Il Pinguino In Porlezza

Very good pizza and very friendly staff, only thing to say, please change the bell for service

On the day of arrival, we opted for convenience. And this restaurant is perfectly suited for that. Great prices for good quality pizza and pasta. We enjoyed the Italian cuisine with a nice glass of wine. The service is friendly; they speak limited English, but that is not a problem when ordering. Dishes were served very quickly.

Super delicious and affordable pizza!

The swordfish was excellent, and so was the service!

Very tasty food and friendly service.

Il Pinguino - Osteno: Thirty Years Later, the Return There are places that live twice: first in memory, second when you return. Il Pinguino in Osteno is one of them. The last time I crossed these thresholds, they were thirty years younger, I was thirty years younger, and spring exploded with a gentle violence that enveloped everything: the trees along the lake, the still-fresh Ceresio air, and that springtime femininity blossoming in the glances, the smiles, the unfulfilled promises of youth. Returning today is an act of courage or nostalgia—perhaps both. Osteno is still there, overlooking Lake Lugano like a silent sentinel, beyond time and fashion. And Il Pinguino endures, true to itself. The Restaurant Nothing has changed, or perhaps everything. The walls, the tables, the smell of real cooking wafting from the dining room. The pizza I order it. It arrives steaming hot, with that puffy, irregular crust that only a wood-fired oven can provide. The return I look out, toward the lake. Spring is no longer what it was back then—or maybe I just don't see it the same way anymore. Nature's blossoming is still there, stubborn, punctual. But that feminine quality that had bewitched me thirty years ago now lives elsewhere, in other gazes, in other lives. The Penguin remains. Osteno remains. The certainty that some places never betray us remains, even when we ourselves change. Recommended? Yes. For those seeking authenticity, for those who want to return, for those who know that certain places should be visited at least twice in a lifetime: once when young, once when not so young. And in between, thirty years of travel. Rating: 4/5 – Not for lack of quality, but because perfection belongs only to memories.

We found it by chance, and the only downside is that we didn't know about it beforehand. It has a homey, old-fashioned atmosphere, few frills, and transparent prices. We ordered three menus and spent €39. Not only do I recommend the place, but I hope the honesty and dedication of the owners, who in 2026 are providing families with meals at fair prices, will be rewarded with positive publicity!

Good pizza, pleasant atmosphere, courteous service.

The pizza by the meter, superb.