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10 Most Popular Swiss Dishes to Try

From fondue and rösti to sweet Leckerli, this guide covers 10 traditional dishes you must try in Switzerland, along with why travel insurance is essential for a safe and enjoyable trip.

  • 02 May 2025
  • 6 min read
  • 0 views

Switzerland is not only known for its stunning slopes and lakes but also for its rich culinary offerings. Along with its iconic slopes and lakes, the country is a foodie's paradise. Beyond the famous Swiss cheese and chocolates, some of the popular dishes in Switzerland draw inspiration from French, German and Italian cuisine. You'll also come across several traditional dishes and regional specialities. Let's find out some of the most famous dishes in Switzerland.

Why you must try the food in Switzerland?

A holiday in Switzerland would be incomplete without exploring the local cuisine. It's not just about trying famous food. Switzerland's cuisine is a testament to the country's culture and history. For example, the country's mountainous terrain favours dairy farming. With this in mind, it becomes easy to see why Swiss food has so much cheese. Much of the cuisine is seasonal, and every region has its spin on classic flavours.

10 famous foods in Switzerland

Here are some of the most popular food in Switzerland:

  1. Cheese fondue

There's nothing more classically Swiss than picking up a piece of bread with a fork, swirling it in molten cheese and popping it into your mouth.

  1. Rosti

This is a flat-grilled dish of grated potatoes fried in fat or butter. Unlike a hash brown, rosti isn't crispy; it's soft and tender.

  1. Papet Vaudois

This is a potato, leek mash stewed for hours, and sausage meat.

  1. Raclette

Raclette is made from a special type of semi-hard cheese. The cheese is heated on a raclette melter and then scraped onto a plate of jacket potatoes, cold meats, pickles and other accompaniments.

  1. Basler Mehlsuppe

This flour soup is a must-have if you're attending the Basel Carnival. This is a simple yet hearty dish made from flour roasted in butter and flavoured with herbs and beef stock.

  1. Alplermagronen

Loosely translated, Alplermagronen means Alpine farmer's macaroni. It's the traditional Swiss pasta cooked with potatoes, garlic, fried onions and cheese.

  1. Tartiflette

You'll find this popular food in Switzerland at almost every ski resort. It's a rustic preparation of sliced potatoes, smoky bacon, caramelised onions and plenty of Reblochon cheese.

  1. Leckerli

These German-inspired sweet biscuits are a great accompaniment to a cup of tea. They're made from honey, almonds, Kirsch, and candied peel. It's worth noting that the recipe hasn't changed since the early 1900s.

  1. Zürcher Geschnetzeltes

If you're in Zurich, try this famous food Switzerland has to offer. It's a hot plate of thinly sliced veal cooked in a creamy white wine sauce and served with rosti, mashed potatoes, pasta or rice.

  1. Landjäger

This smoked beef sausage has a distinctive square shape and is seasoned with a simple blend of spices. It's perfect for a picnic or a hike.

Importance of travel insurance

Switzerland offers endless activities to enjoy during your holiday, but planning for the unexpected is always important. What if your luggage is lost? Or, you fall sick and need to be hospitalised? Hospitalisation in Switzerland can be very expensive. Thankfully, you can get yourself a safety net. All you need is a single trip travel insurance. This will take care of the costs of hospitalisation as well as other issues like lost luggage or flight cancellations. Nowadays, it's easy to get travel insurance online. It's as easy as booking your flight tickets! 

FAQs

  • What are some of the most well-known Swiss desserts?

Some of the most popular Swiss desserts are Zuger Kirschtorte, Leckerli, and chocolates.

  • What is Switzerland's national food?

Rosti is Switzerland's national food.

  • What is the most common street food in Switzerland?

Fondue is the most common street food in Switzerland.

  • What are some of the most famous Swiss chocolate brands?

Some of the famous Swiss chocolate brands include Toblerone, Lindt, and Caillers.

Conclusion

Cheese, chocolates, potatoes, meat, and Swiss food, it's all about indulgence. Where else is it perfectly acceptable to bite into a bar of chocolate as a daytime snack? With so much to choose from, you can try something new every day. To make the experience even richer, enjoy your breakfasts with a glass of Ovomaltine and your lunches and dinners with a glass of local wine.

 


Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It may contain outdated data and information regarding the Insurance industry and products. It is advised to verify the currency and relevance of the data and information before taking any major steps. ICICI Lombard is not liable for any inaccuracies or consequences resulting from the use of this outdated information.  

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