Because truth be told there's much more than chocolate and cheese to visiting Switzerland...
L'Arsenic - Lausanne
The café at L'Arsenic has been recently taken over by three young ladies that are willing to show Lausanne what's up. Cool themed nights, Sunday brunch and natty wines from Switzerland and Europe, don't miss that!
Café des Philosophes - Lausanne
Luis Zuzarte et Felipe Raupp, the genius youngsters who once rocked Lausanne with their “SENS” pop-ups, have found a home at the Café des Philosophes, where they keep their philosophy unchanged. Greatest products and simplest preparations. Pair that with the coolest wine list in town, et voilà!
Vins Vivants - Lausanne
Not a place per se, but the guys behind Vins Vivants are shaking things up in Lausanne. Chances are they'll be putting up a cool event while you're in town, so stay tuned.
Ta Cave - Lausanne
One can't understand Chasselas if one hasn't try Yannick Passas' wines. Good news is, he's opened a wine bar downtown that serves most of his cuvées by the glass, head there and get your share...
La Passeur de Vin - Lausanne and Geneva
Le Passeur de Vin has been around for more than a decade in Geneva and more recently in Lausanne, their selection truly is second to none and they're also importing most of their wines which keeps the prices low enough.
Le Neptune / Tabouret Bar - Geneva
Le Neptune has long been the one place to hit for amazing food and real wines in Geneva, now for the past few months they've opened a bar next door, Tabouret, and it has all you need to kick a great night off.
Cave 20G - Geneva
You should head to Carouge anyway while in Geneva as it's probably one of the nicest areas in town, but in case you need a better excuse, then head to Cave 20G and experience their smart selection and wide range of wines from premium to off-the-radar bottles.
Café Marius - Geneva
A former butcher shop turned wine bar that serves some of the tastiest, homiest food around. No menu or wine list, let yourself be taken care of by the ever friendly staff and brace yourself for a great time.
La Cidrerie - Fribourg
This has to be the cutest, coolest, wine shop I've ever visited! Located inside Jacques Perritaz's "cidrerie" it stocks all of his cuvées as well as hand-picked wines and beers from Jean-Marc Dedeyne's selection; keep on eye on their events calendar too.
Jack’s Brasserie - Bern
You’ve got something to celebrate? A birthday, an anniversary or just the fact it’s Thursday night and what not?! Well, Jack’s Brasserie has you covered with the crunchiest schnitzel in town, and a few very interesting wines on the list… Matassa, anyone?
Klösterli Weincafe - Bern
Right by the river, on the edge of the old town, Klösterli is the sort of place where you want to spend your afternoons sitting on their cosy terrace and sipping on natty juice. Turns out they've got a wide range of wines and tasty bites waiting for you, so don't think twice...
ROSI - Zurich
Rosé has been associated with summer for some years now, but rarely had I have such a pleasant rosé wine on such a pleasant shaded terrace on what turned out to be a very pleasant summer day.
The Artisan - Zurich
Farm-to-table food, very tasty vegetarian options and real wines done by people who care about what goes in their bottles, The Artisan is a must visit while you're that side of Switzerland.
Gamper - Zurich
Gamper has been the opening the Zurich food scene was deeply hoping for. Product-focused sharing plates, great sourcing and, of course, amazing wines plus some of the most casual atmosphere I've experienced in a long time.
Gamper Bar - Zurich
Hell yes, as if their awesome restaurant wasn't enough, the Gamper team have now opened a bar literally around the corner! And that's the place you'll wish to visit for 'apéro' or late night drinks, the quality of the wines is matched by the finger lickin' good plates so you might stick there longer than you thought.
Metzg - Zurich
When the best butcher shop in town turns out to double as one of the coolest bottle shops too, you’re in heaven. Now, as if this wasn't enough, Metzg also turns restaurant for lunch and dinner, and you can literally have everything you see, in the meat fridge or on the wine-shelves, served straight on your table. Heaven, right?
169 West - Zurich
Yet another cool wine shop slash café slash you'll-want-to-hang-out-there-all-day sort of place! 169 West serves the perfect latte and cheese toasties and then you get to walk home with a bottle of juicy, tastey wine. What else?
Restaurant Mémoire - Zurich
Get there, walk down a few steps, and take a seat right there, in the kitchen. That’s the crazy experience offered at Mémoire. Local, seasonal, creative cuisine, highlighting the best “artisans” around, and of course some pretty crispy wines to pair with. Are you convinced yet?
Soi Thai - Zurich
If you happen to be in Zurich in August or September, make sure to hit Soi Thai for the and only, Thai street food meets crisp wines pop-up. You'll truly think you're downtown Bangkok while sipping on natty juice to wash the spices off!
Nero's Pizza - Geneva and Zurich
Don't expect any wine there, but damn is that pizza tasty!! So grab a bottle at either of the local shops and go treat yourself BYOB with a slice of crunchy roman pizza at Nero's, you won't regret that, trust me.