In between visiting Art Basel and the other fairs happening this week, get a taste for Basel’s cuisine and cocktails from the city’s fine dining and late-night scene.
Cheval Blanc by Peter Knogl
Located in the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois, Cheval Blanc is known for Chef Peter Knogl’s artfully prepared dishes. Deserving of its 19 Gault Millau points and three Michelin stars, the restaurant offers French fare full of natural ingredients, and now ranks among the top 100 restaurants in the world. Each dish is enriched with Mediterranean and Asian influences.
∙Arrive in elegant attire for the five-star hotel’s etiquette.
∙Secure a preferred table by making a reservation.
∙Enjoy the six-course meal.
∙Consider the Menu des Rois for spring.
Whitewaller recommends: Booking the Le Roi Gourmet package.
Zum goldenen Fass Rosental
Zum goldenen Fass is a nostalgic tavern with market-fresh dishes and homemade classics using radically seasonal and completely regional ingredients. Connected to its sister bar, the Fass-Bar, the restaurant proves to be an establishment with fine food and a feel-good ambience.
Whitewaller recommends: Ordering the three- or four-course Fass Menu.
Brasserie Les Trois Rois Altstadt Grossbasel
Next to the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois’ restaurant, Cheval Blanc, guests can enjoy Swiss and French specialties from Brasserie Les Trois Rois. With fresh regional ingredients from local markets, the brasserie offers sumptuous flavors and rich creations by Chef Pablo Löhle.
Whitewaller recommends: Making a reservation.
Bar Les Trois Rois Altstadt Grossbasel
Inside the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois is Bar Les Trois Rois—an intimate setting that offers refined cocktails and delicate snacks. Guests can also enjoy live piano music on most days, daily afternoon tea and British bites in the lobby from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., and “The Cocktail Experience” from Tuesday to Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
Whitewaller recommends: Taking a bar mixing class with Chef de Bar Thomas Huhn.
Chez Donati Altstadt Grossbasel
Deserving of its 13 Gault Millau points, Chez Donati delivers the essence of fine Italian cooking. The restaurant also hosts Donati’s Business Lunch and Piatto di Mezzogiorno—two great prix fixe options. Kindly note that the restaurant is closed from July 2 to August 1.
Whitewaller recommends: Enjoying a meal on the terrace.
Volkshaus Kleinbasel
The Volkshaus Basel, located in the heart of Basel at Claraplatz, offers delightful details. Guests can enjoy the 94-year-old building’s recent renovation, the Herzog & de Meuron–designed bar and brasserie, three event halls, and a tree-covered courtyard.
Whitewaller recommends: Ordering the hand-cut filet of beef tartare.
WERK 8 Gundeldingen
Nestled inside an industrial building once home to a machine factory, WERK 8 is a restaurant with 140 table seats, 80 bar seats, and 70 terrace seats. Regardless of where you sit, the restaurant offers cocktails and a full menu and is a perfect after-work spot for urban street food, house-made infusions, and creative classics.
Whitewaller recommends: Asking the bartender for a recommendation.
Bar Rouge Messeturm
105 meters in the air, Bar Rouge offers breathtaking views of Basel and a multifunctional space that includes a bar, a lounge, and a nightclub. Guests can enjoy a cocktail experience where art and culture meet, providing an unforgettable atmosphere.
Whitewaller recommends: Enjoying the Rouge Tonic.
Volta Bräu St. Johann
Known for the freshest craft beer in Basel, the brewpub Volta Bräu combines an urban feel-good atmosphere with the attraction of the brewery, where home-brewed beers are tapped and served directly at the bar. With plenty of lounge space and a menu full of delicious food, Volta Bräu is also complemented by a beer garden.
Whitewaller recommends: The Volta Bräu Beer Pairing Flight.
Conto 4056 Voltaplatz
Located in the up-and-coming neighborhood of St. Johann, Conto 4056 is in the building of a former bank. Transformed into a proper cocktail bar with a sophisticated bar menu and innovative design, Conto 4056 boasts passion and expertise.
Whitewaller recommends: Trying a Negroni or hosting a special event in the basement.
Bonvivant Gundeldingen
Now 13 years old, Bonvivant offers a menu full of fresh ingredients from local farmers only. Prepared by Chef Schürmann, the quality dishes are daily creation—a tasting menu is created new each day. This summer will be the last chance to visit Bonvivant before it closes permanently.
Whitewaller recommends: Putting yourself in host Petra von Gunten’s hands.
Cantina Don Camillo Wettstein
On the second floor of the Warteck brewery is Cantina Don Camillo. Creative cuisine, fine wine, and an elevated atmosphere await guests looking for delectable dishes influenced by French, Asian, and vegan cooking.
Whitewaller recommends: Asking for a recommendation.
Castle Bottmingen Bottmingen
The Castle of Bottmingen is an elegant establishment that offers an array of delicious bites and refreshments for locals and visitors alike. The Castle provides seasonal meat and vegetarian menu options for both small and large dinner parties.
Whitewaller recommends: Ordering the Supérieur Cocktail Dinatoire.
Stucki Bruderholz
Since 2008, Stucki has been under the culinary direction of acclaimed Chef Tanja Grandits. Grandits brings colorful creations to life with an unmistakable style—and in 2014 she was given 18 Gault Millau points for her achievements at the restaurant.
Whitewaller recommends: Trying a dessert from Patissier Julien Duvernay.
Bel Etage Altstadt Grossbasel
Product-oriented and unpretentious is Bel Etage’s specialty—its dishes have high standards and bold flavors from acclaimed Chef Michael Baader. The restaurant, located in the Der Teufelhof Basel hotel, has a changing and versatile selection of à la carte dishes and various menus to pair with a variety of exciting wines.
Whitewaller recommends: Ordering a Business Lunch.
Consum Altstadt Kleinbasel
Located in the heart of Kleinbasel on Rheingasse, the wine bar Consum provides a lively atmosphere, a delicious selection of meat and cheese, over 100 wines, and spirits. As the first corner shop in Kleinbasel, the location was always a meeting place.
Whitewaller recommends: Ordering a salami and cheese platter.
Nomad Eatery & Bar Zentrum Grossbasel
At Nomad Eatery & Bar, an international team welcomes guests to a cosmopolitan nomad culinary journey. Inspired by traditions from all over the world, the restaurant focuses on local products and seasonal dishes.
Whitewaller recommends: Taking a culinary journey around the world by sharing the Nomad menu.
Restaurant Kunsthalle Altstadt Grossbasel
Located next to the Kunsthalle Museum, Restaurant Kunsthalle welcomes guests to a wonderful dining experience. With an elegant interior and delicious dishes, the restaurant is a peaceful escape from the art fair crowd.
Whitewaller recommends: Enjoying a drink before or after dinner at Campari Bar.
Atelier Altstadt Grossbasel
Alongside Bel Etage in the Der Teufelhof Basel hotel is another impeccable restaurant—Atelier. Very much a part of the art and gallery concept, the restaurant offers a lively atmosphere for lunch and dinner, business meetings, or parties. Everything offered is “hand-made,” with the specialty dish being the veal cutlet, and complemented by a wine list with over 400 bottles.
Whitewaller recommends: Building your own menu with the Atelier-Menu-Workshop.
