Some restaurants sit on your mental list for years. You hear about them, pass by them occasionally, make a note to go… and somehow never quite get around to it. That was the case for us with Le Café du Tramway. Slightly outside our usual Lausanne dining route, but still close enough to feel like we really had no excuse.
The final push came when we asked a friend whose taste in gastronomy we deeply admire a simple question: What’s your go-to restaurant in Lausanne? Without hesitation, she said: Café du Tramway.
Consider us convinced.
Sitting just above Riponne in the Pontaise neighborhood, Le Café du Tramway has been part of Lausanne’s culinary landscape for more than a century. Originally opened in 1895, the building narrowly escaped demolition before being restored and brought back to life as a restaurant that respects its past while embracing modern gastronomy.
Inside, the space feels timeless. Warm wood paneling, softly lit corners, and an intimate dining room that makes you want to settle in for a proper meal.
We visited for lunch and opted for the menu du jour (CHF 32) — a price that feels almost surprising once the dishes begin arriving.
The starter, a celeriac remoulade, was anything but the humble bistro classic you might expect. The plate played with textures and flavors in a way that immediately set the tone for the meal: creamy, fresh, layered, and beautifully balanced. One of those dishes where you pause halfway through to acknowledge how good it is (there were a few silent and knowing nods exchanged across the table).
We also ordered the œuf parfait, which frankly deserves its own paragraph. Generous, rich, and deeply comforting, the dish arrived layered with herbs and delicate espuma. It was indulgent in the best possible way — we kept dipping our forks (and slices of bread) into it long after we planned to stop.
For the main, the filet de poisson du marché was elegant and beautifully cooked, served with a delicate langoustine bisque and seasonal vegetables. The arancini, ordered alongside it, arrived deeply golden, giving way to a creamy center lifted by lemon confit and that same whisper of langoustine bisque. Refined without being fussy.
In other words: every dish felt carefully considered.
To finish, we shared a tarte à la clémentine meringuée with fresh dill.
Now, we know we say this often… but when a dessert isn’t overly sweet, something magical happens. The brightness of the clementine paired with the surprising freshness of dill created a combination that was both delicate and refreshing. Unexpected. Balanced. Perfect.
Le Café du Tramway isn’t necessarily an everyday lunch spot. The cuisine leans toward elevated bistronomy, and with that comes slightly higher prices once you move beyond the lunch menu.
But for a long lunch, a celebration, or simply a moment to properly catch up with a friend — it’s exactly the kind of place you want.
And if, like us, you’ve been meaning to go for years…consider this your sign to finally book the table.
Le Café du Tramway
Rue de la Pontaise 6B, 1018 Lausanne
+41 76 812 84 59
hello@lecafedutramway.ch
