Lausanne Restaurants and Dining

(Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland)

Considering that Lausanne is relatively small in size, there is a surprising choice of restaurants and as nighttime approaches, this city's dining scene booms and is amongst Switzerland's liveliest. Many trendy eateries and restaurants serve far more than just Swiss dishes and some of Lausanne's most popular offer good views across the city and also Lake Geneva.

Daily blackboard specials are generally on offer at many of the restaurants in Lausanne and servings are filling and generous. Traditional Swiss dining can include everything from sirloin steaks (zwischenrippenstück) and butter-fried trout (forelle müllerinart), to tasty fondues made with authentic Emmental cheese.

Where to Eat

Lunchtimes can be busy at restaurants in Lausanne, when fixed-price dishes of the day offer the best value and are known as 'Tagesteller' or 'piatto del giorno'. Lunch is usually served between midday and 13:30, while evening dining starts as early as 18:30, with the kitchen remaining open until around 21:30 or 22:00, and the restaurant considerably later.

Head to central Lausanne for the best choice of restaurants and in particular along the Rue Cité Derrière, close to the cathedral and the government buildings. Plenty of eateries are also based around the Place de l'Ours and to the north of the shopping district, and on the Place de la Gare, just a short walk from the train station itself.

Nearby and within the Flon area of Lausanne, the Rue de Genève boasts plenty of dining opportunities, while for an outstanding Italian restaurant, pay a visit to Da Carlo on the Rue Caroline, which features an appealing summer street terrace and rarely needs a table reservation.

Lausanne's medieval lakeside Lutry district is the perfect place to enjoy tasty food with excellent views and the best restaurants boast views across Lutry harbour and the mountains, especially around the Route du Landar and on the Rue des Terreaux. Close to central Lausanne, fine dining abounds within Ouchy and around the Place du Port, where the excellent restaurant at Le Chateau d'Ouchy is well worth the money if you crave classical dishes and good, honest food.