What Food To Try in Berne and Food Prices
How much does lunch and dinner cost
Examples of food prices, cafes, street food and other dining options in Berne for 2024.
National currency: Swiss Franc, symbol — ₣ (international currency code CHF).
General Cafe Price Guide
Average prices in Berne cafes and restaurants
$25.7
Quick Lunch for One
Starting from $20.12
$89.4
Dinner for Two
to celebrate your trip
Starting from $78.24
$16.8
Combo Meal
Starting from $15.65
What to Try in Berne
Must-try Dishes
Älplermagronen - Alpine Macaroni Bake - A hearty casserole of macaroni layered with potatoes and cheese, often topped with caramelized onions. It's a common comfort food enjoyed by locals during cozy family dinners.Rösti - Swiss Potato Cake - Crispy grated potatoes fried until golden, often served as a breakfast staple or side dish. You'll find locals enjoying it in small cafes, especially on weekends during relaxed brunches.
Berner Platte - Bernese Platter - A meaty assortment featuring sausages, smoked meats, and sauerkraut, often served with a generous helping of potato salad. It's a social dish typically shared during festive gatherings or special occasions.
Älplermagronen - Alpine Macaroni Bake - A comforting mix of pasta, potatoes, and melted cheese, finished with a dollop of apple sauce. This dish often sparks lively conversations when locals gather for lunch, enjoying its warm flavors.
Zopf - Swiss Bread Loaf - A unique braided bread with a soft interior and crispy crust, often served fresh on Sunday mornings. Many families have a tradition of sharing Zopf over leisurely brunches, sometimes accompanied by homemade jams.
Bernese Sausages - Berner Würstli - Flavorful sausages typically made from a blend of pork and beef, grilled to perfection and served with mustard. These are local favorites for street food during festivals, capturing the authentic taste of Berne's culinary scene.
Rüeblitorte - Carrot Cake - A surprisingly delightful cake made with grated carrots and nuts, often enjoyed during special occasions. It's customary to have it as a dessert after a hearty meal, offering a sweet finish to a savory spread.
Game Meat Stew - Wildschweinragout - A seasonal dish featuring tender wild boar stewed with root vegetables and spices, usually enjoyed during the fall and winter months. It's a hearty choice for dinner that locals savor while recounting hunting stories from the region.
Desserts & Drinks
Rösti - Rösti (crispy potato dish) - While technically a side, it’s often enjoyed as a hearty breakfast or a sweet treat when made with apples and cinnamon. You'll find locals savoring this at brunch spots, but watch out – ordering it without specifying "sweet" may result in a savory version instead!Schoppen - Schoppenbier (local beer, served in a mug) - A refreshing lager that's light and crisp, perfect after a long day of exploring. You’ll often see locals enjoying it at the park or after work, especially during summer; just don’t be surprised when it accompanies your picnic—everyone loves a good beer in good weather.
Wiener Melange - Wiener Melange (coffee special) - A delightful mix of espresso with steamed milk and a touch of cream, topped with a sprinkle of cocoa. The texture is rich and comforting, making it a staple for catching up with friends at cafes in the afternoon (just don’t confuse it with a cappuccino – locals take their coffee seriously).
Äpfelchüechli - Äpfelchüechli (apple fritters) - Lightly battered slices of apple, deep-fried to golden perfection and often dusted with powdered sugar. Usually enjoyed during autumn festivals, it's best with a hot cup of coffee on a crisp day, and be careful—ordering it without mentioning "with sugar" might leave you with a less sweet experience than you expected!
Glace - Glace (ice cream) - Locally handmade and bursting with flavor, it's not uncommon to find unique options like hazelnut or Swiss chocolate. Örtli is a popular spot during hot summer days, and on Sundays, you'll often see families lining up for a cool treat—don’t forget to try the seasonal berry flavors!
Food and Groceries in Berne
Vegetables, Fruits and Bread
| Bread | $2.87 |
| Bananas | $2.82 |
| Oranges | $2.72 |
| Potatoes | $2.14 |
| Apples | $3.73 |
Beverages
| Water 1.5L | $1.3 |
| 0.5L Local Beer | $1.67 |
| Imported Beer | $2.03 |
| Wine Rating >4.0 | $12.18 |
| Milk 1L | $1.79 |
Various Groceries
| Meat (Beef or Pork) | $50.18 |
| Chicken | $27.27 |
| Cigarettes | $10.17 |
| Rice | $2.45 |
| Local Cheese | $23.8 |
Overview of Cuisine and Specialties
The rhythm of Berne's dining scene flows against the usual patterns you might find in busy metropolises. Here, lunch isn't just a quick sandwich at your desk; instead, from noon until about 1:30 PM, you'll find locals focusing on enjoying their meals, often sitting for an hour or more. And oh, what a delight it is to soak in that atmosphere—you can feel the stress of everyday life melt away as people gather around tables with colleagues and friends.
Now, let's talk about prices. You might be surprised at what a casual lunch can set you back. Just yesterday, I grabbed a hearty salad and a drink for around CHF 22. Contrast that with some of the eateries in the Aare district, where a similar meal can creep up to CHF 35, especially if you fancy a river view while you dine. That being said, dining in the Wabern area can be a great budget-friendly option—think CHF 15–20 for tasty local fare.
One quirk about dining out here that baffled me initially was the payment customs. While many might expect to pay at a counter, in Berne, it’s more common for your server to bring the bill at the table. A little tip: cash still reigns supreme at many places, although you won't find it nearly as daunting to pay with cards anymore. The whole tipping culture around here leans towards rounding up your bill—it’s customary but not obligatory, so depend on how satisfied you are with your service.
As for reservation customs, if you’re planning to hit popular spots on weekends, you’d best book ahead, especially for dinner. The dinner rush does start relatively early, around 6 PM, typically winding down by 8 PM. If you’re a night owl, many of the city's vibrant bars and late-night eateries keep the spirit alive well into the evening, so there's always something happening.
A local dining habit that might take you off guard is the tradition of having dessert after dinner. It’s common to see a leisurely stroll to a café after your meal for a sweet treat; there’s something special about that continuation of the dining experience. Just remember to avoid the common tourist mistake of expecting fast service—this is a culture that enjoys taking its time, savoring every bite.
As temperatures drop and winter approaches, you start to see locals gravitating toward cozy fondue places in the old town. It’s fascinating how the seasons can shape what you eat, encouraging hearty meals to combat the chill outside. Berne's food scene certainly feels like a living tapestry, constantly adapting with the times while still holding onto its traditions.
Now, let's talk about prices. You might be surprised at what a casual lunch can set you back. Just yesterday, I grabbed a hearty salad and a drink for around CHF 22. Contrast that with some of the eateries in the Aare district, where a similar meal can creep up to CHF 35, especially if you fancy a river view while you dine. That being said, dining in the Wabern area can be a great budget-friendly option—think CHF 15–20 for tasty local fare.
One quirk about dining out here that baffled me initially was the payment customs. While many might expect to pay at a counter, in Berne, it’s more common for your server to bring the bill at the table. A little tip: cash still reigns supreme at many places, although you won't find it nearly as daunting to pay with cards anymore. The whole tipping culture around here leans towards rounding up your bill—it’s customary but not obligatory, so depend on how satisfied you are with your service.
As for reservation customs, if you’re planning to hit popular spots on weekends, you’d best book ahead, especially for dinner. The dinner rush does start relatively early, around 6 PM, typically winding down by 8 PM. If you’re a night owl, many of the city's vibrant bars and late-night eateries keep the spirit alive well into the evening, so there's always something happening.
A local dining habit that might take you off guard is the tradition of having dessert after dinner. It’s common to see a leisurely stroll to a café after your meal for a sweet treat; there’s something special about that continuation of the dining experience. Just remember to avoid the common tourist mistake of expecting fast service—this is a culture that enjoys taking its time, savoring every bite.
As temperatures drop and winter approaches, you start to see locals gravitating toward cozy fondue places in the old town. It’s fascinating how the seasons can shape what you eat, encouraging hearty meals to combat the chill outside. Berne's food scene certainly feels like a living tapestry, constantly adapting with the times while still holding onto its traditions.
Tourist Reviews
All photos and texts belong to their authors
There's so much delicious and authentic food here, and you don't even have to worry about expiration dates! That’s just not a thing for the locals :) In Switzerland, muesli was invented, and here they make tasty cheese, milk, and chocolate is highly valued. By the way, chocolate was once used only in medicine as a remedy for colic... and then someone decided it was tasty, and the rest is history :) But I’m sure you already know this :) A popular dish here is fondue. The locals love their coffee. The price for a cup of espresso starts at around €3, but it's usually about €5 :) »