Restaurant Schiff at Unter der Egg 8 serves Swiss specialities and meat dishes in a classic Wirtsstube, a rustic Wirtskeller and on a terrace by the Reuss. The rooms display a rotating exhibition of Kapellbrücke pictures.
Restaurant Schiff at Unter der Egg 8 is a traditional restaurant in the old town of Luzern, positioned beside the Reuss in the canton of Lucerne, Switzerland. The building offers three distinct settings: a classic Wirtsstube (inn parlour), a rustic Wirtskeller (cellar room) and a terrace overlooking the river. A distinguishing feature is that the rooms display a rotating exhibition of Kapellbrücke pictures, so the restaurant doubles as a small gallery devoted to the wooden bridge that is the city's best-known landmark and sits only a short walk away.
The cuisine is described as Swiss and international, with an emphasis on meat dishes, and the menu centres on Swiss specialities that are prepared in the style of a traditional inn. Visitors can choose between the more formal feeling Wirtsstube and the Wirtskeller, whose rustic stone and wood character suits cooler weather, while the terrace is the favoured option from late spring to early autumn, when diners sit close to the water and the passing foot traffic of the old town. Prices fall in the mid-range ($$) bracket, and main courses typically fall between CHF 30 and 48, in line with other old-town inns.
Atmosphere is relaxed and conversational. The mix of rooms means that noise levels vary, with the terrace being livelier and the cellar cosier. Dress is casual to smart casual, and the restaurant is accustomed to a combination of tourists and local diners. Swiss wines and local beers are available, and the dining rooms lend themselves to a leisurely lunch or dinner rather than a quick stop.
Reservation is advised for dinner and especially for terrace seats on warm evenings, which are the first to be taken. Bookings can be made by phone on +41 41 220 22 02. Lunch is easier to arrange at short notice, though in peak summer weeks a call ahead is still sensible. The location on Unter der Egg places the restaurant within a couple of minutes' walk of the Kapellbrücke, the Rathaus and the Jesuitenkirche, so it fits easily into a sightseeing route through the old town.
| Price | $$ |
|---|---|
| Hours | Lunch and dinner service; confirm current opening hours by phone on +41 41 220 22 02 |
| Reservations | Reservation advised for dinner and terrace seats; call +41 41 220 22 02 |
| Address | Unter der Egg 8, 6004 Luzern |
Signature dishes
- Swiss specialities
- Meat dishes in the Wirtsstube or Wirtskeller
Good to know
- Known for
- Swiss specialities with a terrace on the Reuss
Location
Unter der Egg 8, 6004 Luzern
47.0517, 8.3052 View on map
Highlights
- Three settings: Wirtsstube, rustic Wirtskeller and a terrace by the Reuss
- Rotating exhibition of Kapellbrücke pictures displayed in the rooms
- Swiss specialities and meat dishes in traditional inn style
- Short walk from the Kapellbrücke and Rathaus
Tips for visiting
- Request a terrace table when booking; they go first on summer evenings.
- Call +41 41 220 22 02 to reserve dinner.
- Choose the Wirtskeller for a cosier, more rustic setting in colder months.
- Look at the Kapellbrücke picture exhibition while waiting for food.
- Lunch is the easiest time to get a table without a booking.
When to visit
Late spring to early autumn evenings for the riverside terrace; winter evenings suit the Wirtskeller.
Accessibility
Step-free access to the Wirtsstube, the cellar and the terrace is not confirmed; the Wirtskeller in particular is likely to involve stairs. Phone +41 41 220 22 02 to ask about mobility access.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Restaurant Schiff?
It is at Unter der Egg 8, 6004 Luzern, in the old town beside the Reuss and close to the Kapellbrücke.
What kind of food does it serve?
It serves Swiss specialities and meat dishes, along with some international choices, in a classic inn style.
Does it have outdoor seating?
Yes, there is a terrace by the Reuss, which is best reserved in advance for summer dinners.
Is there anything unusual about the decor?
The rooms display a rotating exhibition of pictures of the Kapellbrücke.