Swiss food, drink & culinary travel
I first tried Brischtner Nytlä during my weeklong stay in the quiet mountain village of Unterschächen. When I stopped in at the Hotel Alpina for an afternoon snack, this specialty from the canton of Uri was on the menu. I had read about this dessert before, so I was thrilled to finally taste it! The key ingredient? Dörrbirnen, whole-dried pears. [ ] The post Recipe: Brischtner Nytlä appeared first…
At the lakeside entrance of the five-star Beau-Rivage Palace hotel in Lausanne, you will find its Café Beau-Rivage. I recently attended a special press lunch at this elegant brasserie. We had hoped to take advantage of the welcoming terrasse that day, which faces Lac Léman (aka Lake Geneva). Unfortunately, the so-called Saints de glace (ice saints) had other plans! The [ ] The post Café…
For a different perspective on Swiss chocolate-making, focused on small bean-to-bar producers working directly with cocoa bean farmers, Detours Zürich offers an Ethical Chocolate Tour. I attended this tour, organized in partnership with the Good Chocolate Hub, during the inaugural edition of Climate Week Zürich. Not only did we get to taste delicious chocolate, but we also learned about efforts […
Five years ago on my birthday, I traveled to Baar in the canton of Zug in search of a famous cake. You might assume I went there for a slice of the beloved Zuger Kirschtorte, a delicately layered, kirsch-soaked delight. Instead, I was looking for the Baarer Räbentorte (turnip cake), which has a celebrity connection. After years of reading about [ ] The post Perhaps the Favorite Swiss Cake of…
[This article was written as part of a paid partnership with Agrovision Burgrain.] In the Swiss canton of Lucerne, Agrovision Burgrain oversees an organic farm, but that s not all. This agricultural destination also has a restaurant, Hofladen (farm shop), butcher, cheesemaker, ProSpecieRara orchard with heirloom varieties, and more. In terms of livestock, the farm currently has about 65 cows and […
With Zürich, Switzerland, selected as the Ville du Goût 2026, Chef Zineb Zizi Hattab will serve as its “marraine” (godmother). Zizi Hattab currently has three exclusively plant-based eateries in Zürich: Restaurant KLE (1 Michelin star), Restaurant DAR (Michelin Bib Gourmand) and WineBar COR. The Semaine du Goût (week of taste) takes place this year from September 17-27, with culinary events being…
Fribourg has a number of traditional foods that are well-known throughout Switzerland. This bilingual canton, in which French and German are spoken, also has regional specialties within its borders that belong to particular communities. The following list includes 11 examples of Fribourg s traditional foods, some of which are made throughout the year, while others are seasonal specialties. 1.…
Since 2016, I have been publishing my annual Swiss Holiday Gift Guide. My gift recommendations below are intended for people in Switzerland who love food and cooking. I hope these suggestions help you discover some uniquely Swiss holiday gift ideas, all of which can be purchased online for delivery. As in years past, here they are, in no particular order: 1. [ ] The post Cuisine Helvetica’s…
Imagine a grand hall filled with over 5,200 different cheeses from 46 countries! I saw it with my own eyes at the World Cheese Awards, which took place from November 13-15, 2025. Held in Switzerland for the first time ever, the 37th edition saw a record number of entries. Swiss cheesemakers had a fantastic day at the awards, earning hundreds [ ] The post World Cheese Awards 2025: Switzerland s Big…
For the first time ever, the World Cheese Awards will be held in Switzerland from November 13 to 15, 2025. Taking place in Bern, it will bring together over 5,000 different cheeses from nearly 50 countries. This will be the 37th edition of this international event, organized by the Guild of Fine Food (UK). Why should you attend the World Cheese Awards? [ ] The post Bern Becomes the World Capital…