The Traveller’s Guide to Food in Switzerland
If you want to understand Switzerland, there's no better place to start than at the table. From bubbling pots of melted cheese to delicate freshwater fish and meaty mountain sausages, the food in Switzerland is as diverse as its landscapes and languages. You don't need to be a passionate foodie to find the best bites, we'll walk you through the must-try dishes, where to find them and the rich culinary traditions behind them.
What is a normal meal in Switzerland?
Swiss food is hearty and locally sourced, with a strong emphasis on quality. Bread and cheese are staples, as are local wines and seasonal ingredients. Dining is often relaxed and social - ideal for slow travel.
A typical meal in Switzerland varies by region thanks to the influence of Switzerland's rich and varied landscapes and closest neighbours. You’ll find Italian-style risottos and polenta in Ticino, sausages and rösti in the German-speaking areas, and creamy, wine-infused dishes in French-speaking cantons.
What is Switzerland's famous food?
Switzerland is best known for cheese and cheese-based dishes thanks to the lush, mineral-rich alpine pastures and a cheese-making tradition that dates back over 1,000 years. From comforting alpine staples to rare regional specialities, cheese reflects the country's cultural diversity. Here are the top dishes every traveller should try:
Fondue
Top of the list and one of the most famous foods in Switzerland - it's practically Switzerland's national dish - fondue is a winter favourite. This communal dish is made from sweet, salty Gruyère and nutty Vacherin Fribourgeois cheeses, melted with white wine, garlic and Kirsch (a cherry brandy). Served in a caquelon (fondue pot), dinner companions dip cubes of crusty bread into molten cheese using long fondue forks. Top tip: Don't leave the nun behind when eating fondue. La religieuse (or the nun) is the hardened cheese at the bottom of the pot. It's considered a cardinal sin to leave it behind at the end of the meal - so make sure you save room for it or risk upsetting the locals.
Where to try it: It's best enjoyed in a mountain chalet after a day on the slopes, so cosy alpine lodges around Zermatt or St. Moritz are ideal. Alternatively, you can find Gruyères or Fribourg, where Gruyères and Vacherin Fribourgeois cheeses (respectively) are produced.
Raclette
Named after the Raclette du Valais cheese it features, raclette is similar to fondue, in that it's melted cheese. It involves melting the surface of a cheese wheel and scraping it onto a plate. It's typically served with boiled potatoes, gherkins, and pickled onions. The flavour is rich and satisfying - comfort food at its finest.
Where to try it: Traditional restaurants in Valais, in the south of Switzerland, or at winter festivals across the country (though it can - and should - be enjoyed anytime of year).
Rösti
Rösti started its life as a farmer's breakfast and has become a national treasure, rivalling fondue for Switzerland's (unofficial) national dish. These golden, crispy grated potato cakes - served either plain or topped with mushrooms, cheese, bacon or a fried egg - are especially popular in Swiss-German regions to the east. In Zürich, you'll find them topped with Veal in a cream and white wine sauce - a regional speciality.
Where to try it: Zurich, Bern, or at mountaintop restaurants with panoramic views.
Älplermagronen
Lovers of mac 'n' cheese, should not miss the opportunity to try Switzerland's answer to the Italian/American staple: Älplermagronen. This rustic dish is a cheesy gratin of potatoes, macaroni, cream and crispy onions. The unlikely star of the dish is the side of stewed apples, which cuts through the richness of the cheese, allowing you to shovel more in without making yourself sick! As with most of the dishes on his list, it's a comfort food, typically served at high altitudes.
Where to try it: For that authentic, rustic style, stop in at alpine huts and family-run inns throughout central Switzerland.
Our top recommended regional dishes in Switzerland
While less common throughout Switzerland, these hyper-local dishes are not to be missed should you visit the cantons of Geneva or Vaud.
Filets de perche meunière
Lake Geneva is home to perch, arctic char, trout, and whitefish (ferra), providing plenty of opportunities for delicious fish dishes in the local area. One particular favourite is filets de perche meunière - perch fillets covered in flour and pan-fried in butter until crispy and served with a simple lemon butter sauce and fresh parsley. Just beware, authenticity matters. While most restaurants near Lake Geneva still serve locally caught fish, high demand means some are now imported. Don't be shy to as so you know you're getting the real deal!
Where to try it: This dish is ONLY authentic in lakeside towns like Montreux, Vevey and Geneva.
Papet Vaudois
While the less well-known dish on this list, it's definitely worth a try. The dish combines slow cooked stew of leek and potatoes to form a soft, fragrant mash, with a saucisson Vaudois—a plump, mildly spiced sausage that’s unique to the Vaud region. Think of it as Switzerland's answer to 'bangers and mash' - it's comforting with deep regional roots.
Switzerland’s Protected Foods
Switzerland is home to many PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) foods, meaning to eat them at their freshest, or in the only place they can legitimately be produced, you have to eat them in Switzerland. These include:
- Gruyère, Emmental, Berner Alpkäse and Tête de Moine – legendary cheeses with deep regional roots
- Galler Bratwurst PGI – A delicate white sausage from St. Gallen
- Cuchaule – A saffron-laced bread from Valais, traditionally eaten with Bénichon mustard
- Abricotine – A fragrant apricot brandy from Valais
- Damassine – A fruit spirit made from small red damson plums
Each of these products offers a taste of Switzerland’s agricultural heritage and culinary pride.
Whether you're sipping wine beside Lake Geneva, tucking into fondue in the Alps, or sampling pastries in a city café, every dish tells a story.
If you're planning your Swiss adventure, make sure your itinerary includes some culinary stops - your tastebuds will thank you.
Want more detailed information? Read more about holidays to Switzerland:
