When the sun comes out in Lausanne, the city comes alive — and let’s be honest, there’s no better place to savor it than on a terrace with a drink in hand.
From lakeside classics to tucked-away neighborhood gems, we’ve rounded up our favorite spots to soak up the season. Whether you’re in the mood for an early morning espresso, an after-work apéro, or a full afternoon of people-watching, this list has you covered. The only challenge? Figuring out where to start.
Les Jardins du Vieux Lausanne & Giraf Bar
An oasis in the heart of the city, Les Jardins is one of those special places that you kind of want to keep for yourself. Nestled at the base of La Cité, the seasonal bar is a beautiful brainchild of the Restaurant le Vieux-Lausanne and Bar Giraf.
Buvette du Musée
And literally just one level up from the Giraf gardens, is a secret little buvette which is part of the Lausanne History Museum. It's quiet, with incredible views, and a small menu with local refreshments.
Brasserie de Montbenon
Your first steps into the Brasserie de Montbenon will be extraordinary. Your gaze will be drawn upward, and as if by instinct, you will gasp and briefly hold your breath. It’s just that beautiful. Then you’ll step out onto the terrace and have a hard time choosing whether to sit inside or outside.
Le Kiosque Saint-François
An icon in the middle of it all, this charming kiosk serves up front-row seats to the buzz of Lausanne life. Whether it’s a quick coffee, a lazy apéro, or just an excuse to linger in one of the city’s most recognisable squares, this spot delivers charm with a side of people-watching.
The Great Escape
There might not be a more amicable place in all the city. For many, stepping into The Great Escape is a nostalgic experience, conjuring memories of collegiate days and eternal summers. If hungry, we swear by their chicken nuggets.
Binom'
By Vidy, Binôm’ shifts effortlessly from laid-back lunches to golden-hour apéros, and its terrace is very much at the heart of it. All white tones, sun-bleached textures, and a breezy, almost Mykonos-like feel—it’s easy to forget you’re still in Lausanne. As the sun dips, the lights come on, the music settles in, and the whole space takes on that easy, holiday rhythm. The kind of place you come for a quick drink and end up staying well into the evening.
Montriond
Neighborhood charm meets local flavor at this laid-back terrace by Parc de Milan. Think craft beers, regional wines, and tasty nibbles that keep the conversation flowing. It’s the kind of spot where you pop by for an apéro and accidentally stay ‘til sunset.
Restaurant du Théâtre
Shaded by leafy trees and serenaded by the gentle splash of its central fountain, this courtyard terrace feels like a hidden oasis in the heart of the city. The lively brasserie vibe, refreshing drinks, and natural soundtrack make it a go-to for both sun-soaked lunches and relaxed apéros.
Continuum
Set within a former déchetterie in Sévelin, Continuum is less a terrace and more an ever-evolving cultural playground. Between pétanque, ping pong, exhibitions, pop-ups, and first-time DJs, the space shifts by the hour—each corner, each table, its own little world. Built from secondhand finds and driven by a desire to give emerging creatives a stage, it has that unmistakable feeling of something in motion: raw, warm, a little unexpected. Come for a drink, stay for whatever the night (or afternoon) turns into.
Le Barbare
Famous for its decadent hot chocolate in the colder months, Le Barbare shines just as bright in summer. Tucked alongside the iconic (and most Instagrammable) Escaliers du Marché, its cosy terrace is a sweet spot for soaking up the sun, local sips in hand, and watching Lausanne go by.
La Vaudaire
Right on the water’s edge in Vidy, La Vaudaire brings laid-back summer vibes with a touch of local flair. With its spacious lakeside terrace and menu that celebrates seasonal, regional favourites, it’s the perfect spot for long lunches or sunset apéros by the shore.
Fanfan
Just by Bessières, Fanfan Concept Store has quietly extended its charm outdoors this season, with a terrace that feels like a natural continuation of its curated, design-led world. Set against a postcard view of the cathedral and old town, it’s the kind of place that gives you that unmistakable feeling of having stumbled onto something special—coffee in hand, and nowhere else to be.
Les Arches
Ripped jeans, body piercings, tube tops, and killer tattoos litter this bar under a bridge. Owned by the D! Club, this spot is prime time for people watching, catching a few sun rays, and savoring a cocktail or two.
The Lacustre
Watch boats pass, feel the breeze off the lake, gaze as the sunlight changes on the mountains, and eat and drink incredibly well. We’ve spent many brunches, lunches, and even laaaaate evenings at The Lacustre and we still keep coming back for more. It remains one of our favorite terraces in Lausanne for its laid back vibe and quality food.
L'Impression
A small neighborhood bistro with a flexitarian menu (meaning everyone is welcome, and flavors are just as bold and bright and fresh regardless of whether you order a vegan dish or the lamb), they are open for breakfast, brunch and lunch. We were particularly struck by how simple yet stunning our dishes were.
Les Grandes Roches
You might assume that drinking under a bridge should be saved as a last resort in life. But at Les Grandes Roches an unusual urban space has been reclaimed and under-bridge-drinking given a new cool.
La Folie Voltaire
This is one of Lausanne’s family hotspots, so don’t hesitate to bring the little guys. A playground is just next to the dining area, so you can enjoy your adult conversation, knowing that your children are a short ear-shot away.
Downtown
Right in the heart of Lausanne, with a view of the Palace and the energy of the Flon, is Downtown. Known for their incredible breakfast, superfood salads and burgers, it’s a great place to start the morning or grab an apero or dinner with friends.
L'Auberge de Beaulieu
The outside front terrace, or beer garden, is spacious and sunny. A perfect place to let the kids run around (or play in the rocks), while you enjoy a beer, a homemade agua fresca or one of the stunning cocktails on their menu. We imagine many summer evenings spent on this terrace in the future.
Un Po' di Più
Right in the heart of the city, across from Place de la Riponne, is this urban oasis. Enjoy Italian antipastis, pastas, pizzas and cocktails surrounded by the eclectic deco under the shade of trees.
Le Bar @ Beau Rivage Palace
Under a shade of trees, and views of our pristine lake – the 5* service and cocktails make this bar in Ouchy a favorite to frequent when walking the boardwalk. Plus the pebbles and large open space nearby can occupy little ones if they happen to be in your company.
Street Cellar
Self-described as a “wine bar that breaks all the codes”, Street Cellar is the result of a crowd-funding initiative by two friends. They offer local wines drawn directly from the barrel, and elevated but unpretentious street food, and their space is decorated and painted by local street artists.
Bagha
Just below the cathedral, Bagha’s terrace spills onto the sidewalk with a front-row view of Lausanne’s Notre-Dame. It’s the kind of spot where you settle in for a coffee or a casual bite and end up staying longer than planned, watching the city drift by beneath the bell towers. Easy, unfussy, and quietly one of the best views in town.
Café de l'Hôtel de Ville
Set right on the cobblestones, the terrace at Café de l’Hôtel de Ville places you in the middle of it all—in the best way. There’s a gentle buzz to this corner of the city, with people passing, glasses clinking, and the rhythm of Lausanne unfolding around you. A classic spot for lingering over a meal while soaking up that unmistakable old-town energy.
Sisterfields
Tucked along a quiet sidestreet of La Cité, Sisterfields’ terrace is more of a soft landing than a traditional setup—deck chairs, a simple bench, and just enough sun to ease into your morning. It’s the kind of place where you grab a specialty coffee and something sweet, then linger a little longer than planned, half-hidden from the city below. Low-key, a little bohemian, and exactly right for slow, sunlit pauses.
Montchoisi Tennis Club (MTC)
Tucked within the greenery of Montchoisi, the terrace at Le MTC feels like a hidden garden with a quiet pulse of energy. Sunlight filters through the trees, glasses clink, and somewhere nearby, the scent of the brasero drifts through the air—giving the whole space that effortless, end-of-day ease. It’s the kind of place that balances laid-back and refined without trying too hard, and where one drink easily turns into dinner.
Terrace Cocktail Club (TCC)
Perched just above the city, the terrace at Terrace Cocktail Club brings a more open-air, summer-ready version of Lausanne Cocktail Club. Think long evenings under the stars, signature cocktails in hand, and that easy transition from afterwork to late-night drinks. With its relaxed, slightly Parisian bistro feel and views stretching over the city, it’s the kind of place where one round quietly turns into three
