Eating in Bern

Can you name the 3 restaurants you are considering? I don’t have the RS Switzerland book.

Restaurant Lotschberg, Restaurant Harmonie, and Gourmanderie Moleson. We're also staying in Wengen for several days after Bern, and I'm assuming the crowds will be dimished enough not to need reservations there - agree?
thanks Lola!

Which places do you have in mind for Wengen? It appears from reading reviews that some of the stand-alone restaurants are understaffed this summer. The nicest restaurants are the ones in hotels, and they should be OK, but reservations are highly recommended, if not required. The only place we have dined in Wengen is the restaurant in Hotel Bären—-we were staying there and took half-board all 3 nights, which was only 40 CHF then—very reasonable for a 4-course gourmet meal. Now it is double that, but prices have gone up everywhere. I would still recommend them, but would order ala Carte. Therese is a gracious hostess, and Willy is an excellent chef.

For Bern, I asked because we will be there ourselves later in September. I will take a look at those 3 places and others. So far I have only looked at Lötschberg. It appears to be a well-regarded casual place—salads, sandwiches, burgers, and a few meaty main dishes; probably not the kind of place many people reserve in advance.

But if one of those places looks “just right” to you, consider making a reservation for your first night, and then decide on the others after you have a chance to walk around and check out the options. I our experience, at least in Italy, we have found it works to make a reservation in person the day before, or even the same day at lunchtime for dinner that evening. But maybe Switzerland is different. We usually stay in apartments there, or hotels with half-board, so I am not too versed in the restaurant scene.

The moment I know that I will be eating in a restaurant I make a reservation. Just to be sure. However there is no need to make reservations weeks in advance (if that is what you are thinking). Just a quick call on the day itself is usually sufficient.

I would also not eat in the Lötschberg if you are going to Wengen afterwards. Better have your Cheese Fondu or Racelette up in the mountains...

I always make reservations when we are going to dine out while traveling. Even calling an hour in advance may be enough. We have seen too many people turned away at the door and when you reserve, you probably will get a better table location. In Wengen, Maya Caprice is excellent, by the way,

September is still very busy in Switzerland. Mid-October becomes a little less crowded and we found May to be quite serene in Wengen this year. In fact, a lot of places were not open for the season yet.

My standard advice is, use your hotel as a resource. Ask the front desk to call for you the day of. They speak the lingo, probably know the owner, and you'll be sure to get a table. They'll also be told if X o'clock isn't good, come at Y o'clock. That is part of the service they can provide.