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Many people are surprised to learn that Switzerland is an amazing food, wine, and beer destination. Switzerland’s culinary specialties extend far beyond chocolate and cheese!
The Ultimate Switzerland Travel Guide
Switzerland’s wine regions are concentrated in the alpine Valais and around Lake Geneva in La Cote and Lavaux, and I highly recommend including a vineyard tour and wine tasting in your Switzerland itinerary.
I hope you’ve worked up an appetite because here are the best foods to try in Switzerland!
Raclette
Raclette is a local cheese that’s grilled until the cheese is melted. Once the cheese melts, it’s traditionally served over crispy bread and topped with boiled potatoes, pickles, and onions. Sometimes restaurants will serve you pre-made raclette, or sometimes you’ll be served a tray of toppings to customize what’s on your bread and melted cheese.
Nusstorte
A nusstorte, also called a Bündner Nusstorte, is a traditional sweet, caramelized nut-filled pastry. Walnuts are the most common nut included in the delicious center, which is a mixture of sugar, honey, and milk or cream. You’ll find these pastries on every corner in every town and city, so make sure you try a couple of varieties.
Pizzoccheri
Pizzoccheri
Pizzoccheri is a flat, short, ribbon pasta made with flour. The pasta is cooked with Swiss Chard or cabbage and cubed potatoes. This mixture is then layered with several types of cheese and topped with butter-fried garlic.
Roasted Flour Soup
Legend says that this soup was created when a distracted cook left their flour cooking in a pot until it accidentally browned. Instead of throwing it away, the cook turned their mishap into one of the country’s most beloved dishes. This soup is made of flour, butter, onion, and beef stock, topped with Gruyère cheese.
Rosti
Rösti is traditionally a breakfast, but versions of this dish can be found for every meal. This dish is made by forming thinly grated potatoes into cakes and pan-frying them until they’re crispy and golden. My favorite version of rösti is Rosti Valaisanne, which comes with bacon, a fried egg, gherkins, and pickled onions.
Swiss Chocolate
In 1875, the Swiss confectioner Daniel Peter created the first solid milk chocolate. Since then, Switzerland has been renowned for the quality and taste of its chocolate. Most Swiss chocolate is consumed by the Swiss themselves (and not exported), so take advantage of the local chocolate variety while you’re here.
Tartiflette
Tartiflette
Tartiflette is a hearty dish primarily served in cold weather, especially at the country’s ski resorts. This dish combines thinly sliced potatoes, bacon bits, caramelized onions, and oozy, nutty, creamy Reblochon cheese.
Polenta and Braised Beef
This dish is most commonly found in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino. Wine-braised beef is served with polenta, a cornmeal dish cooked into porridge, for a hearty iconic European dish.
Fondue
A fondue meal usually emphasizes the communal sharing of the meal as much as the food itself. So if you’re traveling solo, considering having fondue as part of a food tour or meet-up. The variety of cheeses and dipping items will amaze you, so I recommend trying as many options as you can.
Swiss Beer and Wine
When you order wine or beer in Switzerland, stick with local varieties. Local beers and wines are less expensive than imported brands, and you’ll get to sample the amazing wine and beer this country produces, which isn’t readily available in many other countries.
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What do you think are the best foods to try in Switzerland? Tell us in the comments so we can “dish” about our favorite meals!
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This article on the best foods to try in Switzerland is not a sponsored post. And, as always, the thoughts and opinions expressed here are entirely my own. Some of the links in this post about the best foods to try in Switzerland are affiliate links. And, at no cost to you, I may earn a small commission.
