24 hours in Bern for foodies

The way to someone’s heart is through their stomach, as they say. And it’s true! Because what makes for some of the best travel memories? For us, it's the culinary experiences. And there’s more than enough of those in Bern, from rösti and fondue to “Suure Mocke” (Sauerbraten / Bernese pot roast) and other mouthwatering Swiss specialities. Hungry yet? Here are our best tips for foodies looking to taste and experience all things gourmet in Bern.

A cheerful group enjoys a cosy fondue meal in a restaurant with a panoramic view over the city of Bern. The warm lighting, the smiles and the clinking of wine glasses create a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Morning

What’s the best way to start the day? In our opinion, it’s with a delicious coffee and some pleasant conversation. You can find both at Bern railway station. At our Tourist Information, you’ll be greeted by multilingual Bern experts who are happy to provide city maps and useful tips and recommendations and answer all your questions.

Your head is already full of ideas, but your stomach is still empty? Head on over to Adrianos for a creamy cappuccino. A quick trip to the Reinhard bakery is also worthwhile, where you can get fresh “Gipfeli” (croissants) to go – don’t want to lose precious exploring time!

Tourist Information

The picture captures the lively atmosphere of a café bar, with guests in the background and a gleaming tap in focus, suggesting conviviality.

Adrianos Bar & Café

Three friends sit smiling at a café table, enjoying drinks and lively conversation. Sunlight fills the room, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

The Best Cafés in Bern’s Old City

Coffee and croissant in hand, you head down through the upper part of Bern’s old town. Strolling along the shopping street under the famous historic arcades will give you a great first impression of our charming city. Embrace the characteristic Bernese “joie de vivre” that is all about taking your time and enjoying.

Auf dem Bild spazieren zwei Frauen lächelnd an Marktständen vorbei, die unter freiem Himmel in einer Strasse mit historischem Flair aufgebaut sind. Die Szene ist belebt und wirkt einladend.

Bern’s farmer’s markets

If you’re in town on a Tuesday or Saturday morning, make sure to stop by the local farmers’ market on Bärenplatz and Bundesplatz where you’ll find stand after stand of fresh fruits and veggies, regional cheeses, colourful flowers, and other treats. This is where the locals come to stock up on local goodies and enjoy a friendly chat.

From Käfigturm (Prison Tower), continue your walk down to the Zytglogge (Clock Tower), one of Bern’s most famous landmarks. Before a well-deserved “Zmittag” (lunch), there’s one more thing to do here: on a guided tour of the Zytglogge, you get to take a look behind the clock hands of the centuries-old mechanism, learn about the history of Bern's landmark, and enjoy the wonderful view from the tower.

To the tour of the Zytglogge (Clock Tower)

Noon

Next stop: lunch! The Fischerstübli lies in Bern’s famous Matte neighbourhood at the end of the old town. Its lower part is much quieter and has its very own special charm. Speaking of charm: the restaurant, known for its creative, high-quality food, is in a characteristic 400-year-old sandstone building. Are you perchance a fan of tartar? The Fischerstübli is famous for its diverse creations made from meat, fish, or vegetables.

The picture shows a meat tartare on a white plate in a restaurant. There is a quail egg and parsley on the tartare.

Afternoon

Time for a walk to help you digest. If you left out the Untertor bridge on your way to the restaurant, now is the moment for a photo stop. The view from the city's oldest bridge up to Nydegg bridge, the Zytglogge (Clock Tower), and the River Aare is one of a kind.

The Matte neighbourhood has a lot to offer for gourmets. In the mood for an afternoon of gin tasting? Off to the Matte distillery! If you need your next coffee hit, the Coffee Coaching Club offers a cosy atmosphere and delicious pastries.

A quiet moment in the Matte distillery, captured through the interplay of traditional craftsmanship and the purity of the ingredients. An open glass of hand-crafted absinthe stands in the centre, surrounded by a collection of aromatic herbs and spices that highlight the essence of the distillation process.

In the cosy atmosphere of the Coffee Coaching Club, guests visibly enjoy tasting coffee, surrounded by an inviting, warm interior that encourages conversation and enjoyment.

From the Matte, an unexpected means of transport takes you back up to the city centre: the Mattelift. This historic lift, which has connected the lower and upper parts of the city since 1897, saves you the steep climb and offers a wonderful view. Among other things, you’ll spot another beautifully situated restaurant, the Schwellenmättli.

Once you’ve reached the top, make sure to take a moment to enjoy the view of the river. Or visit the Bern Minster, another one of the city’s landmarks. On your way back to the hotel, we recommend stopping at Home of the famous Mandelbärli for a Bernese speciality, the delicious Mandelbärli (similar to madeleines). They make for a great souvenir or gift for foodies back home.

To the top of the Minster Drive with the Mattelift

Evening

Even if not all the Mandelbärli made it into your suitcase (oh, the temptation!), you are probably starting to get hungry after all the day's adventures. Time for fine dining! The elegant Schweizerhof Hotel is not only a wonderful place to spend the night and freshen up before the evening draws to a close, but also the home of the legendary Jack's Brasserie: where tradition meets culinary sophistication, accompanied by excellent service and an exquisite selection of wines. We especially recommend their Zürcher Geschnetzeltes (creamy veal strips) with butter Rösti.

Round off the evening in style at Kurt and Kurt, a charming bar with creative drinks and a relaxed atmosphere – the perfect setting for a nightcap after an eventful day of sightseeing and treat tasting.