Gourmet Journey: Basel – City and Countryside

Gourmet Journey: Basel – City and Countryside

The gourmet journey through Switzerland, organized under the “Fait Maison” label, began in January 2025 in the canton of Neuchâtel and continues in February in the Basel-Country region. The labeled restaurants in both Basels are highlighted, along with the region’s culinary specialties.

Where to eat ?

Find “Fait Maison”-labeled restaurants open to the public by searching by canton on our website. By the end of January 2025, 13 restaurants had been awarded the ‘Fait Maison’ label, including the canteen at Ricola AG in Laufen BL (not open to the public).

Discover an overview of Fait Maison-labeled restaurants – in the city and the countryside. The concepts and offerings are varied and diverse.

Did You Know?

Basel’s “Fastenwähe“

Basel’s “Fastenwähe” is a pretzel-shaped pastry made from fine yeast dough, brushed with egg yolk, and sprinkled with caraway seeds.

A specialty from the Basel region, Fastenwähe is produced only from the second week of January until shortly before Easter. This timing is not random: in Western Christian culture, Lent spans the 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter. The Fastenwähe thus perpetuates the tradition of a Lenten dish – at least in terms of timing. It can be found in bakeries across the city and countryside and even in supermarkets. A few bakeries in Bern, St. Gallen, and the Zurich area also produce this pastry.

Source : © Culinary Heritage of Switzerland
Photo: © LFM_Confiserie Bachmann_Basel

Cenovis: The Cult Spread

A visionary brewer once wondered how to transform brewery yeast, known for its nutritional benefits, into a delicious specialty. After the war, providing vitamins to the next generation was crucial. In spring 1931, the recipe for the now-famous Cenovis was finally developed. According to cenovis.ch, this recipe has remained unchanged since then.

Brown, savory, available in tubes or jars, spread on morning toast – some love it, others can’t stand it!

Regional Products

Swiss Saltworks on the Rhine and JuraSel®

The primordial sea salt from the Upper Rhine region in the canton of Basel-Country.

The Swiss Saltworks supply the country with salt from three locations: the oldest is in Bex, in the Vaud Chablais, where Sel des Alpes is extracted. Table salt marketed under the JuraSel® brand is produced at the two Rhine saltworks, in Schweizerhalle (BL) and Riburg (AG).

[…] Excerpt from the book “Le Patrimoine Culinaire de la Suisse” by Paul Imhof (infolio)

Dishes without salt are usually bland, and pastries need a pinch of salt to stabilize the starch. Salt is indispensable in cooking, just as it is for the human body: the balance between salt and water is essential for our metabolism. Beyond seasoning, salt plays a vital role in food production as a preservative. Ham, bacon, Emmental, and Gruyère are all treated with salt or brine for preservation.

Source : © Culinary Heritage of Switzerland

Slow Food Presidio

Plum Landscape on the Jura Plateau

With its narrow valleys and vast plateaus, the Jura plateau offers a picturesque setting for its remarkable high-stem fruit trees. Here, apple and cherry trees are cultivated in open fields, while high-stem plum trees thrive in village orchards, wetland areas along streams, and valleys.

This distinctive cultural landscape is a legacy of the self-sufficiency era when farming families utilized the land for dual purposes. The scattered fruit trees on pastures were used for fruit production. Over the last few decades, traditional orchards and espalier fruit tree cultivation have been increasingly replaced by easier-to-maintain low-stem plantations with larger fruit varieties. Old plum varieties like Hauszwetschge, Bühler, and Fellenberg nearly disappeared from the market, despite their intensely flavored and juicy fruits.

Today, thanks to the high-stem promotion project, these plums are used to make fragrant tarts filled with dried plums (prunes), Bühler plum jam, or delicious chutneys that pair perfectly with pâtés, roasts, game, or cheese.

Presidio Zwetschgenlandschaft im Tafeljura | Slow Food Schweiz

Presidio projects help maintain small-scale, high-quality production, preserve traditional know-how, protect unique cultural landscapes and ecosystems, and promote native animal breeds and plant varieties.

Basel & its Läckerli

Basel and its Läckerli is part of the Great Sites of Taste of Switerland. Culinary specialties are an important part of the cultural showcase: Basler Läckerli are at the top of the list, but the city also has its share of typical dishes, breweries, distilleries… even salmon.

Basel’s Läckerli

Basel Läckerli is a rich gingerbread made with honey, sugar, almonds, spices, candied lemon, and orange peel, coated with a sugar glaze and presented in a handy size (about 3 x 4 cm). Unlike other gingerbread, it is relatively hard.

The origins of modern gingerbread lie in medieval monasteries, where honey pastries were increasingly enriched with spices. The availability of various oriental spices dates back to the spice trade that reached Europe in the 11th century, with affluent monasteries actively participating. From monasteries, gingerbread production gradually spread to cities in the late Middle Ages. In Switzerland, the craft of gingerbread makers emerged in the 15th century. Today’s gingerbread diversity, spanning from eastern Switzerland to Romandy, developed gradually from the 17th century onward.

Source : © Culinary Heritage of Switzerland
Photo : © Läckerli Huus

Places to Visit

Jakob’s Basler Läckerli Manufaktur

Dive into the fascinating world of Switzerland’s oldest biscuit factory. Learn about Jakob’s Basler Läckerli’s 270-year history and the evolution of the famous Basler Läckerli.

The tour lasts about 60 minutes and includes a historical overview of Basler Läckerli’s development, a visit to the factory, and a tasting of Läckerli recipes from three centuries. At the end of the tour, you can test your packing skills by wrapping your own “Bhaltis” (takeaway gift).

Tours: Monday to Friday, starting at 2:30 PM

Languages: English (German)

Price: CHF 25 per person (children up to 16: CHF 20) – 50% discount with the Basel Card.

Additional Information: Jakob’s Basler Läckerli Manufaktur and store.

Basel City Market – A Feast for the Senses

The city market is the largest fresh produce market in Basel and a true paradise for lovers of regional and fresh products. Set against the historic backdrop of Basel’s Market Square, a lively and colorful atmosphere unfolds, offering a true feast for the senses. Most of the products available come from local, sustainable, and carefully crafted production in the tri-border region around Basel – ensuring a guilt-free culinary delight.

Two markets bring diversity and vitality to Basel’s Market Square:

The Schlemmer-Markt, held on Mondays, transports visitors into the flavorful world of street food, while the city market, open from Tuesday to Saturday, charms with its impressive selection of fresh products. Throughout the week, more than 30 vendors offer their goods, including ten specializing in crisp vegetables and fresh fruits. No less than 75% of these products come from sustainable agriculture, and about two-thirds are directly cultivated by the producers themselves.

Nearly 80% of all fresh products come from the North-West Switzerland region, neighboring southern Baden-Württemberg, or picturesque Alsace. In addition to fruits and vegetables, eight stands offer an immersion into the world of gourmet delights: aromatic cheeses, fresh fish, honey, or Mediterranean olives – there’s something for every taste. Depending on the season, the market also features cut flowers, colorful pumpkins, and festive Advent wreaths.

Much appreciated, the food stalls invite visitors to enjoy a delicious break or leisurely stroll in a warm and lively atmosphere. Animated conversations, laughter, and the aromas of freshly prepared dishes create a vibrant and welcoming ambiance. Whether for a quick stop or a prolonged visit, the city market is a unique experience that reflects the charm and culinary richness of Basel in an unmatched way.

The Basel City Market

Salina Helvetica – Schweizerhalle & Riburg

During the guided tour at the visitor center in Schweizerhalle, embark on a fascinating journey through the world of salt. Witness the “Big Bang”, watch an ice cube melt, and discover how salt disappears right before your eyes.

You’ll get to admire the impressive evaporation kettle, a spectacular mountain of salt, and enjoy a fun experience that will delight both children and adults – guaranteed fun! From rock salt to brine and finally to fine salt, explore the many facets of this essential element.

Visitor Center, Schweizerhalle site
Additional information : Discover the world of salt at Schweizerhalle and Riburg.