The best terraces and rooftops in Lausanne

At the foot of the Cathedral ramparts, this charming French garden is sought out at the end of sunny days. You can share tasty, local dishes and snack boards, paired with festive cocktails.
That little extra from the food insider "Lila Erard": Besides adorning the bar, the aromatic herbs from the kitchen garden are used for the cooking.
Favourite dish: The homemade gyozas

Located by the lake in Vidy, La Vaudaire showcases the culinary and landscape treasures of Lake Geneva. From the menu to the interior fittings, every detail reflects the beauty and richness of this natural jewel, offering diners an authentic immersion in the soul of the region.
The menu features fillets of perch or féra, depending on availability, Swiss salmon from Grisons, and crayfish rolls.

The restaurant of Ouchy Castle highlights local quality products in a chic and trendy American-style atmosphere. Meat is the star at 57° Grill: Cooked to perfection on the grill, on a spit or as a roast. A technical skill that has earned them 12 points in the GaultMillau.

The Jetée de la Compagnie is a temporary terrace on the shores of Lake Geneva, in Lausanne-Ouchy. The sweeping deck is a great place for a spot of sunbathing after a dip. In the evenings, the smell of grilled food, cocktails and stunning sunset views set the tone. La Jetée de la Compagnie also hosts yoga classes and concerts all summer long.

Focus on Mediterranean flavours in this charming historical kiosk with colourful shutters. Pizzas, pasta or refined and local salads can be savoured on the edge of the woods, with a stunning view over Lake Geneva.
That little extra from the food insider "Lila Erard": The proximity to playgrounds for children, ideal for families.
Favourite dish: The salad with mountain pasture serac cheese

Just a few minutes' walk from the Lausanne train station, the Mirabeau hotel restaurant welcomes you with its winter selection of dishes including Chateaubriand, bouillabaisse and sole meunière. Chef Didier Sarrat creates generous dishes inspired by local produce.
You can also enjoy tartare and carpaccio on the shady terrace under the chestnut trees.

This small historical kiosk, located at the entrance to Milan Park, is the perfect spot to sip a local beer, glass of wine or cocktail, and savour seasonal snacks.
That little extra from the food insider "The Lausanne Guide": Walk up to the top of Montriond Hill, right next to the kiosk, to enjoy the panoramic view.
Favourite drink: The homemade lemonade

Just along from the Jetée de la Compagnie is Le Minimum. A new arrival among the open-air cafes of Lausanne, its cream and green-shaded wooden structure reminds you of a beach hut.

Among the many Italian restaurants in Lausanne, the Accademia stands out for its sophisticated cuisine and its terrace overlooking Lake Geneva. The restaurant of the 4-star Hotel Angleterre & Résidence enjoys the elegance of this establishment and its sister hotel, the Beau-Rivage Palace.

The Café Beau-Rivage has been an institution in the Lausanne-Ouchy district for 25 years, and attracts a varied clientele with its carefully prepared cuisine and idyllic shaded terrace overlooking Lake Geneva. The menu follows the seasons and offers different themes over the course of the year

It feels like stepping into a Berlin Biergarten, except that only in Lausanne can you drink apéro under the imposing arch of a hundred-year-old bridge. Extensive choice of cocktails, beers and other local beverages.
That little extra from the food insider "That little extra from the food insider "Tania Brasseur": At lunchtime, nice light meals are served on the Grandes Roches terrace. In the evenings, good snack boards let you prolong apéro time until late in the evening!
Favourite drink: The draught cider

A breathtaking view, deck chairs in the shade of lindens, hot dogs and snack boards with local products, as well as regional beverages… What are you waiting for to come for apéro, right by the water’s edge?
That little extra from the food insider "Cannelle Rebelle": The setting, with direct access to the lake!
Favourite snack: The “super planchette”

Next to the Cistercian abbey and the Jorat Nature Park, the Auberge de l’Abbaye de Montheron offers an immersive and nature-inspired culinary experience. A rich, creative and sustainable cuisine awaits you, just a few kilometres from Lausanne. In summer, the terrace is delightfully bucolic.

The Arches bar certainly boasts one of the finest locations in Lausanne, embedding itself under the arches of the Grand Pont. Its tables are angled towards place de l’Europe, which allows guests to watch the world go by while getting some fresh air, sipping on a beer or nibbling on a snack. A magnificent spot for basking in the sun, taking a break between shopping sessions, having a drink after work or beginning your evening out.

With a menu of gourmet and comforting dishes, a breathtaking view and festive cocktails, The Skylounge will brighten up the long summer evenings. Head to the top of the Royal Savoy and let the magical scenery of Lake Geneva, the menu and the cocktails amaze you!

This Rooftop terrace offers cocktails, snacks, as well as a breathtaking view of the city centre. Open only in good weather.

Côté Lac association is opening a pop-up bar on the Quai de Belgique in Ouchy in front of the Olympic Museum fountain! Come and spend a pleasant moment in an idyllic setting and take a dip in the lake, the new swimming area of Ouchy being located in front of the bar!

The "La Rincette" refreshment bar is unfurling its ephemeral charm on the outskirts of the Pyramides de Vidy, creating a new must-see venue! Meet us facing the lake, in the shade of the umbrella pines on the Esplanade des Cantons, to enjoy this terrace with a gentle Mediterranean accent.

A panoramic view by Lake Geneva, a funky atmosphere, a creative menu and a relaxed mood make this bar the ideal spot for lively apéros. Advance booking is highly recommended.
That little extra from the food insider "The Lausanne Guide": During the week, try the home-smoked BBQ ribs, slow cooked for 6 hours
Favourite dish: The pizza, together with a cocktail, of course!

As the restaurant of the Hotel Baron Tavernier in Chexbres, a member of the network of businesses certified by Vaud Œnotourisme, Le Deck overlooks the vineyards of Lavaux UNESCO and Lake Geneva. With the arrival of summer, it becomes a favourite hangout for visitors and locals needing a break from the daily grind.

A restaurant on 3 levels with a rooftop in the heart of the Lausanne-Flon district.

Perched on the roof of the Conservatory, this art-deco café serves a brasserie-style cuisine, with generous helpings. In the afternoon, the lunch menu gives way to a selection of sharing dishes, salads, burgers and some sweet treats.
Le truc en + de la food insider "Jennifer Segui": When the weather is fair, the rooftop terrace is the dream location to make time stand still, as you’re lulled by the scales escaping from the Conservatory.
Favourite dish: The chicken liver salad

A charming terrace in Lutry reminiscent of the south

From breakfast to apéro to weekend brunch, this café cum art gallery attracts a semi-arty, semi-student and family clientele. Works by local artists are displayed on the walls and change regularly.
That little extra from the food insider "¿Quand est-ce qu’on mange?": The terrace, with its holiday atmosphere.
Favourite snack: The slice of homemade cake

Located on the Quai Milliquet promenade in Pully, La Générale is a pop-up snack bar that serves a variety of local products, drinks and snack boards. In addition, it offers a range of sports, leisure and cultural activities in a magnificent setting, with shaded seating and a deck on the shore to chill.

How lovely it is to eat at Nabi’s, a stone throw from the train station! In the Plateforme 10 museum district, this restaurant brilliantly reinvents local cuisine, ethically, aesthetically and with a modern twist.
That little extra from the food insider "Tania Brasseur": When the weather is fair, you can enjoy the terrace and its bar located in the Arcades. On Sundays, Nabi serves an original and refined brunch.
Favourite dish: The “fabled ceviche” from the lake

Located next to the Lausanne Opera House, the restaurant serves a seasonal cuisine that highlights quality local products.

Near the Fondation de l’Hermitage, this restaurant is renowned for its weekend brunches. Nestled in one of Lausanne’s most beautiful parks, it invites you to stroll and enjoy the breathtaking view over the city, lake and Alps.
That little extra from the food insider "Canelle Rebelle": The “Art & Gastronomy” evenings and Sundays, with special menus inspired by the exhibitions displayed at the Fondation de l'Hermitage.
Favourite dish: Egg Benedict

Traditional yet contemporary, elegant yet friendly, the “BM” serves a bistro-style cuisine based on local products. The magnificent terrace sheltered by a pergola is a must to make the most of long summer evenings!
That little extra from the food insider "The Lausanne Guide": The continuous food service at the weekend, from noon to 10.30 pm!
Favourite dish: The beef tartare

The Etoile Blanche is a relaxed, friendly bar-restaurant situated in the heart of Lausanne. It is a favourite of students, cool thirty-somethings and a fair few English-speakers looking for a pub atmosphere at the end of the day.

This bar-restaurant is located just a stone's throw from the Collection de l'Art Brut and the Palais de Beaulieu.

Are you in search of a scrumptious brunch? At the weekend, this restaurant serves a sumptuous all-you-can-eat buffet. During the week, you can eat breakfast there, why not before visiting the museum!
That little extra from the food insider "Cuisine Helvetica": When the weather is fair, enjoy the beautiful terrace that offers an outstanding view over Lake Geneva and the Alps.
Favourite dish: The brunch

Ideally located halfway between the Cathedral and Place de la Riponne, The Great Escape is a bar where you can meet up with friends for apéro or watch a football or rugby match.
That little extra from the food insider "Guidegastronomique.ch": The large terrasse, always very lively
Favourite dish: The fish and chips

The soothing presence of hundred-year-old trees and the joyful activity of the nearby playground, an inspired and inspiring drink menu, as well as crepes and ice creams… The Folie Voltaire has it all!
That little extra from the food insider "Tania Brasseur": Nestled in its green setting, the terrace of the Folie Voltaire remains one of the most delightful in Lausanne.
Favourite drink: The Neapolitan iced coffee