Scenic Dining: 4 Lauterbrunnen Restaurants with a View
EST. READING TIME: 6 MIN
A picturesque valley with sweeping views of the Bernese Oberland, scenic dining in Lauterbrunnen is characterized by panoramic backdrops and cherished culinary traditions. Beginning at the base of the valley and traveling all the way up to the Schilthorn peak, consider each of these four Lauterbrunnen restaurants with a view for your Swiss itinerary.
Family-run operations dot the agricultural landscape, delivering tasty regional delicacies while giving visitors a taste of authentic Swiss mountain life. Dig into communal cheese-based cuisine like raclettes and fondue as you soak in the unparalleled beauty of this alpine paradise pulled straight out of a 4k wallpaper.
Already planning a trip to Lauterbrunnen? Check out my comprehensive 2-day Lauterbrunnen travel guide detailing everything you need to know when visiting the Bernese Oberland.
#1. Hotel Oberland (Lauterbrunnen)
At Hotel Oberland, begin by indulging in a Swiss classic. You can’t leave Switzerland without trying some of their world-famous chocolate and cheese fondue, and this is the perfect place to order the latter for dinner from 6:00 – 10:00 PM Wednesday through Sunday!
Fondue has deep cultural roots in Switzerland, where cheese has been a culinary cornerstone for centuries. The country’s lush alpine pastures makes it ideal for dairy farming, historically resulting in an abundance of high-quality cheeses—which are key ingredients in fondue.
The most commonly enjoyed fondue in Lauterbrunnen is moitié-moitié, which translates to "half-half." Combining equal parts of two quintessential Swiss cheeses produces this regional concoction, including hard Gruyère known for its rich, nutty flavor and semi-soft Vacherin Fribourgeois which adds a creamy texture and slightly tangy taste.
The cheese blend is melted together with white wine and a hint of garlic, creating a simply smooth yet richly flavorful fondue. Imitating herders who melted their preserved cheese in the winter to make it more palatable, enjoying this dish involves dipping pieces of crusty bread into a communal pot, savoring the harmonious combination of flavors in an embodiment of the Swiss values of togetherness and hospitality.
Hotel Oberland is the ideal place to taste this symbol of Swiss heritage because they not only offer the traditional two-cheese fondue, but also a four-cheese version with stronger flavor. Their last orders for the night are collected strictly at 8:30 PM, so be sure to book an early evening reservation by emailing info@hoteloberland.ch or calling +4 (133) 855-1241.
When inquiring about a table, request to dine outside on the patio since this is the best seat for a perfect view of the valley! Some people watching will be served up on the side as well, since this restaurant is situated alongside Auf der Fuhren—the main commercial road running through Lauterbrunnen.
Seeking a stay on the Schilthorn? Be sure to book at least one night in the most magical youth hostel in Lauterbrunnen Valley! A cozy alpine cabin with jaw-dropping mountain views awaits you.
#2. Mountain Hostel (Gimmelwald)
In the fairytale car-free village of Gimmelwald, the Mountain Hostel is a Lauterbrunnen lodging staple serving up Swiss classics. Choose between raclettes, Gimmelwaldner smoked sausage, and fondue — although I recommend enjoying fondue from Hotel Oberland as noted above.
While the valley youth hostel does cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for an affordable bunk, you don’t need to be a tenant to sit back, relax, and enjoy a pint of beer with a slice of choose-your-own-topping wood-fired pizza!
The large outdoor lounge space featuring comfy couches and a fire pit curates the ideal ambiance from which to admire the staggering vistas all around, making this the coziest mountainside chalet to add to your list of Lauterbrunnen Switzerland restaurants.
The in-house menu which can be ordered from daily between 12:00 - 9:00 PM specializes in hearty dishes originating from the Swiss Alps. Raclette—meaning "to scrape” from the French word racler—was born in the Valais region. Simplicity and practicality were critical cuisine requirements in these rural communities, making minimalistic raclette perfect since it simply involves melting cheese over an open fire and scraping it onto bread or potatoes.
Traditionally made from readily available ingredients like cheese, potatoes, and pickled vegetables, reward yourself with this nourishing dish after a tiring day spent exploring the valley. A must-try recipe for visitors to Switzerland, make the convivial dining experience even more fun by going with a group, since raclette is typically prepared on a communal machine where everyone scrapes their own melted cheese together.
If you’re cheese’d out at this point or unfortunately can’t indulge in dairy, smoked sausage from Gimmelwald is another taste of alpine culture which reflects the agricultural region's rich culinary heritage. Local farmers today still produce various Swiss delicacies such as cheese, fresh milk, eggs, and authentic sausages including rauchwurst.
The required method of preservation imparting a distinct, hearty flavor has been a traditional technique in Swiss cuisine as well, especially in mountainous regions where preserving meat for long winters was essential.
No matter which dish suits your fancy—even if it’s just a pizza—Mountain Hostel is guaranteed to provide a genuine experience of the region's flavors and culinary practices enhanced by the heavenly valley views in every direction.
Save money when exploring these alpine areas by cable car with the Swiss Travel Pass. Discover the ins and outs of commuting by train, bus, and gondola in this comprehensive Bernese Oberland transit guide.
#3. Birg Bistro (Birg)
High above Mürren—which boasts the only mountain grocery store in the form of Lauterbrunnen’s Coop—the Birg Bistro is enthroned on the impressive rock massif of the Thrill Walk, open daily from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
Dine outside to get up close and personal with the vertical abyss below. A relatively standard café menu should satisfy even the pickiest of eaters, with a range of soup, salad, sandwich, pizza, pasta, and hot-off-the-grill options available all day long.
If you’re feeling up to it after your meal, face your fear of heights on the Thrill Walk you’ll overlook while eating! The depth-defying steel structure juts out over the valley with precarious features like a crawl-through tunnel and tightrope walk to deepen the sense of adventure as you scramble around the rock face.
Seeking inspiration about what else to do in the valley? Discover the best summer adventures in Lauterbrunnen to ensure you see all the top sites in this lush landscape during your Swiss trip!
#4. Piz Gloria (Schilthorn)
The summit of the Schilthorn is where the fun continues. Meet Piz Gloria, a modern homage to the 007 spy franchise with an axis of rotation granting you panoramic views of Eiger, Mönch, Jungfrau and more than 200 other wintry summits—even in the summer!
This Lauterbrunnen staple is famous for a James Bond scene, as the snowy peak once served as a film location in the iconic Bond movie "On Her Majesty's Secret Service”. Commemorating this Lauterbrunnen-James Bond connection today, a 360-degree revolving restaurant now lives in the same structure showcased in the film!
You need to reach this scenic diner in the morning. Given this restaurant sits 9,744 feet in the air, thick cloud coverage descends in the afternoon—rendering your previously stunning view worthless! As such, Piz Gloria is not a Lauterbrunnen dinner or lunch spot—instead you should book a brunch reservation.
As a reward for getting up early, treat yourself to none other than the Schilthorn Brunch! Served daily until 2:00 PM, for 37 CHF per person you can eat—and drink mimosas—to your heart’s content while watching the impressive mountain scenery glide by during the highest meal you’ll ever have!
While a buffet is still a buffet, I found the spread to be pretty diverse with options for every palette, including classic Swiss delicacies and dishes for most—if not all—dietary restrictions. Book a reservation at Piz Gloria in advance to ensure you secure a table.
No matter where you choose to dine in Lauterbrunnen, embrace Swiss hospitality with must-try culinary adventures for tourists. Sharing melted cheese around a communal table brings strangers together, making this experience a key element of social dining in Swiss culture and further reinforcing the status of fondue and raclette as national delicacies.
Fostering togetherness and warmth, the comforting nature of these dishes has elevated them from humble rural practices to iconic Swiss traditions celebrated worldwide—and if you’ve traveled all the way to Switzerland already you might as well give them a try with some pristine scenery served up on the side!
Pair your melted cheese with the breathtaking alpine views offered by each of the four best restaurants in Lauterbrunnen, and your Switzerland itinerary is guaranteed to be a smashing success!
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