Budget
Suan Long
Low-priced Chinese meals, wide variety of dishes, including good vegetarian selection. Quick service and ideal if you're waiting for a train. Especially recommended if you enjoy spicy food!
Sous le Pont
A nice restaurant in the Reitschule complex which serves excellent dishes at affordable prices.
Beaulieu
Old-fashioned restaurant serving traditional Swiss and Bernese cuisine at very affordable prices. Popular amongst students due to its situation close to the university; equally popular amongst the local workers. Definitely not a tourist restaurantâgo here if you want to meet the Bernese amongst themselves.
Wäbere
Excellent soups, a good rendering of Swiss standards, such as cheese fondue, and an decent number of veggie choices. Many items available in half portions.
Midrange
Altes Tramdepot
Authentic Swiss restaurant based, as its name suggests, in a former tram depot. Good, hearty Swiss food. Range of dishes from budget price rösti to higher-priced meat specialities. On-site brewery with traditional beers available. Bench seating with great atmosphere.
Café Fédéral
Stylish, modern atmosphere and international cuisine. Situated in front of the Bundeshaus, its popularity amongst politicians during the "Session" is legendary. Specializes in Entrecôtes a kind of steak, but has other dishes, including vegetarian ones.
Casino Restaurant
Located at the shore of Aere river, with a view over the river and mountains on the South. Dishes include excellent pasta with mushrooms, fish, and meats, served throughout the day. CHF 25-45 for a main dish.
Kornhaus
The room alone is worth a stop at this fabulously appointed mostly Italian restaurant. As one might guess from the name, the building was originally built for grain storage, but now features fresco paintings of traditional swiss scenes, events from local history, and related characters.
Schmiedstube
German, French, Italian, English and Spanish spoken. This traditional Swiss restaurant is well known for its typical dishes, such as Röschti, Cordon Bleu, Ãlplermakkaronen. Its location in the heart of Berne 300 ft from the clock tower "Zytglogge" makes it an ideal resting stop while you're enjoying the city of Berne.
Schwellenmätteli
A very nice restaurant at the side of the river Aare with a nice view on the Cathedral.
Top end
Restaurant Rosengarten
Upscale Swiss restaurant with amazing view over the city
Bellevue Palace
Berne's N° 1 address. Stylish hotel and restaurant; has its price. Go there when the Parliament is in session, and you may very well see the president of Switzerland having lunch.
| This guide uses the following price ranges for a typical meal for one, including soft drink: | |
| Budget | Under CHF 25 |
| Mid-range | CHF 25 to CHF 50 |
| Splurge | Over CHF 50 |
Eating in Berne or almost anywhere in Switzerland for that matter can be an expensive proposition for foreign tourists. Be sure to "shop around" before deciding on a restaurant as many of them cater to foreign tourists especially those serving traditional Swiss food and have inflated their prices accordingly. Most Bernese natives prefer Italian, Asian, or other non-local cuisine so finding a traditional Swiss restaurant with acceptable prices can often be a daunting experience. Be patient and you will persevere without breaking the bank.