Tucked inside the Musée cantonal des Beaux-Arts (MCBA) in Lausanne, Le Nabi offers more than just a meal — it delivers an experience. Light floods its vast room, its minimalist décor softened by a poetic dried-flower fleur éternelle installation (created by Julie Stoudmann of Lausanne’s floral boutique L’Attribut d’Iris) and a bold, colorful painting from the museum’s collection dominating the back wall. It’s a space that echoes the art you’ve just seen: calm, intentional, thoughtful.
A Table for Lunch (and More)
Le Nabi is open for lunch only, transforming into a venue for private events in the evenings. But by day, its large outdoor terrace and luminous dining hall make it a perfect stop after wandering MCBA — whether you’re in for something light (coffee & cake) or a full midday meal. A large share of diners come straight from the museum, while others drift in from the train station, making it a crossroads of art-lovers, commuters, and locals.
From Tuesday to Saturday, the kitchen offers an à la carte selection alongside a weekly dish or a weekly menu, at a reasonable price. On weekends, brunch takes center stage with an abundant spread prepared from fresh, local produce — so popular that reserving ahead is recommended. Expect a rich variety of dishes, from röstis to pancakes, with both sweet and savory options, all accompanied by freshly prepared drinks.
Inspired by Locality, Delivered with Creativity
The heart of Le Nabi’s appeal is global flavors with local roots. Chef Bruno Andrade and his team (including Matéo Juez and Emamuddin Nazari) build dishes with vegetables, grains, and legumes from nearby market gardens, quality meats, and fish from the lake or small pisciculture. If it isn’t grown locally, it simply isn’t used — even lemons are swapped out for verjus. The menu shifts frequently, following the seasons.
Recent highlights included a Salmorejo soup, a cold tomato-based specialty from southern Spain, finished here with capers for a subtle tang. The trout tartare, sourced locally, arrived hidden beneath a delicate rice cracker and nori dome — a playful nod to Japanese flavors while staying rooted in the region. Another standout was the dish of the day, a silky sweet potato purée topped with crisp corn and chickpea tempura, combining comfort and crunch in a perfectly balanced bite. And to finish, a cheesecake so light and smooth it almost seemed to float, the perfect ending to a meal that balances creativity with restraint.
The drinks deserve a mention too: a ginger-verjus that’s bright and refreshing, and a hibiscus lemonade that’s tart yet smooth. Every element feels thoughtful, never showy — a quiet celebration of flavor and freshness.
Ethos & Atmosphere
Le Nabi is more than food. It’s about vision. The restaurant’s multicultural kitchen team brings inspiration from their own culinary traditions while cooking with local products, creating a cosmopolitan cuisine deeply rooted in place.
Le Nabi’s philosophy is rooted in sustainability — from seasonal produce and organic farming to fair trade practices and close ties with local farmers and artisans. The team knows their producers personally, and each plate celebrates this ‘new generation’ of creative, active growers. A strong effort is also made to minimize waste: aside from wine bottles, which are packaged individually, everything else arrives in bulk and as sustainably as possible. Aligned with the principles of the Slow Food movement, Le Nabi underscores its commitment to thoughtful, responsible gastronomy.
The décor, the natural light, the bold artwork, the leafy touches — all contribute to a relaxed elegance. You feel at once inspired by the art around you and welcomed, rather than observed. Children are also part of the picture: a playful corner invites younger guests to discover new tastes and creativity at the table.
Why Go?
If you’re in Lausanne and want more than just “somewhere to eat,” Le Nabi is for you. It’s ideal for lunch after a museum visit, for those who care where their food comes from and want creativity without pretension, and for moments when the setting matters — terrace, sunlight, art on the walls, and a sense of conviviality
Bottom line: Le Nabi isn’t just a café-restaurant at MCBA. It’s where art, season, landscape, and flavor converge — intimate yet generous, familiar yet surprising. If you want to taste Lausanne’s present — its producers, its culinary creativity, and its open-hearted hospitality — Le Nabi is not to be missed.
Le Nabi
Pl. de la Gare 16, 1003 Lausanne
021 311 02 90
Reserve your table here
