Jacques has always been one of those places you visit when you’re craving something equal parts delicate and decadent. And now, with its move to a new location in La Cité, it somehow feels even more like itself.
Gone is the cozy—but acoustically chaotic—space of its former home. In its place: a more expansive (but still intimate) dining room in the former Sardine restaurant, where sunlight pours through wall-lined windows and the soundscape finally lets you hear your dining partner without a lean-and-shout. It’s still Jacques through and through—elegant plates, precise service, seasonal finesse—but this setting gives it room to breathe. Literally.
We stopped by for their very first service in the new space and opted for the lunch menu: a three-course stunner at 39 CHF that felt like an absolute steal. It began with spiraled cucumber with Greek yogurt and peppermint, topped with smoked haddock shavings—a dish as refreshing as it was refined.
The main course? A slow-cooked paleron de bœuf confit à l’ail des ours (that’s beef shoulder braised until buttery) over polenta with morel mushroom crisps. No knife required—it simply fell apart. Dessert brought a cloudlike Madagascar vanilla espuma, anchored by a speculoos crunch and brightened with griottes cherry sorbet. Every bite was thoughtful, balanced, and plated with intention.
We spoke with Chef Jacques Allisson, who told us how much he loves the new space—how the light, the air, and the quiet lend themselves to a more intimate, yet somehow grander, experience.
And with a new terrace opening in 10 days, tucked under a canopy of trees at the very top of the city, it’s safe to say the magic of Jacques has only grown. Add in the charm of La Cité’s cobblestoned calm, and you’ve got one of Lausanne’s finest meals in one of its most enchanting settings.
It’s still Jacques—layered, inventive, confident—but now it breathes a little easier. The new space doesn’t just elevate the experience, it amplifies it.
Jacques Restaurant
Rue de la Barre 5, 1005 Lausanne
Lunch & dinner, Tuesday–Saturday
+41 21 544 88 75
