On a charming stretch of Rue du Midi, a little slice of Bretagne has taken shape. Not in theme-park pastiche, but in something far subtler. At Chez Arthur, the air carries the faint sweetness of caramelizing batter and cider poured into wide bowls. It already feels lived-in, as though it has always belonged here.
Arthur greets us alongside his two friends, all graduates of EHL whose paths crossed, and stayed crossed, in Lausanne. They have only just opened. The first weeks have tested them: a break-in, a chef’s injured hand, the kind of setbacks that could easily sour a beginning. Yet they speak about it lightly. The mood inside is steady. Buoyant, even.
The room is filled with light. It pours in through the large side windows, illuminating details you might otherwise miss. What we first assumed were decals turn out to be something far more personal: the logo and branding, carefully hand-painted directly onto the glass. It is the kind of gesture that sets the tone for everything else. Shelves hold quiet nods to Bretagne. A small run of hand-embroidered opening merchandise hangs near the bar, intimate and almost tender in its detail. Nothing feels mass-produced. Everything feels considered.
Why crêpes? Because Arthur loves them. The simplicity of that answer feels radical. That love was enough to send him to Bretagne to train in the traditional craft, to learn the balance of buckwheat batter and the rhythm of the turn.
The menu leans into restraint. Galettes made with locally sourced ingredients from Lausanne and the surrounding region. Sweet crêpes folded just so. Artisanal ciders and beers poured with the quiet confidence of people who know exactly why they are here.
Chez Arthur does not shout. It does not need to. It is a place built on affection: for a region, for a technique, for a simple pleasure done properly.
And sometimes, that is more than enough.
TLG Tip: Reservations are a must. The room seats just over 40, and it fills quickly. While we were there, several hopeful walk-ins were gently turned away, always with a smile. That steady flow of guests gives the space its warmth and hum.
Chez Arthur
Address
Rue du Midi 15
1003 Lausanne
Opening hours
Tuesday – Wednesday
11:30–14:00 / 18:00–22:00
Thursday – Friday
11:30–14:00 / 18:00–23:00
Saturday (non-stop)
11:30–23:00
