4 Best Restaurants in Eastern Switzerland, Switzerland

Wood-and-steel furniture mixes with black painted walls and a fully stocked bar at this trendy St. Gallen café near the farmers' market. The house coffee (Huuskafi) here includes Appenzeller caramel vodka and whipped cream, and the tea comes from La Théirère in St. Gallen. You can pair either with croissants and Birchermüesli (Swiss oatmeal) to round out the perfect coffee break. The café features unusually long open hours, local flair, and locally sourced products. Add free Wi-Fi, and the only challenge here is finding an empty table.

This busy restaurant caters to crowds with a palate for simple local fare—Rösti (hash-brown potatoes), Geschnetzeltes (sliced veal in cream sauce), burgers, and spaghetti. The Tagesteller (daily special) is an especially good deal at lunchtime, and English-language menus are available. Though plain and cafeterialike, it's an excellent choice for families; it even houses a small bowling alley. Nonsmokers can also enjoy a separate seating area upstairs.

Yet another local establishment with a beautiful frescoed facade, this one glows with a deep-red wood-hued interior that invites passersby into the warm little Weinstube. Inside, dark antiques surround a Kachelofen (tile stove), and candles glow on the tables. The menu mixes Swiss staples with Italian flavors—you'll find spaghetti arrabbiata alongside the traditional Wurst-Käse-Salat (sliced cervelat sausages and cheese cubes with onions drizzled with oil and vinegar dressing—it's tastier than it sounds). If you're tired of meat, there's a good selection of crisp salads as well.

Small bakeries abound in Switzerland, but this one, run by Schaffhausen-based Ermatinger, offers such specialties as homemade pralines, fruit tortes, and other butter-laden confections. The locals also stop here for light snacks (the muesli is tasty), lunch (tomato-mozzarella sandwiches are the way to go), or a scoop of homemade ice cream.