Restaurants in Central Switzerland & Berner Oberland
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La Terraza
Set in a 12th-century building that has housed fishmongers, dukes and scribes over the years, La Terraza oozes atmosphere. High-back chairs and monochrome shots of bella Italia give the vaulted interior urban edge. When the sun’s out, sit on the riverfront terrace for favourites like clam and rocket spaghetti.
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Steinbock
While there are dozens of phoney and/or overpriced Swiss restaurants lining Höheweg, this humble tavern is one in which locals also eat. Another good option for Swiss food is the Hirschen.
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Takrai
Judging by the anaconda of a queue at lunchtime, this pint-sized Thai joint is the place to be. Wafting spices and the rhythmic sizzle of woks lure you to the show kitchen. The accent here is on local organic produce and everything – from feisty papaya salads to the generously portioned curries – strikes perfect balance. Grab your chopsticks and Chang and pull up a stool. All dishes are available with tofu.
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Bam Bou
The Hotel’s restaurant is an ode to 21st-century cool: black leather benches contrast strikingly with scarlet walls, gold script and an optical illusion where slanted mirrors reflect the street outside. The cuisine is a seductive French-Asian fusion, with signatures such as coriander-crusted tuna and Scottish salmon with ginger-sake sauce.
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West End
Amuse yourselves with the wine list and remember that good things come to those who wait, as you survey the incongruous Swiss interior of this buzzing, congenial Italian restaurant. Many of the pasta and other dishes are freshly homemade and can take a while to arrive at your table, but when they do, they're usually delicious.
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Benacus
Super-cool Benacus is a breath of urban air with its glass walls, slick wine-red sofas, lounge music and street-facing terrace. The TV show Funky Kitchen Club is filmed here. The menu stars creative flavours like potato and star anis soup and Aargau chicken with caramelised pak choi.
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Wirtshaus Galliker
Don’t eat for a day before visiting this old-style tavern, passionately run by the Galliker family since 1856. It attracts a lively bunch of regulars. Motherly waitresses dish up Lucerne soul food (bratwurst, rösti and the like) that is roll-me-out-the-door filling.
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Belvédère Brasserie
Yes it’s attached to the boring-look Hapimag, but this brasserie has upbeat modern decor and a terrace with appetising Jungfrau views. It serves international favourites such as veal in merlot sauce, alongside a handful of Swiss stalwarts like fondue and rösti.
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Goldener Anker
Even fussy eaters will find tastebud pleasers at this beamed restaurant, which, locals will whisper in your ear, is the best in town. The globetrotting menu tempts with everything from sizzling fajitas to red snapper and ostrich steaks. It also has a roster of live bands.
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Sandwich Bar
This crimson-walled snack bar is an untouristy gem. Choose your bread and get creative with fillings (our favourite is Bündnerfleisch, sundried tomatoes and parmesan). Otherwise try tasty soups, salads, toasties and locally made ice cream.
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Schuh
Schuh is a Viennese-style coffee house with can’t-stop-at-one pastries and pralines. Skip dinner, however, as the tinkling, Barry Manilow–style piano and sickly pink interior can feel like being trapped in a 1970s B-movie.
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Restaurant Schiff
Under the waterfront arcades and lit by tea lights at night, this restaurant has bags of charm. Try fish from Lake Lucerne and some of the city’s most celebrated Chögalipaschtetli (vol-au-vents stuffed with meat and mushrooms).
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Schützengarten
This restaurant also serves meat… As well as a cracking sense of humour, Schützengarten has smiley service, wood-panelled surrounds, appetising vegetarian and vegan dishes and organic wine. Sit on the vine-strewn terrace in summer.
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Pizzeria Horn
Exposed brick, chunky tables and photos of Don Camillo set the scene at this inviting piz- zeria. Find a cosy nook to feast on antipasti and delicious wood-oven pizza. There’s alfresco dining on the garden terrace in summer.
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Wirtshaus Taube
The mock cave and flickering electric candles are more ghost train than gourmet, but there are no quibbles about the hearty cuisine served here. Standouts include humungous 420g Cordon bleus and homemade veal sausages.
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Jazzkantine
With its stainless-steel bar, sturdy wooden tables and chalkboard menus, this is an arty haunt. Go for tasty bruschetta or more ambitious dishes like penne vodka. Weeknight jazz workshops are followed by gigs on Saturday night.
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Welcome India
Decorated like a true curry house with carved wooden statues and a garish mixture of black, orange and yellow, this is the best of several local Indian restaurants. The menu includes Punjabi and northern Indian specialities.
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Bodu
Banquettes, wood panelling and elbow-to-elbow tables create a warm ambience at this French bistro. Here locals huddle around bottles of Bordeaux and bowls of bouillabaisse (fish stew) or succulent sirloin steaks.
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Mardigras
White leather benches, monumental flower displays and soft jazz create a Parisian feel in this glam café. It’s a fine spot for baguettes and Niçoise salads by day or a glass of red in the evening.
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Hug
This traditional café on the waterfront serves excellent breakfasts, delicious cakes and confectionery, plus cheap Swiss and Lucerne specialities. It's a successful local chain and has other outlets.
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La Paninoteca
Our favourite Italian job, this family-run, retro-style paninoteca is a relaxed spot to refuel on yummy panini such as roast beef and goat’s cheese, or perfectly thin, crisp pizza.
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Heini
Heini has since mushroomed into a successful bakery/confectionery chain, but this was one of the original outlets and has an atmospheric 'grand café' as well as a takeaway shop.
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Confiserie Bachmann
Swiss milk chocolate flows from a fountain at this sugar-coated temple. You’ll find pastries, gelati and Switzerland’s longest praline counter.
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Top o’ Met
For coffee and cake, or a cocktail, try Top o’ Met on the top floor of the Metropole Hotel, which has stellar views.
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KKL World Café
This sleek-looking bistro stocks muesli and sandwiches in its glass counters, but also offers wok dishes at lunch and dinner.
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