Lucerne, Switzerland, is not only one of the most tender cities under the Alps, but also a place of beautiful lakes and mountains that travelers will never want to leave. Here, food is not only about taste, but also a feast that dances with the scenery, making every meal full of poetry and touching. Who doesn’t want to taste a cheese baked rice with a milky aroma at the open-air table with a breeze, while watching the ripples of Lake Lucerne reflected in the snow-capped mountains in the distance?
1. Restaurant Balances: Open-air luxury in a century-old hotel
Restaurant history and overview
Located on the riverside of the old town of Lucerne, Restaurant Balances is a high-end restaurant located in Hotel des Balances (Baranci Hotel). This hotel was built in the late 19th century, and its restaurant is famous for its exquisite French and Swiss fusion cuisine. Its balcony is close to the Reuss River. Enjoying dinner here in the evening, Lake Lucerne and Mount Pilatus seem to be within reach. It is the location of many movie shots.
Food Features and Taste
The main feature is the fusion of modern Swiss cuisine and French cuisine. The most famous dish is its pan-fried foie gras with pear condensed sauce, which is crispy on the outside and smooth on the inside, with a strong sauce flavor and a strong sweet and salty layering. Another signature dish is the Bavarian-style steak with red wine sauce and truffle mashed potatoes. The meat is tender and the fat is evenly distributed. For dessert, we recommend their classic caramel brulee, which has a strong vanilla flavor and is very refreshing with seasonal fruits.
Location and Transportation
Located in the core area of the old town of Lucerne, it only takes 3 minutes to walk to the Kapell Bridge and 10 minutes to walk from the Lucerne Railway Station.
Cost and Booking
The average per capita consumption is about 80-120 Swiss francs, depending on the season and whether to order drinks. Support multilingual services and meticulous service.
Recommended booking platforms: GetYourGuide, Tiqets, TheFork (exclusive for Switzerland), Klook
It is recommended to book at least three days in advance, especially during the summer peak season or festivals.
Recommended crowd
Suitable for couples’ anniversary dinners, honeymooners or photography enthusiasts. It is also suitable for mid- to high-end customers who pay attention to dining atmosphere and service experience.
2. Zunfthausrestaurant Pfistern: Eat traditional Swiss food in the medieval guild hall
Restaurant history and overview
The main body of Pfistern is the “Bakers’ Guild Hall”, and the building history can be traced back to 1578. It is located at the head of the Kapell Bridge. This restaurant continues the traditional guild culture and is one of the first choices for Lucerne locals to have dinner and hold banquets. The open-air seats are located by the lake, with a panoramic view of the entire Kapell Bridge. The lights at night make it more warm and elegant.
Food characteristics and taste
Mainly featuring authentic Swiss home-cooked dishes and local specialties, such as Swiss cheese fondue (Fondue) and potato pancakes (Rösti), the taste is simple and rich, and full of local flavor. Their **veal cheese gratin (Älplermagronen)** is also very popular, with a perfect blend of rich milk flavor and savory onions, perfect for cold weather.
Location and transportation
Just at the west end of the Kapell Bridge, it is within walking distance of Lucerne Train Station (about 8 minutes).
Cost and reservation
The average per capita consumption is about 45-70 Swiss francs. The service is efficient and has rich experience in receiving international tourists.
Recommended reservation platforms: Viator, GetYourGuide, Klook, TheFork
It is recommended to make a reservation the day before the meal, especially on weekends.
Recommended crowd
Suitable for family tourists and diners who want to try authentic Swiss flavors. Architecture enthusiasts and history enthusiasts will also love this place where “reading history while eating”.
3. LUCE Restaurant & Lounge: A modern lakeside style trendy check-in place
Restaurant history and overview
LUCE is one of the most modern lakeside restaurants in Lucerne, located in the Radisson Blu Hotel. The building adopts an open glass facade structure, and sunlight shines into the lakeside tables through the floor-to-ceiling windows, making dining a visual art experience. The restaurant has been very popular on social platforms such as Instagram in recent years and is a favorite of young people and trendy tourists.
Food Features and Taste
It is mainly Mediterranean and Asian fusion cuisine, with fresh ingredients and exquisite presentation. The recommended signature dish is pan-fried tuna with mango sauce, the fish is charred on the outside and raw on the inside, and the sauce is sweet and sour and appetizing. For dessert, their Japanese matcha tiramisu is recommended, with a strong tea aroma and delicate taste. Cocktails are also a highlight, especially the customized ones containing local herbal ingredients in Lucerne.
Location and Transportation
It is close to the Lucerne Lake Cruise Terminal and about a 5-minute walk from the train station.
Cost and Reservation
The average consumption per person is 60-90 Swiss francs, and dinner is slightly expensive. The lunch set is a cost-effective choice.
Recommended booking platforms: Klook, GetYourGuide, Tiqets, OpenTable
It is suitable for booking at noon on the same day or booking dinner seats 2 days in advance.
Recommended crowd
Recommended to fashionable young people, social media enthusiasts, and tourists who pay attention to the dining environment and photo atmosphere. Suitable for couples dating, friends gatherings, and business lunches.
4. Hotel Montana’s Scala Terrace: A highland terrace overlooking Lake Lucerne
Restaurant history and overview
Hotel Montana is one of the most famous highland viewing hotels in Lucerne. Its terrace restaurant Scala is known as the “table closest to the clouds.” The hotel opened in the 1910s and retains the elegant Art Nouveau decoration style. The restaurant is located high on the hillside and can be reached by a dedicated cable car. The view covers the entire lake city and snow-capped mountains.
Food characteristics and taste
Mainly featuring modern European fusion cuisine, exquisite and elegant. Recommended low-temperature slow-roasted lamb shoulder with pumpkin puree and rosemary sauce, the meat is tasty, and the fragrant pumpkin brings a perfect balance. The lemon tart with vanilla ice cream in the dessert has a light taste, which is very suitable for the afternoon.
Location and transportation
It is about a 15-minute walk from the train station, or take the exclusive “Montana cable car” up the mountain, which is very ceremonial.
Cost and Booking
The average per capita consumption is between 90 and 150 Swiss francs, and the environment and service are both top-notch experiences.
Recommended booking platforms: GetYourGuide, TheFork, Viator, Klook
It is recommended to book 3-5 days in advance.
Recommended groups
Suitable for anniversaries, special festivals, or tourists who want to experience the ultimate viewing experience. Very suitable for couples, photographers and travelers seeking a romantic atmosphere.
5. Restaurant Schiff: A lakeside old brand that locals also love to come to
Restaurant history and overview
Located on the lakeside in the center of Lucerne, Restaurant Schiff belongs to Hotel Schiff and is a restaurant that is popular with locals. Its building dates back to the 17th century. It was once an old store where cargo ship merchants gathered. Today, it still retains the “ship warehouse” theme decoration and heavy wooden structure.
Food characteristics and taste
Mainly featuring Swiss and Italian mixed family dishes, the flavor is simple and beautiful. We recommend their pan-fried white fish with herb lemon butter sauce, which is a local fish caught in Lake Lucerne and has tender meat. The side dishes are mostly seasonal vegetables or roasted potatoes with a warm taste. A cost-effective daily set menu is also available at noon.
Location and transportation
It is about a 7-minute walk to the train station, close to the riverbank of the old town.
Cost and reservation
The average consumption per person is about 45-60 Swiss francs, and the cost-effectiveness is superior in the same area.
Recommended booking platforms: TheFork, GetYourGuide, Tiqets, Viator
There are many temporary passenger flows, so it is recommended to book online 1-2 days in advance.
Recommended crowd
It is suitable for independent travelers who pay attention to cost-effectiveness and want to have a lake view experience, and it is also suitable for families, business travelers, etc.
In Lucerne, not only mountaineering and lake cruises are worth looking forward to, but also those open-air restaurants hidden by the lake are also the indispensable bright spots in the journey. From the medieval guild hall to the modern glass box, from the traditional cheese hot pot to the refreshing mango tuna, every time the taste buds are touched, there is a landscape to accompany them.
If you are planning your next trip to Switzerland, don’t forget to book your table with a lake view on GetYourGuide, Klook, TheFork or Viator in advance. After all, the most beautiful travel memories are often hidden in a meal.