7 Best Restaurants in Lausanne, Vaud

As if turning its back on star sibling Anne-Sophie Pic and the aristocratic Beau-Rivage Palace, which shelters both, this young, lively brasserie-café faces the lake and the Ouchy waterfront scene. Its flashy brass-and-Biedermeier dining area and bar fill with smart Lausannois and internationals enjoying trendy cuisine du marché. In summer the pillared terrazzo terrace (protected from embarcadero traffic by rose gardens) is the place to go.

Since the tragic loss of world-renowned chef Benoit Violier, his determined widow, Brigitte, has continued to oversee the three-Michelin-star restaurant, propelling it to even higher accolades. Chef Franck Giovannini is winning hearts—and stomachs—with his fresh twist on haute cuisine. Giovannini draws on his decade of experience with the famed chef to uphold the restaurant's well-earned reputation as one of the best in Switzerland. It's a quick drive west from Lausanne to this understated manse. The service is spectacular, the staff is friendly, and the food is absolutely stellar. Giovannini creates imaginative combinations of flavors plus stunningly refined presentations. For these finely orchestrated prix-fixe menus the ingredients are key—lamb raised in the Pyrenees, cardoons (an artichokelike vegetable) grown in the village. Pace yourself, making sure to leave time and room for selections from the immense cheese cart or celestial desserts. Reserve as far ahead as possible—lunch may be your only option.

All the customers seem to know each other at this traditional dining institution, where shared wooden tables and clattering china create the perfect ambience for fondue, mussels, sausage, or choucroûte (sauerkraut). Prominent members of Lausanne's arts community swarm here after rehearsals and concerts, as service continues until 11 pm—late by Swiss standards.

Locals have been squeezing into this cozy, eccentric café for more than a decade. More than a dozen coffee drinks are served alongside buttery pastries and heartier breakfast options. This little "ladybug" is cute as can be: the decor is decidedly funky, with gravity-defying stacks of books glued to its colorful walls and oversize Warhol-esque portraits in the restrooms. An outdoor seating area on a main pedestrian street means it is prime people-watching territory.

This hip café, bar, and restaurant is beloved by students, business executives, and artists. The simple yet eclectic decor features vintage advertisements and polished-wood seating, and several tables are available outside during the summer months. Appetizers such as tempura zucchini flowers and main courses like chicken tagine with apricots are deliciously refined—their humble prices make this popular eatery a rare bargain. Brunch is served on Sunday, and the bar has seven beers on tap, a dizzying number by Swiss standards.

At this self-proclaimed gourmet burger bar, Lausannois feast on freshly grilled, juicy burgers while avoiding the town's McDonald's and Burger King. The chain has a refreshing "go-local" philosophy, and most ingredients are produced within a 25-mile radius. Try the Elvis burger with blue cheese and bacon, or the veggie burger with warm goat cheese, arugula, and spicy chutney.

Locals come to this upscale spot for oven-fired pizzas—without a doubt the best in town. The elegant dining room is a year-round hit with locals; in summer there is nothing more delightful than sitting under the garden's sprawling trees and umbrellas. Inventive Italian dishes using local ingredients are robust and flavorful. Entrances connect to the opera house, making it a natural for pre- and postperformance dining.