Old Swiss House, Lucerne
⚠️ Rant alert. This isn’t my usual food post about hidden gems or memorable meals. Instead, it’s about one of the most disappointing dining experiences I’ve had in years – and it happened right in the heart of Lucerne, at Old Swiss House.
After a beautiful morning exploring Lucerne along the River Reuss, our tummies were rumbling and we were eager to try a place for lunch. Ashley had spotted Old Swiss House on her social media feed and was excited – the building itself looked like something out of a postcard, with its half-timbered façade, Swiss flags fluttering, and staff in traditional dress cooking by the roadside. Inside, the restaurant was warm and heritage-rich, with chandeliers, wood panels, and an ambience that spoke of old-world charm.
Then came the red flags. On the menu was a clause that read, “No sharing of main courses.” Though politely phrased, it didn’t feel welcoming. Instead, it gave off the impression that diners were being pushed to order more, regardless of appetite or intention. Still, we pressed on and ordered their famed dish of over 80 years – the Wienerschnitzel prepared table-side. Thin veal chop, breaded and pan-fried in copious butter, plated with plain egg noodles and the breadcrumbs it was fried in. The price? 64 CHF (more than SGD 100) per plate, before tax. Costly, yes, but we were willing to indulge – after all, we were on holiday and eager to experience local traditions.
And here’s the truth: the food was decent but nothing remarkable. Later, Swiss friends told us they themselves would never dine there, calling it a “tourist trap.” But even that wasn’t what ruined the meal for me. What truly spoiled the experience was the service – or more accurately, one particular server. The first waiter who greeted us was polite and smiley, setting a lovely tone. But when his colleague took over, everything went downhill.
As I continued taking photos of the preparation and our food – something I always do as part of my culinary journey – he suddenly snapped, “How many pictures do you want to take?” His tone was not curious but cutting. At first, I thought perhaps it was a language issue. But no, he went on, sarcastically repeating: “One, ten, a hundred?” in front of my family and other diners. The hostility was shocking. Immediately, my appetite and mood were gone.
This was not a casual roadside stall; this was one of Lucerne’s supposedly iconic restaurants, charging premium prices for its “signature.” Yet I was made to feel unwelcome for doing something as simple as photographing my own meal. It was not just disappointing, it was humiliating – and one of the worst dining experiences I’ve had in years of travelling.
I sincerely hope his attitude wasn’t racially driven, as we were the only Asian-looking diners in the room. But whatever the reason, there is no excuse for such rudeness in hospitality. Dining is about food, yes, but also about warmth, respect, and connection. And in that regard, Old Swiss House failed us miserably.
What a shame – because I would have happily paid the steep price if the service had matched the setting. Instead, I left wishing we had gone back to the little Vietnamese street stall we tried the day before – honest food, friendly faces, and unpretentious service that warmed our hearts far more than this experience ever did.
Definitely not recommended.
Old Swiss House
Löwenpl. 4, 6004 Luzern, Switzerland
