Drinking coffee in Lausanne: my 5 favourite places

Alexandre, the souvenir maker
Alexandre the souvenir maker
September 26, 2022

On waking, after a meal or just to meet up with friends, nothing could be better than a (really) good cup of coffee. In Lausanne, several excellent addresses serve proper coffee. Here’s my selection of favourite places to spend good times with friends while savouring this fabulous nectar that holds so many secrets.

Bel-Air Coffee

A small, restful and warm café with Scandinavian inspiration that is located in a magnificent courtyard in the heart of town. This is where you can savour excellent cups of coffee and delicious pastries/viennoiseries. A minimalist, yet very friendly place that I particularly appreciate and a very attentive welcome with great advice for the best experience! You feel there that everything is prepared with passion and I heartily recommend it.

Madeleine – Café, Livres & Co

A beautiful café, very recent, located in the heart of the city and where you are welcomed with a large smile. The perfect place where you could stay all day reading and sampling everything on the drinks menu! The décor is very thoughtfully done and I love the atmosphere that emerges from it. I also love having a bookshop in the same space. I’ll give an extra point for what they call a “suspended coffee”, a concept that enables people in need to get a free drink. The idea is simple: one for me and one gifted down the line! A gesture of solidarity I appreciated a lot.

Ça Passe Crème

How could I not talk about this iconic place a stone’s throw from the train station? Once through the door, you’re welcomed by Steeve and Davide who enthusiastically share their passion. The drinks are delicious and served with a little card indicating the provenance of the coffee as well as a brief description. I love it! Pretty décor and warm setting; in short, everything to have a pleasant time!

Sleepy Bear

A cosy place where good coffee is served with a nice dollop of generosity. Welcomed by Diana, we feel immediately like we’re at home. The coffee is delicious and I love the iced speciality “Nitro Coffee”, a cold-brew base infused in a barrel with nitrogen. Same principle as beer making, fantastic! The cookies are homemade fresh and the atmosphere is relaxing. I was able to drink my superb flat white with a pretty, very well done picture of a bear while leafing through a book on latte art available on a shelf. Good to know, they have launched their new Hungry Bear restaurant next door from the Coffee Shop, an address that I’ll hasten to try!

Coffee Page

An address not to be missed for all amateurs of quality coffee! A magnificent place located in a building with an architecture dating from the 1920s and in an authentic setting with large bay windows and high ceilings. A very inspiring décor that I love, with a well-stocked library! Particular care has been taken over the decoration and the products are good. In short, everything is designed so you feel at home and spend an enjoyable time.

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