72 hours in Bern for foodies
Being spoilt for choice at brunch, marvelling at the city’s landmarks during lunch, strolling through the old town with an ice cream in hand, and rounding off the day with an exquisite dinner – for gourmets, Bern truly is the land of milk and honey (and chocolate!). If you have a little more time, learn how to make “Mutzli” chocolates from the city’s best chocolatiers and follow the savoury aroma of the world-famous cheese into the hilly Emmental. Don’t worry, we know you can’t spend your entire stay eating, so the guide “72 hours in Bern for foodies” includes plenty more than just great restaurants.
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Day 1
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!
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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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Day 2
Morning
The second day in Bern begins with a nourishing “Zmorge” (breakfast) at Toi et Moi right next to Bern main station. Muesli, bread, scrambled eggs – you’ll find everything the heart (and stomach) desires for the most important meal of the day. Sit back in one of the comfy armchairs and enjoy.
After breakfast, it’s back to the Schweizerhof Hotel for a round of pampering. Its in-house spa includes a sauna, a steam bath, a heated pool with loungers, a resting room with water beds, and a fully equipped gym.
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Noon
Feeling sleepy afterwards? Time for some fresh air on Bern’s local mountain, the Gurten. Hop onto tram no. 9 at the train station and get off at “Gurtenbahn”. The Bern Ticket that you receive at the hotel lets you use public transport in the city for free, including the Gurten funicular.
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Find yourself at 858 metres above sea level, surrounded by nature – and car-free – yet close to the city. In the winter, the local children come to the Gurten to learn how to ski, in the summer, it hosts an international music festival and is a popular destination for walks with a view.
To jazz up your stroll, book a scenic guided tour. It’s perfect for anyone interested in the region and its culture and in experiencing Bern’s landmark from a new perspective.
When it comes time for lunch, the Gurten has several great options. We recommend Gurtner’s, which reinterprets home-made favourites and serves hearty original recipes from Granny Gurtner herself.
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Back in the city centre
The Bernese take pride in climbing the Gurten on foot. But if you don’t feel like it or aren’t able to do so, take a seat on the red funicular.
Once you’re back down, take the tram back into the city to Bärenplatz and, to its right, the seat of the Swiss Government. A visit to the magnificent Bundeshaus (Parliament Building) is a must when in the nation’s federal city. From the building’s large terrace, you have a beautiful view of the Gurten, the River Aare and the Alps.
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A must for foodies visiting Switzerland? You know it: tasting the best chocolate in the country! Bonus: trying your hand at making the delicious treat yourself. The chocolatiers at the chocolate manufactory Casa Nobile are absolute masters of their craft and will guide you through the process.
A “Bärner Mutzli” chocolate is the ideal souvenir or “Bettmümpfeli” (little treat before going to bed) from Bern.
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It would be a challenge to explore all of Bern's neighbourhoods in just three days. Our recommended restaurant, Essort, is located in the as yet undiscovered, elegant Kirchenfeld neighbourhod near Bern Animal Park.
What is a restaurant other than simply a place to eat? Its name (“Essort” meaning “eating place”) is as simple as its philosophy: there is no strict association with any particular cuisine – instead, the focus is on the “art of simplicity”. The refined creations and surprising combinations are inspired by different regions from the Mediterranean to the Middle East and impress even the pros at Gault Millau (15 points).
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Day 3
Morning
The third day in Bern begins – you’ve guessed it – with an extensive breakfast. Becanto and Ferdinand Coffee serve especially good ones. The smell of freshly brewed coffee and croissants straight out of the oven, the crunch of avocado toast and homemade granola – we’re salivating just thinking about it!
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The route to Becanto first takes you through the Lorraine neighbourhood.
It’s worth walking the short distance from the Schweizerhof Hotel to the Lorraine Bridge for the dreamy views: the gaze sweeps over Bern’s old town, the Aare meanders gently, and the majestic Alps rise up in the background. What a sight to behold!
There is a bus stop just after the bridge, where you can hop onto number 20. It will take you up to the Breitenrain neighbourhood, or “Breitsch”, as the locals call it. Get off at “Breitfeld” and make your way through the heart of one of Bern’s most popular neighbourhoods. The walk takes around ten minutes.
Afternoon
After brunch, take the tram from Breitenrainplatz to “Wankdorf Bahnhof” (Wankdorf railway station). On your way, you will pass the imposing exhibition site with its new event hall as well as Wankdorf Stadium.
By public transport to the hilly Emmental
From there, you’ll first take the train to Hasle-Rüegsau and then the bus to get to the famous Show Dairy in Affoltern im Emmental, the home of arguably the most famous cheese in the world: Emmentaler AOP. The one-hour journey is worth it! The Show Dairy's highlight is the “Königsweg” (King’s Trail), an interactive, playful tour that lets visitors discover the art of cheese making.
After the inevitable tasting, the restaurant – and its large, sunny terrace – await with regional specialities.
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Is there anything better than sipping fresh fountain water while on a tour? Get your ideal companion at the Tourist Information and online: the City Bottle Bern.
Evening
Back in Bern, store your cheese haul in the hotel room mini bar and get ready for the evening.
For the last evening, you’re dining at Bay with a view of the River Aare. At this brasserie, tradition and zeitgeist go hand in hand – both in its gastronomic concept as well as its inspiring architecture. The historic tower is also a great event location, by the way.
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When dinner at Bay is over, your last evening in Bern has only just begun – after all, it would be a sin to leave Switzerland’s beer capital without a proper beer tasting! So, off to On Tap, where the beer flows merrily from the taps like the Aare through the Matte Canal. In the vaulted cellar-turned-bar, you will find craft beer in every conceivable variation – sometimes fruity, sometimes bitter, sometimes experimental. Raise your glasses, toast to the delicious past few days, and say goodbye to the city with a cheerful “Es het gfägt!” (It was so much fun!).
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