About Us

THE PEOPLE BEHIND IL BUONGUSTAIO

IL BUONGUSTAIO is run by two Italians who learned their craft from the ground up. Michele Lussu and Ottavio Lo Nardo bring their heritage, experience, and collaborative work to every dish they create – with respect for the product and for what makes good Italian cuisine.

Hello, my name is Michele Lussu, born on 14 July 1987 in Muravera, Sardinia, Italy. I completed my studies in Villaputzu, in the south of Sardinia, and lived in this region until I was 22. Later, I moved to Sarrabus, a tourist area in Sardinia, where I worked as a hiking guide and lifeguard during the season and also helped out as a pizza chef in the evenings. That was my introduction to the world of pizza, which I immediately fell in love with. At the age of 22, I decided to change careers because seasonal work was no longer enough for me. After a year in the army, I moved to Switzerland to join my uncle Rinaldo Lussu, who was then the owner of the well-known restaurant Citta Vecchia in the old town of Unterseen. I worked for my uncle for five years and then, because I wanted to develop professionally, I moved to Bern and worked at Molino and Mangia Mangia. After three years, I returned to Interlaken and have now decided to open Il Buongustaio with my colleague Ottavio Lo Nardo.

Hello, my name is Ottavio Lo Nardo, born on 28 June 1991 in Taranto, Apulia, Italy. As a young boy, my greatest hobby was fishing, and I often visited the oratory of the church in my neighbourhood, where I learned a lot about life. I am a chef trained in Italy and I do my work with passion, creativity and love. I moved to Switzerland at the age of 19 and I am still grateful for what this country has given me. I worked as a chef in various Italian restaurants in Switzerland for eleven years and this year, in July 2021, I opened ‘Il Buongustaio’ – a takeaway serving pasta and pizza – in Interlaken together with my colleague Michele. Thank you to Italy, where I planted my roots, and Switzerland, which gave me the opportunity to grow. Today, I have finally managed to realise my dream and I am satisfied with my life path. I can delight all palates with my culinary skills. So, what are you waiting for? Come and try my delicious pasta dishes and my colleague Michele's tasty pizzas at Il Buongustaio at Marktgasse 48 in Interlaken.