Caffè Bellini is permanently closed and is now the new Sardine.

“Caffè Bellini… has that antiquated Italian vibe mixed in with the rough-luxe decor found in many Manhattan lofts. With black and white checkered walls, dried meats and aged cheeses hanging behind the bar, as well as its eye-catching fresco paying homage to Italian film director and scriptwriter Federico Fellini’s Amarcord, it’s obvious you’ve stepped into a small part of Italy right here in Lausanne.”

The Lausanne Guide

CAFFÈ BELLINI // Lausanne

Caffè Bellini is a contemporary Italian restaurant and bar, located on an 18th century building in the historical centre of Lausanne (la Cité), Switzerland.

With a young adult public in mind, the concept for the interior design was inspired by the “best of holidays in Italy”, mixing elements and colours from the country’s vibrant and traditional street markets and remarkable cinema.

With no original architectural features or materials to be recovered, one of the main concerns was to bring character and a ‘sense of tradition’ to this newly renovated space, without making it look “fake”. This was accomplished/ done through the use of traditional and repurposed materials, such as cement tiles, marble, metro tiles, and repurposed woods (i.e. old oak floorboards from a local farm to build the bar tables and old doors from a demolished manor in France for the bar panelling).

Overall, the cheerful ambiance created by the integration of different materials and colours can be perceived throughout the entire venue. The two different zones work well together, but don’t interfere with one another: the dining area is light and colourful, with convivial tables and a hint of humour. And the bar area, has a “food market” feel, with high tables and a large marble counter for the preparation of food and drinks.