Eating out in Lucerne
Advising people on where to eat out is always tricky. We are all looking for different things, some are after a fine dining experience whilst others want something quick, cheap and cheerful, or a child-friendly place. We asked our Living in Luzern readers to fill out a survey with their favourite restaurants, and based on this and our own experiences, we present you the three best of each category.
Fine dining restaurant:
Expect to pay CHF 200 plus for two.
Hotel des Balances,Weinmarkt.041 418 28 28
With the Reuss as its romantic backdrop and the plush interior, this hotel restaurant lives up to its setting with a refined seasonal menu. Also worth trying is the express luncheon three-course menu (all dishes served at once) for CHF 43.
Scala Restaurant, Hotel Montana, Adligenswilerstrasse 22. 041 419 00 00
With amazing views overlooking Lucerne, this art deco restaurant is full of charm. The food is classic European with a modern twist. Three-course menus start at CHF 89 (CHF 111 with wine).
Restaurant Thai Garden, Hotel Astoria, Pilatusstrasse 29. 041 226 88 88
Entering Thai Garden feels like stepping into a tropical garden complete with ethereal music. The menu is diverse and the food of a very high standard. Definitely a place to go when you have something to celebrate.
Casual Dining:
Restaurant Opus,Bahnhofstrasse 16. 041 226 41 41
Offering a delectable European menu that focuses on fresh produce, Opus also boasts an amazing wine list to satisfy the most discerning wine fan.
Restaurant La Cucina, Hotel Astoria, Pilatusstrasse 29. 041 226 88 88
With its cosy interior La Cucina offers lovely Italian food in a lively and friendly atmosphere. A great place to celebrate pretty much anything.
Restaurant Stern, Burgerstrasse 35. 041 227 50 60
The recently refurbished Stern Hotel boasts one of the best restaurants in town. Based on seasonal produce, the food is inventive, delicious and affordable.
Children Friendly:
Zunfthausrestaurant Pfistern, Kornmarkt 4, 041 410 36 50
Good quality Swiss food, excellent homemade bread and a good wine list. There is a small television area for little guests as well as children’s menu and complimentary craft kit.
Ristorante Centro, Langensandstrasse 25. 041 367 90 10
Near the Schönbühl shopping centre, Centro offers traditional Italian fare in a family-friendly environment with indoor and outdoor playing facilities.
The Ristorante Uno è Piu in Kriens is run by the same company and offers similar dishes and services. Schappeweg 3. 041 320 09 09
Recommendations out of town are:
Trumpf Buur, Riedholz 1, Ebikon. 041 440 62 52
With mini golf, a playground and petting zoo, it would be easy to forget the very good traditional Swiss food being served up at this restaurant.
Restaurant Alpenhof, 6043 Küssnacht am Rigi. 041 850 10 73
Perched on the mountainside, this restaurant offers simple fares as well as a lovely brunch. There is a large playground and for the more adventurous guests there is a challenging rope park.
Take Away/ Lunchtime:
Takrai/Pathai, Haldenstrasse 9. 041 412 04 04
With menus beginning at CHF 16.50, these two little adjacent restaurants offer one of the most genuine Thai experiences in town. Takrai specialises in rice dishes while Pathai does noodle dishes.
Mirchi Masala/Tandoori, Löwengraben 4.041 410 63 03
The two restaurants are side by side. The first one offers a sit-down lunch menu for CHF 18, the Tandoori a takeaway for CHF 10. Cheap and very good.
Istanbul, Frankenstrasse 6. 041 211 34 34
With their mezze menu starting at CHF 9.50, it is hard to find a better and more authentic Turkish restaurant in town.
Chan Cheng, Sankt Karlistrasse 34. 041 534 62 88
Chang Chen, just behind the Männliturm, offers one of the town’s best luncheon deals: an all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet for CHF 18. Judging by the coach loads of tourists stopping here, the food tastes authentic.
Others:
Soul Chicken, Löwengraben 31. 079 537 24 82
The combination of delectable chicken dishes and soul music is turning this small joint into one of the hottest addresses in town.
Brasserie Bodu, Kornmarkt 5. 041 410 01 77
If you have a hankering for all things French, this is the place to go. The décor is of a typical brasserie and the food authentic.
