Lausanne is a fantastic city for food tours because of its rich local cuisine, stunning surroundings, and proximity to vineyards and traditional Swiss food. Unlike many cities, Lausanne offers a blend of wine-rich landscapes and authentic regional dishes, making it a perfect place for foodies. Our favorite experience is the Gourmet Food and Wine Tasting Walk in Lavaux, which combines breathtaking vineyard views with visits to star winemakers—something that truly captures the essence of Swiss terroir. On the other hand, the Taste Lausanne – A Full Swiss Food Tour offers a more traditional, city-based culinary experience with regional cheeses and hearty Swiss classics. Both tours showcase different facets of Lausanne’s rich food scene and are excellent choices depending on your interests.
Below, you’ll find two top-rated food tours in Lausanne—each with its own character, highlights, and appeal—so you can pick the one that best suits your palate and schedule.
1. Gourmet Food and Wine Tasting Walk in Lavaux
This tour offers a delicious blend of vineyard discovery, wine tasting, and local storytelling. It starts with wandering the ancient streets of Epesses, one of Lavaux’s most famous wine villages, where you’ll meet winemakers and learn about a tradition that’s over a thousand years old. The experience continues with a guided walk along the Lavaux Vineyard Terraces, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where panoramic views of the Alps and Lake Geneva unfold at every turn. It’s fascinating to see how these stepped vineyards have been cultivated for generations, with each stop revealing different stories of winemaking.
The highlight is a sumptuous two-course lunch overlooking the vines—a treat for both the eyes and the taste buds. Throughout the walk, you’ll sample stellar wines from across the region, with the chance to reveal your “sommelier palate”. The tour wraps up with visits to Lutry, a 13th-century medieval village, and a leisurely stroll back through the terraces of Riex. This experience is perfect for wine lovers eager to learn about Swiss wine and enjoy exceptional scenery. The guide, Marc, receives rave reviews for his storytelling and regional knowledge.
Bottom Line: For those wanting an immersive, wine-focused experience in a UNESCO-listed setting, this tour provides a perfect mix of scenic beauty, authentic wine tastings, and cultural stories—all within a well-paced 4 hours 45 minutes.
2. Taste Lausanne – A Full Swiss Food Tour by Do Eat Better
This walking tour is designed for lovers of traditional Swiss cuisine and local market atmospheres. It begins in Place de la Palud, where you’ll taste pâté vaudois and a ham croissant at a classic old town butcher shop, giving a glimpse into local everyday food. The tour continues inside a charming fromagerie near the Basilique Notre-Dame de Lausanne, where you’ll taste some of the region’s most beloved cheeses.
The highlight is trying the Rösti, Switzerland’s iconic potato pancake, topped with sausage and raclette cheese—an essential Swiss dish served here in its Vaudois version. The walk then takes you to Pont Charles Bessieres, ending in a local café with a sweet surprise—delicious Carac, a small cake filled with creamy chocolate. This tour offers a good balance of food history, regional specialties, and authentic eateries. With only a few stops, it’s a manageable pace for a half-day of tasting and exploring.
Guests often note that they end the tour feeling full and satisfied, with a much deeper appreciation for Swiss comfort food. The intimate size and local guide make it a perfect option for travelers interested in city food culture rather than vineyard landscapes.
Bottom Line: For a city-based experience focusing on regional cheeses, hearty dishes, and bakery delights, this tour is an excellent value and a tasty way to explore Lausanne’s culinary traditions in about 3.5 hours.
How to Choose Between These Tours
When deciding between these excellent options, consider your interests and schedule. If you’re fascinated by wine, love scenic landscapes, and want to learn about Lavaux’s storied vineyards, the Gourmet Food and Wine Tasting Walk in Lavaux is the way to go. It’s a longer, more immersive experience that combines nature, culture, and wine—great for those who enjoy a leisurely day outdoors.
On the other hand, if your focus is on city life, traditional Swiss dishes, and exploring local markets, the Taste Lausanne offers a more compact, city-centered culinary adventure. It’s perfect if you want a taste of authentic Vaudois cuisine and prefer walking through historic streets without venturing into the vineyards.
Both tours are excellent values, with the wine tour priced higher due to its longer duration and exclusive experiences, and the city tour offering a more budget-friendly introduction to Swiss food.
Tip: Book early, especially in peak seasons, as these tours tend to fill up quickly. Also, consider combining the two if your schedule allows—one day exploring vineyards, another indulging in city flavors.
Final Thoughts
Lausanne offers a wonderful spectrum of food adventures, from tasting world-class wines amidst UNESCO-listed terraces to savoring hearty Swiss dishes in historic city streets. For wine lovers, the Gourmet Food and Wine Tasting Walk in Lavaux is a highlight, especially if you enjoy scenic views and storytelling. Meanwhile, the Taste Lausanne is ideal for those wanting a compact, delicious immersion into regional flavors.
If you’re short on time, the city tour provides a flavorful introduction to Lausanne’s culinary heritage. But for those with a full afternoon, the vineyard excursion offers a memorable blend of scenery, history, and wine that’s hard to beat. Whichever you choose, booking early will ensure you don’t miss out on these authentic tastes of Lausanne.
