From cosy cafés to vibrant food markets and scenic picnic spots along the Rhine, Basel offers budget-conscious food lovers various options to satisfy their appetites. However, no visit to Basel would be complete without treating yourself to at least one meal at one of the city’s renowned traditional restaurants, where you can experience authentic regional specialities. And don’t forget that the whole WordCamp community will be served lunch at the Congress Center all three days!
Picnic
The cheapest option by all means! Head off to one of the local supermarkets like Coop (Clarastrase) or Migros (Rebgasse) and pick your spot down by the Rhine to enjoy your picnic.
You might also find a good deal on the Too Good To Go app, which intends to fight food waste while enabling customers to find good food at half price or less in local supermarkets or baker’s.
Talking of picnics, don’t forget the one that will take place on the Wednesday before the Contributor Day. More about that here.
Food courts, pizza & fries
Basel has two wonderful food courts where all kinds of foreign specialities, where you can compose your meal according to your taste… and budget!
- Klara and its 9 different kitchens is just down the road from the Congress Center in the Clarastrasse.
- The Markthalle (Steinentorberg 20, not far away from SBB train station; take the tram 1 or 2 to get there) is a much bigger food court set up in an impressive market hall built in 1929. The choice is huge and includes vegetarian/vegan options. There is also plenty of seating, including for larger groups.
- For pizza lovers, Vito has an original offer enabling groups to share a long pizza with a topping of your choice. To accompany a whole pizza, a litre of homemade soft drink can be bought for a competitive price. the are Vitorestaurants in the Gundeli, Aeschengraben and Klybeck districts, plus a take-away at the SBB railway station.
For authentic Neapolitan-style pizza, try Dio/Mio near the theatre (more expensive than Vito!) - Astro Fries (about 12’ walk from the Congress Center) has a nice choice of loaded fries to satisfy hungry guests without emptying (too much) their wallets.
Vegetarian/Vegan
There’s no lack of vegetarian cuisine in Basel! Many of the city’s restaurants also base their menus on organic, locally sourced produce. You’ll find the best tips listed on the This is Basel website
- In Tibits, you pay by weight. So it’s up to you how much you spend! The fantastic buffet includes warm and cold dishes, and all ingredients are clearly indicated. Two locations in Basel: Steinen and Gundeli.
- Other recommended addresses for vegetarians: Restaurant Concordia (within walking distance from the Congress Center) and Vegitat (two restaurants in Basel).
Restaurants in Kleinbasel
Kleinbasel (the side of the Rhine where the Congress Center is situated) is a great place for eating out, with a very wide selection of bars and restaurants to fit all tastes. Some good addresses, in particular those situated in the popular Rheingasse, have already been mentioned in the Evening Drinks in Basel post. Here are a few more tips, shared by team members and Basel residents.
- Zum Schmale Wurf – The cosy bistro on the banks of the Rhine with Italian specialities. Location
- Fischerstube – Not a fish restaurant (as the name suggests), but hearty, brewpub-style fare associated with refined vegetarian dishes. Also a brewery. Location
- Lily’s Maxim – A modern eatery in the Clara Quarter with Asian cuisine and a wide choice of teas. Location
- Chanthaburi – in the heart of the Kleinbasler In-Quartier Matthäus, a fine choice of Thai specialities which you can also eat in the restaurant’s garden under the old chestnut tree. Location
Restaurants in Grossbasel (Town Centre)
- Schnabel – One of the oldest and most traditional restaurants in the historic centre of Basel, known for its local specialities and carnival paintings on the walls. Location
- Hasenburg – A delightful traditional “Beiz” offering typical Swiss cuisine and home-made desserts. Location
- Walliserkanne – Another typical Swiss restaurant with specialities from the Valais, i.e. cheese fondue and raclette. Location
- Löwenzorn – A traditional restaurant which is also a popular meeting place in Basel, with a charming inner courtyard. Location
- Antalya – Fine Anatolian cuisine with a range of meat and vegetarian dishes. Location
- Brötlibar – Delicious rolls, filled with the finest ingredients, including vegetarian and seasonal options. Location
Still not sure where to go? Check out the wide range of suggestions on This is Basel, where you’ll also find the various summer Buvettes on the banks of the Rhine listed, as well as a list of food trucks scattered across the town.
And don’t forget that you can cross the border to Germany (Weil am Rhein) with the tram 8 or the France (Saint-Louis centre) with the train (from the SBB station) or as far as the frontier (tram 11): restaurants will definitely be cheaper across the border!
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