The Best Cafés and Coffee Shops in Lucerne

Black and white tiles, blackboards hanging over the counter, and swinging benches give Dr. Oetker Café Gugelhupf a playful and welcoming vibe. Popular with the nearby university students, this café serves a great variety of freshly ground coffee and coffee drinks, as well as breakfast all day. You will find an incredible selection of savory and sweet bread rolls, croissants, pastries, but also American and English style breakfasts with eggs, bacon, ham and the like. If you are in the mood for something different, Dr. Oetker Café Gugelhupf also makes cheese and meat platters as well as pizzas.

With its cozy Middle Eastern atmosphere right in downtown Lucerne, Blend Teehaus is a popular tea and coffee shop a stone’s throw away from the lake. It features a young and hip atmosphere, plus a very good hot beverage selection. There are only a few tables, but the food is worth the wait, especially if you are looking for vegan options. Here you will find all sorts of plant-based cold and hot dishes, pastries and cakes, alongside specialty teas and good, strong coffee.

A cozy café with lovely views over the lake, Luz See Bistro is airy and light thanks to the large windows overlooking the water. It also has a wonderful vintage vibe to it, perfect for relaxing and hanging out alone or with friends. The art deco interior is quite unique and the terrace on the water is very popular with locals once the weather gets warm and sunny. The coffee and tea selection is interesting, as is the small but varied menu. At Luz See Bistro, breakfast is the main protagonist, but you can have burgers, sandwiches and salads, along with local brunch favorites such as croissants and muesli.

Mill’Feuille, located right by the River Reuss, is one of the best places in Lucerne for breakfast and brunch. Breakfast is served until 6 pm, and features items like quark with a goji berry compote and muesli, alongside traditional breakfast combinations of bread, home-made jam, and hazelnut spread. Try the baked eggs with various toppings, a favorite of regular patrons, or the signature “Mill’Feuille” steak tartare, which is best enjoyed on the roof terrace with a view of the river.

A quirky and artsy café not far from the river bank, Mardi Gras Luzern has a beautiful terrace if you want to enjoy your coffee in the sun, but it is equally interesting inside. The walls, covered with modern and older paintings, are reminiscent of an art gallery, while accents from Morocco and France give it an international flair. Besides some rich and delicious breakfast options, here you will find a large number of national and international newspapers for your reading pleasure. So take your time, sit back and let the wonderful atmosphere of Mardi Gras Luzern help you start the day in the best possible way.

Small and brightly coloured, Crazy Cupcake Café is a fun place off the beaten path where locals flock for Sunday brunch. The atmosphere is relaxed, the brunch buffet is rich and varied, and all the food and drinks served here are plant-based. But don’t let this fool you, even non-vegans like the variety on offer, including the incredible mini-cupcakes. Of course, all coffee drinks are prepared with your choice of vegan milk.