Best restaurants in Kriens

Colonnade

★★ Michelin€€€€french

Dating back to 1906, the Mandarin Oriental, situated on the lakeshore, is certainly a stylish setting in which to dine. This restaurant exudes the charm of yesteryear with contemporary elegance. With wonderful Art Nouveau light fittings hanging from the high ceiling, striking marble columns and an almost floor-to-ceiling glazed wine cabinet, the interior is a sight to behold. Chef Gilad Peled and his enthusiastic team showcase their modern take on French cuisine – take, for example, the sweetbreads with peas, asparagus, morels and wild garlic. There are two tasting menus, which can comprise th

Sonnenberg le soir

★ Michelin€€€French, International

As well as the prospect of the magnificent view of Rigi, Pilatus, Lake Lucerne and Bürgenstock, here you can look forward to Luca Haase's creative set menu, served in the evening. The chef, who previously worked under Peter Knogl at Basel's Trois Rois, cooks up modern French cuisine with Japanese and Mediterranean influences, using excellent ingredients. Choose between the omnivore version of the set menu ("Land and Water") and the vegetarian "Field and Garden", each comprising three to five courses. Charming and expert service is provided by a front-of-house team headed up by restaurant manag

de MATOS

★ Michelin€€€Creative

In a prime Old Town location right by the River Reuss, this couple – Oscar de Matos and Nadine Baumgartner – run their restaurant, which has a tastefully modern bistro vibe with a relaxed feel and an open kitchen. Made from top-quality ingredients, the dishes are brimming with personality – bold, creative and out of the ordinary, characterised by an intense interplay of acidity and contrasts. Think kohlrabi with Nashi pear, buttermilk and chipotle ketchup, or halibut with walnut, parsnip, Chasselas grapes and sauerkraut beurre blanc. "Unusual, but down-to-earth and with a pinch of punk" is how

Lucide

★ Michelin€€€€Contemporary, Classic Cuisine

This place ticks all the boxes! In a central location right by Lake Lucerne, on the first floor of the Culture and Congress Centre, it commands fantastic views of the lake and the city. It boasts a stylish and chic interior. Furthermore, the large, friendly team provides proficient service. And then there's the food: By enlisting Maximilian Huber, previously chef at Munich's mural farmhouse, they have brought in a master at elevating regional cuisine with delicate precision. Proximity to producers and the quality of the ingredients play an important role. The precise technique and balance of f

Minamo

★ Michelin€€€€japanese

This restaurant with a counter-dining concept brings a slice of Japan to the exclusive Mandarin Oriental, with its pared-back Far Eastern decor and an eight-course traditional Japanese omakase menu served to all diners at the same time. From your comfortable seat at the counter, you can watch, for example, as various nigiri are prepared before your eyes. The accompanying sake pairing is particularly enticing. And don't hesitate to ask any burning questions you may have – the chef and the competent front-of-house team will gladly provide answers and do their best to make your evening enjoyable.

Maihöfli by UniQuisine

★ Michelin€€€Creative, Innovative

Chef Robert Steuri heads up the kitchen of this lovely restaurant at a remove from the city centre. In the evening, he and his dedicated team showcase precise craftsmanship and top-notch ingredients in two five- or seven-course set menus, one of which is vegan. A marriage of elegance and bold flavours, the dishes are carefully composed and thoughtfully balanced – intricate without ever feeling overworked. A fine example is the duck with red cabbage, chestnut and orange. At lunchtime, the set menu is shorter, comprising three or four courses. Diners enjoy professional and well-attuned service i

Bayts

€€Vegan, Modern Cuisine

A refreshing, young, modern concept that revolves around plant ingredients. These go into dishes that make up a seven-course set menu, which is also available in a shorter four-course version on Tue-Thu. The cooking is ambitious yet straightforward – dishes such as "lettuce, macadamia, chives" or "cauliflower, chilli, lime" are simply a delight to tuck into. The restaurant's name is derived from and pronounced like the English word "bites" and, indeed, tasty bites can be found on the menu as smaller appetisers and larger dishes. The setting and vibe are pleasant: an upscale, trendy, minimalist

🕐 We 11:00-23:00; Th 16:00-23:00; Fr,Sa 11:00-24:00

Thai Garden

€€thai

You could almost fancy you are in Thailand: with dim lighting, Far Eastern background music, Thai decoration, large ceiling fans and a babbling fountain, the setting alone transports you to an exotic world. Complementing this is exceptionally friendly service and authentic Thai cuisine – the spiciness can be adjusted to suit diners' individual preferences. Tip: The appealing lunch deal is available in two variations: the "Thai Box" and the "Vegi Box".

🕐 Tu-Th 11:30-14:00,18:30-22:30; Fr 11:30-14:00,18:00-23:00

Drei Könige

€€Farm to table, Traditional Cuisine

This restaurant has a charming bistro feel and serves delicious food expertly prepared with fresh, carefully selected ingredients. At lunchtime, there is a set menu with options, and the atmosphere is upbeat and lively. In the evening, the pace is a little slower, and the food even more sophisticated.

🕐 Th-Sa 18:00+; Jul-Aug off

Sauvage

€€€International, Classic Cuisine

This place has been dedicated to hospitality for over 500 years. Not only does the long-standing Hotel Wilden Mann have charming, individually styled guestrooms, it is also a bastion of fine dining. The tastefully elegant Sauvage serves classic and traditional dishes made with select, exceedingly fresh ingredients. In addition to the à la carte selection – featuring, for example, flam-seared Brüggli char or sautéed veal liver – a set menu is available. At lunchtime, the options are slightly more streamlined but include dishes from the evening menu. Tip for motorists: the Kesselturm multi-store

Des Balances

€€€Classic Cuisine, Mediterranean Cuisine

This place boasts an enviable location in the old town and, in summer, the terrace overlooking the River Reuss beckons – the views are stunning! You will find a chic setting in both the restaurant and the Bar & Lounge. On the menu: specialities from the barbecue as well as French and Mediterranean dishes, all made with top-quality regional and seasonal ingredients. The restaurant is located in the gorgeous Hotel Des Balances, so why not stay the night?

CAAA by Pietro Catalano

€€€€regional, italian, french, breakfast, fine_dining, dineology, modern, gourmet

The location right next to an art gallery (from which you also have direct access to the restaurant) could not be more fitting, as the theme of creativity is omnipresent here in the restaurant, too. The chic, modern interior is all curved lines, with the relief of the original ceiling as its centrepiece! Pale tones and the sleek design of the tables and chairs lend a Nordic feel. All of the activity in the open kitchen can be followed by diners – in the evening, a tasting menu comprising three, five or seven courses is created here. Served at lunchtime, the three-course "Chef's Mood Menu" chan

🕐 We-Sa 11:00-23:00

Restaurant Olivo

€€€italian

Its Belle Epoque style lends this restaurant on the first floor of the Grand Casino a distinct elegance and charm that hark back to a bygone era. Under a high ceiling with moulding and chandeliers, Mediterranean-inspired cuisine is served in the form of a set menu or à la carte. The "Dinner & Casino" packages are also worth mentioning. Fabulous balcony terrace with lake and mountain views. Tip: Park in the casino garage.

MOzern

€€€International, Asian

This part of the Mandarin Oriental's culinary portfolio serves food all day. In addition to lunch and dinner, you can have breakfast and afternoon tea here – all in tasteful surroundings that combine a stylish, old-world feel with a brasserie atmosphere. The menu features international cuisine including classics like Angus beef tartare and raclette cheese burger, as well as Asian bar snacks such as crispy duck rolls. The bar serves an excellent assortment of drinks. Tip: Drop in at the Grand Casino next door.