Want to know what Swiss cuisine is? On close acquaintance, you will realize that it has elements of German, French and Italian cooking. It is worth noting that the best Swiss products are awarded certificates by a special organization: for example, sausages from Vaud, Welsh rye bread, jerky from Graubünden are awarded with the AOC or IGP quality mark.
National cuisine of Switzerland
Fondue is a famous Swiss dish: various spices are added to the cheese melted in white wine, into which slices of white bread are dipped. But in addition to the classic version, there are also chocolate (melted chocolate, add almonds and honey to it, and then dip cookies, waffles, fruits or bread into this mixture), and chicken (stewed chicken fillet with a creamy sauce) fondue, in the preparation of which they use different recipes and technologies.
Cheese is often added to local dishes: for example, soups, salads, sandwiches, meat and even scrambled eggs are prepared using it.
The choice of side dishes in Swiss cuisine is quite simple: in the west they like vegetables, in the south they like pasta and polenta, and in the north they like beans and cabbage. And regardless of the region, potatoes prepared in different ways are often an addition to different dishes.
Popular Swiss dishes:
- “Country fondue” (a dish of fried potatoes and meat, poured over with melted cheese);
- “Röshti” (fried flatbread made from grated boiled potatoes and sprinkled with cheese);
- “Geshnetzeltes” (a dish of fried beef strips with the addition of herbs, sauce and mushrooms);
- Bernes platter (grilled pork or beef with sauerkraut and green beans);
- “Brunsli” (dessert in the form of chocolate chip cookies with almonds).
Where to taste the national cuisine?
In Swiss restaurants and cafes, the choice of dishes, as a rule, is carried out according to the menu, although there are establishments offering complex sets of 2-3 harmoniously combined dishes, which cost visitors 5-7% less than ordering these dishes separately.
If you are resting in mountain resorts, it is worth considering that local restaurants located on the slopes do not open until 11:00, while restaurants at hotels start working from 07:00.
In Geneva, you can have a bite to eat at “La Bergerie du Gruyerien” (after visiting this place, be sure to enjoy the signature dish in the form of fondue - it is served in a large bowl, which is especially important for a company of hungry visitors), in Zurich - at “Zumalten Lowen” (the menu is famous Swiss cuisine, among which meat and fish dishes are distinguished, many snacks and desserts; and in sunny weather you will be offered to enjoy your meal on the veranda - from here you can admire the picturesque surroundings), in Bern - in “La Table de Urs Hauri” (in the restaurant you can not only enjoy Swiss dishes, but also attend master classes, purchase wine and whiskey, and sign an off-site catering contract).
Cooking courses in Switzerland
Those interested can attend a culinary course at the Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland, and if you are a man and want to get to know Swiss culinary better, in Bern you will be offered a culinary course at the Bellevue Palace hotel.
It makes sense to visit Switzerland during the Chocolate Salon (Zurich, March-April), the Swiss Gastronomy Festival (Geneva, Chamonix, Montreux, December-January) or the Turnip Festival (Richterswil, November).
