O melhor guia gastronômico da Suíça (e Interlaken!)
A Suíça é a 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:
- What to Eat in Switzerland
- Fondue Must-Try Spots
- All About Swiss Cheese
- Swiss Chocolate
- Cheap Eats in Interlaken
- Vegetarian & Vegan Options
- 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.
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!
Rösti
This crispy potato pancake is simple but satisfying. Often served as a side, it also appears with eggs, bacon, or alpine cheese on top. Born in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, it’s now a national favorite.
Zürcher Geschnetzeltes
Thinly sliced veal in a creamy white wine sauce, typically served with rösti, a specialty from Zurich that’s perfect for meat-lovers.
Chocolate
Swiss chocolate is world-famous for a reason. Beyond brands like Lindt or Toblerone, look for local artisans, many offer tastings, workshops, or even chocolate-making tours.
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Swiss Chocolate: There's more to Swiss chocolate than Toblerone. Discover our favorite picks: Best Swiss Chocolate.
Don’t Miss the Bakeries!
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.
- Em Verão, cows graze high in the Alps, and fresh cheeses are made directly in the alpine huts.
- Em outono, 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.
- Try it chilled with a cheese plate or after a hike for a weirdly refreshing boost.
Swiss Beer
In Switzerland, beer doesn’t make global headlines, but the country has a rich tradition of brewing, with a growing craft scene.
- Popular brands: Feldschlösschen, Calanda, Appenzeller
- Craft picks: Rugenbräu (made in Interlaken!), WhiteFrontier, BFM (Brasserie des Franches-Montagnes).
- Ask for a “Panaché” if you want a Swiss shandy — half beer, half lemonade.
Swiss Wine
Switzerland keeps most of its wine to itself — less than 2% is exported!
Regions to know:
- Valais: dry whites like Fendant (Chasselas) and robust reds
- Vaud: known for lakeside vineyards and light whites
- 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
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 Balmers 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!
