The Pop-up Archive
For several summers now, Restaurant Sens has transformed into a summer residence for guest chefs. In our Pop-up Archive, we bring past concepts back to life and offer a glimpse into previous creations.
Dining with «Flo» at the Vitznauerhof
In the summers of 2024 and 2025, Florian Neubauer, top chef from the Backstage Hotel in Zermatt, delighted guests at the fine dining restaurant Sens with a menu perfectly attuned to the picturesque lakeside setting.
Neubauer, known from the Michelin-starred After Seven and the Diner’s Club in Zermatt, combined regional products with precise technique and a creative signature. His focus was on exquisite fish dishes, prepared and presented at the highest level.
The Sens by Flo Neubauer pop-ups offered a summer experience full of flavor, elegance, and culinary finesse – a perfect symbiosis of haute cuisine, lakeside ambiance, and unforgettable moments for all the senses.
Caribbean-Arabic fusion meets Mediterranean idyll
From July 13 to September 1, 2025, the Vitznauerhof became the stage for a truly special culinary experience: Azceituna, the Zurich pop-up project by Nikol Morillo and Jade Ismail, appeared for the first time at Lake Lucerne – with a dining concept that delightfully combined culture, community, and culinary artistry.
Three days a week – from Saturday to Monday – the two restaurateurs invited guests to enjoy a menu. It featured a creative fusion of Caribbean flavors and Levantine influences, accompanied by sophisticated drinks with an Oriental twist.
Azceituna was more than a pop-up – it was a culinary statement that brought people and cultures together. Right by the lake, nestled in the breathtaking scenery of Vitznau, it created a new, sensual form of communal dining.
Gourmet art at Lake Lucerne
In the summer of 2024, Marcel Koolen took the stage at Restaurant Sens in the Vitznauerhof. The talented chef from 7132 Silver in Vals, awarded two Michelin stars and 18 GaultMillau points, brought his signature dishes and creative summer creations directly to Lake Lucerne.
Under the motto “Silver makes Sens,” Koolen served a 5-course sharing menu, accompanied by perfectly paired drinks from Silver sommelier Franziska Wölfli. The dishes – from a delicate tomato variation to Silver sushi for self-rolling, and from pike-perch, celery, and gnocchi – combined local products, Asian influences, and Silver’s characteristic sophistication.
For Koolen and his team, the summer in Vitznau was more than a pop-up: it was a return to old roots, inspired by collaboration with the Sens team and the unique backdrop of Lake Lucerne. Active in Vals during the week, Koolen cooked in Vitznau from Sunday to Tuesday, creating unforgettable lunch and dinner experiences.
“Silver makes Sens” combined summer, pleasure, and creativity in a special way – a culinary highlight that brought not only taste but also passion and team spirit to the plate.
Italian rising star in Vitznau
In the summer of 2024, Matteo Morbini, the talented chef from Tuscany, brought his international experience to Lake Lucerne. From June 6 to July 31, he transformed the fine dining restaurant Sens into a stage for his innovative Italian cuisine.
Morbini, who has worked in London at Gordon Ramsay, in Sydney at Peter Gilmore’s Quay, and most recently in pop-ups in London and New York, blends his Italian roots with imaginative creations. Regional ingredients take center stage, complemented by fermentation techniques and influences from around the world.
Guests enjoyed a culinary journey through Italy – fresh, creative, and precisely prepared – each dish a tribute to tradition and simultaneously an expression of Morbini’s unique signature. Sens by Matteo Morbini offered an unforgettable summer full of flavor, innovation, and Italian joie de vivre right by the lakeside.
Mediterranean lifestyle at Lake Lucerne
In the summer of 2023, the Ibiza Food Studio brought the relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle directly to Lake Lucerne. From May 29 until the end of the summer, Danish top chef Boris Buono, together with head chef Nick van der Zant, transformed the fine dining restaurant Sens into a place of creativity, enjoyment, and joie de vivre.
Boris Buono, former sous chef at Noma in Copenhagen, combines Scandinavian minimalism with Mediterranean passion and utmost respect for ingredients. His philosophy emphasizes nose-to-tail, near-zero food waste, and close collaboration with local producers. Nick van der Zant, longtime partner of Buono on Ibiza, led the team in Vitznau, ensuring every lunch and dinner became a familial experience – accompanied by chill-out music, the sound of the lake, and selected wines.
A highlight of the pop-up was the “BoBo Sundays,” where a special brunch brought Ibiza’s sunny atmosphere to Vitznau. Signature dishes like the Margherita pizza combined the chef’s childhood memories with fresh regional ingredients, reflecting the creative freedom that defines Ibiza Food Studio.
The Ibiza Food Studio united fine dining, Mediterranean lifestyle, and innovative ideas – a summer full of enjoyment, lightness, and unforgettable lakeside moments.
Peru at Lake Lucerne
In the summer of 2021, Claudia Canessa transformed the Vitznauerhof into a vibrant showcase of Peruvian cuisine. From June 10 to the end of October, she and her team brought international flavors, regional ingredients, and the passion of Peru directly to Lake Lucerne with the pop-up YAKU by Canessa.
Canessa, known for bold reinterpretations of Peruvian classics, her love of chili peppers in all varieties, and her creative vegan and vegetarian dishes, delighted guests with signature dishes such as refined ceviche variations. The pop-up in the fine dining restaurant Sens became a summer hotspot, perfectly integrated into the lounge and terrace directly by the lake.
A particular highlight was the Boat Drive-in, where Claudia Canessa’s specialties and popular terrace snacks were served directly onto boats – a unique sensory experience.
YAKU by Canessa combined the tastes of Peru with Swiss summer flair, made culinary discoveries tangible, and turned every visit into an unforgettable, colorful taste adventure at Lake Lucerne.
Asian flavors by the lakeside
In the summer of 2020, the Vitznauerhof became a hotspot for Japanese cuisine: Sens by Yama brought authentic sushi creations and light, healthy dishes directly to Lake Lucerne.
Moni Leipniker and Mario Banko delighted guests from June on selected days with lunchtime sushi and evening Omakase-style surprise menus. Fresh, creative, and refined – each dish reflected their passion for Japanese cuisine.
A special highlight was Europe’s first Boat Drive-in: guests enjoyed summer delicacies directly from their boats, with a view of the sunset over the lake. Sens by Yama thus combined Japanese precision with summer lakeside vibes, making the summer of 2020 an unforgettable culinary experience.
