Must-see restaurants in Switzerland

  • Metamorphosis

    Lugano

    One for special occasions, Metamorphosis is housed in Lugano's futuristic Palazzo Mantegazza, right by the lakeshore. Chef Luca Bellanca walks the…

  • Wirtschaft Zum Frieden

    Northeastern Switzerland

    Locals have been eating, drinking and making merry at this wood-panelled inn since 1445. It's still an incredibly cosy choice today, with a tiled oven,…

  • Alpenrose

    Zürich

    With its tall, stencilled windows, warm wood panelling and stucco ceiling ornamentation, the Alpenrose exudes cosy Old World charm, and its cuisine lives…

  • Living Room

    Geneva

    Tasteful decor in a gold-kissed, dove-grey dining room, refined service, glorious views of Lake Geneva, and a menu that puts creative riffs on seasonal…

  • Airtime

    Lauterbrunnen

    Inspired by their travels in New Zealand, Daniela and Beni have set up this funky cafe, book exchange, laundry service and extreme-sports agency. Munch…

  • Bäumli

    Northeastern Switzerland

    Creaking with 500 years of personality, this late-medieval wine tavern houses a wood-panelled, candlelit restaurant that showcases all the typical…

  • Crêperie Le Rustique

    Valais

    Locals love the Rustic, handily placed between the train station and town, and known for its wholly affordable dining at any time of day. Kick off with…

  • D'Chuchi

    Northeastern Switzerland

    Petite and cosy, with exposed brick, soft lighting and banquette seating, D'Chuchi has just a handful of tables – so book ahead. The chef prides himself…

  • Mani's Coffee & Bagels

    Bernese Oberland

    With its slick, monochrome, wood-floored interior, this industro-cool cafe and wine bar wouldn't look out of place in NYC. On the drinks menu you'll find…

  • Trattoria Cantinin dal Gatt

    Ticino

    Slip up a cobblestone side street to find this cracking little trattoria, brimming with warmth and bonhomie. The brick-vaulted interior is inviting for…

  • Da Candida

    Lago di Lugano

    The plushest restaurant in town, Da Candida has been awarded a Michelin star for its refined ambience and menu playing up French-Italian flavours. The…

  • Candela

    Northeastern Switzerland

    Floor-to-ceiling windows, slick, monochrome decor and a ceiling funkily lit like a night sky set the scene for market-fresh, season-driven cuisine at…

  • Chüestall

    Valais

    ‘Cowshed’ is what its name means and that is exactly what this thoroughly modern address on the slopes at 2207m was until 1961. In summer look out for…

  • La Gorge

    Valais

    Head to the Gorge to feast on incredible aerial views of glacial white water racing in the Fee Gorge far below; a second terrace offers views to the…

  • Ristorante le Bucce di Gandria

    Lago di Lugano

    Climb the steps of Gandria's old town and you'll be rewarded with gorgeous lake views from this hillside restaurant. The menu keeps things regional and…

  • Schäferstube

    Zermatt

    Just the kind of warm, rustic, snugly lit hut where you'll pray for the flakes to fall in winter. The Schäferstube is as traditional as they come, with…

  • Le Pointu

    Lausanne

    In a turreted belle époque building on a street corner, this cafe-restaurant is a talking point, with its boho vibe, green ceiling lit by bare bulbs,…

  • Frisk Fisk

    Canton of Zürich

    A little drop of Nordic cool in central Winterthur, Frisk Fisk specialises in Norwegian salmon, served smoked and marinated, hot or cold, in bagels or on…

  • Montreux Jazz Cafe

    Montreux

    If you can't stay in the Fairmont Le Montreux Palace, why not pop into this jazzy cafe-bar to soak up the surrounds? Sip a Bellini and enjoy global dishes…

  • Three Kids Bagel

    Geneva

    How can you elevate the humble bagel to an art form? According to Three Kids, the devil is in the detail: they take local sourcing seriously, baking…

  • Osteria Chiara

    Locarno

    Hidden up a flight of steps, Osteria Chiara has all the cosy feel of a grotto (rustic Ticino-style inn or restaurant). Sit at granite tables beneath the…

  • La Tinèra

    Lugano

    Huddled down a backstreet near Piazza della Riforma, this convivial, rustic restaurant rolls out extremely tasty Ticinese home cooking. You might begin,…

  • Juicery 21

    Zürich

    Decked out in black and white tiles, this on-trend cafe reels in locals with its great speciality coffees, cold-press juices, smoothies, bagels, and açaí…

  • Locanda Locarnese

    Locarno

    Elegant rusticity sums up this smart restaurant, with its beamed ceiling, crisp white tablecloths and open fire, as well as a smattering of pavement…

  • Restaurant le 45

    Montreux

    Although the presentation of a fairly standard European and international hotel menu can be a little hit and miss, the panoramic view and expansive…

  • Gasthaus zum Adler

    Northeastern Switzerland

    Home to famous local painter Tobias Stimmer in the 16th century, the Adler has been doing a roaring trade as an inn for the past three centuries. The menu…

  • Osteria del Centenario

    Locarno

    Down by the lake, this is a top culinary address, turning out creative fusion dishes like pigeon served two ways with green curry and lime, and panna…

  • Kaffee Klatsch

    Graubünden

    Mellow music creates a relaxed feel in this arty cafe. Try the delicious homemade Swiss muesli for breakfast, filled focaccia or organic salad, or stop by…

  • Chez Dany

    Valais

    On a sunny plateau at 1720m, high above Verbier village between Les Ruinettes and Médran, this buzzy chalet is a celebrity favourite for juicy steaks on…

  • Michel’s Stallbeizli

    Bernese Oberland

    Dining doesn’t get more back-to-nature than at this converted barn. In winter you can feast away on fondue, drink Alpine herbal tea, or munch home-cured…

  • Al Portone

    Lugano

    Bold artworks grace this contemporary gourmet haunt, while Francis plies you with such season-infused taste sensations as scallops and caviar on a bed of…

  • The Barrel

    Interlaken

    Swiftly becoming one of Interlaken's preferred haunts, this easygoing cafe makes a fine pit stop for coffee with homemade cake, lunch or a craft beer …

  • Locanda Orico

    Ticino

    Seasonality is the name of the game at this Michelin-starred temple to good food, housed in a slickly converted palazzo in the old town. Creations such as…

  • Wirtschaft Zur Alten Post

    Northeastern Switzerland

    Things are a little ritzy at this upmarket but historical Beizl (tavern), where St Gallen specialities like fat veal sausages with rösti are complemented…

  • Grotto Ca’ Rossa

    Ticino

    Spilling onto a flower-strewn garden in summer and with a log fire blazing in winter, this grotto (rustic Ticino-style inn or restaurant) is an…

  • Little Thai

    Interlaken

    This hole-in-the-wall den is authentically Thai, festooned with pics of the King of Thailand, kitschy fairy lights and lucky cats. Snag a table to chomp…

  • Benacus

    Interlaken

    Super-cool Benacus is a breath of urban air with its glass walls, wine-red sofas, lounge music and street-facing terrace. The menu swings from creative…

  • Memory

    Grindelwald

    Always packed, the Eiger Hotel’s unpretentious restaurant rolls out tasty Swiss grub such as rösti, raclette and fondue, as well as – titter ye not – …

  • El Rico

    The Engadine

    Full-on Tex-Mex Swiss style, with red-vinyl booths, tacos, quesadillas and burgers on the menu, a pool table, loud music later on and that essential…

  • Pizzeria Caruso

    St Moritz

    Pizza lovers rave about the thin-crust Neapolitan numbers that fly out of the wood oven at Hotel Laudinella's pizzeria. These range from a simple…

More destinations you need to see