Swiss cuisine.
Start with a taste.

WHAT TO EAT

Local dishes, explained.

These are specialties from our featured city guides. Regional styles and availability vary.

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Luzerner Chügelipastete

A pastry shell filled with a rich meat-and-mushroom mixture; a Lucerne speciality.

Editorial budget: CHF 30–45

Where to look: Traditional Lucerne restaurants

Find Luzerner Chügelipastete in Lucerne ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Rösti

Pan-fried grated potatoes; toppings range from cheese to egg or meat.

Editorial budget: CHF 20–32

Where to look: Traditional Swiss restaurants

Find Rösti in Lucerne ↗Find Rösti in Zürich ↗Find Rösti in Veytaux ↗Find Rösti in Bern ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Cheese fondue

Melted cheese shared with bread; usually priced per person.

Editorial budget: CHF 28–42 per person

Where to look: Swiss restaurants offering fondue

Find Cheese fondue in Lucerne ↗Find Cheese fondue in Veytaux ↗Find Cheese fondue in Bern ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Birchermüesli

Oats with fruit and dairy, useful for a lighter breakfast.

Editorial budget: CHF 7–14

Where to look: Cafés, bakeries and supermarkets

Find Birchermüesli in Lucerne ↗Find Birchermüesli in Zürich ↗Find Birchermüesli in Veytaux ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Swiss chocolate

Choose a small selection and compare the per-100g price.

Editorial budget: CHF 4–12 for a small purchase

Where to look: Chocolate shops and supermarkets

Find Swiss chocolate in Lucerne ↗Find Swiss chocolate in Veytaux ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Zürcher Geschnetzeltes

Sliced veal in a creamy sauce, commonly paired with rösti.

Editorial budget: CHF 35–50

Where to look: Zeughauskeller and traditional Zürich kitchens

Find Zürcher Geschnetzeltes in Zürich ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Bratwurst with bread

A grilled sausage with a crusty roll; a useful quick lunch.

Editorial budget: CHF 10–18

Where to look: Sternen Grill at Bellevue

Find Bratwurst with bread in Zürich ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Chocolate

Compare small praline assortments and bars by weight.

Editorial budget: CHF 5–15

Where to look: Zürich chocolate shops

Find Chocolate in Zürich ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Local cheese platter

A useful way to compare regional cheeses; ask about the selection.

Editorial budget: CHF 15–28

Where to look: Cheese counters and restaurant menus

Find Local cheese platter in Veytaux ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Berner Platte

A hearty assortment traditionally featuring meats, sausage, sauerkraut and beans; share only if the restaurant permits and confirms the portion.

Menu-dependent: compare the current posted portion price before ordering.

Where to look: Kornhauskeller or Della Casa

Find Berner Platte in Bern ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Berner Züpfe

Braided bread associated with Bern and weekend breakfasts; buy a small portion where available.

Menu-dependent: compare the current posted portion price before ordering.

Where to look: Bakeries and markets

Find Berner Züpfe in Bern ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Swiss seasonal vegetarian buffet

Build a lighter meal from vegetables, salads and warm dishes; control the weight if paying by weight.

Menu-dependent: compare the current posted portion price before ordering.

Where to look: tibits Bahnhofplatz

Find Swiss seasonal vegetarian buffet in Bern ↗

GO STRAIGHT TO THE TABLE

Find restaurants by city.

Different places. Different flavours.

Compare the specialties and food neighbourhoods in our featured destinations. This is a starting selection, rather than a complete map of every regional cuisine.

Plan your food budget.

Examples from the city guides below. Planning estimates are per dish or stated portion, not a full-day allowance. Check service charges, drinks and current menus separately.