Cafe Du Grutli - Lausanne

Excellent service. The place was packed and we'd missed the first round of seating, so we waited for a table to clear. The staff treated us like family they were so kind while we waited. We had an assortment of dishes, including fondue all were fantastic. Looked like there were a few large parties, so the place can obviously accommodate them even though it's not very big. Ambience is exactly like the photo warm and friendly.

As a lover of good local local food, travel and Rick Stein, I look forward to the return of Rick Steins “Long Weekends”, whereby he travels to European cities exploring their culinary delights in the process. He has yet to visit Lausanne, but I will be urging him to do so. With regular flights from the UK and many European cities to Geneva, which is a short 60km east along beautiful Lake Geneva, under an hour by train. Lausanne feels much more Swiss than Geneva, nestled along the banks of the beautiful lake, often described as the Swiss Riviera, it is home to the IOC, International Olympic Committee, responsible for organising the summer and winter Olympic Games. The old city with its gothic cathedral and winding cobble streets is the perfect location to explore with its colourful buildings, shops and restaurants. Whist using the spa the the Royal Savoy Hotel, a perfect place to spoil yourself whilst in Lausanne, I spoke with a local who recommended his friends restaurant if I wanted to sample authentic Swiss cuisine. He even booked a table there for myself and my sons that evening. Cafe du Grütli is a charming, traditional Swiss restaurant, which would definitely feature in a Long Weekend programme if ever Rick Stein visited Lausanne. With its local charm, including characters, singing and a warm welcome from Willy the owner, alongside antique furniture and gondolas outside the setting in one of the oldest parts of the city is as inviting as the warm lights from the windows. Swiss food is heavily influenced by its alpine geography and its neighbouring counties. Fondue, Rosti and Sausage are all available alongside schnitzels, with local salad and a variety of local deserts. I chose the Wiener schnitzel with rice , followed by Swiss chocolate mouse with raspberries, while my sons chose veal with mushrooms and cream with fries, followed by apple tart. The meal was first class; tasty, shallow fried in peanut oil, with a crunchy batter with tender and flavourful meat. I could eat this every I would not be disappointed! Cafe du Grütli is a destination in itself when in Lausanne.

Very nice coffee with local flavor. The fondue and the dried meat platter were just perfect. The atmosphere is very nice and the service very pleasant. We don't worry. In short, a place to enjoy Swiss food and wine. To discover

A little noisy, but nice. The price of the Grutli fondue is a little high but still very good.

Always so friendly and faithful to our expectations. What a pleasure to be able to reconnect with old habits. Thanks to Willi and his entire team.