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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.