TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Swiss Foods
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Moitié-moitié (lit. half and half) is a traditional cheese fondue originating from Fribourg. The name refers to the fact that the fondue is made with equal amounts of Gruyère and Vacherin Fribourgeois cheese, along with garlic, white wine, potato starch, black pepper, and Kirsch.
The fondue pot is rubbed with garlic – the clove is left in the pot and mixed with all the other ingredients except the Kirsch and pepper. The ingredients are stirred until smooth and creamy. The mixture should not come to a boil, but it should be left to lightly simmer.
OTHER VARIATIONS OF Fondue
Gruyère is a cooked and pressed cheese made from raw cow's milk. On the exterior, the cheese has a grainy yellow to brown rind, while the interior is ivory to pale yellow in color. The Swiss version (AOP), a hard cheese with a salty and nutty flavor usually has no holes, while the French version (IGP) is required to have them, ranging in size from a pea to a cherry.
Gruyère must mature for at least 120 days in cellars so that it develops delicate aromas of caramelized apples, hazelnuts, and brown butter. It melts well, making it ideal for classic fondues, or, alternatively, sliced and consumed on its own and paired with a glass of light red wine.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Raclette is a national dish that shares its name with a slightly nutty Swiss cheese made from cow's milk, an appliance for preparing the dish, and a full dining experience. Extremely popular in the ski region Valais and other parts of the Swiss Alps, where it also originated, raclette was invented by the Swiss mountain shepherds who used to gather around a fire while roasting potatoes.
As they left some cheese near the fire, it started to melt so they scraped bits of it on the potatoes and raclette was born. The dish takes its name from the French word racler, meaning to scrape. As few people have a fireplace these days, modern appliances such as raclette melter and raclette grill are used instead.
MOST ICONIC Raclette
View moreTête de moine (lit. monk’s head) is a cylindrical, semi-hard Swiss cheese made from cow’s milk. The cheese is kept on spruce wood boards for at least 2,5 months before consumption. It is believed that the cheese was first made by monks in the Bellelay monastery in the community of Saicourt.
In the past, they used it as a means of payment. Interestingly, tête de moine is not cut, but scraped or shaved with a special tool called a girolle. During the process, the surface of the cheese comes into direct contact with air, which alters the structure of the paste and helps to release the aromas.
L'Etivaz is a traditional cheese produced in Canton Vaud. It is said that l'Etivaz is made just as Gruyère was made a long time ago, without compromising its original flavor profile. The cheese is made from raw cow's milk from the summer months.
It is heated in copper vats over an open wood fire, and some of the ashes might fall into the open vats, resulting in just a hint of smokiness when eating the cheese. L'Etivaz is very fragrant and its texture is dense and creamy, while the flavors are fruity and nutty with a hint of smokiness.
Pair with
MAIN INGREDIENTS
St. Galler bratwurst is a traditional sausage that's eaten throughout the country, but it's especially popular in the city of St. Gallen. The sausage is made with a combination of veal, pork, milk, salt, white pepper, and mace. The combination can be enriched with celery, ginger, cardamom, lemon, onion, and coriander, but it's not mandatory.
It is stuffed into pig intenstines, cooked (not smoked), then grilled or pan-fried. These sausages date back to the 15th century, and nowadays there are four distinctive types – the classic version, the one made with more than 50% veal, the OLMA (agricultural trade fair) version, and the largest one, called St. Galler Kinderfest-Bratwurst.
OTHER VARIATIONS OF Wurst
Cordon bleu is a very popular international dish with Swiss origins. In its most basic form, it consists of a meat cutlet that is filled with a thin slice of ham and cheese (usually Gruyère), breaded, and either deep-fried in hot oil, shallow fried in a pan, or baked in an oven.
The dish is usually prepared with two meat scallops, one on top of the other with the ham and cheese sandwiched in between. The first mention of cordon bleu is found in a cookbook from 1949. Today, there are numerous varieties of the dish such as veal cordon bleu, chicken cordon bleu, and cordon bleu served with mushroom sauce.
MOST ICONIC Cordon Bleu
View moreAppenzeller is a Swiss cheese from Appenzell. It's made from raw cow's milk, and while the cheese is maturing, it's regularly washed with a secret herbal brine. After 3 months, it's ready for consumption, and the longer it matures, the spicier it will become.
This hard cheese has a firm, open, and smooth texture, while the flavors are tangy, spicy, and fruity. There are three types of Appenzeller: Classic, aged 3 to 4 months, Surchoix, aged 4 to 6 months, and Extra, aged 6 months or longer.
Saffron risotto is a Ticino specialty, made with Swiss saffron that is grown in the canton of Valais. This hand-picked, dark red saffron is one of the best in the world, and it is often referred to as red gold. Apart from it, the dish consists of rice, butter, onions, garlic, tomatoes, meat stock, and meats such as veal and bacon.
It is often seasoned with thyme, salt, and pepper. The end result is a creamy risotto with a subtle, yet unmistakable aroma of the unique Swiss saffron.
OTHER VARIATIONS OF Risotto
Zopf is a traditional bread consisting of flour, butter, yeast, milk, and eggs. It is characterized by its soft texture and braided appearance, similar to the Jewish bread challah. Traditionally, zopf is prepared during the weekend and consumed on Sundays, usually with butter and fruit jams.
It is believed that the bread was invented in the middle of the 15th century. Originally, widows used to cut off their braided hair and bury it with their late husbands. Later on, they baked zopf and buried loaves of bread instead of hair. The name zopf literally means braid, referring to the shape of the bread.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Swiss Food Producers
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
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
Walo von Mühlenen specializes in the production and maturation of Swiss cheeses, working with affineurs to age cheeses in optimal conditions. The company highlights traditional methods and regional cheese varieties, maintaining close relationships with small-scale dairies to ensure high-quality products.
They are known for promoting lesser-known Swiss cheeses alongside internationally recognized varieties.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023, 2022

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2024, 2023, 2022, 2021

International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023, 2022, 2019
BEST Walo Von Mühlenen Cheeses
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023, 2022, 2021

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2024, 2023

International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023, 2022, 2019
BEST Lustenberger & Dürst Cheeses
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2022
BEST Le Gruyère Cheeses
Seven Seals Innovation, based in Stans, Switzerland, is a pioneering company specializing in the production of whisky and rum. Known for its innovative "Stockhausen" method, the company has revolutionized the maturation process by significantly reducing the time required for spirits to reach their optimal flavor profile.
Seven Seals combines traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology, offering a range of premium products that cater to diverse tastes. Their portfolio includes the Classic Line, featuring finishes such as Amarone, Peated Port, Port, and Sherry Wood, as well as the Zodiac Line, a series of limited editions inspired by the zodiac signs, each with unique flavor profiles.
AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024

The World Whiskey Masters - Gold
2022

European Spirits Challenge - Gold
2023
BEST Seven Seals Innovation Spirits
AWARDS

World Championship Cheese Contest - WORLD CHAMPION
2024, 2022, 2020

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024
BEST Mountain Dairy Fritzenhaus Cheeses
L'Etivaz is a traditional Swiss cheese produced exclusively in the high Alpine regions of the Vaud canton, following strictly defined methods that have been passed down for generations. The uniqueness of L'Etivaz AOP lies in its artisanal production process – the milk is heated exclusively over a wood fire in copper cauldrons, giving the cheese its distinctive rich aroma, subtle smoky notes, and full, nutty flavor.
After shaping, the cheeses are aged for at least five months, allowing them to develop complex aromas and a firm yet melt-in-the-mouth texture. L'Etivaz AOP is produced in limited quantities, with an annual production of around 400 tons, making it one of the most exclusive Swiss cheeses.
AWARDS

World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class
2024

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2024
BEST L'Etivaz Cheeses
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024
BEST Käserei Müller Thurgau Cheeses
AWARDS

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
2023, 2021, 2020

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Gold outstanding
2020

World Gin Awards - Country Winner
2022
BEST Distillerie Studer Spirits
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Swiss Food Products
Le Gruyère Aop Réserve is a high-quality Swiss cheese made by Mountain Dairy Fritzenhaus. This cheese is traditionally crafted in the Alpine regions, known for their pristine environment and rich dairy heritage. It is aged for several months to develop its characteristic nutty and slightly sweet flavor profile, with a firm and dense texture.
The use of raw, unpasteurized milk from cows that graze on lush Alpine meadows contributes to its unique taste and quality, adhering to the strict standards of the AOP (Appellation d'Origine Protégée) designation, which ensures authenticity and excellence.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024

World Championship Cheese Contest - WORLD CHAMPION
2022, 2020
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2021

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2022
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2024, 2023

International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2019
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024

International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023, 2022
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024
Affineur Walo Jura Mountain cheese is a product created by Walo von Mühlenen, a company renowned for its expertise in aging and refining cheeses. The cheese is made from cow's milk and reflects the rich traditions of Swiss cheesemaking. It is aged to develop a complex flavor profile, with creamy and nutty undertones and a smooth texture.
The aging process takes place in specialized facilities to ensure the cheese attains its characteristic depth of flavor and unique aroma.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024
Gruyère D'alpage Aop Caves De La Tzintre is a traditional Swiss cheese produced by Interprofession du Gruyère. This cheese is a variant of the renowned Gruyère, specifically made from the milk of cows that graze in the high alpine pastures around Vounetz.
The "d'alpage" designation indicates that it is crafted during the summer months when the cows feed on the rich alpine flora, contributing to its distinct flavor profile. Aging takes place in the Caves de la Tzintre, where the cheese develops its characteristic taste and texture.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2022
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2021

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022

International Cheese Awards - Gold
2022


TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. For the “Top 100 Swiss Foods” list until March 20, 2025, 3,021 ratings were recorded, of which 2,601 were recognized by the system as legitimate. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.