Le Pavy

Christian Aeby wants the food at Le Pavy to feel direct, generous and free from dogma. Regional products remain important, but the kitchen is not limited by strict boundaries when serious, responsible producers can be found elsewhere. That gives him room to serve trout and meat alongside halibut, mussels or lobster, even though he has a shellfish allergy and works with gloves when needed. The cooking is guided by appetite and pleasure: heartfelt, unfussy, carefully made, and shaped for guests who want good food without intimidation.

Le Pavy is designed to welcome different moments of the day and different kinds of hunger. The lounge gives guests an easy way in, whether they come for an aperitif, beer, snacks, Champagne or caviar. In the dining room, the offer stretches from à la carte dishes to a four-course menu and a six-course experience. This flexibility is central to the concept. Christian and Fiona want the restaurant to feel open, personal and genuinely usable, as fitting for a spontaneous drink as for a full evening at the table.

Sugiez lies in the Vully region, on the northern side of Lake Murten, surrounded by vineyards, gentle hills and walking routes. The village has a discreet character that appealed strongly to Christian and Fiona: a place with good wines, open landscapes and enough calm to let the restaurant breathe. The area invites guests to arrive early, walk between lake and vines, and then sit down to dinner. In summer, the air and panoramas add to the feeling of being away, while still staying close to local life.

Christian and Fiona describe Le Pavy as a place free from labels, rigid formats and common expectations. That freedom is practical, not vague. Fiona brings structure, calculation and judgement to the room and the wine side, while Christian cooks more from instinct. Together, they create a restaurant that feels like them: open, relaxed, committed and never half-hearted. Every detail, from furniture to tableware, is kept coherent, but the goal is simple: guests should feel at home and enjoy what is in the glass and on the plate.