Do you know some typical Swiss dishes?

Here at Bikeinswitzerland, the team loves to try the gastronomy of the destinations we travel to. For this reason, we think it is super important to include typical Swiss dishes in our tours. Enjoying the local cuisine is a good way to travel, right ?!

We prepared a list with eight delicious and super characteristic dishes. Don’t forget to try them on our tours:

1) Raclette

This dish is the darling of winter – but also of any season when you are in the mountains. Raclette is a type of delicious cheese that we eat melted over boiled potatoes and some other side dishes, such as pickles and little onions. This is one of the simplest dishes in Switzerland, because it really has no mystery in the preparation, but it is one of the most tasty and the favourite of our guides Adrian Bellwald and Raquel Furtado.

The Raclette is most commonly prepared in an electric oven. Sizes of the ovens vary widely. At home, some couples use a little oven, heated by candles. More “rustic” but full of charm. Whatever type of oven is used, the end result is divine!

Where to eat raclette with Bike in Switzerland?

Our Crans Montana – Zermatt tour includes a wonderful dinner with Raclette in Zeneggen, on the top of the mountain with views to the Alps and its peaks over 4,000 metres high! Incredible, right?! This is the darling tour of our founder and guide, Ana Elisa.

As you can see in the image, the little pans are accompanied by a spatula that we use to scrape the cheese and place it on top of the side dishes. A curiosity: The word Raclette comes from the French verb “racler”, which means to scratch. It is a reference to how to make and serve raclette.

2) Rösti

Ah … the Rösti potato!! Many people already know this dish, but eating it in Switzerland is more special. The preparation here is divine. Rösti is often a side dish, but in some regions here it has even turned into a main course. Rösti is made with a specific type of potato. It is grated and combined with cheese, eggs and some spices. Our favourite versions are those that include bacon. We love it!

On several of our tours you will find the Rösti option on the menu! Be sure to try it!

3) Zopf

The famous Sunday bread. Zopf looks like a braided bread like there is in Brazil, or like Chalá, a Jewish braided bread. But unlike these variations, Swiss Zopf is not a sweet roll. It has a slightly salty and very neutral flavour, which combines with just about everything. We eat it here with jam, cheese, butter, cold cuts, honey or just anything.

When you see a Zopf for breakfast at your hotel or at one of our picnics, be sure to try it! This photo is from our picnic in Ticino, a wonderful one day bike tour! A spoiler? This picnic is on the banks of the Maggia River, in the valley with the same name.

4) Kalbsgeschnetzeltes

A sauce prepared with strips of veal, white wine and sour cream. Often, and for the happiness of our team, it comes with mushrooms too! Kalbsgeschnetzeltes is often served with Rösti. A perfect match.

Experience the Kalbsgeschnetzeltes on our tour: Interlaken – Grindelwald.

5) Cheese fondue

Everyone has heard of Fondue, right?! Here in Switzerland this is a very traditional famous dish! A combination of several cheese variations, white wine and some spices, melted in a pan over a little flame. Traditionally, fondue is served with white wine, like all the melted cheese dishes in Switzerland. Differently than in Brazil, where Fondue is served by red wine.

We eat fondue with pieces of bread. Some people, however, like to add potatoes as an extra side dish.

Because Fondue is a heavier dish, here we have the habit of eating it only in winter.

6) Schnitzel

Schnitzel is our favourite breaded steak and it has a special charm. Originally it is made with veal, but often you find options with pork or chicken. Although not a Swiss dish, Schnitzel is very common here. It is often served with a portion of french fries which is very delicious, but it also goes well with vegetables.

7) Cordon Bleu

A variation of Schnitzel is the Cordon Bleu, one of Matthias Gerster’s favorite dishes (and Ana Elisa’s too). It is made with a big slice of meat, traditionally veal, rolled around cheese and ham. The secret is the type of cheese and ham used for the preparation. Often it is a mix of Emmentaler, Gruyère, Appenzeller or Raclette. The Cordon Bleu is delicious with any option.

Keep an eye on the menus during our Emmental tour so you do not miss the chance to try!

8) Apfelmus

No mystery: this is apple puree, a super typical side dish here. I don’t know if you knew, but Switzerland is practically an apple paradise. There are many different types here – each one more delicious than the other. No wonder you can also find apple juices everywhere. In fact, try an “Apfelschorle” one day – it’s an apple juice mixed with water and gas, a natural soda. Too good!! Returning to the apple puree; it is smooth, light, and usually with a touch of cinnamon or even a little bit of vanilla. The odd thing is, that here in Switzerland Apfelmus is often combined with pasta! A very typical dish is “Älplermagronen mit Apfelmus”.

This is a dish of alpine origin (the name means “alpine pasta”) that aims to restore energy after a long day of hiking or other mountain activities. It is quite common to find this dish in mountain huts. We love it!