Switzerland

What to eat in Switzerland: top 10 dishes

Traveling to Switzerland? These are the ten dishes it is best known for, from everyday staples to festive classics, with a short background and a tip on where and when to eat each one. Ranked by how widely they are known around the world.

01
Fondue
Fondue is a Swiss dish of melted cheese and wine served in a communal pot (caquelon or fondue pot) over a portable stove (réchaud) heated with a candle or spirit lamp, and eaten by dipping bread and sometimes vegetables or other foods into the cheese using…
Travel tip A cold-weather meal for sharing, served at restaurants and mountain huts. Dip bread cubes with a long fork, and try not to drop your bread in the pot.
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02
Muesli
Muesli ( MEWZ-lee) is a cold Swiss dish that has become a common breakfast cereal prepared without cooking.
Travel tip Eaten at breakfast with milk or yogurt, and often on offer at hotel buffets. Bakeries and cafés also sell it mixed with fruit and yogurt.
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03
Rösti
Rösti or rööschti is a Swiss dish consisting mainly of potatoes, sautéed or shallow-fried in a pan.
Travel tip Served as a side dish or a main with fried egg, cheese or sausage. It is a common dish at restaurants and mountain huts, especially at brunch.
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04
Toblerone
Toblerone is a chocolate brand owned by Mondelez International (originally Kraft Foods).
Travel tip A chocolate bar you will see in supermarkets, airports and souvenir shops. It is easy to bring home as a gift.
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05
Milka
Milka is a European brand of chocolate confectionery. Originally made in Switzerland in 1901 by Suchard, it has been produced in Lörrach, Germany, since 1901.
Travel tip A mass-market chocolate sold in supermarkets across Europe. It is a simple, affordable treat and gift.
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06
Carrot cake
Carrot cake is a cake that contains carrots mixed into the spiced batter, often topped with a rich cream cheese frosting. Carrot cake uses neutral oils like vegetable oil or canola oil instead of butter to keep it moist even when refrigerated.
Travel tip Sold by the slice in cafés and bakeries, and Switzerland has its own traditional version called Rüeblitorte. Enjoy it with coffee.
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07
King cake
A king cake, also known as a three kings cake or a baby cake, is a cake associated in many countries with the Epiphany, the celebration of the Twelfth Night after Christmas. Traditionally made with brioche dough, in most cases a fève (lit.
Travel tip Baked around Epiphany in early January, with a small figure hidden inside. Bakeries sell it, and whoever finds the figure is crowned king for the day.
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08
Raclette
Raclette is a dish of Swiss origin, also popular in other countries, based on heating cheese and scraping off the melted part, then typically served with boiled potatoes. Raclette is historically a dish originating from the canton of Valais in Switzerland.
Travel tip A winter meal where cheese is melted and scraped over potatoes, pickles and onions. Look for it at restaurants, Christmas markets and mountain huts.
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09
Head cheese
Head cheese (Dutch: hoofdkaas) or souse or brawn is a meat jelly or terrine made of meat. Somewhat similar to a jellied meatloaf, it is made with flesh from the head of a calf or pig (less commonly a sheep or cow), typically set in aspic.
Travel tip Usually eaten cold in thin slices as part of a cold plate or sandwich. Look for it at butchers and traditional restaurants.
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10
Swiss chocolate
Swiss chocolate is chocolate produced in Switzerland. Switzerland's chocolates have earned an international reputation for high quality with many famous international chocolate brands.
Travel tip Sold in supermarkets, chocolate shops and cafés. Many chocolatiers offer tastings, and a bar is an easy souvenir.
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Description: Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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