When hearing about Switzerland, people usually think about the panoramic views and magical villages. It is true that Switzerland’s landscapes are one of the most spectacular in the world, but you should know that it is not only the natural landscape that is famous in this country. Switzerland is also famous for its mouthwatering foods.
The saying “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” is apt when traveling around Switzerland. Among the various delicious food Switzerland has, we’ve picked the 9 must-try dishes. Forget about dieting, it would be a waste to miss out on these extremely appetizing Swiss foods!
1. Perfect choice for potato fans: Rösti
You may already know that the Swiss love potatoes so much that potatoes have become an important dietary staple. Rösti s a national dish of Switzerland, and was originally a breakfast for farmers who lived in the German-speaking part of the country. Rösti consists mainly of fried potatoes. An alternative name for rösti is potato pancake. Other ingredients, such as apple and cheese, are often added to make rösti even more delicious, depending on the region.
You’ll be able to easily find this national dish anywhere in Switzerland. However, to taste the most delicious rösti, you should go to Wirtshaus Taube, which is located in Lucerne.
Wirtshaus Taube
Address: Burgerstrasse 3, 6003 Luzern
Opening Hours: 11 am - 10 pm. Closed on Sundays.
Contact: +41-412100747
Website: Wirtshaus Taube
2. Yummy Swiss cheese: Raclette
What is Raclette? It is a dish made from cheese a special type of Swiss cheese! You don’t have to doubt how tasty this special melted cheese is, which heated and scrapped off and served on other dishes. It is most commonly eaten with potato and slices of cold meat.
Raclette Stube in Zurich serves one of the tastiest Raclette in the country. One meal may not be enough!
Raclette Stube
Address: Zähringerstrasse 16, 8001 Zürich
Access: Tram 3,4,6,7,10,15 or Bus 31 to Central
Price: from 16 CHF (15.9 USD)
Opening Hours: 5.30 pm - 10 pm
Contact: +41-442514130
Website: Raclette Stube
3. For the taste of melted cheese: Swiss fondue
Swiss fondue has gained popularity not only in Switzerland but all over the world. What is Swiss fondue? This traditional Swiss dish is basically a combination of melted cheese, garlic, and wine eaten together with bread, meat, and vegetables using a long-stemmed fork. The yummy food originates from the Alps, around the canton of Wallis (German) and Valais (French).
Where can you find most delicious Swiss fondue? You should head to Zurich and find a restaurant called Chasalp. The restaurant serves one of the best Swiss fondues in Switzerland.
Chasalp
Address: Tobelhofstrasse 236, 8044 Zürich
Price: from 200 USD
Opening Hours: 9 am - 6 pm. Closed on public holidays.
Access: Tram No. 5 then Bus 751 from downtown Zurich
Contact: +41-442607575
Website: Chasalp
4. The soft and comforting food: Nusstorte
Craving something sweet and mouthwatering? You must try the sweet Swiss nut tart Nusstorte. The tart is an excellent combination of a short crust pastry, chopped walnuts, caramelized sugar and of course, cream.
A very delicious version of Nusstorte can be found at Meier-beck AG in Santa Maria Val Mustair. Its Nusstorte is just so soft and so tasty!
Meier-beck AG
Address: Via Veglia 99, 7536 Sta. Maria, V. M.
Opening Hours: 7 am - 7 pm
Contact: +41-818585116
Website: Meier-beck AG
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5. The sweet biscuit: Basler Leckerli
This next Swiss dish is very old, much older than all of us, we believe. The first invention of Basler Leckerly was around 600 years ago, and we all should thank the local spice merchants who made the lovely Basler Leckerli. Why lovely? Because everything sweet is always lovely, including Basler Leckerli. Traditionally eaten during Christmas, Basler Leckerli is basically a biscuit made from almonds, hazelnut, honey, fruit, and Kirsch. All good ingredients are in this sweet biscuit!
Though the Swiss usually eat Basler Leckerli in December, you don’t need to worry. You don’t have to wait until Christmas to get a taste of the biscuit. Basler Leckerli is available all year round at Sweet & Salzig.
Sweet & Salzig
Buy Online: Sweet & Salzig Another appetizing dish from the German-speaking region of Switzerland is Älplermagronen. If you have ever eaten macaroni and cheese, you’ll be familiar with this dish, but the taste is, in our opinion, more delicious! Why? Because Älplermagronen is generally served with fried onion rings, bacon (though only occasionally), and stewed apples.
Interested in tasting Älplermagronen? You should only taste the best, which can be found at Pilatus Kulm.
Pilatus Kulm
Address: Schlossweg 1, 6010 Kriens, Swiss
Access: Train to Lucerne, then bus no. 1 (Kriens) to ‘Kriens, Zentrum Pilatus’ stop, then 5-minute walk to the Kriens base terminus
Contact: +41-413291212
Website: Pilatus Kulm
6. A rather meaty dish: Zürcher Geschnetzeltes
Zürcher Geschnetzeltes, the name is rather difficult to pronounce, isn’t it? But don’t let the difficult pronunciation stop you from ordering this dish, which originated in the German-speaking region of Zurich. Swiss cuisine heavily features potatoes and meat. Zürcher Geschnetzeltes consists of strips of veal made delicious with other important ingredients including brown sauce, white wine, cream, and onion. Sometimes veal kidney and mushrooms are also added to the dish. Sounds extremely delicious, right?
For the best Zürcher Geschnetzeltes in Switzerland, order a portion at Zeughauskeller Restaurant in Zurich. Indulge in this dish and enjoy the oak beams and historic artifacts in this restaurant.
Zeughauskeller Restaurant
Address: Bahnhofstrasse 28A, 8001 Zürich
Price: from 32.5 CHF (32 USD)
Opening Hours: 11.30 am - 11 pm
Contact: +41-442201515
Website: Zeughauskeller Restaurant
7. The most famous one: Swiss chocolate
Famous international chocolate brands are from the one and only Switzerland! It’s true, the country produces the finest quality of chocolate. What is so great about Swiss chocolates is that they’re high-quality, world renowned and affordable.
A great selection of Swiss chocolates can be found at Arn Confiserie in Geneva. Chocolates also make a great souvenir (or just to bring home for yourself if you’re a chocoholic like us!).
Arn Confiserie of Geneva
Address: Place du Bourg-de-Four 12, 1204 Genève
Price: from 32.5 CHF (32 USD)
Opening Hours: 7.45 am - 6.30 pm (Monday-Friday). 8.30 am - 5.45 pm (Saturday)
Access: Bus No. 7 (Stop at Museum of Art and History)
Contact: +41-223104094
Website: Arn Confiserie of Geneva
8. The best Swiss bread ever produced: Zopf
Every type of bread produced in Switzerland, the country where the iconic Mont Blanc is located, is delicious. But no bread beats the deliciousness of Zopf, a soft white loaf that is highly popular in the country. Zopf is a plaited loaf, so the unique shape makes it easily recognised, even from afar. Traditionally speaking, the Swiss eat Zopf on Sunday mornings, but of course, it is okay if you want to eat it every day at anytime of the day.
Eric Emery in Geneva sells the best Zopf in the city. The bakery is open early at 6.30 am. Before you start your day, head to the bakery first and eat some Zopf.
Eric Emery
Address: Chemin Docteur-Adolphe-Pasteur 2, 1209 Genève
Opening Hours: 6.30 am - 6.30 pm (Monday-Friday). 6.30 am - 1 pm (Sunday). Saturday closed.
Contact: +41-227334265
Website: Eric Emery
Happy tummy, happy travels
No more hangry travellers in Switzerland, as its cuisine will spoil you and make you happy. There are some other scrumptious foods you can find in Switzerland, but the 9 foods above are the must try dishes and snacks. Forget your diet for a while, you can worry about it later when you are back in your home country.