Practical information : Eating out Switzerland
Timetable
On weekends, brunch is very popular. In general, cafés open early around 7am and close between 7pm and midnight, depending on whether they offer evening catering. In the evenings, the "soup" is served from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. (average service hours). Lunch or "dinner" in Switzerland is taken between 12 and 2pm, as in France. In major cities, many restaurants are closed on Sundays, except in tourist areas. It's best to check opening hours beforehand.
Budget & Tips
In Switzerland, enjoying local dishes comes at a price. But you can be sure of quality if you choose restaurants with local specialities. On average, a dish of the day costs CHF 20, while a lunchtime menu costs between CHF 25 and 30. In the evening, the à la carte menu is often available. In a restaurant that's neither gastronomic nor cheap, the average starter-main course-dessert is CHF 50-60.
For food lovers looking to save money, the "Fourchette" website offers discounts on a fairly comprehensive list of restaurants.
Requesting a doggy bag is not yet widespread, but it is accepted on request.
Beware, in the land of banks... some small establishments do not accept credit cards.
What costs extra
Tips are always appreciated if you are satisfied with the service. There's no rule about the percentage. It's up to you.
Bread is free, but can sometimes be forgotten. In Switzerland, we don't eat as much bread as in France, for example.
Water is drinkable everywhere, and even in many large-town fountains! At the table, you'll often be served bottled water, but be sure to specify if you'd like a carafe, which you may be charged for anyway.
The local way
When ordering coffee, be sure to specify espresso or double espresso. Swiss coffee is very long.
Brunch: weekends are off, and we love to see the terraces packed in summer for late breakfast. The table is laid with everything from eggs Benedict to pancakes. The Swiss love brunches, and many restaurants offer them à la carte on Saturdays and Sundays, especially in the big cities. On Loisir.ch, you'll find over a hundred ideas in French-speaking Switzerland.
Markets: there are covered markets, such as the beautiful Halles de Rive in Geneva, or weekly markets in Swiss towns and villages. They're a great way to discover local Swiss produce, such as cardoon from Geneva, apricots and asparagus from Valais, chestnuts from Ticino, saffron from Mund, cheeses and charcuterie.
Agritourism: eating on a farm, surrounded by vineyards, is possible with agritourism, which is very widespread in Switzerland. To find out more: myfarm.ch
Alpine refreshment stands: in summer, you can take advantage of the alpine refreshment stands, which offer simple, authentic meals based on local produce.
La semaine du goût: a not-to-be-missed event throughout Switzerland every September. Taste local products and meet local players who promote their products. www.gout.ch
Street food festivals organized in certain cities are also an opportunity to whet your palate with new flavors. https://streetfood-festivals.ch/
To be avoided
It's not customary to be on first-name terms with service staff or to speak too loudly. The Swiss are discreet!
Kids
Children are always little kings. They benefit from menus adapted to their little stomachs, with prices reduced accordingly. You'll even find kid-friendly restaurants that more than welcome your little ones. On-site educational games await them, and balanced menus are prepared just for them. By law, restaurants are not allowed to segregate their clientele according to age, religion or origin. The Label Unicorn (labelunicorn.ch) lists these kid- and family-friendly places.
Smokers
Federal law has prohibited smoking in enclosed public establishments and restaurants since 2010. Penalties are very severe, and can reach up to CHF 1,000 for those who break the law.
Tourist traps
As everywhere else, avoid chains where the menu appears in every language, and prefer small restaurants to local chains for greater authenticity.
Be careful on lakeshores! Fish on the menu, such as perch fillets, a local specialty, rarely come from the lake in question. Always ask about the source if you want to be sure of the product's origin and freshness for your tasting.
