The story
Des Balances, at Weinmarkt in Luzern, runs a Mediterranean kitchen that Gault&Millau scored 14 points in 2026. The restaurant sits within the hotel of the same name at Weinmarkt, Lucerne 6004, with a terrace overlooking the Reuss.
Head chef Andy Fluri has led the kitchen for years, serving both tourists and locals. He keeps the core menu steady while following current trends. Seasonal dishes sit alongside a grill menu and a customer-friendly multi-course selection. Gault&Millau also noted quick, stress-free service.
A carrot and ginger soup with coriander foam opened the meal. Sea bass fillet came in port wine butter with carrot purée, spinach and pine nuts. Giant prawns and lobster tail in soy sauce arrived with fried rice, shiitake mushrooms and pak choi. The chocolate mousse, served with double cream meringue ice cream and red wine pear, was light.
Recognition
Ambience
Details
History
The Hotel des Balances, with its spectacular terrace overlooking the Reuss, is a Lucerne institution. Its ambitious gourmet restaurant attracts both tourists and locals; catering to their varied expectations is no simple task, but head chef Andy Fluri has skillfully navigated this challenge for years. He prioritizes continuity while remaining attuned to trends, offering seasonal dishes and a grill menu alongside a customer-friendly multi-course selection. A delicate carrot and ginger soup with coriander foam made for a successful start, followed by a delicious Mediterranean sea bass fillet in port wine butter with carrot purée, spinach, and pine nuts. Asian flavors were also well handled, as evidenced by the kitchen’s pairing of giant prawns and lobster tail in soy sauce, served with fried rice, shiitake mushrooms, and pak choi. While Andy Fluri has previously served the pan-fried Challans duck breast with lemon-thyme jus more tenderly, there were no complaints, especially given the accompanying potato-celery purée and kumquat chutney. Finally, the chocolate mousse with double cream meringue ice cream and red wine pear was light and outstanding. Quick, stress-free service.
Location
Facebook
Instagram