Lauenen is Gstaad's hidden side valley — a glacially shaped hanging valley that opens up 5 kilometres south-east of Gstaad village, rising towards the Lauenensee (Lauenen Lake) and the Gelten glacier. The valley has been intentionally preserved: no large hotels, no ski lifts in the main valley, and a restaurant scene that reflects genuine mountain hospitality rather than resort economics. Dining in Lauenen means eating the way the Saanenland farmers eat — simply, seasonally and well.
Lauenen village (population approximately 300) is protected under a federal landscape ordinance that prevents large-scale hotel or lift development in the main valley floor. This has preserved the valley in an almost pre-tourism state — traditional farmhouses, working dairy farms, and hiking paths that see a fraction of the Gstaad trail traffic. The Lauenensee, at 1,381 metres, is one of the most beautiful Alpine lakes in the Bernese Oberland, reached by a 30-minute walk from the village.
Lauenen village has a small number of traditional mountain restaurants and farm inns. The dining character is Berner Oberland Swiss: rösti, simple meat preparations, cheese fondue, and seasonal produce from the valley's dairy farms. Several of the farm inns operate on a seasonal or weekend basis — check current opening times before making the journey. The village Beizli is the daily option for lunch and informal dinner during the walking season.
The most rewarding way to eat in the Lauenen area is on foot. The Lauenensee walk (5km from Gstaad, 90 minutes one way) passes through farmland and forest before reaching the lake — several farm restaurants along the route serve simple mountain food (Brettljause, cold plates, cheese). The Gelten alp path continues beyond the lake to higher elevation huts open in July and August. Combining the Lauenensee walk with a farm lunch is one of the finest half-day excursions from Gstaad.
Michel's Stallbeizli at Turbachstrasse 45 is located on the approach road toward the Lauenen valley, making it a natural stop for anyone heading in that direction. The converted 19th-century cow barn serves farm-to-table Swiss food — seasonal meat preparations, farm-fresh produce and traditional sides — in a setting of complete rustic authenticity. The sunset terrace faces the Saanenland panorama. Open Thursday to Sunday, seasonal.
Lauenen is one of the finest cross-country skiing areas in the Saanenland, with a maintained circuit that follows the valley floor and lake perimeter. After a morning on the Loipe, the valley inns serve exactly the right combination of warming food: hot soup, cheese fondue, rösti. The cross-country ski circuit operates from December to late March, snow conditions permitting. The valley's sheltered position means good snow conditions when Gstaad village itself is marginal.
Lauenen is 5km from Gstaad by road — 8 minutes by car via Lauenenstrassse. There is no train service into the Lauenen valley. A summer and weekend bus service connects Gstaad to Lauenen (check Bernmobil schedule). By bicycle it is a pleasant 25-minute ride through the valley floor. Taxis from Gstaad to Lauenen cost CHF 20–30.
The Lauenen valley's dairy farms produce some of the finest Saanenland cheese — the high pasture grass of the hanging valley gives the milk a distinctive flavour in summer. Several farm shops in the village sell direct-from-farm cheese, butter and seasonal produce. A Lauenen farm shop visit combined with a valley restaurant lunch makes an excellent local food day-trip from Gstaad.
The Hotel Wildhorn at Lauenensee (seasonal, open summer and winter weekends) provides the most atmospheric dining in the valley — on the lakeside with views of the Wildhorn massif. The menu focuses on simple Swiss mountain food in a setting of complete natural beauty. Weekend reservations recommended during July-August and Christmas period.
Tell us your date and preference — hike-to-lunch, farm dinner, or lake setting. We call in Swiss German and can advise on current opening hours for the seasonal establishments in the Lauenen valley.
Gstaad · Swiss, Fondue
Authentic Saagi Stubli with old wooden chalet interior and regional dishes. Fondue and rösti classics done perfectly.
Gstaad · Swiss, Mountain
Beloved Stallbeizli converted from a 19th-century cow barn. Rustic Swiss food, farm-fresh produce, beautiful sunset terrace.
Lauenen · Swiss
Ritz Bar GmbH is a swiss restaurant in Lauenen, in the heart of the Saanenland. Located at Gandlauenenstrasse 32 a, 3772 St. Stephan, Swiss. Reserve a table by WhatsApp for the best availability across the Gstaad valley.
Lauenen · Swiss
Restaurant Chemistube is a swiss restaurant in Lauenen, in the heart of the Saanenland. Located at Gandlauenenstrasse 27, 3772 St. Stephan, Swiss. Reserve a table by WhatsApp for the best availability across the Gstaad valley.
Yes — traditional Swiss mountain inns and farm restaurants. The valley is small and restaurants are seasonal; check current opening hours before visiting.
5km by road, 8 minutes by car. Summer/weekend bus service from Gstaad. No train service into the valley.
Michel's Stallbeizli is on the Turbachstrasse (Lauenen approach road) — not in Lauenen village itself, but a natural stop en route. Open Thursday to Sunday.
Yes — the Lauenensee trail (5km, 90 minutes from Gstaad) passes farm restaurants serving simple mountain food. The walk to the lake and back is a full half-day excursion.
Berner Oberland Swiss: rösti, cheese fondue, simple meat preparations, farm-fresh dairy. The valley's dairy farms produce excellent Saanenland cheese.
Send one WhatsApp message. We call the restaurant in English, German, French or Italian, confirm the table, and reply with your booking details — usually within 10 minutes.
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