From the mesmerizing snow-capped mountains to the picturesque landscapes, Switzerland’s beauty has enchanted one and all. A favourite shooting location for Bollywood, movies like the classic Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (DDLJ), Bachna Ae Haseeno, Dhoom 3, and so on have the backdrop of this astounding country. It is not just the snowy mountains but also the expansive lush greens that give you a view that you will always cherish; a view that seems like a postcard picture came to life. Apart from the magnificent places to visit in Switzerland, tourists are also very fond of the food there. Swiss cuisine, if to be described most simply, has a combination of foods that will make you feel elegant from within.

Swiss cuisine is inspired by several regions of its French, Italian, and German neighbors; the main focus is on dairy products as wheat farming is not much suited in the higher altitudes. Potatoes along with cured sausages and air-dried meat are a staple in Switzerland. Swiss cuisine is not just limited to savory; even the desserts are mouth-wateringly delicious. From fine dining restaurants to street food carts, Switzerland offers it all. Switzerland is known for manufacturing some of the most amazing chocolates in the world and you have to try them out during your drip. Not to forget, since the Swiss region is a cold one, you will get a good amount of alcohol there. Switzerland excels in beers and wines. There is so much to talk about the Swiss food – falafels, cheese fondue, Swiss choco cakes, potatoes and pickles, and much, much more. That is why; we curated a list of dishes that you need to relish during your Swiss trip.

Savouries of the Alpine Region

1. Rosti, Valaisanne-style

One of the most iconic dishes in the Swiss Alps, Rosti to them is what Butter Chicken is to North India. Thinly grated potatoes, which are pan-fried until they are golden and crisp, Rosti was usually eaten as a breakfast dish by farmers in the canton of Bern. The origin of Swiss Rosti with potatoes is unknown to the world but its taste is surely something that you need to try. If you are visiting Switzerland in the winter, you have to try the winter rendition of the Rosti from the canton of Valais. It is served with the toppings of salty bacon, fried egg, and melted raclette cheese and with tangy gherkins and pickled pearl onions on the side.

2. Raclette             

Traditionally, raclette in French means ‘to scrape’. And the Raclette means melting a wheel of cheese near a fire, then scraping off some portions of the melting cheese that can be eaten with bread, boiled potatoes, and pickled onions. Raclette was a famous dish for farmers and herdsmen who carried wheels of cheese with them in the high pasture zone. However now, Switzerland’s Raclette cheese is famous all over the world. One of the best places where you can savour this country-side dish is Whymper Stube in Zermatt.

3. Cheese Fondue

A dish that is the staple of every Swiss national, a ubiquitous part of the Swiss cuisine, cheese fondue is made of cheese, white wine, kirsch brandy, and garlic that are melted together. The fondue is served with chunks of bread, raw vegetables like carrot, beetroot, celery, etc., small boiled potatoes, and pickles. The items are dipped on the steaming hot cheese fondue and relished together with friends and family. Fondue is the national dish of Switzerland. The recipes differ from region to region but there are strict rules as to what type of cheese can be used and what cannot be. If you are in Zurich, you can try the best cheese fondue at Friborg Fonduestübli.

4. Basel-style roasted flour soup

Legends have it that a girl from Basel could not get married because she didn’t know how to cook a roasted flour soup. There are numerous ways in which roasted flour soup can be made. However, at its most basic form, the soup is made of flour, butter, onion, and stock (preferably beef stock) and topped with a grating of Gruyere. The origination of this iconic soup is very interesting. It is said that a cook was busy chatting away with a friend and left the flour cooking in a pot, which turned brown. So instead of running away from this cooking disaster, he took it up as a challenge and created one of the most loved soups in Switzerland.

5. Tartiflette

Made near the French-Swiss border, in the Haute-Savoie department, which is the home to the local Reblochon cheese, Tartiflette is a staple in most ski resorts in the Alpine zone. One of the best foods in Switzerland, it is a starchy combination of thinly sliced potatoes, smoky bits of bacon, caramelised onions, topped with the nutty and creamy Reblochon cheese. The origination of the cheese dates back to the 16th century; however, Tartiflette was made only in the 1980s.

6. Älplermagronen

Every country has comfort food and Älplermagronen is the finest comfort Swiss food that you can eat. It is essentially made of macaroni and cheese along with potatoes, cream, and roasted onions. With the dish, a side of applesauce is served to maintain the sweet-salty balance. Älplermagronen was first made in the mountain huts of the high Alps. The best place to try the lip-smacking Älplermagronen is at the Felsenegg chalet, at the top of the Adliswil-Felsenegg cable car zone. Make sure to include this in your Switzerland tour package.

7. Polenta ticinese

In the Swiss canton, Ticino has the most Italian influence of all. The Mediterranean vibe is depicted in the language, culture, and culture of Ticino, Switzerland. This brings us to, Polenta ticinese – one of the most typical Swiss dishes in the region. It is a cornmeal mush wish is served with a ragu of beef, rabbit, or mushrooms. Polenta ticinese is the perfect example of ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’ because it tastes so much better than you anticipate. This can be categorized as street food in Switzerland and is a winter dish. If you are visiting Switzerland in the summer, you may not find it on the menu. Although, there are a few restaurants that serve Polenta ticinese during summers too. One of the best places to try this dish is at a Montagnola restaurant – Grotto Del Cavicc.

Desserts of the Swiss Region

8. Chocolate

On average, a Swiss resident is said to eat approximately 23 pounds of chocolate per year. Shocked? Well, when you take one taste of the Swiss chocolates, you will understand why they eat so much chocolate in Switzerland. They are made of dense milk of cows that are raised at the high altitudes of the Alpine region. Adding to this, the blending process is unique to the other ones, which make the batter creamier. Some of the top producers of chocolate in the Swiss region are Lindt, Cailler, and Läderach. That said, the Swiss choco cakes that are made out of heavenly Swiss chocolates are a must-have.

9. Brischtner Nytlä

Sure it is difficult to pronounce but Brischtner Nytlä or gedörrte birnen mit rahm, as it is otherwise known, is a traditional dessert that you cannot miss out on. When in Switzerland, Brischtner Nytlä is made from a simple combination of dried pears, red wine, and whipped cream. The red wine is diluted using sugar and water and the pears are gradually added to this concoction. Brischtner Nytlä is not only a lip-smacking dessert but also a beautiful looking one at that. There are many places to visit in Switzerland during honeymoon and a café that serves Brischtner Nytlä is definitely one of them.

10. Tirggel

A traditional cookie that is made of flour, honey, and sugar only – Tirggel is one of the most loved cookies in the Zurich canton. The cookies are different from the usual ones; they are thin, rectangular, and are characterised by images on top that are associated with the Zürich Canton, romance, and Biblical stories. Swiss baking is renowned in the world and with these cookies, they became even more prominent. Tirggel was first mentioned in the witch trial court document, dating back to the 1460s. In the 15th and 16th centuries, they were characterised as luxury items and only city bakers could bake them. After the 1840s, Tirggel became a famous food across Switzerland, giving all the bakers the freedom to bake this delicious cookie.

Apart from these, leeks with potatoes and sausage (Papet Vaudois), spinach tart, zürcher geschnetzeltes, zuger kirschtorte, and saffron risotto are some of the other dishes that you should try when in Switzerland.

Switzerland is a country that’s truly one of the most breathtaking places in the world with the gorgeous Alps in the backdrop, medieval churches, endless green fields, and welcoming weather. Bask in the beautiful views of Switzerland as you savour the worthy assortment of delicacies it has on offer!