The best bars and cafés Switzerland

Surprising and original, the decoration of this hotel combines classic elegance with very contemporary fabrics and objects. A little eclectic, a little too much in terms of decorum, but you either like it or you don't. In the summer of 2024, the hotel's swimming pool and garden will be based on the concept of the renowned Bouddha Bar in Paris. The lakeside terrace, as always, offers a view well worth the trip. The oriental salon would undoubtedly have appealed to ^19th-century Romantic writers such as Pierre Loti.

Here is a very nice wine cellar, design version with a zinc counter. In the summer, you pass behind it to sit on the terrace (which is nothing more than the school playground during the day), ideally placed facing the lake. A real pleasure at aperitif time, especially for tasting different vintages by the glass of the Saint-Saphorin and Dézaley appellations. This tasting centre also offers a take-away sale, so that you can go home with the wines you like.

To get your fishing going and energise your week, this thirty-year-old sports pub, well known to the people of Lausanne, is a good remedy. Flags on the ceiling, many screens to follow the matches, a large choice of English and Irish beers, sticky parquet flooring, everything is there! You will generally find a lot of people there in the evenings and especially during the weekend. If you want to have a seat, it is strongly recommended to come half an hour before the start of a match. If the pub is resolutely rock, various special evenings are organised.

A very nice local bar, the Grenzwert is never empty! With its lounge music, the atmosphere is friendly. You can play table football, sit on the armchairs and sofas at the entrance, at the counter, or in the wooden area at the back of the bar. For the adventurous, you can find the Sonnendeck (from June to August from 6pm when the sun is shining) with the Grenzwert team on the grounds of the NT Areal, an alternative and cultural space set up on the grounds of a disused goods station, at number 80 of the Ufferstrasse.

Founded in the 1970s by Hansjörg Bürgin, Schluggstube is a family-run business. In the space of fifteen years, it has grown from a modest antiques store to an unusual bar and institution. Nestled in the heart of the city center, the Schluggstube is an Ali Baba's cave brimming with treasures for sale, each with its own story and price. It's a popular spot for Cliques during Basel's famous Carnival, imbued with the festive soul of this age-old tradition.

Welcome to Café-Bar Elisabethen, a unique place in the heart of the city, nestled in a church. Enjoy a full range of traditional beverages in a spiritual setting. The sun's rays illuminate the Elisabethenkirche, creating a warm atmosphere. Enjoy a cappuccino as early as 7am. Even in winter, enjoy espressos and Italian sweets. For lunch, enjoy soups and fresh dishes. In the evening, enjoy an aperitif: prosecco, wine or beer.

The Bücheli Caffé Bar Lounge is a trendy meeting place for Basel's nightlife. Right in the heart of the city, this bar welcomes you in a large space with high tables and stools, not forgetting a lounge area with leather sofas and coffee tables. The immensity of the bar makes you dizzy, as does the generous cocktail menu, which is also sold by the liter! In summer, large tables with southern accents welcome you to the pedestrian area. A warm place to try out with friends when you're in Basel. Cheerful, friendly waiters.

A historic tower that houses a nouvelle cuisine style restaurant. One can say that the entrance to the city is well guarded! Built in old stones and on five floors, its ascent will make you discover small universes favourable to the tasting of wines of the canton. The Molard Tower offers a new concept: it originated in China with the baozi, the famous and delicious steamed bun, to give birth to the bao burger. Based on rice flour and tapioca, we create bao burgers, meat or vegetarian.

Nestled at the foot of the majestic Johanniterbrücke, the Cargo Bar embodies the cultural essence of Basel. More than just a meeting place, it's a sanctuary where friends share aperitifs and memorable evenings. Don't miss the oyster evenings, taste the Isigny specials with a glass of muscadet or crémant d'Alsace. Experience vibrant evenings, with DJs and artists on hand to create an unrivalled atmosphere of Good Vibes. Claude Gaçon and his dynamic team make Le Cargo one of Basel's most popular establishments.

Set sail for the Navy for a culinary voyage of Swiss and Italian inspiration. In the heart of the old town and adjacent to the Syracuse pizzeria, the Navy-Syracuse is the anchorage of many Genevans. It is even a real institution! We suggest a trip to the land of local gastronomy. Dishes to be savoured on land, but in an all-wooden, old-rigged style decoration created in the 1950s. Here, we invite you to cast off for a nice time! It's cosy, convivial and comfortable.

A little corner of paradise on the lake with a magnificent view of the Jura. It is an ideal spot to relax, paddle (rented at the restaurant) and especially to eat on the natural terrace. Next to the restaurant, the Ripper is set up in a wooden hut and surrounded by palm trees. Almost like in the tropics! Pizzas, burgers, salads and house cocktails are served in a relaxed atmosphere. Theme nights and live music in summer.

A modern-day guinguette spirit, ideally installed on the left bank of the Rhône in fine weather. Floral ornaments are omnipresent, and you can sit back and contemplate the lake in this urban setting. It's the place to be for afterworks. The ephemeral long bar offers a range of snacks, including sandwiches and salads , and tastings of Geneva wines. The atmosphere is very peaceful, without being stuffy. It's a very pleasant spot on the riverbank, and very popular in summer for aperitifs!

Since 1997, the bQm has been part of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, where you'll find probably the cheapest cocktails in town. It's in a relaxed atmosphere with a superb view over the city that students gather, but not only. The bar welcomes everyone and offers free cultural events twice a week, on Wednesdays and Thursdays: concerts, DJ evenings, quizzes, an open stage... On the à la carte menu, you'll find a nice list of affordable drinks as well as snacks (sandwiches, focaccias, pretzels...).

The Kino Xenix Bar is a wonderful independent cinema where you can discover films from all over the world and retrospectives. The program is extremely varied, and the films are almost always subtitled in French or English. The venue also boasts a cosy bar, nestled in a former kindergarten: a popular playground for Zurich's youth. An atypical bar where you'll feel right at home, especially in summer with its large terrace and the possibility of playing pétanque or ping-pong. Mixed and varied clientele, good spirit.

One of the most famous cafés in Zurich, the Odéon was Lenin's lair during his stay in the city but also des. There is still an unavoidable place on the sidewalk that cannot be noticed when you leave Bellevue to reach the old town by the Limmatquai. Always full and lively, the hotel features a beautiful Art Nouveau decoration that plunges you with delight in the 1920 s. If you have a small or a big hunger, it is also possible to restore it.

With its warm, friendly atmosphere, Mary's Café offers a pleasant setting for spending time in good company. The café offers a wide selection of beverages, from traditional coffees to fragrant teas and fresh fruit juices. Cocktail lovers will also be delighted to discover the varied menu featuring original creations. Whether you're looking for a leisurely breakfast, an afternoon coffee break or an evening aperitif, Mary's Café is the place to be for lovers of a good atmosphere and quality drinks.

The Starling Geneva hotel's C bar & lounge is a very designer place to start or extend the evening over a drink while enjoying Fabrizzini 's, a speciality of the chef Fabrizio Domilici, which accompany the inventive cocktails with or without alcohol offered at the bar. In a subdued atmosphere with a refined design, you are in an elegant and spacious universe, ideal for sharing an aperitif before sitting down to eat. The place can be entirely privatized for events. Free transfer service to the airport until 11:45 pm.

A bit offbeat and mysterious, if you fall for crazy places, the Kraken Bar will fill you with the mythological spirit it contains. Originally, the Kraken is a fantastic creature from medieval Scandinavian legends who seized the hulls of ships to capsize them, sinking the sailors. In Plainpalais, there is nothing so frightening. The bar offers a warm and friendly atmosphere in a subdued atmosphere. Between libraries, old ornate books and decorative skulls.

This is the place of predilection for an artistic and gastronomic evening. The terrace of the 3 Glasses is unmistakable summer and winter with its shrubs and its bright red blinds. Les Trois Verres, as its name suggests, is an oenotheque where we suggest you close your eyes and travel through all the regions of Italian wines. A wide choice of wine bottles, as well as wines by the glass and also wine discoveries. An address of undeniable quality to combine aperitif tasting and nibbling some tapas.

Before or after a gourmet evening in one of the countless restaurants on the rue de l'Ecole de Médecine, the Café du Bout d'la Rue will whet your appetite and perhaps continue the party in one of the nearby nightclubs such as La Gravière or La Parfumerie. This bar with a sober and classy decoration, with black walls where the multiple names of shots and beers are written, is very popular with students (very close universities). Your taste buds will be in effervescence to identify all the ingredients.

A passion for coffee, specialised knowledge, roasting methods and different preparation methods: welcome to Früling. The place is simple and uncomplicated, with a clear focus on organic and supporting local producers. Open every day, you can also enjoy several organic and local breakfast formulas. At noon, salads and vegetables, fruits accompanied by fresh juice or lemonade. And on weekends, you can have breakfast all day long without worrying about the time!

This neighborhood micro-bar is charming for its ambiance, its microscopic terrace, its friendly crowd, its trendy background music and its small, even more compressed concerts. We love the local beers, homemade cocktails and aperitifs served here. It's a place apart from the mainstream, and that's exactly what we come here for. Far from being an uncluttered, standardized place, we like to meet up with the locals and discuss current affairs over a drink and some tapas. The Zar is far from weird!

Looking for a trendy spot? Barbière is a brewery and beer bar in the hop capital of France. It's a trendy place to try local malts, blondes, browns, ambers, ale and stout, accompanied by an aperitif snack. Hipster setting. Brick walls and rough-hewn iron furniture plunge you into an industrial, urban setting. Very local, the Bernese like to meet here to share an aperitif board or simply a barista-style coffee with the cute little decoration in the milk foam.

This unpretentious address opposite the station will delight those looking for a late afternoon coffee or a quick bite to eat. It serves smoothies, tea and coffee at all hours, delicious bagels and sandwiches, and excellent local and Italian wines in the evening. The warm bread is crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. The bagels here are named after cities, like the delicious New York and Pittsburgh. The place is very popular with locals. Pleasant outdoor terrace, with lots of trees and quiet.

In the heart of Gstaad, L'Alpina Lounge & Bar is a sophisticated and luxurious cocktail bar open around the clock. Here, you'll be immersed in a cosy, lounge-like atmosphere: you'll sit on large armchairs in Swiss embroidered fabrics, in a décor of antique wood. You'll be charmed by the bay window overlooking the outdoor terrace, the warm ambience by the fireplace and, above all, the cocktail menu. Antipasti, pasta dishes, burgers and seafood are also available à la carte for lunch or dinner.

Le Temps d'une Pause combines all the pleasures for gourmet readers and gourmands alike! Immersed in a decor of books, you can quietly enjoy your cappuccino while devouring the lines of your novel...

It's hard not to fall under the spell of this café on Schöneggplatz. We love this "little garden" which, contrary to its name, is much bigger than you think. Nestled in the heart of Zurich's 4th district, just a stone's throw from the warm evenings of Langstrasse, this peaceful and green little corner seems to have come out of a dream! The menu features freshly prepared dishes based on market arrivals. Local residents also flock here for a drink while devouring plates to share.

Located in the heart of the Pâquis, the Boléro bar is unique. Its baroque decoration with bright colors, its paintings of mythical American actresses such as Marylin Monroe or Audrey Hepburn or the cool and lively atmosphere make this place an ideal and friendly place to go for a drink on the terrace in the summer, a beer with friends or the very good and beautiful cocktails that make the reputation of the house. The establishment offers good cigars. Cocktails certainly enticing, but also cigars to be discovered.

We had spotted it at its beginnings and it has become a royal place for those who love conviviality and Italian delicacy. In addition to finding all the equipment to relive at home the intensity of the coffee from its Neapolitan roaster, you will enjoy on the spot cappuccinos, espressos and even a homemade Italian-style catering of course (minestrone, parmigiana...). It has also become the den of good after-works with the possibility of sipping very good cocktails at very convenient prices for the city.

Red for a winegrower it's not something you can make up! In the heart of Epesses, the Rouge family, rooted in this exceptional terroir, offers you this new space, open in 2015. On the programme: a gourmet stopover in a magnificent bar for a coffee, a glass of wine or a small snack (also to take away), an ideal base camp to enjoy the magnificent vineyard in the heart of the Lavaux. Summer and winter alike, it's a pleasant rendez-vous where you can enjoy a delicious meal of charcuterie (Martin à Puidoux) that goes wonderfully well with one of the Lavaux vintages.

Just a stone's throw from the station is a bar where you can relax, drink and eat quality pizzas and burgers without breaking the bank. The setting is very pleasant, with a lovely wooded, designer decor and a beautiful library, making you want to stop in at any time of day. The dishes are tasty and well served. Accompanied by one of the many beers on offer, your evening is sure to be a festive one! The volume of sound is high, so it's ideal for those who want to go wild. At weekends, the place goes on fire, and the room transforms into a dancefloor.

Resolutely contemporary with a sleek, stylish design, Café Locarno delights a trendy clientele who enjoy generous aperitivi. In the evening, the lights dim, the bar lights up in pink and the cocktails become architectural feats. An elegant ambience of Italian sweetness, where you can spend a pleasant moment savouring the flavours of Ticino. The team is young and dynamic, and offers excellent advice on which local wines to choose. It's a very pleasant place to live, with an atmosphere that changes according to the time of day.

A wine bar in a 200 year old building! The main thing is not to have a profusion of choice but a selection of very good quality wines. Here, the focus is on the origin and wines of well-known producers. Particular attention is given to organic farming. With your tasting of savoury sandwiches, allow yourself a moment of pure red delight of this sweet nectar.

In the heart of Carouge, an enviable place overlooking the market. Al Mercato makes you want to meet and share an aperitif. It is also an ideal place to taste fresh pasta. When the weather is fine, the terrace is ideal for meeting and chatting.

We can organize aperitifs well in advance or just meet at the Imprévu for more spontaneity! It's a nice place to share tapas and delicious cocktails while chatting quietly.

Beneath the pines that emancipate themselves thanks to the clement climate of the Riviera, it is pleasant to end the day in a retro and trendy place. The Montreux Eurotel and its lounge bar the Purple Fish are among these places. In the summer we let ourselves go sipping cocktails while awakening our senses to the rhythm of the ambient live music: Friday and Saturday, from 5.30 pm to 8.30 pm, it's live music or DJ. In winter, the magic happens under the dome which welcomes us in a ephemeral way. A place that changes with the seasons so that we never relive the same moment!

The BDG is a friendly, welcoming place to have an aperitif, dinner with music, listen to live music or dance. Several animations and evenings are organised at the weekends around a wide variety of musical styles. Thus, depending on the evening, you will go to the BDG for funk, soul, "acid jazz," or for more latino rhythms and salsa... Thursday is blues live night because the BDG is the place where the Blues Association of Geneva (BAG) organizes concerts and jam sessions from 8:30 pm. A good sport for music lovers, between blues and jazz.

Looking for a place to have fun in Lucerne? Head for Penthouse! This trendy rooftop bar offers one of the best views in town, in a lounge atmosphere with a touch of bling. Nestled on the eighth floor of the Hotel Astoria, it's the ideal place to admire the magic of Lucerne while sipping a cocktail. The panoramic view of Lucerne and the Alps from the roof terrace is well worth the detour. At weekends, DJ evenings are a must for young Lucerneans. Check the Internet for the program.

It was in this house that the mathematician developed his theory of relativity. The site now houses a museum but also a cosy and comfortable café where you can relax and warm up. You can't go wrong with the speciality pastries and cakes, they are delicious. As it is a rather popular café, it is sometimes difficult to find a table. It is a contemporary place that contrasts with the authenticity of the house and the Einstein Museum. The garden side is beautiful and ideal for an evening at sunset.

In the heart of the city, a pleasant café at any time of day. During the day for a soft drink, or in the evening for a glass of wine in an almost Berlin-style atmosphere. This uncluttered bar and restaurant creates a colorful ambience, bringing flavors from other parts of the world to the dishes on the menu. Specialties here include ceviches (marinated raw fish) and tartars. Aperitifs are very popular, as the bar offers a tempting happy hour. An ideal place to enjoy a good time in a stylish and cheerful atmosphere. Charming welcome.

Situated opposite the Clock Tower, Adriano's Bar offers fine Mediterranean cuisine. It is also one of the best cafés in town with all kinds of coffee. It is possible to buy coffee machines with expert advice. Very heterogeneous, you will meet people from all over. It's a great place to network and get ideas for sightseeing. Above all, don't miss the coffee, the real one, the barista and his little decoration that wiggles in the foam on the surface. A very pleasant place.

An air of saudade and a little trip to Portugal, an atmosphere reflected in the azulejos typical of Portuguese restaurants. These tiles on the blue-and-white walls represent Lausanne in 1850. A lively place with a full terrace, summer and winter alike, Le P'tit Central serves seasonal daily specials at lunchtime, and a small à la carte menu in the evening. And don't forget the cocktails, aperitifs and various craft beers. Excellent service and good food. From Thursday to Saturday, we offer after-work evenings or "soirées tout court".

Right in the center of town but relatively quiet, a lovely terrace overlooks a cobbled courtyard, very pleasant in fine weather; a colorful decor and an excellent welcome set the scene. This bistro serves Swiss and French cuisine, with the occasional dish from the other side of the world. The extensive drinks menu features Swiss and international wines, as well as a whole range of craft beers. Regularly renewed menus: an excellent idea for a break, whatever the time of day.

The Kon-Tiki in the Niederdorf district gained a cult following in the 1970s thanks to its Hawaiian ambience, Maori prints and cocktails served in mask-shaped glasses. Threatened with closure, it was taken over in 2016 by customers who appreciated the cosmopolitan feel of the place and made a few improvements. The bar is now open during the day. You can grab a snack, buy and consume CBD, attend a jam night or stand up. It's a bar for adventurers and those who want to become adventurers.

The Grancy's festive and urban little brother, the Saint Pierre will delight Mr. Eames fans with its multicoloured Scandinavian fibreglass chairs. For the others, a tempting cocktail menu, a nice glimpse of the local offer of artisanal beers, fresh and original lunch proposals, a weekend brunch to knock the most patachon among you out of bed and, every evening, tapas until late!

In a room intended for the offices of a company specializing in computers, a new Internet café has sprung up near Uni Dufour and Uni Bastions. Convenient! 30 min connection for 3 CHF, 5 CHF for 60 min and subscription formula. A dozen computers are available for network games or sending emails in a very friendly atmosphere. This nice space works without any real lucrative purpose, the coffee being a supplement to their real activity in engineering and sale of computer products. Fax, photocopier, black and white printer.

The restaurant and bar Alte Post specialises in fondue. Fondue is served at your discretion for two or more people, with fondue cheese and a choice of herbs, speck ham, mushrooms or veal cordon bleu. The truffle fondue is worth a visit! Other specialities include the famous Der Poststempel, a pork and alpine cheese cordon-bleu from Davos with grilled broccoli and French fries. A fine wine list accompanies the meal.

This dark place, with its windows in bouteille, is the oldest café in Lausanne, classified as a historic monument. It was in 1780 that a wine dealer decided to open this "pint" to sell his production. Since then, the Pinte Besson has never changed his name. In addition to a good choice of spirits, traditional dishes such as fondue and cheese cake are served as well as seasonal cuisine and slate meat. Small terrace in summer, brighter than inside!

This is the longest bar-restaurant-lounge in Switzerland! A mix of design with some traditional elements to remind us that we are in Swiss territory. Open on the lake in summer, it offers a large terrace and many concerts. The kind of place where you come for an aperitif and where you stay for dinner. We appreciate this warm place at any time and on Sundays for the famous brunch which invites you to travel around the world. It is a must if you are visiting Solothurn. Very nice atmosphere and beautiful location.

Parterre is a trendy, "boboized" café located behind the train station, in a rather residential area that is nonetheless bustling with young designer boutiques. The indus decor is designer, with a large table in the center ensuring a convivial atmosphere. Every lunchtime, a menu of the day is offered, systematically including a vegetarian version, as well as paninis for a quick bite. At weekends, the restaurant serves a delicious brunch. Culinary and musical events are organized throughout the year, attracting a rather uninvited crowd.