On June 15, Art Basel opens with 291 of the world’s leading galleries showing over 4,000 artists. There, attendees will find copies of Whitewaller Basel—out to help guide guests through the busy art fair and the surrounding city life in Basel, Berlin, and Zurich. Below, we’re sharing tips on where to eat in.
Cheval Blanc
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. Enriched with Mediterranean and Asian influences, each dish is proof of the establishment’s three stars in the Michelin Guide, and its 19 Gault Millau points, as well.
Courtesy of Bonvivant.
Whitewaller recommends: Booking the Le Roi Gourmet package.
Zum Goldenen Fass
Zum Goldenen Fass is a nostalgic tavern with market-fresh dishes and homemade classics. Connected to its sister bar, the Fass-Bar, the restaurant proves to be an establishment with fine food and a feel-good ambience.
Courtesy of Cheval Blanc.
Whitewaller recommends: Ordering The Menu Surprise.
Brasserie Les Trois Rois
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 Löhe.
Courtesy of Cheval Blanc.
Whitewaller recommends: Making a reservation.
Bar Les Trois Rois
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 2 to 4 p.m., and “The Cocktail Experience” from Tuesday to Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
Courtesy of Bonvivant.
Whitewaller recommends: Enlisting in a bar mixing class with Chef de Bar Thomas Huhn.
Chez Donati
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.
Courtesy of Don Camino.
Whitewaller recommends: Enjoying a meal on the terrace.
Volkshaus
The Volkshaus Basel, located in the heart of Basel at Claraplatz, offers delightful details. Guests can enjoy the 92-year-old building’s recent renovation, the Herzog & de Meuron–designed bar and brasserie, three event halls, and a tree-covered courtyard.
Courtesy of Restaurant Kunsthalle.
Whitewaller recommends: Ordering the hand-cut filet of beef tartare.
WERK 8
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.
Courtesy of Restaurant Kunsthalle.
Whitewaller recommends: Asking the bartender for a recommendation.
Bar Rouge
105 meters in the air, Bar Rouge offers breathtaking views of Basel and a multifunctioning 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.
Courtesy of Les Trois Rois.
Whitewaller recommends: Enjoying the Rouge Tonic.
Conto 4056
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.
Volta Bräu
Known as a “brewery bar garden,” Volta Bräu understands quality well—for its beer, setting, and food. The environment is simple: in the middle of the brewery, there’s a long bar where guests can find different types of the home-brewed Volta Bräu draft beer. With plenty of lounge space, Volta Bräu is also complemented by a beer garden.
Whitewaller recommends: Enjoying a beer in the garden.
Bonvivant
Now 11 years old, Bonvivant offers a menu full of fresh ingredients from local farmers only. Prepared by Chef Schürmann, the quality dishes are daily creations—a tasting menu is created new each day.
Whitewaller recommends: Putting yourself in host Petra von Gunten’s hands.
Cantina Don Camillo
On the second floor of the Warteck brewery is Cantina Don Camillo. A creative cuisine, fine wine, and an elevated atmosphere awaits guests looking for delectable dishes influenced by French, Asian, and vegan cooking.
Whitewaller recommends: Asking for a recommendation.
Schloss Bottmingen
Schloss Bottmingen is an elegant establishment that offers an array of delicious bites and refreshments for locals and visitors alike. Alongside assortment menus, the restaurant also provides banquet menus, “Norman holes,” and dessert buffets.
Whitewaller recommends: Ordering the Supérieur Cocktail Dinatoire.
Stucki
Since 2008, Stucki has been under the culinary direction of acclaimed Chef Tanja Grandits. With an unmistakable style, Grandits brings colorful creations to life—and was in 2014 given 18 Gault Millau points for her achievements at the restaurant.
Whitewaller recommends: Ordering a spicy house dish.
Bel Etage
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
Located in the heart of Kleinbasel on Rheingasse, 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 plate.
Nomad Eatery & Bar
At Nomad Eatery & Bar, Chef Roger Willimann 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: Partaking in the Sunday Jazz Brunch.
Restaurant Kunsthalle
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
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 business meetings, parties, and lunch, and is greatly complemented with a wine list of around 400 bottles and the specialty—veal cutlet.
Whitewaller recommends: Building your own menu with the Atelier-Menu-Workshop.
Be sure to pick up your copy of Whitewaller Basel, out during the fair.
