Switzerland Guide
Fribourg
Eating
1 
Belvédère 36 Grand'Rue Uniquely amiable and atmospheric old café, tucked away virtually out of sight at the head of the precipitous street Stalden. The mood is warm, the service friendly, but the appeal of the place is its comfy old armchairs, saggy sofas and bookcase-lined walls. An outside terrace is true to the café's name, giving eagle-eye views over the river. Also serves good, inexpensive food. Opening time: Tues-Sun, closes around midnight (Fri & Sat 3am
2 Café Populaire 9 Rue St-Michel 
www.cafepopulaire.ch A popular student café-bar, also offering simple stomach-fillers like bagels, baked potatoes, and fish and chips. Opening time: Mon-Sat
3 Midi 25 Rue de Romont www.lemidi.ch One of the best pavement cafés along this central street, in prime Fribourgeois-watching territory.
4 Pans'Ami 5 Rue du Temple www.pansami.ch Sociable café-bar near the station. Opening time: Open until 3am Friday and Saturday, closed Sun
5 La Spirale 39 Place du Petit-St-Jean www.laspirale.ch . Cellar bar and major venue for live music, with small-scale gigs, very cool DJ-ing and a range of jazzy, folky, worldish performers (Fr.15–25). Wed– Sun 8.30pm–2am.
6 Aigle Noir 10 Rue des Alpes 
026 322 49 77 www.aiglenoir.ch Quality French cuisine (from Fr.30) in the heart of the Old Town, with an attractive modern interior and warmly efficient service. Opening time: Tues-Sat
7 Bindella 38 Rue de Lausanne 026 322 49 05 Classy Italian in the city centre, with cosy, warm decor and excellent fresh pastas (menus around Fr.23). Opening time: Mon-Sat
8 Buffet de la Gare In the station 026 323 27 45 www.buffet-fribourg.ch Three different areas – a shabby café-bar, a slightly more upmarket brasserie section and, upstairs, one of the city's better restaurants , specializing in exquisite fish dishes – although it's not cheap. Price: Menus from Fr.50
9 La Cigogne 24 Rue d'Or 026 322 68 34 www.la-cigogne.ch Beautiful little bistro in a medieval house opposite the Pont de Berne, using market-fresh produce to produce subtle, inventive dishes. Perfect for a romantic tête-à-tête. Price: Menus around Fr.25 Opening time: Oct-Aug, Tues-Sat
10 Fleur-de-Lys 18 Rue Forgerons 026 322 79 61 A gastronome's delight on a medieval lane by the river. A tumbledown exterior preludes a cosy, atmospheric interior and fresh seasonal dishes of the highest quality. Locals love the place, which is a high recommendation. Price: Menus from Fr.30 Opening time: Tues-Sat, closed Feb and mid-July to mid-Aug
11 Gothard 18 Rue du Pont-Muré A Fribourg institution, beloved of Jean Tinguely, that is just about the last old-fashioned café in town, opened in 1861 and in the hands of the same patronne for knocking on a quarter of a century. You'll find it equally full of old-timers at their regular seats sipping at their beer and students downing an espresso before heading off to a party. Posters, ephemera and intriguing bits and pieces cover the walls under a riot of fairy-light decoration, but the food is solid quality – excellent fondues, and daily menus for Fr.15 or so. Opening time: Thurs-Tues
12 Manora Grands-Places. The Manor department store houses an excellent, low-priced self-service restaurant, with fifth-floor views. Opening time: Mon-Sat