Switzerland is not known for its food, but the food in restaurants in Switzerland is very good. This page lists the type of restaurants you will find and some of the Swiss specialty dishes.
In larger towns in Switzerland , you will find traditional Swiss restaurants but also many ethnic restaurants - Indian, Chinese, Thai, Italian, etc. In the small mountain towns, you may find an Italian restaurant or a pizza place, but most restaurants will serve more traditional Swiss food. Menus are much like what we are used to in the US . Starters (appetizers and soups) followed by main courses and then coffee and dessert. Bread is usually served with the meal.
Tea Rooms serving hot drinks, alcohol and pastries are found in most towns. Go to these places for breakfast or mid-morning or afternoon snack. They are also a nice place for a late afternoon coffee or drink. Some Tea Rooms have separate pastry counters. Go in and pick your pastry. The person behind the counter hands it to you on a plate. In some places you must pay for the pastry then, other places it is added to your bill.
» Traditional Swiss food:
Raclette: Raclette is basically melted cheese that you eat with boiled potatoes.
Fondue: Fondue is Gruyeres cheese, white wine, garlic, and kirsch melted in a pot. The pot is brought to the table and put on a flame. You use a long fork to dip pieces of bread into the cheese mixture. You can ask for potatoes as well as the bread for dipping. In the Valais, tomatos are added to the traditional cheese fondue. Frequently restaurant menus offer Fondue only for two people, but we found one place where you could pay a small supplement to have it for just one person - so I would ask if you want it for one only. This is a description of fondue we had for lunch in the Val d'Annivers in the Valais.
Rosti: Rosti, fried potatoes, is a very popular dish at the moutain restaurants. You can get them plain, with cheese or with one or two fried eggs.
Kaseschnitte: This is a open faced melted cheese sandwich. This dish is also served at most mountain restaurants.
Maccaroni an Tomatensauce: Noodles with tomato sauce - you find this on some menus.
» RESTAURANTS:
Some of the traditional restaurants in Switzerland are listed below.
Hertenstein Panorama-Restaurant : Idyllic location, high above Baden (Terrace, marvelous panorama). Philosophy: Offering guests at all times a place where they can escape from the daily grind, where they can recharge and relax in congenial company and cozy atmosphere.
Safran Zunft (Saffran Guild): Historic restaurant with medieaval ambience.
Fondue Bacchus - the specialty of the restaurant - has been served here for 40 years.
Bernerhaus: A mix of culture, bar, restaurant and confectionary in an historic building. Besides delicacies such as olive oil, vinegar, pasta and tea, the finest confectionary products baked according to old recipes are sold. A cultural program is offered in the evening.
Roter Turm: "Cuisine du marché", refined compositions of seasonal and market-fresh products. In the summer guests enjoy the sunny terrace on Kirchplatz. |
