Switzerland » Dining in Lausanne

There are three or four absolute must-visit places in Lausanne. The most famous is apparently Cave du Bleu Lezard where you will find the best live music, the coolest crowd, and fairly good food and drink with it.

Two other famous places are Nyffenegger, also called Nyff and Le Cafe Romand, and located side-by-side on Place St-Francois. Nyff is where to go for a super salad and a good people-watching seat; Romand is where people first visit frequently as teenagers and continue to frequent well into retirement. You must try their cheese fondue.

On a completely different price and prestige level is La Grappe d'Or, publicly considered the best restaurant in town. You will spend at least CHF 100 for dinner, most likely around CHF 150, and that is just for one person. If you are going to spend money, do so on the set dinner, and if you want the name but not the hefty price tag, visit this restaurant's little sister La Petite Grappe, which is cheaper.

The Restaurant de l'Hôtel de Ville (Crissier) is world-renowned and obligatory for anyone who truly loves food. Also called Restaurant Girardet, it specialises in fine French cuisine for the most part, but other dishes are available, depending on what is in season.

For relaxed evenings, other highly recommended places include: Ma Jong for expensive but excellent Chinese food, La Voile d'Or for good food with a great view of Lake Geneva, Le Cafe Theatre for meat or fish dinner with the locals (plus live music at night), enjoy an omelette at The Fox Cafe and pre-movie fries and a cocktail at Art Zoo.