Spanish food in Bern: a guide by occasion
Not every Spanish restaurant fits every plan. Using the Google ratings, review counts and the dishes we have confirmed on each menu, here is how we would play Bern depending on the occasion.
For a date
Volver BarTapasCafé (Rathauspl. 8, 3011 Bern, Switzerland) — the strongest all-round rating in the city (★ 4.5 from 942 reviews; the menu confirms patatas bravas, croquetas, fried calamari, Padrón peppers and chorizo). Book ahead at weekends.
Tapas with friends
Volver BarTapasCafé (Rathauspl. 8, 3011 Bern, Switzerland) — the widest confirmed Spanish spread in Bern: patatas bravas, croquetas, fried calamari, Padrón peppers and chorizo (★ 4.5 from 942 reviews; the menu confirms patatas bravas, croquetas, fried calamari, Padrón peppers and chorizo). Order several plates to share and ask what is on special.
A special occasion
Restaurant Au Rendez-Vous Biel/Bienne Espagnol Español Spanisch Tapas Bar (Mühlebrücke 8, 2502 Biel, Switzerland) — ★ 4.8 from 228 reviews; the menu confirms Ibérico/serrano ham, pan con tomate and paella. Tell them you are celebrating when you book; Spanish restaurants are usually generous with a celebration table.
A quick, casual bite
Centro Cultural Recreativo Espanol (Kontrollstrasse 12, 2503 Biel, Switzerland) — ★ 4.3 from 56 reviews; the menu confirms garlic prawns (gambas al ajillo) and paella. Bar seating and a couple of tapas is the fastest way to eat well here.
What to order in Bern
These are the classic dishes most often confirmed on the menus we checked, each linked to our recipe so you know exactly what should arrive at the table:
- paella — confirmed on 3 menus in Bern
- patatas bravas — confirmed on 2 menus in Bern
- Ibérico/serrano ham — confirmed on 2 menus in Bern
- croquetas — confirmed on 1 menus in Bern
- garlic prawns (gambas al ajillo) — confirmed on 1 menus in Bern
- fried calamari — confirmed on 1 menus in Bern