Cheap eats guide to Lucerne

Lucerne for its modest size has a rich and diverse dining scene that can be on the pricey side but with a bit of careful research, there are some cracking bargains to be found, ranging from 1 CHF chicken wings to 2 CHF tartlets. Here is my guide to the best cheap eats in Lucerne ! PS Checkout my brand new guide to free things to do in Lucerne too.

1. Bachmann Bakery 

Address: Two branches at Lucerne train station (main hall and basement), plus Schwanenplatz 7, 6004 Luzern

Beloved family bakery since 1897, perfect for grabbing fresh sandwiches and local pastries before a hike or train ride

If you are planning a day trip hiking up Mount Rigi or Pilates and looking for a nice lunch sandwich or snack on the go from the train station, Bachmann Bakery which has been serving locals since 1897, is the place to go. Besides a range of tasty filling sandwiches, if you have a sweet tooth, you can sample local specialities like the local Birnenwegge, a puff pastry with a spiced pear puree filling or the Bündner Nusstorte, a traditional Swiss tart from Graubünden.

2. Chäs Barmettler

Address: Hertensteinstrasse 2, 6004 Luzern

Old Town cheese shop famous for its hot Chäschüechli tartlets, a 2 CHF bargain baked fresh on a street-side oven

The ultimate bargain for foodies has to be the hot cheescake tartlets aka Chäschüechli which you can buy at Chäs Barmettler for only 2 CHF. It is a must in Lucerne.

3. Mezzogiorno Lucerne

Address: Hirschengraben 33b, 6003 Luzern

Organic grocery shop known for its 12.50 CHF vegetarian lunch takeaway and occasional Too Good to Go surprise bags at 4.90 CHF

Part of a network of organic and specialty food shops with three locations in Switzerland, if you are lookin for organic, homemade vegetarian food, their 12.50 CHF lunch takeaway offer where you can choose from 2-3 dishes, is a great offer. They also sometimes offer a surprise bag from Too Good to Go for 4.90 CHF.

4. Goki

Address: Zürichstrasse 38, 6004 Luzern

Family-run restaurant famed for its scratch-made Pho Bo, alongside solid curries and rice dishes

While curries ( start from 17 CHF) and the rice dishes are fantastic here, the undisputed star of this family run restaurant is their Pho Bo: broth is made from scratch and flavourful ( 22 CHF )

5. Wirtshaus Galliker 

Address: Schützenstrasse 1, 6003 Luzern

Family-run since 1856, this wood-panelled inn serves traditional Lucerne classics like Chögelipastetli and calf’s head

If you are looking to sample traditional Swiss cuisine in Lucerne, this is the place. Serving hungry locals since 1856 the Galliker family’s closely guarded recipes and key to their popularity are a range of dishes on the menu, from Tête de veau, tripe, potato rösti with bratwurst sausages and onion sauce to traditional local puff pastry pies (my choice, served with a mushroom sauce-so good).

6. Chapter Lucerne

Address: Löwenplatz 11, 6004 Luzern

Capsule Hostel near the Lion Monument with a solid in-house menu, including budget flammkuchen, pizza and Thursday pizza-and-beer night

If you are looking for a nice bite to eat in the Chapter Lucerne hostel, you can treat yourself to their excellent flammkuchen (14 CHF)  or pizzas (14-18 CHF) along with a glass of wine (6.80 CHF) or beer (5.50 CHF). Also worth remembering that on Thursdays it is pizza and beer night at the hostel from 5-10pm, for the bargain price of 15 CHF.

7. Banh Mi Pho

Address: Furrengasse 15, Lucerne 6004 Switzerland

Nice bao, noodle dishes but their signature dish are their much loved Banh Mi’s ( starts from 12.90 CHF ) – crispy baguette, super fresh ingredients and nice staff too.

8. Onkel Salamat

Address:  Brünigstrasse 19, 6005 Luzern, Switzerland

The food at Onkel Salamat is as close to authentic Persian cuisine you will find in Switzerland and is like dining at someone’s home. Rich in Persian influence and mostly plant-based, the food here, aka mezze is perfect for sharing and reasonably priced. Mezze here ranges from Zeytoone Parvardeh Pickled green and black olives with nut pesto ( 6.50 CHF) , Muhammara with Nan Barbari ( Dip made with walnuts, roasted bell peppers, and pomegranate- 11.50 CHF ) Falafel-Chickpea balls with sesame sauce ( 8.50 CHF) to Abre soorkh schodeh– Cauliflower in beer batter with yogurt and herb sauce: Cauliflower in beer batter with yogurt and herb sauce ( 9.50 CHF)

9. Bar Frankys

Address: Ground floor of Hotel Alpina, Frankenstrasse 6, 6003 Luzern

Friendly cocktail bar near the station with stone-baked pizzas from next door, great music and one of Switzerland’s rare smokers’ bars

If you are looking for friendly service, great cocktails and good music, Franky’s is the place to go to in Lucerne. Located on the ground floor of the Hotel Alpina, not far from the train station, you will find the bar. Besides a great range of spirits, they also service really delicious stone baked pizzas, courtesy of their neighbours, La Bestia ( Not cheap but you can get a marinara pizza for 20 CHF ) . It is that kind of place where you will make friends and end up having a few beers. This is ,however, a smokers’ bar, a rare exception in smoke-free Switzerland so keep that in mind.

10. Shamrock Bar

Address: Wagenbachgasse 3, 6004 Luzern

Cosy Irish pub in the heart of the Old Town, known for draft Guinness and its legendary 1 CHF chicken wings on Mondays

When asking locals, their favorite local bars, Shamrock’s name came up a few times. You stand at the bar, grab a local beer on Guinness on draft if that’s your drink of choice and if you stay long enough, by the end of the night, everyone at the bar and in the pub is your friend – that’s how nice it is. On Mondays they run their legendary chicken wings night where they cost just 1 CHF-bargain for Switzerland. Daily menu also offers homemade soup with soda bread for 9 CHF.