5 Best Restaurants in Vaud, Switzerland

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.

The Auberge de Luins is beloved by locals and tourists alike—there is often a cluster of villagers gathered at the community table debating the quality of the latest vintage or regional politics.

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.

While driving the Route du Vignoble, you can sample the local wine and munch a few rich malakoffs (fried cheese balls) at L'Union.

After years of overseeing bubbling pots of fondue—the popular draw at this tiny eatery—the hand-painted murals and mirrors set in dark frames have a smoky patina. It's a casual neighborhood place where local wines are poured from pewter pitchers, and the people at the next table eavesdrop. Regulars favor the tender steak—entrecôte of beef or cheval (horse)—accompanied by an overflowing plate of fries or a half-moon of crispy Rösti.