Old Swiss House

Old Swiss House stands on Löwenplatz in Luzern, Switzerland, a few steps from the Lion Monument, and is one of the city's best-known historic restaurants. The cuisine is classic Swiss with a French influence, and the house is best known for the veal escalope, the Wiener Schnitzel, which the service team finishes at the table. In autumn the kitchen also observes the Metzgete, the traditional blood-sausage season. The wine programme is built around a collection of Mouton Rothschild bottles, which gives the cellar a reputation beyond the usual regional list. The house changed hands on 1 August 2026, when the Studer-Friedli family took over from the Buholzer family; the new owners state that the setting and the signature dishes continue. The dining rooms are antique-filled and traditional in character, with a formal, unhurried atmosphere that suits celebratory dinners and business lunches more than a quick bite. Smart casual dress is the norm in this kind of room, and the noise level is generally subdued. Prices sit in the upper bracket ($$$), so the lunch service on weekdays and Saturdays is the more economical way to experience the house. The restaurant is open Tuesday to Saturday, with lunch from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM (hot kitchen to 1:30 PM) and dinner from 6:00 to 11:30 PM (hot kitchen to 9:00 PM). It is closed on Sundays and Mondays, but stays open on Christmas and New Year's Eve. Reservations are advised, especially for evenings, and can be made through oldswisshouse.ch or by phone on +41 41 410 61 71. Because the hot kitchen closes early relative to the room's opening hours, diners who want a full meal should arrive close to the start of service. Its position next to the Lion Monument also makes it a natural stop for visitors combining sightseeing with a sit-down meal.