Lötschberg Bern – Authentic Swiss Cuisine?

Restaurant Lötschberg Bern, centrally located in Bern’s Old Town, is known for its commitment to traditional Swiss food. It boasts an extensive selection of exclusively Swiss wines as well as the use of products with protected designation of origin and protected geographical indication. But how well does this authenticity translate to the culinary execution?

Our Dining Experience at Lötschberg Bern

Swiss Cuisine in the Heart of the Old Town

Lötschberg Bern presents itself as a Swiss restaurant focused on Swiss dishes and an impressive selection of Swiss wines. The interior, characterized by wooden benches and wine bottles on the walls, conveys a typically Swiss, rustic atmosphere. Both locals and tourists dine here. I particularly liked the uncomplicated option of ordering a fondue for one person and a rösti for another, and sharing both.

The service felt natural and unpretentious. You could clearly say what you wanted, and we had the feeling it was a well-coordinated team that knows each other. This was sometimes marred by the need to actively approach the staff when you needed something.

Creamy and Savory Fondue

During one visit, we ordered a fondue – the house blend – along with a small meat platter. After lighting the spirit rechaud, the fondue was served, accompanied by a bread basket with half-white bread. The consistency of the fondue was rather thick, but still liquid enough to drip slowly from the bread. The flavor was full and savory. It was clear that alongside presumably Gruyère and Vacherin Fribourgeois, stronger cheeses were also used.

A minor drawback was a slightly burnt aftertaste, even though the fondue in the caquelon itself hadn’t burned. This might be due to the preparation beforehand. The meat platter with air-dried meat, cured ham, and a finely sliced dried sausage rounded off the meal nicely.

Cheese Toast with Salad – or Salad with Cheese Toast?

On another visit, I chose a cheese toast with salad. The cheese toast was served on the same plate as the salad. The salad was fresh, sprinkled with various seeds. The dressing was good but rather vinegar-heavy. Alongside the salad was the cheese toast with a fried egg.

As a local, I have to say the cheese toast really disappointed me. My expectation was a piping hot cheese toast with sizzling cheese, with a side salad in a small bowl – as you know it from other restaurants. As seen in the photo, the cheese toast at Lötschberg consisted of a rather small piece of bread. On top was cheese that was only partially melted. The fried egg was no longer intact when served but had burst. This really doesn’t meet my expectations for a meal at a Swiss restaurant.