A treasure-chest of culinary delights

These top chefs have taken their inspiration from the unique and highly fertile landscape and have evolved the finest regional cuisine. The mild climate of the lake, the rugged slopes of the nearby Napfgebiet, and the soft green hills of Lucerne’s countryside are perfect for growing fruit, vegetables and grains. Little surprise, then, that the market in Lucerne’s Old Town (every Saturday and Tuesday) is one of the most attractive in the country. Locals flock here to buy fresh perch and whitefish fillets, distinctive Dallenwiler mountain cheese, and the irresistible Engelberg goat cheese brought by producers in the Entlebuch UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. And don’t neglect to try Central Switzerland “Suurteigbrot” (sourdough bread) – this crisp, flavourful treat is a gastronomic classic.

Temptations around every corner

Of course, we should not forget Lucerne’s “national dish”: the Luzerner Chügelipastete, a historic speciality which was originally served during the city’s celebrated Carnival. The popular “Kafi Luz” – coffee with Kirsch or other fruit brandy – also has a history, and dates back to the days when farmers and dairymen would drink Schnapps before breakfast. The authorities banned the habit – and so the inventive farm folk would surreptitiously pour their favourite tipple into their coffee. A good taste for Schnapps has lingered: the distilleries around Lake Lucerne produce top-quality Kirsch – cherry – as well as other fruit brandies. Some of them still use traditional stills over wood fires. A suitable climax to a gastronomic tour is a slice of “Lozärner Birewegge” (Lucerne pear bread) or the award-winning Wetterfroschtorte (a coffee and plum brandy-scented cake) from Muotathal. These belong just as much to the culinary highlights of the region where you’ll also find up-to-date dishes such as beef entrecote with beetroot-orange chutney in a thyme sauce; potatoherb ravioli in a lobster broth, or lobster tempura. Lucerne restaurants bewitch visitors from all over the world.