You're wondering if the legendary Entrecôte Café de Paris at Federal Bern lives up to its reputation? We've taken a close look at this Bernese institution for you! Our honest review reveals exactly what you can expect.
Strictly speaking, it is called `Entrecôte Fédérale Bern`, but the Bernese simply call the institution with its signature dish Entrecôte Café de Paris `Federal Bern` or `Café Fédéral Bern`. Located in the Old Town, immediately next to the Parliament Building, it welcomes its guests with a simple, elegant bistro atmosphere and attracts a sophisticated clientele with its high-quality offering.
Quick Overview
- Location: Bern, city center
- Cuisine: French cuisine with signature dish Entrecôte Café de Paris
- Price Range: $$ (Moderate)
- Main courses: CHF 32 - CHF 47
- Special features: Elegant bistro interior, large terrace
- Ideal for: Business meals, elegant dinners with friends and family
- Overall Rating: 4.6 / 5
Content:
- Our Dining Experience
- Enjoying the Specialty Entrecôte Café de Paris
- Detailed Rating
- Practical Information
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Our Visit Experience at Federal Bern
Location in the heart of Bern directly next to the Federal Parliament building
We are familiar with Federal Bern from many visits. Since the weather forecast had good weather, I reserved a table outside. Outside means on Bärenplatz in front of the restaurant, directly next to the Federal Parliament building. When we arrived, we had to wait a little as usual until a service employee took us to our table. It was outside as desired. Moreover, it was located directly next to the chessboard drawn on the ground, where various people play chess under the open sky. Because of that, it sometimes gets a bit loud, which however does not bother the guests of Entrecôte Fédérale Bern. This contributes to the lively atmosphere and the unique flair of the restaurant.
Selection from the deliberately limited menu
We knew that we wanted to eat the signature dish - that is, the absolute house specialty. So we ordered as soon as the waiter came to our table. This house specialty is an entrecôte, served with a Café de Paris sauce, accompanied by Pommes Alumette (thinly cut French fries). There is a salad beforehand, which is included in the price. For the process - actually a ritual - of this culinary experience, see the special paragraph about it below.
In addition to the entrecôte, there are other brasserie classics like Cordon Bleu, Wiener Schnitzel, fillet of sole, and veal escalope. For these dishes, the mixed green salad in the bowl is also included. Furthermore, there is a tartar or on weekdays at noon a pasta dish.
Since we had a lot to talk about, we also wanted to enjoy a wine. It is important to know that there are two wine lists. Normally, the staff brings the small wine list, where guests can order wine by the glass. Those who want to drink a bottle of wine ask for the larger wine list. This is also rather short, but contains a good wine selection at reasonable prices. From there, we ordered a Bordeaux, which was delicious and as described within the price range.
Our heavenly enjoyment experience
As usual for us, the salad in a bowl soon came to our table. Also as usual, it came with French dressing, garnished with cherry tomatoes, walnuts, and microgreens. Since the salad was not yet mixed with the sauce, I took the initiative to mix it and distribute it fairly.
After we had eaten the salad, we had to wait a bit longer until the entrecôte was served. The service employee apologized to us for the waiting time. Since I had been to this restaurant several times before, I knew that the long waiting time is not the norm - but it can happen. Because Federal Bern is very popular and very busy. So, Entrecôte Fédérale Bern is more suitable for those who are looking for a leisurely meal and want to stay a bit longer. For those in a hurry, it is therefore less suitable.
The entrecôte itself was as always a taste sensation. The combination of entrecôte, Café de Paris sauce, and Pommes Alumette is unbeatable. In one place, my piece of meat had some tendons, which bothered me a bit. Such imperfections can happen, but the exceptional taste of the sauce and the perfect preparation of the rest of the meat made it quickly forgotten. Here I just wonder if a cook should recognize this before cooking.
As a finish, we ordered coffee. For me as always a Café Crème, for my table companion an Espresso. As usual, it came with a small piece of chocolate, which we also appreciate.
The Entrecôte Café de Paris Enjoyment Experience Step by Step
The Entrecôte Café de Paris of the restaurant Entrecôte Fédérale Bern is possibly the most famous signature dish in the city of Bern. Enjoying this house specialty follows an always identical process, which is why we dedicate a separate paragraph to this enjoyment.
1. The Order
In the Food Menu the following entry can be found for this specialty:
- STEAK SIRLOIN CAFÉ DE PARIS
Home made french fries, Farmer’s salad with walnuts - 140g / 200g / 250g
The guest thus selects the dish "Entrecôte Café de Paris" (Steak Sirloin Café de Paris). In addition, they must choose the size of the meat. Here, they order the quasi "ladies' cut" with 140g, the standard size of 200g, or the large piece with 250g. As a good male eater, I always choose the 200g, while my daughter chooses the 140g entrecôte and my son the 250g large piece.
It should be mentioned that even the 140g piece provides great enjoyment. Those who want to eat less meat are still very well served with this smaller piece.
Next, the guest tells the staff the desired degree of doneness. Here, enjoyers orient themselves to one of the common scales:
- French: bleu = raw / saignant = bloody / à point = pink / bien cuit = well done
- English: blue = raw / rare = bloody / medium rare = pink (where "medium" is used as a synonym here) / well done = well done
Typically, guests in Switzerland who want their meat a bit less well done choose "saignant". Those who wish the meat pink order "medium" or "à point".
In addition to the food, the customer also orders drinks. A wine is recommended with the entrecôte.
2. The Salad
After the order, the salad is soon served. This is brought in a bowl, usually one bowl for two guests, a smaller one for one guest. It contains the French salad dressing at the bottom. On top of the dressing is the salad made from various green lettuce leaves. As garnish, there are walnuts, some cherry tomatoes, fine strips of carrots, and microgreens. Fresh, fluffy baguette is brought to the table at the same time as the salad.
Typically, the waitress or waiter explains that the salad must be mixed before enjoying. A guest thus mixes the salad thoroughly and then distributes it to their table fellows. This initiates the prelude to enjoyment.
3. The Entrecôte Café de Paris
After enjoying the salad, the bowl and plate are cleared. Subsequently, after hopefully not too long a time, follows the centerpiece of the culinary experience: the signature dish Entrecôte Café de Paris. This is on a foamy-creamy Café de Paris sauce and is already cut.
The meat is garnished with edible microgreens and a sprig of rosemary - this is not eaten. Next to it are placed crispy Pommes Allumettes. Why not French fries? Simply because Pommes Allumettes are crispier.
Now, the next level of the taste experience is ignited. A piece of perfectly cooked entrecôte with this sauce made from butter, herbs, and other ingredients simply tastes great! The Pommes Allumettes also do their part in this delicious meal.
4. Dessert perhaps?
When clearing the main course, the staff will ask if the guests still want a dessert. A legendary choice would certainly be the Mousse au Chocolat with Crème Gruyère. This mousse is prepared light, but after a somewhat heavy meal it might be too much for some guests. As an option, various types of ice cream are offered.
On our last visit, smaller desserts were also available. Below, a small but very fine Tarte aux Citrons, i.e., a piece of lemon tart.
Rating
| Criteria | Description | Value |
| Rating | Federal Bern is a reliable choice for good food in the city. The house specialty, entrecôte with Café de Paris sauce and Pommes Alumettes, offers a truly great dining experience. The value for money is excellent. | 4.6 |
| Atmosphere | The atmosphere is simple yet elegant. The clientele is more upscale and discreet, making the restaurant suitable for businesspeople, politicians, celebrities, and anyone who enjoys dining in a refined setting. | 5 |
| Service | The staff are friendly, sometimes even warm, and their approach is well-suited to the clientele. Since the restaurant is very popular and often fully booked, it can occasionally take a bit longer for the service to reach your table. | 4 |
| Selection | The menu is quite limited. In fact, the selection is somewhat restricted, but still broad enough that everyone can find something suitable. This limited choice allows for consistently high quality. | 5 |
| Quality | The quality is consistently good. Occasionally, it might happen that, for example, the meat has a sinewy spot or the quality of the Pommes Alumettes varies. | 4 |
| Price | At Entrecôte Fédérale, guests enjoy very good food, with excellent quality, at a reasonable price. The value for money is outstanding! | 5 |
Last visited on June 1st, 2025. This report is written much more detailed compared to the previous version, with focus on the process of enjoying the signature dish.
Practical Information
Menus (Food Menu, Drinks Menu)
Here you can find the current Federal Bern Food Menu, Small wine list, Large wine list. Further cards such as dessert and aperitif cards can be found on the homepage under the "Pleasure" menu.
Contact and Reservation
Homepage
Entrecôte Fédérale
Bärenplatz 31
3011 Bern
Tel. +41 31 311 16 24
Directions to Federal Bern
Entrecôte Fédérale Bern is located only about 300 meters from Bern train station. Therefore, traveling by public transport is recommended. Those coming by car can park in the Metro-Parking or Bahnhof-Parking .
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Entrecôte Fédérale Bern
Since Entrecôte Fédérale Bern is one of the most famous restaurants in Bern, a reservation is required. Without a reservation, you can find a spot spontaneously, but perhaps no table is free.
For vegan guests, there is a vegan dish - the vegan Tatar. Vegetarian-oriented guests can choose between a seasonal vegetarian main course and at noon a pasta dish. There are more options in the desserts.
No. Entrecôte Fédérale Bern has no private parking spaces. Drivers are best to use the Metro- or Bahnhof-Parking.