207 Best Restaurants in Switzerland

The decor fits the name, with a tile floor, old French posters, dried flower bouquets hanging from the ceiling, and newspaper cuttings on the walls. The menu leans French, with sautéed duck liver and bouillabaisse, but there is relatively lighter fare, including salads and sashimi. The larger room is flooded with sunlight and bedecked in greenery with an immense view across the valley, but come sundown the call from the cozier warmth of the front parlor draws those looking for romantic lighting and convivial chatter.

The terrace of Le Café du Belvédère has a fabulous view up the river to the Planche-Supérieure. The friendly staff serves a selection of teas, coffees, and homemade syrups as well as alcohol, and you can enjoy platters of local cheese and smoked meats in addition to Asian delights from the excellent Tam's Kitchen restaurant upstairs. Inside it's a café littéraire by day and a lively bar and meeting spot at night. An eclectic mix of 1970s plastic furniture and a huge, rounded plastic bar contrast wonderfully with the wood-beamed interior.

Enjoy a perfect café crème or a whole meal along with the Neuchâtelois at one of the most authentic cafés in the Old Town. This place models itself on a traditional Parisian brasserie, and the striking art nouveau interior certainly helps: the molded ceiling, etched windows, and blue-and-green decorative tiles all date from 1905. Fish is a specialty, and large platters of fruits de mer (shellfish) in season are a delicious treat. A menu-of-the-day special is always reasonably priced.

Benjamin Vuigner, the young chef at this Sion institution inside the 16th-century Maison Supersaxo, serves food much better than it needs to be considering the super-central historical location. The menu, which changes every two months, may include such delights as local pork with lemongrass, ginger, and honey sauce and fish sauerkraut with citrus pesto cream.

On the mountain right below the Mayentzet chairlift, this rustic Alpine chalet offers a cozy place for hot chocolate or lunch and a terrace with stunning panoramic views; the friendly staff serves Swiss fare like assiete Valaisian, a plate of local dried meats and fondue. In the winter, there's ski-in, ski-out access from easy slopes, and in summer, it's a 30-minute hike from Carrefour.

After years of overseeing bubbling pots of fondue—the popular draw at this tiny eatery—the hand-painted murals and mirrors set in dark frames have a smoky patina. It's a casual neighborhood place where local wines are poured from pewter pitchers, and the people at the next table eavesdrop. Regulars favor the tender steak—entrecôte of beef or cheval (horse)—accompanied by an overflowing plate of fries or a half-moon of crispy Rösti.

On Fribourg's main street, this restaurant's clean lines are softened by gleaming gold fixtures, and, in nice weather, the leafy vistas from the sun-dappled balcony. One bite here, in the restaurant's second incarnation, reveals why chef-owner Pierrot Ayer has earned so much praise. His showstopping menus take guests on a culinary adventure, one in which he declares war on traditional flavors, while at Le Petit Pérolles upstairs, lighter (and less expensive) fare is served all day.

This French-inspired deli-café-bar on the quayside under the Kultur- und Kongresszentrum’s striking canopy roof has all bases covered. At breakfast and brunch, the menu features dishes such as shakshuka with hummus and a poached egg while later, for dinner, there are small plates designed for sharing. It also serves lovely reviving brews like fresh ginger, honey, and lemon that can be sipped while you watch paddle steamers set sail. Inside, the mood is artsy, with cool seating such as hammock chairs. 

Just before entering the Valais, this stone relais (inn), hewn of boulders from the gorge that separates Bex and St-Maurice, is a good place for a meal or an overnight. In the multilevel dining room, contrasts between old and new, rusticity and sophistication, add interest to the dramatic open space—a fitting location for a menu of updated Swiss classics.

It's a tight squeeze to get into Old Town's popular caveau-oenothèque (wine bar–cum–store) Le Verre à Pied, where more than 150 regional vintages are poured seven days a week. Light snacks like local cheese and meats, tapenade, and foie-gras toasts are available.

In an airy dining room modernized with contemporary art, Chef Francesco De Bartolomeis prepares sophisticated Swiss cuisine with a twist, such as cheese and onion tart with raspberries and côte de veau cooked in hay from Gstaad, available as part of a four- or six-course menu or à la carte. The dishes change once a season, with many ingredients sourced from local producers, and can be paired with a fine selection of international wines (with plenty of Swiss choices, too).

An old warehouse space in Zürich West has not so much been renovated as cleaned up and then highlighted with an eclectic mix of antiques and 1950s collectibles, all of which are for sale. Tapas and Mediterranean dishes, including their famous moules frites (mussels and fries) and a range of organic options are available to order at the counter. In summer, snag a table on the multitier veranda out front.

The service at Lokal comes across as arrogant, but the food—savory onion soup, cordon bleu heaped with pomme frites, coq au vin, and mounds of fresh green salads—is always excellent. Sunday brunch shouldn't be missed. Part of a former industrial complex that houses a contemporary art museum, cinema, and theater, Lokal is a hip restaurant inside a former locomotive hall. It's surrounded by a spacious terrace strewn with tables full of St. Gallen's Dior- and Swarvoski-clad set.

Their tagline "wildkraüter & feuerwasser" translates to "wild herbs & firewater," and indeed, the kitchen at this cozy eatery with a hip industrial vibe and expansive terrace offers a fine selection of salads composed of local herbs and vegetables along with cocktails, a large choice of Swiss beers, and a smaller selection of Swiss wines. They also serve up Mediterranean-inspired dishes such as halloumi with buckwheat and roasted chickpeas, tabouleh, hummus, and tzatziki, along with burgers and a soup of the day—all a nice break from the usual fondue and Rösti.

This two-story complex of bars and a restaurant is a popular gathering place for stylish patrons looking for an Italy fix. Eclectic photos, prints, and paintings adorn the walls, and various sculptures add interest throughout. Two specialty bars serve coffee, wine, and cocktails, and the restaurant offers delectable homemade pastas and desserts, with a signature dish of veal escalope with ham and sage, paired with saffron risotto. Tuscany and Piedmont jostle for space on the wine list. Upstairs, the open-air atrium with flowers and olive trees is a particular treat in summer.

For a traditional Swiss meal in a lively setting, this classic, comfortable gathering spot is your place. The menu features typical Swiss food, including Wiener schnitzel and Rösti, with seasonal side dishes, as well as a smattering of international and vegetarian options; in summer, enjoy grilled Schweinswürstl (pork sausages) in the lovely outdoor courtyard. Other house specialties include shepherd's pie, fondue, and cordon bleu. With stained-glass lamps, ceramic stoves, and attractive woodwork, it's a nice mix of bistro and beer hall. 

This fine dining institution in the Kultur- und Kongresszentrum (KKL) Luzern has some of the best views in town; its open kitchen overlooks a minimalist space spliced with zesty color and perched above twinkling Lake Luzern. Chef Michèle Meier has been awarded 16 Gault-Millau points and one Michelin star for modern, seasonal dishes such as ravioli with chestnuts and apple or cod with red curry and sweet potato.

In this quiet little bistro right in the middle of the shopping mayhem of Gerbergasse, the friendly staff will bring you tasty inventions with an Italian slant, including what some claim is Basel's best fresh pasta. The daily menus always include a vegetarian, fish, and meat option, and à la carte menu items are clearly labeled as vegetarian or vegan (though there are plenty of delectable nonvegetarian options, too). The small but bright and uncluttered dining room upstairs is an appealing, though simple, place to dine, and in warm weather, outdoor seating at small tables in the cobblestone alley completes the medieval feel.

The multimillion-dollar renovation of Basel’s vast cupola of a covered market was a total disaster—no shoppers came, and the designer shops all fled. But the Altemarkthalle has a third life as Basel’s best poor-weather lunch destination, with some 30 food vendors offering everything from street tacos and Afghan cuisine to Thai curries and wood-fired pizza.

Prize-winning cuisine has won this restaurant its following and established it as a special-occasion favorite. Inside, the simple decor allows the attention to remain focused on the inventive Spanish dishes, presented with flair and including vegetarian options. The menu changes every month and might feature grilled monkfish with Galician sauce or Spanish beef entrecôte with homemade tagliolini. The evening four-course menu starts at CHF129.50, with vegetarian options available.

This former pop-up bakery landed solidly on its feet as Switzerland’s first specialty doughnut shop. Their permanent sweet spot (take-away only) serves vegan brioche doughnuts made from scratch, along with locally roasted coffee.

Known by locals as "Natio," this thriving bar's extended service hours and proximity to the cinema attract late diners of all ages. The trendy vibe overflows onto the patio, with seating under twinkling lights—a respite from the serious smoking crowd. A frequently changing menu combines fresh ingredients with a twist on the classics.

This hip and friendly world-food eatery tucked into the traditional Bellevue Palace gives off an urban vibe, with a DJ spinning tunes during dinner and eclectic dishes designed for sharing. Plates inspired by global food markets run the gamut from Thai papaya salad to Cajun fish tacos to grilled dumplings, which you’d be remiss not to pair with one of the interesting cocktails whipped up by the talented mixologists.

Set in a rustic A-frame cabin on the main drag, this tiny pizza parlor is as cozy as they come. Rough-hewn floors accommodate ski boots, and a smattering of wooden tables share space with a huge iron cookstove where the owner produces fresh pizzas in three sizes (the smallest of which is more than enough for most people). In warmer weather you can sit in an attractive garden with mountain views. Its popularity outstrips its size, so enjoy the delicious smells while you wait.

With its floor-to-ceiling windows, vaulted ceilings, and wide-open spaces, this eclectic eatery on the edge of the Old Town offers a cosmopolitan atmosphere where you can find cuisine from around the world. The market-fresh lunch menu changes daily and the dinner menu rotates monthly, but the Thai curries are always a good bet, and the salade de chevre chaud croustillant (warm and crispy goat cheese salad) with truffle oil and honey is a tasty classic with a twist. There's also an impressive cocktail bar and music until the wee hours of the morning. The sidewalk terrace is a perfect spot to lunch and people-watch in warm weather.

The tables of this bustling restaurant spread onto the piazza overlooking the lake, while inside rough wooden ceilings, marble-top tables, chandeliers, and a hodgepodge of photos and posters add to its charm. Look for the spaghetti with porcini, bacon, and cream, along with daily and seasonal specials. If you haven't met your weekly pizza quota, try the simple Margherita—a crispy classic that never goes out of style. The wine list, with more than 100 Italian and Swiss vintages, deserves consideration.

From the heights of the ancient Castello di Sasso Corbaro, this atmospheric restaurant serves meals inside a beautifully restored hall, and in the summer you can dine alfresco at sturdy granite tables in the shady, walled-in courtyard. The cooking, Mediterranean with French touches, includes fresh seafood, good local wines round out the experience, and the 45-minute walk up from the rail station is a virtuous prelude to indulging in desserts like creamy panna cotta and homemade tiramisu.

One of the architectural focal points of the Old Town waterfront, this floridly decorated guild house provides an authentic medieval setting in which to sample reasonably priced local fare (the guild's origins can be traced to 1341). Lake fish or paschtete (meat pies with puff pastry) are worthy local options. The interior is woody and publike; in summer the small first-floor balcony or the airy cobblestone riverside arcade provides one of the best seats in town.

See all the famed Berner Oberland peaks as you dine on a 007 burger or James Bond spaghetti at this revolving restaurant atop the Schilthorn, featured in the 1969 Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service; it makes a full rotation in 45 minutes. The food is better than it has to be, and most opt for the substantial James Bond brunch buffet, with a large selection of everything from pancakes to soups, served daily until 2 pm; otherwise, choose from a salad or soup buffet, cheese or meat platters, and eclectic dishes ranging from Swiss Rösti and pork schnitzel to hearty pastas.