Fondue, raclette, rösti, chocolate… The complete guide to what to taste and where to eat in Switzerland, region by region, and how to book your table.
Swiss cuisine, generous and convivial, varies by language region: cheese dishes in the French- and German-speaking areas, Italian flavours in Ticino. This guide presents the specialities to taste and how to find a good address anywhere in the country.
The specialities to taste
- Fondue: melted cheese (Gruyère, Vacherin) into which you dip pieces of bread.
- Raclette: melted cheese served with potatoes, gherkins and onions.
- Rösti: golden potato cake, an emblem of German-speaking Switzerland.
- Älplermagronen: a gratin of macaroni, potatoes and mountain cheese.
- Ticino specialities: risotto, polenta, cured meats and Merlot wines.
A cuisine by region
French-speaking Switzerland
The home of fondue and raclette also offers lake fish (perch, whitefish) by Lake Geneva, as well as the wines of Lavaux and Valais. Papet vaudois (leeks and potatoes with sausage) is another speciality.
German-speaking Switzerland
Rösti accompanies many dishes, such as Zurich-style sliced veal (Zürcher Geschnetzeltes). Bern is known for its Berner Platte (cured meats and sauerkraut), and the markets overflow with quality cheese and bread.
Ticino
In the south, the cuisine takes on Italian accents: risotto, polenta, cured meats (luganighe), alpine cheeses and Merlot wines. The grotti, traditional taverns, are much-loved authentic addresses.
Cheese and chocolate
Switzerland is world-renowned for its PDO cheeses (Gruyère, Emmental, Appenzeller, Sbrinz, Tête de Moine) and its chocolate. Visiting a show dairy or a chocolate maker is the ideal way to round off a gourmet trip.
Where to eat and how to book?
Whether you are looking for a fine-dining restaurant, a lakeside terrace or a mountain inn, TOP SUISSE lists the best addresses. Browse the dining category, filter by city to find a business near you, then book your table in a few clicks via the Reservation page.
To plan your whole trip, read our guides on the cities to visit and the most beautiful lakes, or explore all the categories and our guides.
Frequently asked questions
What are the typical dishes to eat in Switzerland?
Fondue and raclette (cheese dishes), rösti (potato cake), Älplermagronen and, in Ticino, risotto and polenta. Chocolate and PDO cheeses such as Gruyère are also must-tries.
Where can you eat a good fondue in Switzerland?
Fondue is served in most traditional restaurants, especially in French-speaking Switzerland and mountain regions. Browse the dining category on TOP SUISSE and filter by city to find a good address near you.
How do you book a table at a restaurant in Switzerland?
On TOP SUISSE, you can browse restaurants by city and category, then book your table directly online via the Reservation page.
Is Swiss cuisine the same throughout the country?
No. It varies by region: cheese dishes in French- and German-speaking Switzerland, rösti and sliced-meat dishes in the German-speaking part, and Italian-inspired cuisine (risotto, polenta) in Ticino.
