Local eats and secret views in Lucerne

I found Manora not only had delicious food at half the price of a regular restaurant, but that it was packed with locals, who know it's the best deal in town.

The other restaurants I went to were fine, but not memorable; the only reason I went was that Manora has short dinner hours Monday through Friday, is only open for lunch on Saturdays, and is closed on Sundays. If it were open longer hours, I'd never go anywhere else (although you do want to try to go early or late for lunch - it really does get mobbed with the aforementioned locals).

Another "food find" of mine was Tibits. It's a vegetarian buffet, open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week. It's hidden on the top floor of the train station (most other eateries in the station are on the bottom floor). Again, not too many tourists there, and as a bonus it's cheap (you're charged by weight).

Come to think of it, I didn't see "touristy" restaurants in Luzern. The town gets a lot of tourists, so there will be tourists in many places, but there are few, if any, of the "we speak all the languages and serve all the foods you're used to from home" type of tourist restaurants that should be avoided.

For a local meal and view while dining try the Manor Department Store at Weggisgasse 5. (Link has a map). The Manor's restaurant is on the top floor and has roof top seating with a distant view of the Alps and town. If you want a hike you can walk up the stairs (about five floors). We were there during Carnevale so most of the tourist appeared to be Swiss.

For coffee and kuchen while waiting for the boats, try the World Cafe at Europaplatz 1 in the Luzern Cultural Center near the boat (ferry) docks.

PS We also tried the train station Tibits noted above. Vegetarian but good. Pay by the weight.

In general, the less touristy places are located in the "New Town" (opposite side of the river from Old Town). If you walk around there between Pilatustrasse and Bundesplatz, you will find a lot of smaller places frequented by locals. Not cheap, but really nice are Geissmatt and Grottino 1313. These are more "special occasion" places but worth going to if you want a splurge.

Re tibits - just in case people don't know, this is a small Swiss chain that also has locations in Bern, Basel and Zurich. Handy if you will be visiting these places as well.

As for views, it is not really a hike per se, more of an uphill walk through residential neighborhoods, but on a clear day, you can't beat the views from the Dreilinden Park. This is where I always bring friends when they visit - usually uncrowded and spectacular views of town, lake and mountains. There is a music conservatory here too, so often you can hear piano practice as a soundtrack while you sit and admire the scenery! Google Dreilindenstrasse 93 in Lucerne and you can figure out how to walk here from the Lion Monument area or the St Leodegar church.

Another nice walk is up to the Dietschiberg. Description in English of a nice walk is here in the first link on the list (Dietschiberg to Kurhaus Sonnmatt) http://www.luzern.com/en/walking-and-hiking/hikingtips/more-hiking-tips

Thanks everyone so much! Switzerland is so beautiful!