Budget Ideas - Rick Steves Travel Forum

How budget is budget? If you are going for 15-20chf for a plate of food, Manora (or even cheaper, but more average, Coop/Migros) department store restaurants are the best bang for the buck, although mainly only useful for lunch. Self-service buffets, wide variety of freshly prepared meat/fish/vegetarian options. Free water. Tibits is a little more expensive as the price is based on weight, but is also a really good buffet option (vegetarian) - upper floor of the train station. For cheaper than that, you basically have to do takeaway. Bakeries like Macchi or Bachmann also offer good sandwiches and salads, multiple locations around Luzern. Thai food also a reliable option in the 20chf range (Phanat Thai or Song Pi Nong in old town or Takrai by the lake). Khoua Vientiane also offers good value southeast Asian food.
For nicer options with dishes in the 25chf range, look at Rathaus Brauerei along the lake, Pastarazzi near the Jesuit church, or go anywhere serving pizzas (many decent options). Icilio on Löwengraben is a nice little place that a lot of my Italian friends love for foccacia, pinsas, lasagne etc. Made in Sud is another Italian place that gets good reviews, but I have not been there myself.
In general, lunch is a good time to have your main meal if you are on a budget, as most restaurants offer a good value lunch special for 19-25 francs (often including a salad and main). Mill’Feuille is a nice option by the river, Alpineum by the Lion Monument (more of a cafe) or Melissa's Kitchen near the Franziskaner church.