Must-see restaurants in Switzerland

  • Le Cube Varone

    Valais

    This old winegrower’s hut on the Bisse de Clavau footpath (7.5km, 2½ hours) pairs each dish on the tempting menu with an appropriate wine. The vineyard…

  • Bam Bou by Thomas

    Lucerne

    The Hotel’s below-street-level restaurant has undergone a transformation and is now run by award-winning chefs Corinna and Ralf Thomas, specialising in…

  • Bayard Metzgerei

    Zermatt

    Join the line for a street-grilled sausage (pork, veal or beef) and chunk of bread to down with a beer on the hop – or at a bar stool with the sparrows in…

  • Gondolezza

    Graubünden

    It's not often you can sit in a former Diavolezza gondola car and dine out on top-notch fondue or raclette. Head up to the back of Pontresina to find this…

  • Le Petit Lac

    Geneva

    Take an afternoon boat with CGN from Jardin-Anglais or Genève-Pâquis to Corsier for an early dinner at this superb lakefront seafood restaurant, which…

  • Restaurant des Bains

    Fribourg, Drei-Seen-Land and The Jura

    This lakefront smart-casual restaurant, serving modern Swiss locavore cuisine, flouts a green lawn tumbling down to the Murtensee where you can dine…

  • La Maison du Prussien

    Neuchâtel

    This one-time brewery-cum-country-manor is now a boutique hotel-restaurant enclosed by woods and in earshot of the impetuous babbling of a nearby brook…

  • Café Tivoli

    Vevey

    The little town of Châtel-St-Denis, 13km northeast of Vevey via the A12, warrants a visit solely for its legendary fondue moitié-moitié (made with Gruyére…

  • Komachi

    The Jura Mountains

    This authentic Japanese restaurant – one of relatively few in Switzerland – is not what you'd expect to find in this far-flung corner of the Jura, but it…

  • Holy Cow

    Lausanne

    Holy Cow is a Lausanne success story, with branches in Geneva, Zürich and France. Its burgers (beef, chicken or vegie) feature local ingredients, creative…

  • Grottino 1313

    Lucerne

    Offering a welcome escape from Lucerne's tourist throngs, this relaxed yet stylish restaurant south of the train station serves 'surprise' menus featuring…

  • L'Écluse

    Fribourg, Drei-Seen-Land and The Jura

    Set in pretty parkland between two canals, this iron-columned former watch factory houses one of Biel-Bienne's most charming restaurants. Meat, seafood…

  • Goldener Schlüssel

    Northwestern Switzerland

    Near the baths, this cosy eatery with beamed, painted ceilings invites diners to build their own dream menu from a dozen-plus Schneuggereien (small plates…

  • Snowboat

    Zermatt

    This hybrid eating-drinking riverside address, with deckchairs sprawled across its rooftop sun terrace, is a blessing. When fondue tires, head here for…

  • Das Insel-Restaurant Schwanau

    Central Switzerland

    For delicious nouvelle Swiss cuisine in atmospheric surrounds, don't miss this restaurant atop an island on the Lauerzerzee, flanked by a 17th-century…

  • Au Cheval Blanc

    Valais

    A local institution known for its great food and convivial vibe, this traditional bistro with leafy pavement terrace on Rue du Grand-Pont uses the best…

  • Botta 3000

    Lake Geneva & Vaud

    The striking white-cube-design of this high-altitude restaurant atop the Glacier de Tsanfleuron is the contemporary handiwork of Swiss starchitect Mario…

  • La Plage de Nyon

    Lake Geneva & Vaud

    In the warmer months you'll love the refreshingly chilled-out vibe of this casual 'beachfront' kitchen. It uses seasonal ingredients and lake-fresh fish…

  • Restaurant Schlüsselzunft

    Basel

    Housed in a 15th-century guild house that had a neo-Renaissance remake early in the 20th century, this elegant restaurant includes an internal courtyard…

  • Schloss Brandis

    Graubünden

    Schloss Brandis is a lofty 15th-century tower, a five-minute walk northeast of Maienfeld train station, housing one of the canton's best restaurants. Sit…

  • Cavigilli

    Graubünden

    Flims' oldest house, dating from 1453, comprises a Gothic parlour and an elegant beamed dining room. The accent is on market-fresh produce in refined…

  • Le Mondial

    Fribourg, Drei-Seen-Land and The Jura

    This airy cafe-restaurant – a stylish mix of modern and vintage – gets packed at lunchtime and after work when students and suited business people tuck…

  • Landgasthof Sommerhaus

    Mittelland

    At this country-style farmhouse just outside Burgdorf, hearty Swiss meat-and-potatoes staples (including wild game in season) are accompanied by locally…

  • Eat Me

    Lausanne

    This fun, immensely popular and downright delicious resto-bar is all about global tapas, basically, with everything from baby burgers (sliders) to…

  • Wirtshaus Galliker

    Lucerne

    Passionately run by the Galliker family for over four generations, this old-style, wood-panelled tavern attracts a lively bunch of regulars. Motherly…

  • La Riva

    Graubünden

    Hailed for the freshness of its regional produce and its inventive menus, La Riva has an elegant pine interior and views across Heidsee lake. It's a…

  • Famiglia Leccese

    Neuchâtel

    Never was there a slice of Italy – Lecce in southern Italy to be precise – outside of the country as authentic as this earthy, friendly, brilliant and…

  • Gelatomania

    Geneva

    Of the many gelateria that do a roaring summer trade, this one is a local favourite for its prime position en-route to the Bains des Pâquis and flavours…

  • Markthalle

    Basel

    Around the corner from Basel SBB station you'll find this large indoor market/food hall, which is a popular spot for a cheap lunch on the go. Vendors are…

  • Speck

    Northwestern Switzerland

    Finally, an unpretentious restaurant serving hearty Swiss cuisine at affordable prices! Stodgy, home-style, Germanic cooking featuring lots of local meat …

  • Bistrot du Concert

    Neuchâtel

    A solid all-round address (and probably the most popular in town, to boot), this charismatic industrial-styled bar has a soulful spirit, vintage zinc bar,…

  • Cantinetta Bindella

    Mittelland

    This refined Italian eatery attracts a devoted crowd with its candlelit interior and leafy walled garden where linen tablecloths spread beneath the trees…

  • Namamen

    Bern

    Authentic Japanese ramen with a European twist in funky surrounds. Cheap and tasty – what more could you ask for?

  • Ikoo, exterior shot

    Ikoo

    Zürich

    Get a taste of Japan at this cute little restaurant tucked away on a side street. The beautifully renovated dining room, with its creaky old floor, holds…

  • Baltho Küche & Bar

    Zürich

    Monochrome colours, plenty of light and well-spaced seating give Baltho, at Marktgasse Hotel, the look and feel of an urban-chic brasserie. Attentive…

  • Romantik Hotel Säntis

    Northeastern Switzerland

    Romantik Hotel Säntis' 1st-floor restaurant is Appenzell's top table. Crisp white tablecloths, beautiful carved pine and views across Landsgemeindeplatz…

  • Restaurant Bären

    Wengen

    Mixing tradition with creative flair, this excellent restaurant (attached to the hotel of the same name) prides itself on using regionally raised meats,…

  • Einstein Gourmet

    Northeastern Switzerland

    Sebastian Zier and Moses Ceylan head up this Michelin-starred restaurant, elevating French cuisine with outstanding ingredients, originality and…

  • Nachbarsgarten

    Canton of Zürich

    A one-man-band affair in the kitchen, this little restaurant on the fringes of Winterthur is wonderfully inviting, with warm wood, bistro lighting and…

  • Bistro de la Tour

    Geneva

    Just a handful of tables await lucky diners at this intimate bistro and wine bar. And the menu? Succinct but magnifique, thanks to the combined passion of…

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