Particularly appreciated for its landscapes and its panoramic views of its alpine pastures, Switzerland is also renowned for its gastronomy and culinary specialities. Swiss mountain cuisine is best enjoyed with the family and many establishments offer a cosy setting in a typical chalet.

The mountain air and winter sports will prepare your taste buds for the most famous specialities in Switzerland. With a multiculturalism that is reflected in its cuisine, Switzerland offers tourists top quality mountain gastronomy from its many cantons. Switzerland is not only known for its fondue and raclette, but also for the clever use of its seasonal products in its dishes and of course its famous milk chocolate. Being a multi-ethnic and multi-linguistic country, it has many mountain specialities such as the rösti, a variety of cheeses and cured meats and also wines. Depending on the location and the canton, visitors will discover many French, Italian and German influences.

With 23 cantons and as many culinary specialities, Switzerland offers cuisine which can be distinguished in three categories. French-speaking Switzerland enjoys the influences of French cuisine but also quality vineyards. Gamaret Geneva is well known for its fruity bouquet and intense colour and is perfect with grilled meats. The arrival of spring brings with it Neuchâtel’s flagship regional white wine. It beautifully accompanies fish, particularly in the canton of Vaud, La Côte can be enjoyed with the iconic fish speciality of the region, the Palouche. German-speaking Switzerland also has a pronounced Germanic influence on the gastronomy. And the Aargau region is renowned for its carrot dishes. Pies, pastries, cakes and other carrot based specialities are all prepared during festivals. Carrot cakes are traditionally enjoyed on birthdays and often topped with nuts and cane sugar. The Appenzeller is undoubtedly Switzerland’s flagship cheese. It is a particularly full-bodied cheese, made using raw milk and is matured for many months – to be enjoyed on all occasions.

In Basel, the traditional dish served during the city carnival is a soup of toasted flour made with onions, but there is also traditional Basel roast beef, served with a celery, bacon and red wine sauce. In May, Vaud’s Open Cellars also offer the chance to visit some 300 wineries and to taste wines and local produce. Also, the Onion Market in Bern is a great place to sample spice-based local specialities, vegetables, onions, cheese pies and mulled wine. Cheese fondue, raclette, älplermagronen, rösti, bichermuësli, Alpine cheeses, these are all emblematic Swiss dishes. The “moitié-moitié” cheese fondue is a typical mountain dish and a recognized speciality in Fribourg. Bündnerfleisch sliced thinly perfectly accompanies a raclette and a dry white wine. With over 300 different varieties of sausages and mountain salami, Switzerland provides just the kind of hearty cuisine needed for a stay in the mountains.

Finally, some tips to enjoy Swiss cuisine during your stay in Verbier. In the heart of the town, you will find local products to enjoy with family or friends. We especially recommend the Chalet Gourmand, which includes a delicatessen and a butcher shop. Why not take the opportunity to stop off at Verbier’s Le Carrefour restaurant where you can appreciate the subtleties of the local cuisine? Guests can visit the establishment, which specializes in mountain produce, in the heart of the resort, at 1750 m above sea level.