The Top 10 Swiss Foods You Should Try

In addition to its breathtaking natural beauty, foodies—especially those with voracious appetites—love Switzerland. Cheese and chocolate are integral parts of Swiss Foods / Swiss cuisine because of the country’s climate and lush, alpine surroundings, which are ideal for dairy products. And although you should sample both of these dishes as often as you can, there’s much more to Swiss cuisine than fondue and chocolate brownies.

Check out these best cuisines to try in Switzerland along with some of the best locations to do so.

Swiss Foods You Must Try

Cheese Fondue

Cheese fondue, a staple of Swiss cooking, is made of melted cheese, white wine (or kirsch brandy), and garlic. It’s typically served with raw vegetables, pickles, little cooked potatoes, and pieces of bread. These things are dipped into the fondue, which is usually served as an appetizer for parties of two or more. There are rigorous guidelines on which varieties of cheese are acceptable and unacceptable while making fondue, and recipes differ depending on the region of Switzerland you are in. Try it at the welcoming Friborg Fonduestübli in Zurich.

Swiss Chocolate

a display case filled with lots of different types of chocolates

The average annual chocolate consumption of Swiss citizens is an astounding 23 pounds; After tasting premium Swiss chocolate, you’ll see why. Experts claim that thick Alpine milk from cows raised at high elevations and a blending method that makes the chocolate creamier are the two reasons why Swiss chocolate is highly regarded. Top producers to seek out are Läderach, Sprüngli, Lindt, and Cailler.

Raclette

a person cutting a piece of cake with a knife

One taste of fine Swiss chocolate, and you’ll see why the country’s citizens consume an astounding 23 pounds of chocolate year each person. Experts claim that two factors contribute to the popularity of Swiss chocolate: thick Alpine milk from cows raised at high elevations and a blending method that makes the chocolate creamier. Lindt, Cailler, Sprüngli, and Läderach are a few of the leading producers to seek out.

Rösti

Rösti is what the Swiss call mashed potatoes or french fries to Americans. Rösti is a common side dish comprised of seasoned shredded potatoes that are pan-fried in butter, oil, or animal fat and served like a pancake. Although the meal may be found almost anywhere, its association with German-speaking Switzerland is stronger despite the name’s French origins. In Lucerne, check out the plate-sized version at Wirsthaus Taube.

Bratwurst

German-speaking Switzerland is closely associated with bratwurst, another popular dish on the menu. The most valuable variety in the nation is from St. Gallen, which is close to the Lichtenstein border. St. Gallen bratwurst is made out of a minimum of 50% beef and pork. The juicy sausages are typically served with rösti on the side and can be grilled, fried, or stewed. Half-meter and meter-long meals are served at the Zeughauskeller Restaurant, a historic establishment in the old city center of Zurich!

Älplermagronen

Polenta Ticinese

Being the most Italian of all the Swiss cantons, Ticino’s language, culture, and cuisine all have a Mediterranean feel to them. One of the most characteristic foods in the area is polenta Ticenese, a rich mush of cornmeal that tastes far better than it sounds. It is typically served with a ragu made with beef, rabbit, or mushrooms. If you visit the area in the summer, you might not find this meal on menus because it’s a wintry dish. Try it in the opulently traditional Montagnola restaurant Grotto del Cavicc.

Birchermüesli

Be it a posh B&B, a secluded mountain chalet, or a five-star hotel, you should expect to find birchermüesli on the breakfast menu. Cut oats, condensed milk or yogurt, grated apples or other fruits, lemon juice, hazelnuts or almonds, and other ingredients combine to make this filling and healthy breakfast dish. A doctor created it to be a well balanced meal that gives you energy for a full day of exploration, hiking, or skiing. Experience it all day at the cozy Café Hubertus in Zurich.

Biberli

Perhaps the most traditional Swiss canton is Appenzellerland, where folk attire and antiquated practices are still prevalent in day-to-day existence. As is the Appenzeller biberli, a dark gingerbread cookie imprinted with a variety of folk art patterns, from straightforward to complex. Visit the Appenzell confectionary BÖHLI AG to sample these delicious sweets.

Tartiflette

Tartiflette is a savory pie that originated in the Haute-Savoie region, close to the common border between France, Italy, and Switzerland. Reblochon cheese, a ripened cheese that is a farmer’s version of brie, is its main component. Reblochon cheese, caramelized onions, bacon, and finely sliced potatoes are layered to create the baked tart. Apres-ski crowd favorites, it’s as rich and wonderful as it sounds. At the top of the Veysonnaz cable car, at La Remointze, savor it while taking in the scenery.

The 10 Best Foods to Try in Switzerland (tripsavvy.com)

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