When we are on vacation in Switzerland, we do not only look for things to do in Switzerland but also indulge ourselves with scrumptious foods and drinks to try in Switzerland.
Knowing that diversity is the essence of Switzerland. From language to food and drink, you can see the influence of the neighbouring countries France, Germany and Italy. However, Switzerland has added the flavours of its best local produce and created quintessentially Swiss dishes that are just not to be missed.
One cannot help be amazed at the number ipnuippnupati of tempting dishes that include basic ingredients like bread, potatoes and cheese and take them to another level.
If you have only been thinking Swiss cheese and chocolate, think again and get your taste buds ready for your next Swiss holiday. Traverse the country using the Swiss Travel Pass and taste the regional specialities as you go along.
Switzerland may have an amazing number of Michelin starred restaurants (128 in 2019), but good and affordable Swiss food can be found everywhere.
Here are our Top 5 not-to-be-missed food and drink to try in Switzerland. Drink up and gobble down!
1. Swiss Cheese Fondue
Right at the top of the list is the world-famous cheese fondue – A blend of Gruyere, Emmental, and Appenzeller cheese melted with wine and then seasoned with garlic and nutmeg.
Fondue is traditionally served with crusty bread which you dip into this heaven of cheese! You have not tasted fondue if you have not had it in Switzerland!
2. Raclette
Can you name one thing that tastes better than cheese? Melted cheese!
Raclette is a type of semi-hard cheese made from Alpine cow’s milk, also called ‘A Melting Wheel of Swiss Cheese’. The Raclette cheese (round) is heated by a special machine called raclette melter, and it is directly scraped onto your plate to eat along with cold meat, boiled potato, cornichon pickles, and pickled onion. Add your favourite Swiss wine to it to take it one notch higher!
3. Rösti
A famous Swiss dish made from potatoes, mainly served as an accompaniment to other dishes – Rösti; nicely roasted in butter and spices is usually served with meat, cheese, sausages, bacon or veggies. This dish and its many variations are served in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian versions and is easily found on almost every menu. You really don’t have to go find Rosti, it is sure to find you!
4. Basel Flour Soup – Basler Mehlsuppe
It is said that a chatty cook once burnt the flour while preparing soup and instead of starting from scratch again, decided to use the same burnt flour. He continued to roast it in butter and added the beef stock to it and made the soup and it became quite a success.
Today, Mehlsuppe, a hearty, strong flavoured soup is a prevalent dish with the locals and tourists alike. This simple flour soup is mostly served during the Basel Carnival (Fasnacht) but is also consumed all over the country. It prominently features browned flour and onions, sometimes, red wine, and is seasoned with peppercorns and other spices.
5. Alplermagronen
Did the Italians really introduce Switzerland to pasta? Most say that’s not true.
Pasta has been made in Switzerland for a long time. In the earlier days, pasta was expensive and considered a luxury item by Swiss people.
To preserve this expensive item and make it last longer, they thought of adding potatoes, fried onions, garlic, and cheese to it. The dish eventually got the name Alplermagronen, which means Alpine farmer’s macaroni.
This comforting layered pasta dish has a very creamy texture, baked until golden, and served with apple sauce. It is topped with caramelised onions and shredded Gruyere which takes Mac and cheese to another dimension! Not just picture perfect, Its pasta perfect!
