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What Makes Traditional Swiss Food So Special?

6th September 2023

Switzerland is known for its high standards and expert craftsmanship, and its cuisine is no expectation. Fondue, Raclette, Rösti, Chocolate - Switzerland knows how to create something simple yet delicious.  And with Ultima Gstaad being our first property, Swiss cuisine has always been popular with Ultima.

Characterised by local, humble ingredients, traditional food in Switzerland has been heavily influenced by its strong dairy farming tradition. For centuries, the Swiss living in the mountains relied on fondue as a way to use bread and cheese during colder months, and it remains the national dish of Switzerland today. But creativity from chefs has allowed new flavours to be incorporated. At Ultima, you can expect Fondue made with Gruyère and Vacherin fribourgeois, with infusions of black truffle.  Andrea Franceschi, Executive Chef at Ultima Collection says “ Our menu  infuses fresh local produce with flavours from the sun-drenched Mediterranean, creating something truly unique for our guests.”

When it comes to Swiss national food, the dishes have taken influences from other countries to create regional specialities. For example, röstis come from the German-speaking part of the country and lends its name to the Röstigraben - a term frequently used to describe the cultural boundary between German-speaking and French-speaking parts of Switzerland. Each region now has its own rösti recipes, but our favourite is Rosti Valaisanne, from the canton of Valais. It is truly indulgent and can be enjoyed when staying at Ultima Crans-Montana.

We can’t speak of Switzerland's most famous food without mentioning its chocolate. Not only do Swiss people eat more chocolate per capita than anyone else, but Switzerland is also one of the world's biggest chocolate producers. In 1879 not only did Switzerland create the smoothest chocolate bar in the world, but they also invented milk chocolate. World-renowned, Swiss chocolate is hard to beat.

Taste is one of the greatest sensory experiences in modern culture. And Swiss traditional food can be a delight for your tastebuds.  Especially when staying at Ultima Gstaad. Whether it’s a piece of alpine cheese made by our long-time partner and local farmer Willi Bach, or a multi-course dinner paired with several leading Swiss wines, the taste never disappoints.

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