and to be seen. Located in the center, always busy and a little bit pretentious. The building it self is very interesting, it has a nice art deco style, as it can be seen from outside as well as inside. Have a look at the entrance door, as well as the wooden ceiling and... More

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Contributor
14 reviews 14 reviews
5 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
8 helpful votes 8 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 9 January 2013

Excellent service, coffee, deserts and atmosphere! Would surely visit again! It is located centrally and you can easily get there, even if you ask around. Its doesn't have view to the lake but it is very beautiful inside, so it should not be a problem!

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London, United Kingdom
Senior Contributor
44 reviews 44 reviews
27 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 21 cities Reviews in 21 cities
24 helpful votes 24 helpful votes
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 December 2012

I never really understood why Porto was such an "it" place. The decor is old, and not the comfortable castle old, the colors are hideous, the chairs uncomfortable and the light dim. If you are looking for any kind of atmosphere stay away! I wonder how many people have fallen aseelp while eating their vermicelle. The cakes and sweets are... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
See 5 more reviews by luxuryworldwide for Lugano
Top Contributor
60 reviews 60 reviews
49 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 25 cities Reviews in 25 cities
18 helpful votes 18 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 24 November 2012 via mobile

I just love this place. People watching of the fairly rich locals, a luxury place with exquisite delicatessens and a friendly and exceptional service. Try the desiderio al cioccolato with a creamy cappuccino for breakfast or a afternoon coffee, but don't refrain from having lunch, too.

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See 3 more reviews by Laurinfunzik for Lugano
Wickenburg, Arizona
Top Contributor
384 reviews 384 reviews
83 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 132 cities Reviews in 132 cities
306 helpful votes 306 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 2 October 2012

It's been exactly a year since we last came here - as we came back for Lugano for the same event - this year's edition of the 30K Stralugano road run. So the day before the run we camer here again for coffe and cake. It was a real-life déja-vu: first of all, we were lucky to find a table... More

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See 8 more reviews by Esty666 for Lugano
Meggen, Switzerland
Senior Contributor
24 reviews 24 reviews
12 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
10 helpful votes 10 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 17 September 2012

Good for eating a small lunch or for drinking coffee or tea with a nice pastry. There are a few tables to sit outside, but it is in a small street, with no sunlight coming in. However, this place is much nicer than sitting on a crowded terrace on the square. Friendly service and good quality.

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See 2 more reviews by Move61 for Lugano
Thessaloniki, Greece
Senior Contributor
42 reviews 42 reviews
6 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 25 cities Reviews in 25 cities
14 helpful votes 14 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 7 August 2012

A good choice to rest for a while during a walk at the historical center of the town. The cost of a coffee is quite high, but the same as a cafe located at Aristotelous square, Thessaloniki.

Was this review helpful? Yes 1

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