Bern
At this cavernous microbrewery, classic beer grub like schnitzel, Bauernrösti (fried potatoes topped with an egg), and sausages with sauerkraut compete…
Must-see restaurants in Switzerland
Northwestern Switzerland
For a quick, cheap bite in the Old Town, this excellent takeaway joint with a few tables offers fresh, authentic Lebanese and Middle Eastern meals with…
Interlaken
Right in the heart of town, this bright, modern cafe rustles up inexpensive snacks and mains, from wraps, club sandwiches and salads through to numerous…
Central Switzerland
This Indian restaurant at the Hotel Central gets rave reviews from both visitors and locals, and serves up all sorts of favourites, such as Badami Chicken…
Northeastern Switzerland
Behind a 1708 rococo facade, the opulent dining rooms of what in medieval times was a guildhall are a tempting setting for carefully prepared Italian…
Brienz
In a prime spot right on the lakefront, the Bären is a top pick for alfresco dining. The chef makes the most of regionally sourced ingredients, from pike…
Bernese Oberland
See the mountains move at Schilthorn's 360-degree-view revolving restaurant as you dig into classic Swiss and international grub. The menu covers all…
Zürich
This beautifully renovated town house is now a canal-side Italian restaurant. Offering various pasta and meat dishes, its speciality is superb wood-fired…
Lauterbrunnen
Whether you fancy a slap-up egg-and-bacon breakfast, a burger, salad, homemade cake with locally roasted coffee or freshly pressed juice, Flavours is the…
Zürich
Rammed to the rafters with vintage knicknacks, this is one of several shabby-chic bar-restaurants in Kreis 5's formerly derelict factory buildings. Sit…
Bernese Oberland
At first glance it may look like an old-school tavern with its wood panelling and bistro seating, but the menu surprises with bang-on-the-money Thai…
Northeastern Switzerland
Bang in the heart of the Altstadt, this hip and healthy cafe has a couple of stools where you can perch to eat soups, salads and sandwiches, tarte flambée…
Zürich
When temperatures rise, locals take the challenge of finding the perfect gelato seriously. You'll come pretty darn close at this lakefront cart, which has…
Zürich
This old-school alternative cafe serves mostly organic, vegetarian food around communal tables inside or on the tree-shaded sidewalk out front. It has…
Vevey
In the heart of the Old Town, this tiny restaurant with quintessential striped canopy and flower-box pavement terrace is an institution of classic local…
Valais
Wander up Bahnhofstrasse from the station to the square to find this popular place under the exquisite old building with the turrets. A top spot in Brig…
Valais
Thank goodness for the Horseshoe, an affordable, down-to-earth pizzeria with sunny terrace, electric atmosphere and fabulous food any hour. Find it…
Graubünden
Stop off for a glass of the local Pinot noir and lunch on the vine-facing terrace at Weinstube Alter Torkel in Malans. The rustic wine cellar churns out…
Ticino
At off-the-beaten-track Grotto Val d’Ambra in Personico, try brasato (beef braised in red wine) with home-produced wine in the chestnut-shaded garden…
Ticino
Giardino attracts a faithful local following for its pizza – thin, crisp and delicious. The house special B'zona comes with parmesan, cured meat, tomatoes…
Restaurant-Steakhouse Bierlialp
Central Switzerland
Specialising in meat, pasta and pizza, start at the salad buffet (Sfr12.50) then move on. The pizza and pasta are good, but if you're a meat eater with a…
Northeastern Switzerland
Feast on fabulously light crêpes with cheese and Bündnerfleisch (air-dried beef), maple syrup or – what could be more Swiss? – Toblerone at this hole-in…
Ticino
From the terrace you can look out to a waterfall darting over a wooded cliff face at this delightful little grotto. The polenta and costine (spare ribs)…
Graubünden
Kaffee Klatsch Lounge, right next to the Goschna ski lift, is known for its warm and relaxed atmosphere. There's a cafe, lounge bar and upstairs bar area…
Central Switzerland
This low-ceilinged, candlelit tavern creaks under the weight of its 200-year history at the Alpenclub hotel complex. Feast away on fondue, pizza, Italian…
Zürich
Burgermeister dishes up seriously satisfying burgers – all homemade with Swiss beef and tangy sauces. For a dash of spice go for the chilli cheeseburger…
Ticino
It’s not often you get the chance to eat inside a Unesco World Heritage Site. The medieval castle setting alone is enough to bewitch. Seasonal…
Valais
Midway up the steep cobbled lane to Sion’s château twinset is this cottagey restaurant with a garden bristling with vines and fruit trees (spot the kiwis)…
Northeastern Switzerland
With its mishmash of furniture, eye-catching knick-knacks and friendly service, this vintage-cool cafe is one of Stein am Rhein's best. Nip in for great…
Zürich
This former factory in Oerlikon is a winner with its edgy post-industrial vibe and pared-down menu (three starters, three mains and three desserts). The…
Valais
Follow the hip crowd to this historic wooden chalet out in the middle of nowhere, where you can snuggle up in sheepskin and feast on raclette, rösti and…
Interlaken
Italian in the best of traditions, with smiley service and generous home cooking, Arcobaleno is a find in Interlaken's Unterseen district. The antipasti,…
Graubünden
The enormous cowbells hanging in the window of this low-beamed, antique-filled tavern grab your attention. It's a convivial spot for Graubünden…
Fribourg, Drei-Seen-Land and The Jura
Tinguely’s old eating haunt is a kitsch mix of 19th-century furnishings, Niki de Saint Phalle drawings and nostalgia-tinged bric-a-brac. Pick from the day…
Central Switzerland
There's little more than a restaurant in Zumdorf, but this place is very good for rösti and meaty mains, plus it hunts its own game meats come autumn…
Fribourg, Drei-Seen-Land and The Jura
A quintessential village bistro with a centuries-old vined facade. In summer, its tree-shaded terrace heaves with punters eating, drinking and gazing at…
Central Switzerland
Friendly service, hearty Swiss staples accompanied by fresh vegetables, and a front terrace with nice views of Brunnen's main street backed by the lake…
Lucerne
Banquettes, wood panelling and elbow-to-elbow tables create a warm ambience at this classic French-style bistro, where diners huddle around bottles of…
Lausanne
The biggest branch of the local burger chain. Holy Cow is a Lausanne success story, with branches in Geneva, Zürich and France. Its burgers (beef, chicken…
Graubünden
Wood-fired pizza, crisp and delicious, is what this cosy beamed restaurant is known for. Or go for well-executed Italian-inspired dishes, such as…
