La mejor guía gastronómica de Suiza (¡e Interlaken!)
Suiza es un paradise for food lovers. Whether you're into mountain-made cheese, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate, or local specialties served up with Alpine views. And if you're staying in Interlaken, you're in the perfect spot to taste it all.
In this guide, we’ve gathered all our top food tips and blog posts into one delicious place. Whether you're looking for cheap eats, vegan-friendly restaurants, or a deep dive into Swiss cheese culture, we've got you covered.
Jump to what you’re craving:
- Where to have breakfast in Interlaken
- What to Eat in Switzerland
- Fondue Must-Try Spots
- All About Swiss Cheese
- Swiss Chocolate
- Cheap Eats in Interlaken
- Vegetarian & Vegan Options in Interlaken
- Eat & Sleep Well at Balmers
Swiss Cuisine: A Tasty Mix of Cultures
Swiss food is as diverse as its regions. Influenced by German, French, and Italian culinary traditions, every canton adds its flavor to the national table.
Whether you're in the Bernese Oberland, Ticino, or Romandy, you’ll taste the blend of alpine ingredients, centuries-old traditions, and a pinch of mountain soul in every dish.
¿Dónde desayunar en Interlaken?
Start your day right at Balmers Hostel — where good vibes and comfy stays fuel your adventures in Interlaken. And what’s an adventure without a delicious breakfast? Here’s our pick of the best breakfast spots in town to keep you energized and ready to explore! Read our full article about our favorite spots to have breakfast in Interlaken.
Signature Dishes You Must Try in Switzerland
What to Eat in Switzerland?
From Rösti to Raclette, Swiss food is rich, rustic, and worth every bite. Explore the staples here: What to Eat When Visiting Switzerland.
Here are some iconic foods you’ll find all across Switzerland, and some local tips to enjoy them at their best:
Fondue
Melted cheese, bread cubes, and a hot communal pot, the ultimate alpine bonding experience. Traditionally made with Gruyère and Vacherin, fondue is a must after a day of hiking or skiing.
Want the real deal? Ask locals for places that use raw milk cheese from nearby chalets.
- Fondue Must-Try Spots in Interlaken: No Swiss foodie trip is complete without fondue. Find out where to dip your bread in style: Best Places to Have Fondue.
raclette
Unlike fondue, raclette is all about scraping grilled cheese over boiled potatoes, pickles, and onions. Originally from Valais, it’s now found all over Switzerland, even at summer festivals!
Asar
Este crispy potato pancake es simple pero satisfactorio. A menudo se sirve como lado, también aparece con huevos, tocino o queso alpino en la parte superior. Nacido en la parte de habla alemana de Suiza, ahora es un favorito nacional.
Zurich carne en rodajas
Ternera en rodajas finas en una cremosa salsa de vino blanco, típicamente servido con Rösti, una especialidad de Zurich que es perfecta para los amantes de la carne.
Chocolate
El chocolate suizo es famoso por una razón. Más allá de las marcas como Lindt o Toblerone, busque artesanos locales, muchos ofrecen degustaciones, talleres o incluso recorridos por chocolate.
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Swiss Chocolate: There's more to Swiss chocolate than Toblerone. Discover our favorite picks: El mejor chocolate suizo.
¡No te pierdas las panaderías!
Swiss food also includes delicious pastries. Switzerland has excellent bakeries in every town. Try:
- Butterzopf: a braided butter bread usually eaten on Sundays
- Nusstorte: a caramelized nut tart from Graubünden
- Birnbrot: bread filled with dried pears, nuts, and spices
Ask your hostel staff where the locals go, it's rarely the supermarket!
Eat Local: Mountain Food Culture
Switzerland’s farming culture is alive and well. From alpine cheese production to seasonal village markets, food here still follows the rhythm of the mountains.
- En verano, cows graze high in the Alps, and fresh cheeses are made directly in the alpine huts.
- En otoño, farmers bring their products down to the valley for seasonal feasts and harvest markets.
If you're staying in Interlaken, you can often visit small producers, tour a working farm, or hike to a mountain hut that serves food straight from the source.
What to Drink in Switzerland (Besides Tap Water)
Switzerland isn’t just about cheese and chocolate — the drinks are worth exploring too! From traditional soft drinks to alpine spirits and crisp mountain wines, here’s what you should sip while in Interlaken and beyond:
Rivella
Switzerland’s most iconic soft drink — and a real cultural experience.
Made from milk whey, this fizzy beverage comes in red (original), blue (light), and green (herbal) varieties. Locals grow up on it, and visitors are always curious to try it.
- Pruébelo frío con un plato de queso o después de una caminata para un impulso extrañamente refrescante.
Cerveza suiza
En Suiza, la cerveza no aparece en los titulares mundiales, pero el país tiene una rica tradición de elaboración de cerveza, con una creciente escena artesanal.
- Marcas populares: Feldschlösschen, Calanda, Appenzeller
- Selecciones de artesanía: Rugenbräu (hecho en Interlaken!), Whitefrontier, BFM (Brasserie des Franches-Montagnes).
- Pide un "Penacho"Si quieres un shandy suizo: media cerveza, media limonada.
Vino suizo
Suiza mantiene la mayor parte de su vino para sí mismo, ¡menos del 2% se exporta!
Regiones para saber:
- Valais: blancos secos como fendente (chasselas) y rojos robustos
- Vaud: conocido por los viñedos junto al lago y los blancos ligeros
- Ticino: Merlot is king here, thanks to the Italian influence
Many Swiss wines pair beautifully with fondue or raclette, just ask the server for a local recommendation.
Eau-de-vie & Alpine Spirits
After a hearty mountain meal, locals often enjoy a small digestif made from herbs or fruit. Look out for:
- Kirsch (cherry schnapps)
- Williamine (pear brandy)
- Herb liqueurs from alpine monasteries
Some are strong, sip slowly, and appreciate the mountain herbs.
Alpine Herbal Teas
In the mountains, you’ll often find homemade herbal infusions, like mint, edelweiss, or lemon balm, served hot or iced. Perfect after a long day hiking or skiing.
Look for tea stands at local markets or mountain huts with handpicked herbs.
Cheap Eats in Interlaken
Looking for budget-friendly bites? Interlaken has plenty of options for travelers watching their wallets. Read our full guide here: Best Cheap Restaurants in Interlaken
Vegetarian & Vegan Options in Interlaken
Plant-based in the Alps? Totally possible. Discover where to eat meat-free in town: Best Vegetarian/Vegan Restaurants in Interlaken.
Eat & Sleep Well at Balmers Hostel
Whether you're here for the fondue, the chocolate, or just a good burger after a hike, Interlaken has it all, and balmer is right in the heart of it.
- Communal kitchen for cooking your meals
- Chill vibe and shared dinners with other guests
- Staff tips for where to eat, shop, and snack
Follow our latest foodie finds on @balmershostel — and tag us if you discover a new favorite!
