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What to eat in the Canton of Graubünden? Top 12 Traditional Foods in the Canton of Graubünden

Last update: Thu Mar 20 2025
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Canton of Graubünden Foods

01

Tart

CANTON OF GRAUBÜNDEN, Switzerland
3.6
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Originating from Graubünden in Switzerland, this dish is a traditional tart consisting of a shortbread pastry filled with nuts and caramel. Walnuts are typically used for the filling, but other nuts may also be used, although very rarely. The oldest known recipe dates back to 1900, and in 1934, a confectioner named Fausto Pult presented the cake to the public at the Swiss Sample Fair in Basel.


Nowadays, the cake is usually served cut into slices and paired with coffee or tea on the side.

02

Soup

CANTON OF GRAUBÜNDEN, Switzerland
3.4
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This nourishing Swiss barley soup has origins in the alpine Canton of Graubünden. Traditionally, it is made with pearl barley, stock, carrots, potatoes, celery, white cabbage, leeks, dried or smoked meat, and cream. Although the soup is not difficult to prepare, it is quite time-consuming in order to bring out all of the flavors.


This thick soup is especially popular as a lunch option while skiing in the Alps.

MOST ICONIC Bündner Gerstensuppe

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03

Meat Dish

CANTON OF GRAUBÜNDEN, Switzerland
3.3
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Capuns is a traditional dish originating from the canton of Graubünden. It is so popular that there is no fixed way of preparing it, and almost every family in the region has their own recipe, but it is usually made with a combination of dried meat and spätzle dough wrapped in chard leaves.


The combination is cooked in butter, then slowly simmered in stock and cream. Once prepared, the dish is typically topped with fried bacon pieces and grated cheese.

MOST ICONIC Capuns

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04

Side Dish

CANTON OF GRAUBÜNDEN, Switzerland
n/a
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Maluns is a traditional dish originating from Graubünden. It's made with potatoes, flour, butter, and seasonings. The potatoes are boiled in their jackets at least a day before the preparation so that they can cool down, which causes some of the starches to convert to sugars and the potatoes will easily form into the desired lumps the next day.


The grated potatoes are then mixed with salt and flour until lumps start to form. The lumpy gratings are fried in butter and a bit of oil until they become light brown in color. Maluns are traditionally served with cranberry sauce, Alpine cheeses, apple sauce, and a warm cup of café latte on the side. 
05
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Churer Fleischtorte is a traditional dish originating from Chur. It consists of a dough base and a meaty filling. The dough is usually made with a combination of flour, salt, butter, and cold water, while the filling is made with a combination of bacon or Bündner salsiz salami, onions, ground meat (pork, beef, or veal), leftover bread, milk, and red wine.


This savory pie can be flavored with chili, parsley, or marjoram. The pie shell is filled with bread cubes softened in milk, and a combination of bacon, onions, and ground meat cooked in red wine. The pie is then baked until nicely browned and it's ready to be enjoyed.

06

Salami

POSCHIAVO, Switzerland
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Mortadella di Poschiavo is a traditional cured sausage from Val Poschiavo, a scenic valley in the Graubünden canton of Switzerland, near the Italian border. Unlike the more widely known Italian mortadella, which is smooth and studded with cubes of fat, Mortadella di Poschiavo is a rustic, coarsely ground, smoked salami-style sausage, deeply rooted in the Alpine culinary traditions of the region.


Made from a carefully selected mix of pork and beef, the meat is seasoned with salt, black pepper, garlic, and local spices, giving it a bold yet well-balanced flavor. What sets this Swiss mountain mortadella apart is its smoking and aging process.


The sausages are first naturally fermented, allowing the flavors to develop, before being gently smoked over beech or other local woods. 
07

Cheese

CANTON OF GRAUBÜNDEN, Switzerland
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Mascarplin, or mascarpel, is a traditional ricotta-like cheese crafted from goat's milk, primarily sourced from breeds such as Camosciata delle Alpi, Grisons Striped, Grigia, and Colomba. These goats graze on meadow grasses and local hay for six to ten months annually.


The production process involves heating the goat's milk to temperatures above 90°C (194°F) and adding "maestra," a whey culture from the previous day's production, to induce curdling. Historically, dried and fermented fruits, berries, or roots were used for this purpose. 
08

Cheese

CANTON OF GRAUBÜNDEN, Switzerland and  one more region
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Formaggella is a semi-hard, medium-sized cheese produced from goat's milk, cow's milk, or a mixture of both, with a texture that can range from fresh soft to semi-hard, depending on the production method and aging process. The name derives from formaggio (lit. cheese), with the diminutive "-ella" suggesting a traditionally lower status compared to long-aged alpine cheeses.


A Swiss-Italian expression about strabismus (cross-eyed people) references "an eye that looks at the board of formaggella," referring to the wooden boards in kitchens where the cheese was stored to dry and kept safe from mice. Formaggella has a cylindrical shape, with a diameter of 10-20 cm, a height of 3-5 cm, and a weight of 400g to 2kg. 
09

Cheese

CANTON OF GRAUBÜNDEN, Switzerland
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Bündner bergkäse (Bündner Mountain Cheese) is a semi-hard, full-fat cheese made from thermized mountain milk. Each wheel weighs around 4.5 kg, with a 27 cm diameter, and has a firm texture with very few holes. Produced year-round in village cheese dairies above 600 meters in altitude, it differs from Bündner Alpkäse, which is made seasonally in high-altitude alpine pastures.


The cheese is crafted using thermized milk, briefly heated to 68°C to remove harmful bacteria while preserving part of the milk’s natural flora for flavor. The milk is then curdled with rennet, cut into small curds, and heated to 41-47°C to remove excess moisture. 
10

Cheese

CANTON OF GRAUBÜNDEN, Switzerland
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Bündner Alpkäse is a semi-hard, full-fat cheese, made exclusively from raw cow’s milk in alpine dairies during the summer months. Under the Swiss Mountain and Alpine Ordinance, it must be produced in high-altitude pastures, where cows graze freely on rich alpine vegetation.


A wheel weighs between 4 to 6 kg, with a firm texture and small holes, and it is available in mild (2-3 months), spicy, and tangy (6+ months) varieties. The cheese is made by mixing evening milk (partially skimmed) and fresh morning milk, ensuring a minimum fat content of 45% in dry matter. 
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Canton of Graubünden Food Producers

01

Meat Product

CANTON OF GRAUBÜNDEN, Switzerland
4.9
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Hatecke is a family-run butcher shop with a long-standing tradition, located in the heart of the Swiss Alps in the canton of Graubünden. Their philosophy is built on a fusion of artisanal craftsmanship, exceptional meat quality, and a commitment to sustainability.


Hatecke is renowned for its meticulous selection of meat, sourced exclusively from local farms and wild game from the pristine Alpine environment. Their offerings include premium cured meats such as Bündnerfleisch, a traditionally air-dried beef specialty from the region, Salsiz dry sausages, and exclusive cuts of venison and other game meats. 
BEST Hatecke Meat Products
02

Meat Product

POSCHIAVO, Switzerland
4.8
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Macelleria Zanetti is a family-owned butcher shop from Poschiavo, which has been producing and selling high-quality fresh meat and meat specialties from the Valposchiavo region for over a century. Their tradition of artisanal meat processing combines expertise, experience, and a commitment to natural ingredients, resulting in premium products with an authentic taste.


For generations, the Zanetti family has carefully preserved and refined their recipes, adapting them to modern standards while staying true to tradition. Their selection includes Puschlaver, Bündner, and Italian meat specialties, with the renowned Mortadella di Poschiavo standing out, alongside a wide variety of cured delicacies. 
BEST Macelleria Zanetti Meat Products
03

Cheese

VALS, Switzerland
4.7
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AWARDS

Concours International de Lyon - Gold

2025

BEST Sennerei Vals Cheeses
04

Cheese

MÜSTAIR, Switzerland
4.6
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Chascharia Val Müstair is a Swiss cheese producer located in the canton of Graubünden, Switzerland. It specializes in producing organic cheese using milk from local farms. This dairy operation is known for its sustainable practices and contributes to the preservation of regional agricultural traditions.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold

2024, 2022, 2021

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold

2024

BEST Chascharia Val Müstair Cheeses
05

Cheese

DAVOS, Switzerland
4.6
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Molkerei Davos is a dairy company based in Davos, Switzerland, that specializes in the production of cheese and other dairy products. Established to support local agriculture, the company focuses on utilizing milk from regional farms to create its products, emphasizing sustainable practices and the promotion of local economic development.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold

2021

World Cheese Awards - Gold

2024, 2022, 2021

BEST Molkerei Davos Cheeses
06

Coffee

ZUOZ, Switzerland
4.4
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Cafè Badilatti is the oldest coffee roastery in the Swiss canton of Graubünden, located in Zuoz, near St. Moritz. Founded in 1912, this family-owned company has been producing high-quality coffee for three generations. Their roastery is situated at an altitude of 1,716 meters, which allows for a slower roasting process due to the lower boiling point of water at that height.


This slower process enhances the development of richer aromas and flavors in the coffee. Cafè Badilatti sources green coffee beans from small cooperatives across different regions of the world, including Central and South America, Africa, India, and Indonesia. 
AWARDS

Crystal Taste Award - 3 stars

2021

BEST Cafè Badilatti Coffees
07

Spirit

DANIS, Switzerland
4.2
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Breil Pur is a Swiss company specializing in the production of high-quality beverages, based in the alpine village of Breil/Brigels in the canton of Graubünden. Inspired by the pristine nature and diverse vegetation of the region, the company is dedicated to creating premium products for discerning connoisseurs.


Wherever possible, they use carefully selected Swiss ingredients of organic origin, often sourced from local wild harvests. Their limited edition products are handcrafted in collaboration with the finest partners in the canton of Graubünden, staying true to their Romansh motto "ei dat nuot meglier," which means "there is nothing better."
AWARDS

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Silver

2024

BEST Breil Pur Spirits
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Canton of Graubünden Food Products

01
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AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold

2021

02
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AWARDS

Concours International de Lyon - Gold

2025

03
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Tea Fondada is a specialty cheese crafted by Chascharia Val Müstair, a well-regarded cheese producer located in the Val Müstair region of Switzerland. This cheese type is known for its rich, creamy texture and subtle flavors that showcase the quality of local milk used in its production.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold

2021

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold

2024

04
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Bündner Steinbock rezent is a specialty cheese produced by Molkerei Davos, a dairy company based in Davos, Switzerland. Bündner Steinbock Rezen is a semi-hard cheese made from cow's milk. This cheese is known for its robust flavor and firm texture.


It is crafted using traditional methods that highlight the quality of the milk sourced from the alpine regions. The cheese is typically aged to enhance its strong, distinct taste, making it a popular choice for those who enjoy bold-flavored cheeses.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold

2024, 2021

05
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AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold

2022

06
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Davoser Bergkäse is a type of Swiss mountain cheese produced by Molkerei Davos. It is known for its rich, nutty flavor and firm yet creamy texture, which develops through a careful aging process. The cheese is crafted from high-quality cow's milk sourced from the pristine alpine regions around Davos, ensuring a distinct and authentic taste that reflects the local terroir.


Traditional cheese-making techniques are employed, combined with modern quality controls to maintain consistency and high standards.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold

2022

07
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AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold

2024

08

Meat Product

CANTON OF GRAUBÜNDEN, Switzerland
4.9
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Finoch is a premium dry-cured meat product that combines the unique flavors of wild game with the refreshing notes of fennel. This delicacy is carefully crafted from the finest venison sourced from Switzerland, Austria, and Germany, along with wild boar from the EU, creating a rich and layered taste.


The natural curing and aging process in traditional stone cellars allows the full depth of flavors to develop, resulting in a perfect texture and an intense, well-balanced aroma. Sea salt and a selection of carefully chosen spices enhance the natural taste of the meat, while fennel adds a subtle anise-like note, bringing an extra dimension of sophistication to every bite. 
09
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Mortadella Stagionata from Macelleria Zanetti is a premium cured delicacy made from carefully selected pork and veal, with the addition of liver, giving it a unique and rich flavor. Prepared according to a traditional recipe from the Valposchiavo region, this mortadella is ideal for cooking and creating a variety of dishes.


This exclusive mortadella contains only natural aromas and spices and is encased in natural beef casing, allowing for even maturation and the preservation of its authentic texture.
10
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Mortadella Cotta from Macelleria Zanetti is a premium delicacy crafted from carefully selected pork, beef, and veal, enriched with liver to enhance its rich and full-bodied flavor. Its fine, homogeneous texture and delicate aroma are the result of a meticulously developed recipe, incorporating natural spices and flavors to achieve a perfectly balanced taste.


This mortadella is pre-cooked, making it exceptionally convenient for use – it can be served immediately as a cold cut, enjoyed in sandwiches, or used as an ingredient in a variety of culinary specialties. Its distinctive, mildly spicy, and well-rounded flavor will satisfy even the most discerning palates, while its soft and succulent texture pairs perfectly with fresh bread, cheeses, and other accompaniments.
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