Why it matters: reopened in December 2000 by Fondazione Diamante – a Ticino foundation founded in 1978 that accompanies over 600 people with disabilities – this neighbourhood osteria runs 19 supported jobs in its kitchen and dining room. It is a working restaurant, not a charity lunch: a la carte Ticinese cooking, an osteria counter pouring regional wines alongside cold plates of salumi and cheese, and a pastificio making pasta, gnocchi and ravioli by hand. Order the house ravioli with a glass of Merlot del Ticino, and take home a bag of ‘Caffe incluso’, the coffee roasted on site under Diamante’s own label. Tip: it opens Tuesday to Saturday only and the kitchen runs 12-14 and 19-21.30, so book ahead – and hit the pastificio counter between 10.30 and 13.00 if you want fresh pasta to go.
Good to know
Via Rinaldo Simen 14b - social-enterprise osteria & pastificio - Tue-Sat 08:30-24:00, kitchen 12-14 & 19-21:30