You're craving a taste of home. As an expat living in Switzerland, sometimes you need the comforting flavors of Indian cuisine to transport you back to familiarity. While the stunning Swiss Alps and chocolate are delightful, your taste buds occasionally ache for the aromatic spices of India. The good news is you don't have to travel far to satisfy that craving. Hidden throughout Switzerland are Indian restaurants run by expats like you, creating authentic dishes that make you feel cosy and content. This article highlights some of the best spots for Indian comfort food in Switzerland, from casual takeaway joints to upscale eateries. Prepare to embark on a culinary journey that will nourish your soul with each flavorful bite. Your search for a taste of home ends here.
The Rise of Indian Cuisine in Switzerland
Indian cuisine has exploded in popularity across Switzerland in recent years. With a growing expat community and Swiss locals developing a taste for aromatic curries and flavorful masalas, Indian restaurants are cropping up in cities big and small.
You'll find everything from upscale places featuring modern twists on classic dishes to casual spots serving piping hot naan bread and rich butter chicken. Many also offer a lunch buffet during the week, letting you sample a variety of curries, dahls, and fresh chutneys.
Some standout dishes to try include:
Palak paneer, soft cubes of homemade cheese swimming in a garlicky spinach sauce. Healthy, vegetarian, and delicious.
Rogan Josh, tender lamb braised for hours in a gravy of yogurt, spices like cardamom and cloves, and Kashmiri chilli. A taste of home for many Indians.
While the Indian population in Switzerland remains small, the popularity of the vibrant cuisine is a testament to its universal appeal. So next time you crave a warm, flavorful meal, follow your nose to the nearest Indian eatery. A feast of tastes and aromas awaits you, with a dash of nostalgia for added measure.
Exploring North and South Indian Fare in Basel
Basel has a large Indian immigrant population, so it’s no surprise that North and South Indian cuisine is well represented in the city. Whether you’re craving masala dosas or butter chicken, you’ll find authentic Indian fare to satisfy your taste buds.
Masala Dosa
This popular vegetarian restaurant is known for its masala dosas, huge crispy crepes stuffed with spiced potatoes. Dip pieces in coconut chutney and sambar, a lentil curry. The lunch thali offers a variety of curries, dal, rice, and Indian bread like naan and poori. It’s a great way to sample South Indian specialities.
Butter Chicken For North Indian comfort food, head to Farmyard. Their signature dish is butter chicken, morsels of tandoori chicken simmered in a creamy tomato sauce fragranced with garam masala. Pair it with garlic naan to soak up the sauce and sides like saag paneer or aloo gobi. The rustic-chic space with outdoor courtyard seating offers a relaxed vibe for a long, lingering meal.
Chana Masala
This casual spot is popular with locals and expats for its authentic Pakistani and North Indian cuisine. Chana masala, spicy garbanzo beans simmered with tomatoes and spices, is a protein-packed dish to satisfy vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. The tandoori mixed grill with seekh kebabs and tandoori chicken is also a highlight. BYOB and enjoy a cold beer with your meal.
From South Indian dosas to creamy North Indian curries, Basel has you covered. Whether dining in or taking out, you’ll find an Indian dish to transport your taste buds and fill you with nostalgia for the comforts of home.
Conclusion
So there you have it, a mini tour of some of the best Indian restaurants in Switzerland to get comfort food from the motherland. Whether you're craving a piping hot bowl of dal makhani, crispy samosas, or melt-in-your-mouth naan straight from the tandoor, these spots have covered you. The next time you find yourself missing the familiar flavors of home, give one of these places a try. Your taste buds will thank you, and for a moment, you might forget you're over 5,000 miles away in the Swiss Alps. Home is where the curry is, after all! Now if only one of these restaurants could figure out how to make gulab jamun as good as your auntie's. A girl can dream!
