Dining
From riverside terraces to vaulted Old Town cellars
Star chef Markus Arnold and the Steinhalle team relocated their evening fine-dining concept to Restaurant Myle, near Bern's main station, in early 2026. Expect Arnold's seasonal, multi-course "Cuisine Voyage" tasting menus in a striking former-cinema setting. The original Steinhalle at the Bernisches Historisches Museum now serves lunch and brunch only.
Classic European, Schnitzel
Home to the best Wiener Schnitzel in Switzerland (three-time Gault Millau winner). Elegant brasserie atmosphere perfect for business lunches or romantic dinners. Consistently excellent service and memorable dining experience.
Seasonal, Contemporary Swiss
Relaxed yet acclaimed restaurant (13 Gault Millau points) in a beautifully restored historic building. Fresh, seasonal cuisine with creative flair. Popular with business partners for lunch and couples for intimate dinners.
The Aare curves through the city, shaping Bern's riverside dining culture
Innovative cuisine focused on umami flavors, paired with an exceptional wine selection. Modern, minimalist interior and creative tasting menus that showcase Swiss ingredients in unexpected ways.
A romantic, candle-lit vaulted cellar in the Old Town holding a Michelin star (2026) and 16 Gault Millau points. Chef Pascal Melliger and sommelier Daniela Jaun serve a seasonal multi-course menu with expertly matched wine pairings. Intimate and special-occasion by design; reserve well ahead.
Outstanding Italian restaurant serving authentic cuisine with Swiss precision. Fresh pasta, excellent risottos, and an impressive wine cellar featuring Italian vintages. Warm, inviting atmosphere.
Dine in a spectacular 18th-century cellar with stunning Baroque architecture. Traditional Swiss and Mediterranean cuisine served in one of Bern's most atmospheric dining spaces. Perfect for experiencing history with your meal.
Traditional Swiss tavern serving hearty local specialties under the Della Casa name since 1892. Famous for fondue, rösti, and authentic Bernese dishes. Cozy, no-frills atmosphere beloved by locals and visitors alike.
Brewery and restaurant with stunning views of the Old Town. House-brewed beers and hearty Swiss-German fare. Large terrace perfect for summer dining overlooking the Aare River.
Eating out in Bern is shaped by the city itself. The compact UNESCO Old Town — inscribed in 1983 and threaded with around 6 km of covered arcades, the famous Lauben — hides much of its best dining below street level, in vaulted sandstone cellars that were once merchants’ storerooms. The Kornhauskeller, set in the cellar of the former granary on Kornhausplatz, is the most theatrical of these, but dozens of smaller cellar restaurants and wine bars sit tucked beneath the arcades along Gerechtigkeitsgasse, Kramgasse and Marktgasse. In the warmer months the same streets fill with terrace tables, and the riverside Schwellenmätteli and Marzili stretches give you the Aare as a backdrop.
The mix is what makes it interesting. Traditional Swiss taverns serve hearty Bernese comfort food — fondue, rösti, the meat-laden Berner Platte — often in the same room they have used for a century. Alongside them, a strong cluster of modern kitchens works seasonal Swiss ingredients with the kind of quiet precision the region is known for; many of these are rated by the Gault Millau guide and a handful have held Michelin stars. You can eat very simply or very seriously here, frequently within the same few arcaded blocks. For a deeper look at what the food actually is, see our guides to Swiss cuisine, the best fondue in Bern and the best rösti in Bern.
The easiest way to plan dining in Bern is to hang it off a slow Old Town day rather than chase a list. Walk the arcades, drop into the cellars and squares between meals, and let the city set the pace.
For weekend dinners, fine dining and the popular cellar rooms, yes — book ahead, ideally a few days out and a week or two for a starred table. Casual taverns and lunch spots are usually fine to walk into, though a quick call never hurts on a busy Saturday.
Tipping is not obligatory. By Swiss law, service is already included in the prices on the menu. It is customary to round up the bill or leave around 10% for good service, but it is entirely discretionary.
By international standards, yes — Switzerland is a high-cost country and Bern is no exception. The best way to keep costs down without missing out is to eat your bigger meal at lunch, when many kitchens, including ambitious ones, offer a good-value fixed-price menu. We avoid quoting exact figures because they shift; confirm prices when you book.
Cards are accepted almost everywhere, including contactless and the major networks. It is still worth carrying a little cash in Swiss francs for small taverns, markets and the odd cash-only spot. Remember the currency is the Swiss franc (CHF), not the euro — Switzerland is not in the EU.
Dinner is typically eaten around 7pm, and many kitchens stop taking orders earlier than they would in southern Europe — often by around 22:00. If you like to eat late, check the kitchen’s last order time, especially on Sundays and Mondays when some places close entirely.
For a true Bernese plate, order the Berner Platte — a hearty shared platter of boiled and smoked meats and sausages with sauerkraut, beans and potatoes, traditionally linked to the 1798 Battle of Neuenegg. Otherwise, cheese fondue or rösti in winter, or Ghackets mit Hörnli (minced beef with macaroni and apple sauce) for everyday comfort.
Book fine-dining spots 1-2 weeks ahead for weekends. Many kitchens close by 22:00 and some restaurants shut on Sundays or Mondays. Lunch runs 12:00-14:00, dinner from 18:30.
Order cheese fondue at least once. Other musts: raclette, rösti, Berner Platte (a hearty meat-and-sauerkraut platter), and Zürcher Geschnetzeltes. Pair with a local white from the Bielersee vineyards.
Casual spots run CHF 20-35 per head. Mid-range restaurants average CHF 50-80 with wine. Fine dining starts around CHF 100+. Tipping is included in prices but rounding up 5-10% is appreciated.
Keep exploring Bern with guides that pair well with this one.
