Episode 195: Tips for Dining Out in Switzerland: Reservations, Tipping, Etiquette and Must-Try Swiss Dishes
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Dining out in Switzerland is one of the real highlights of any Swiss adventure, but for first-time travellers, it can also bring a few surprises – especially when it comes to Swiss dining etiquette.
In this episode, I’m joined by local foodie Kristin Reinhard, to answer the most common questions about eating at Switzerland restaurants and to learn more about Swiss traditional foods like Fondue and Raclette.
Kristin shares practical tips about meal times, dinner reservations in Switzerland, ordering tap water, and the frequently asked question: “Is tipping expected in Switzerland?”
There are also suggestions for what to eat in Switzerland on a budget, how to enjoy the popular tradition of a Swiss brunch, and Kristin tells us about her new Swiss Food Map which features over 200 authentic, local-approved eateries you won’t find on most tourist lists.
Tune in for essential tips to help you dine out in Switzerland with confidence.
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Show Notes
In this episode you’ll learn about:
- The essential etiquette tips for dining out in Switzerland, including how to approach seating and mealtimes
- When to make a restaurant reservation and how opening hours differ for lunch and dinner
- What to expect from Swiss specialties like Fondue, Raclette, and regional dishes
- How tipping works in Swiss restaurants and cafés, and whether you should pay for tap water
- Money-saving strategies for eating out and making your food budget go further
- Where to get recommendations for local eateries across cities and villages
Our Guest
Kristin Reinhard is originally from Brisbane, Australia, and has called Switzerland home for the past 25 years.
She’s married to a Swiss local she met at a lakeside festival celebrating Zug’s 650th anniversary belonging to Switzerland, and they’re raising three kids together.
Ten years ago she started z’Nüni, a website sharing what she’s learned living in Switzerland, now home to over 340 posts and a weekly newsletter.
She recently launched her first digital product, the Swiss Food Map, a curated collection of 200+ places to eat across the country.
She speaks Swiss German, jogs, takes photos, and never met a new hobby she didn’t try at least once.
Swiss food mentioned in this episode
- Rösti
- Älplermagronen
- Zürcher Geschnetzeltes
- Gehacktes mit hörndli
- Raclette (same family as fondue — melted cheese, more casual)
- Capuns, I always eat it in Graubünden
- Vully Kuchen von the Murten region
- Schlorzifladen – a sweet quiche with dried pear
- Lake fish – whitefish (Felchen), perch (Egli) or trout (Forellen)
- Zugerart (fish poached in white wine and cream)
- Rötel speciality in winter in Zug
- Fischknusperli (like fish and chips)
- Poulet im Körbli (Chicken in a basket)
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Useful resources
The Swiss Food Map is a ready-to-use Google map with over 200 restaurants, cafes, bakeries and food markets pinned and ready to discover. Save it to your phone and find tried, tested and recommended eateries as you travel around Switzerland.
📌 Get the Swiss Food Map
Use code PODCAST20 to get 20% off.
Book your Swiss farmers brunch here.
🎙️ Listen to other podcast episodes that you might be interested in:
- Episode 43: Decadent must-have Swiss chocolate experiences
- Episode 36: Everything You Need To Know About Swiss Cheese
- Episode 31: Raclette, Rösti and Rivella – plus more Swiss specialties you have to try
- Episode 20: Visiting Graubünden (we chat about Capuns, Pizoccheri and Graubünden walnut cake)
Kristin also featured on episode 28.
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> You can read a full transcript of this episode here.
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