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Food & Drink

Swiss cuisine is varied. The great specialty is fondue, a delicious concoction of Gruyère and Vacherin cheese, melted and mixed with white wine, flour, Kirsch and a little garlic. Other cheese specialties are Emmental and Tête de Moine. Regional specialties include viande sechée (dried beef or pork) from Valais and the Grisons where it is called Bündnerfleisch. The meat is cut wafer thin and served with pickled spring onions and gherkins. Papet vaudoir is a delicious dish made from leeks and potatoes. Geneva’s great specialty is pieds de porc (pigs feet). Pork sausages or salami come in a variety of local recipes including Landjäger, Beinwurst, Engadinerwurst, Leberwurst (pâté), Kalbsleberwurst (calf’s liver pâté), and Knackerli. Try Rösti (shredded fried potatoes) and Fondue Bourguignonne (cubed meat with various sauces). Cakes and pastries are also varied: Leckerli are Basle specialities (spiced honey cakes topped with icing sugar, decorated in Bern with a white sugar bear); Gugelhopf (a type of sponge cake with a hollow centre), Fasnachtküchli (sugar-dusted pastries eaten during Carnival) and Schaffhausen (cream-filled cakes) are also popular. Although there are many self-service snack bars, table service is normal.

A great variety of Swiss wines are available throughout the country. There are also spirits made from fruit, the most popular being Kirsch, Marc, Pflümli and Williams. Swiss beer of a lager type is also available. Bottled mineral water is an accepted beverage, with local brands including Henniez and Passuger. Bars/cocktail lounges have table and/or counter service.

Nightlife

Most major towns and resorts have nightclubs or discos with music and dancing, sometimes serving food. There are also cinemas and theatres, and some bars and restaurants have local folk entertainment.

Shopping

Special purchases include embroidery and linen, Bernese woodcarving, chocolate, cheese, Swiss army knives and luxury handmade clocks and watches. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1200 and 1330-1830, Sat 0800-1200 and 1330-1600. Most shops are closed on Monday mornings.

Social Customs

It is customary to give unwrapped flowers to the hostess when invited for a meal. Avoid red roses; never give chrysanthemums or white asters as they are considered funeral flowers. Informal wear is widely acceptable. First-class restaurants, hotel dining rooms and important social occasions may warrant jackets and ties. Black tie is usually specified when required. Tipping: A service charge is included in all hotel, restaurant, cafe, bar, taxi and hairdressing services by law: further gratuities are not usually required.

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