Must-see restaurants in Central Switzerland

  • Zur Werkstatt

    Lucerne

    This funky, post-industrial, monochrome-toned restaurant revolves around a show kitchen and hip cocktail bar. Menus are kept simple (go meaty or veggie),…

  • Brasserie Konrad

    Central Switzerland

    At Ski Lodge Engelberg's on-site restaurant, Chef Jonas Bolling conjures up extraordinarily good New Nordic cuisine that’s as pretty as a picture and…

  • Gasthaus Rathauskeller

    Central Switzerland

    You can’t miss the late-Gothic Rathauskeller’s frescoed facade near the Zytturm. The downstairs bistro serves marvellous high-end takes on classic local…

  • Gasthaus Ochsen

    Central Switzerland

    Photos of celebrity Swiss patrons line the walls at Brunnen’s oldest haunt, which specialises in Poulet im Chörbli (chicken in a basket). There’s a great…

  • Bam Bou by Thomas

    Lucerne

    The Hotel’s below-street-level restaurant has undergone a transformation and is now run by award-winning chefs Corinna and Ralf Thomas, specialising in…

  • Grottino 1313

    Lucerne

    Offering a welcome escape from Lucerne's tourist throngs, this relaxed yet stylish restaurant south of the train station serves 'surprise' menus featuring…

  • Das Insel-Restaurant Schwanau

    Central Switzerland

    For delicious nouvelle Swiss cuisine in atmospheric surrounds, don't miss this restaurant atop an island on the Lauerzerzee, flanked by a 17th-century…

  • Wirtshaus Galliker

    Lucerne

    Passionately run by the Galliker family for over four generations, this old-style, wood-panelled tavern attracts a lively bunch of regulars. Motherly…

  • Jazzkantine

    Lucerne

    With its long bar, sturdy wooden tables and chalkboard menus in the back of the Old Town, this arty haunt serves tasty Italian dishes and good coffee…

  • Schiffrestaurant Wilhelm Tell

    Lucerne

    The old paddle steamer Wilhelm Tell has been around for nearly 110 years, but doesn't leave its dock these days. It's now a lovely floating restaurant and…

  • Wirtshaus Brandenberg

    Central Switzerland

    For down-to-earth Swiss classics at reasonable prices, locals have been flocking to this beer hall since 1891. It's beloved for its lunch menus and for…

  • Café Laden

    Central Switzerland

    A cafe with character, come here for coffee, desserts, wine, beer and gluten-free eating options – plus the opportunity to peruse second hand clothing and…

  • Spice Bazaar

    Central Switzerland

    This Indian restaurant at the Hotel Central gets rave reviews from both visitors and locals, and serves up all sorts of favourites, such as Badami Chicken…

  • Restaurant-Steakhouse Bierlialp

    Central Switzerland

    Specialising in meat, pasta and pizza, start at the salad buffet (Sfr12.50) then move on. The pizza and pasta are good, but if you're a meat eater with a…

  • Alpenclub

    Central Switzerland

    This low-ceilinged, candlelit tavern creaks under the weight of its 200-year history at the Alpenclub hotel complex. Feast away on fondue, pizza, Italian…

  • Restaurant Zum Dörfli

    Central Switzerland

    There's little more than a restaurant in Zumdorf, but this place is very good for rösti and meaty mains, plus it hunts its own game meats come autumn…

  • Weisses Rössli

    Central Switzerland

    Friendly service, hearty Swiss staples accompanied by fresh vegetables, and a front terrace with nice views of Brunnen's main street backed by the lake…

  • Brasserie Bodu

    Lucerne

    Banquettes, wood panelling and elbow-to-elbow tables create a warm ambience at this classic French-style bistro, where diners huddle around bottles of…

  • Grape

    Lake Lucerne

    Weggis’ California dreamer is this hip haunt with a menu that skips from wood-fired pizza and modern burger combos to steaks and sugary desserts. …

  • Takrai

    Lucerne

    This pint-sized Thai joint emphasises local organic produce in its generously portioned curries. If you can’t nab a table, order takeaway and chow down…