Guidebook for Basel
Food Scene
THE place to go and be seen that also doesn't disappoint on food and wine. The cafe here is wonderful for breakfast and brunch. Added bonus: it's right across the road from the house.
Restaurant Bel Etage (im Teufelhof)
47-49 LeonhardsgrabenTHE place to go and be seen that also doesn't disappoint on food and wine. The cafe here is wonderful for breakfast and brunch. Added bonus: it's right across the road from the house.
This place has great beer garden-style outdoor space, serves up good pub grub and drinks. Especially good for large groups as there's something on the menu for everyone, including vegetarians.
1777 Kaffee - Restaurant - Bar
10 Im SchmiedenhofThis place has great beer garden-style outdoor space, serves up good pub grub and drinks. Especially good for large groups as there's something on the menu for everyone, including vegetarians.
It's one of Basel's classics, you can't set a foot wrong on their menu as everything shines and it's views of the bustling market place are unparalleled. A great place to stop at while you're in the city centre.
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Schiesser Confiserie zum Rathaus Basel -seit 1870-
19 Marktpl.It's one of Basel's classics, you can't set a foot wrong on their menu as everything shines and it's views of the bustling market place are unparalleled. A great place to stop at while you're in the city centre.
I've only ever been to the cafe here as it's on the pricey side, but even that was spectacular, so I can only imagine what a meal would be like with that spectacular view over the river Rhine. The Trois Rois is a Basel icon and definitely worth a visit, even if it's just to walk up and down their charming, but wonky staircases.
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Hotel Les Trois Rois
8 BlumenrainI've only ever been to the cafe here as it's on the pricey side, but even that was spectacular, so I can only imagine what a meal would be like with that spectacular view over the river Rhine. The Trois Rois is a Basel icon and definitely worth a visit, even if it's just to walk up and down their charming, but wonky staircases.
If you're going to take home REAL ‘Basler Leckerli’ as a souvenir, they should be from Gilgen, which is a true family-run Basel institution. Their ‘Russenzopf’ bread and chocolate pralines are also highlights. Make sure you try some Swiss bread on your visit (at least get yourself a ‘Zopf’ for Sunday brunch) while you're here - our bread may not be as famous as our chocolate and cheese, but it's equally top notch!
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Konditorei-Confiserie Gilgen
6 SpalenbergIf you're going to take home REAL ‘Basler Leckerli’ as a souvenir, they should be from Gilgen, which is a true family-run Basel institution. Their ‘Russenzopf’ bread and chocolate pralines are also highlights. Make sure you try some Swiss bread on your visit (at least get yourself a ‘Zopf’ for Sunday brunch) while you're here - our bread may not be as famous as our chocolate and cheese, but it's equally top notch!
Drinks & Nightlife
Baragraph
10 KohlenbergThe closest bar to our house also happens to be one of the best.
Quite a trendy place, but it has great outside seating, serves up good drinks and is the best spot for people watching.
fumare non fumare
30 GerbergasseQuite a trendy place, but it has great outside seating, serves up good drinks and is the best spot for people watching.
Arts & Culture
Brilliant museum - particularly for kids as it's very interactive and engaging. Never disappoints and it's a nice walk along the Rhine to get there too.
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Jean Tinguely Museum
2 Paul Sacher-AnlageBrilliant museum - particularly for kids as it's very interactive and engaging. Never disappoints and it's a nice walk along the Rhine to get there too.
Great museum exploring the history of paper and print that lets you get involved. It's also located on the river in a wonderful old building and enchanting part of the old town which are worth the trip all on their own. It's one of the less obvious choices so it's not usually as busy and more of an insider tip.
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Basel Paper Mill Museum
37 St. Alban-TalGreat museum exploring the history of paper and print that lets you get involved. It's also located on the river in a wonderful old building and enchanting part of the old town which are worth the trip all on their own. It's one of the less obvious choices so it's not usually as busy and more of an insider tip.
Sightseeing
Built by the artist Jean Tinguely in 1977 in place of the old theatre, this ever-changing fountain is worth a visit, especially in winter time when icicles form on these constantly moving sculptures.
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Carnival Fontän
7 KlostergasseBuilt by the artist Jean Tinguely in 1977 in place of the old theatre, this ever-changing fountain is worth a visit, especially in winter time when icicles form on these constantly moving sculptures.
Parks & Nature
The botanical garden of the university has some wonderful things blooming at all times of year.
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University of Basel Botanical Garden
8 SpalengrabenThe botanical garden of the university has some wonderful things blooming at all times of year.
Entertainment & Activities
If you ever don't know what to do with yourself this art house cinema with three different locations around town has an amazing selection of films (usually shown in the original language with subtitles, check before you go).
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Atelier
If you ever don't know what to do with yourself this art house cinema with three different locations around town has an amazing selection of films (usually shown in the original language with subtitles, check before you go).
Essentials
Migros is my go-to supermarket around town, but this one has a huge selection of food across all ranges on the first floor and some wonderful, freshly made take-out/deli foods on the ground floor. It's centrally located, open 'til late and makes a great stop for lunch or brunch.
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Migros Supermarkt
40 LutzertstrasseMigros is my go-to supermarket around town, but this one has a huge selection of food across all ranges on the first floor and some wonderful, freshly made take-out/deli foods on the ground floor. It's centrally located, open 'til late and makes a great stop for lunch or brunch.
This department store on the other side of the river is a great one-stop shop if you've forgotten anything at home. It has a great cafe on the ground floor for breakfast and a comparatively cheap canteen-style restaurant on the top floor for lunch time with a great selection of choices for everyone.
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Manor Basel
22 GreifengasseThis department store on the other side of the river is a great one-stop shop if you've forgotten anything at home. It has a great cafe on the ground floor for breakfast and a comparatively cheap canteen-style restaurant on the top floor for lunch time with a great selection of choices for everyone.
The closest department store to the house; it has a bit of everything that you might need and a good canteen-style restaurant on the top floor for lunch.
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Coop Supermarkt City Basel Pfauen Food
75 Freie Str.The closest department store to the house; it has a bit of everything that you might need and a good canteen-style restaurant on the top floor for lunch.
The closest grocery store to the house. It doesn't have the biggest selection of food, but unlike Migros, they sell alcohol and tobacco. The alcohol selection is actually quite big here and the chocolate aisle is good too ;) a perfect time to try ‘Ragusa’ (the chocolate that Swiss people actually eat themselves and don't export!)
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Denner Discount
57 LaufenstrasseThe closest grocery store to the house. It doesn't have the biggest selection of food, but unlike Migros, they sell alcohol and tobacco. The alcohol selection is actually quite big here and the chocolate aisle is good too ;) a perfect time to try ‘Ragusa’ (the chocolate that Swiss people actually eat themselves and don't export!)