The Palais Oriental in Montreux is also one of my favorite restaurant in the city. It is located right in the centre, near the Eden palace au lac and casino of Montreux.
This restaurant is offering specialities from Lebanon, Iran and Morocco.

The menu is offering a wide range of dishes such as Couscous (I always take the Royal one which is superb), kefta, humous, wine leaves, etc....
The wine list is extensive with many French Grand Cru but also some Lebanon, Algerian wines which worse to try. Of course the mint tea is delicious.   
There are a choice of several menus with 2-3 dishes or even more.
If you can afford it, try some caviar as the restaurant is proposing 3-4 different types (Belluga, Oseitra, etc...). The restaurant is famous for the caviar and by the way sell some to many Swiss 5 star hotels. 
The quality of the food is always very good, quantities are sufficient. Mr Garibi, the owner of the restaurant is always present to make sure that everything runs well. I do not remember the name of the head waiter but he is also there for a very long time.   

Price wise, this is not the cheapest place in Montreux but I feel it is a good value for money.

Always book a table as it is often packed, especially in summer time. Many people from Geneva are coming to Montreux especially to eat there.

The most amazing thing about this restaurant is the decor. Once you enter, you feel beeing into a palace of 1000 and 1 nights. You really feel being in Middle East !!!
The setting of the restaurant is difficult to explain. But you have 2 choices:
- Ask to be in front of the window if you wish to have a lake view (in summer all windows are open so you are like on a terrace)
- Ask to be in the back if you prefer more intimacy (this is where the decor is amazing)

On the second floor there is a banquet room which is perfect for 20-30 people. 



If you like the Iranian art, ask to go on the second floor to visit the art galery where are exposed some beautiful paintings (Mashid Mohmad Zali, Hossein Mahjoobi, Giti Norouzian) and persian carpets. I have seen there the most beautiful table of my life.   

The Palais oriental is definitively a restaurant where you have to go if you spend a couples of days in the region.
If you have already been there, do not hesitate to comment your experience.

To book a table, call the following phone number + 41 21 963 12 71 or book online on www.palaisoriental.ch where you will also find plenty of photos 

This Portuguese and Italian restaurant is one of my favourite in Montreux.

It is located in Clarens, 2 minutes by car from the hotel Royal Plaza Montreux.

I do not go there for a nice and elegant atmosphere (nothing special) but for:

- The quality of food: Very tasty pizzas cooked in a wood fire, a wide range of Portuguese specialities (Cod cooked in many ways, octopus with egg and potatoes, etc…), huge prime ribs, steaks, salads, etc….

- The value for money: Probably the best in the region – House wine at CHF. 30. -- / bottle. That’s an excellent one not like the Montreux cave.

- The quality of service: This restaurant is always fully booked (I often see the mayor of Montreux and other local “people”), which is an excellent sign. Ricardo and Albina are the owners and take care of the service. 1 guy is helping them at the service. Even if there are short staffed, they are running like crazy and you never wait to much.

I love the expresso which is very strong - when you take one or a tea, the house always offers a liquor to go with.

The restaurant has 1 smoking and 1 non smoking room. Anyway by September 2009, all restaurants will be non smoking. The Rialto has a little terrace but would not advise it as it is in front of the street. Definitively a restaurant that I recommend – especially in winter (I prefer to stay on the lakeside on summer)

If you want to book a table there, call +41 964 32 02
The address is: Avenue Mayor-Vaultier 2 - 1815 calrens. Just near the Schmitt garage 

If you have a chance to experience it, let us know your comments !!!