It may be small, but there’s certainly some quality food on offer in Switzerland as the country has the highest number of Michelin-starred restaurants for its size in the whole of Europe.
All of the following 11 restaurants were celebrating recently when they were granted their first ever star in the Michelin Guide Switzerland 2017. Where better to go for a slap-up meal this party season?
Tsé Fung, Geneva
In the luxury La Reserve Genève Hotel and Spa, this place serves Chinese and Asian dishes under head chef Frank Xu whose “culinary creations are authentic and delicious in equal measure,” says Michelin.
One Trip Advisor reviewer summed it up thus: “Top tier food, top tier service. The only downside is the top tier price. But you are in Geneva and you get what you pay for.”
MEGU, Gstaad
Photo: Alpina Gstaad
Originating in Japan before cooking up a storm in New York, since 2012 MEGU has also served its sushi, sashimi and sake in the Alpina hotel in Gstaad. The restaurant impressed the Michelin inspectors earlier this year, who granted MEGU its first star – meaning the hotel now has two Michelin starred restaurants, the other being the Sommet.
IGNIV, Bad Ragaz
This is the new project by Andreas Caminada, one of Switzerland’s top chefs, whose Schauenstein Schloss restaurant is one of only three in Switzerland to hold the maximum three Michelin stars. The concept behind IGNIV – which means ‘nest’ in Romansh – is sharing, so dishes are served on platters and large plates for everyone on the table to tuck into. Michelin praised the “good, creative cuisine that is rich in flavour and beautiful to look at”. A second IGNIV is set to open at Badrutt’s Palace in St Moritz on December 21st.
Le Murenberg, Bubendorf
Photo: Le Murenberg
Opened in 2012 in this village within easy reach of Basel, the Murenberg serves classic French cuisine that impressed Michelin inspectors this year, who picked out the veal cutlet with pumpkin and hazelnut ravioli and mushrooms for particular praise. Yum!
La Pinte des Mossettes, Cerniat
Save this one til spring – it’s shut until April 2017. Set in an old chalet in the Fribourg préalpes near Charmey, it's run by French chef Romain Paillereau who now “keeps alive the traditions of natural, wild cuisine in a rustic setting,” says Michelin.
Glow, Davos
Photo: Glow
This ‘modern alpine’ restaurant in the resort of Davos in eastern Switzerland is the new baby of top chef Armin Amrein, who used to cook for British royalty at the Waldserhof in Klosters. Michelin praised his “intensely flavoured, minimalist-style cuisine made using nothing but the best ingredients”.
Guarda Val, Lenzerheide-Sporz
Set within 11 barns and farmhouses over 300 years old, the Guarda Val is a thoroughly modern hotel in a traditional alpine setting. Its namesake gourmet restaurant mirrors this with haute cuisine served in a “charming historical farmhouse,” says Michelin.
Rated the best restaurant in the area on Trip Advisor, one reviewer said: “The food was beautiful and fresh. Somehow it falls into the categories of fine dining and comfort food at the same time”.
La Riva, Lenzerheide
Photo: La Riva
This restaurant on the shore of a lake in the mountain resort of Lenzerheide is “light and cheerful,” said Michelin, praising its “modern rustic” dishes.
Le Jardin des Alpes, Villars-sur Ollon
Part of the luxury five-star Chalet RoyAlp Hotel & Spa in the mountain resort of Villars in the Vaud Alps, this place draws on local and seasonal produce to create modern dishes. Head chef Alain Montigny is a ‘meilleur ouvrier de France’, a top honour in the country.
La Maison du Village, Saint Aubin-Sauges
Photo: La Maison du Village
On the shore of Lake Neuchatel, this restaurant serves contemporary dishes invented by Valais chef Marc Strebel, whom Michelin praises for combining “quality ingredients and often original flavours with the occasional nod to French tradition”.
Pur, Pfäffikon
On the shore of Lake Zurich, Pur creates “clearly structured and sophisticated, modern cuisine”, say Michelin’s inspectors, who loved the open kitchen, wine selection and great “sea view”.
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