for foodies

A good Indian restaurant in Interlaken: Taj Palace

Here’s a truth about traveling to eat:

Most of the time, I want local cuisine.

In Brittany, I want to eat kouign-amann and galettes. In Bayonne, I’m going out for hand-whipped hot chocolate. In the Gruyere region of Switzerland, you can bet I’ll be trying Gruyere cheese.

But when you travel as much as I do, sometimes you need a break. Or at least, I do.

Especially in Switzerland, where most of the regional specialties are heavier foods. Cheese. Meat. Potatoes. Craving diversity of flavors and something lighter than a rösti, I’m always really thrilled to find good Asian food in Switzerland and around Europe.

So when we were in Interlaken this winter and I found an Indian restaurant that had rave reviews from visitors from India, I knew I had to try it. Authentic Indian food in the middle of the Alps? Yes, please.

Since then, Taj Palace has become one of my go-to places to meet up with friends for a meal. I’m not always in Interlaken, but when I am, this is where you can find me.

Don’t expect anything fancy from the interior and don’t let the shabbiness drive you away – it’s the food here that you’ve come for. Good thali plates. Sauces made with real vegetables. Spices that get it just right.

There’s a reason that most of the people dining in this restaurant are from Asia. It’s the real deal.

Address: Rosenstrasse 7, Interlaken

Phone: +41 33 821 09 40

Hours: Open daily from 12 to 22:30.

Price range: One entree, rice, and naan run around 40 CHF. Thali plates are currently 28 CHF.

This restaurant is dog-friendly.

What (else) to do in Interlaken

Grab a slice of cake at the Velo Cafe. Visit the organic farmers market if you need some produce for your own cooking adventures. And don’t miss out on the local castle ruins at Weissenau and Unspunnen.

For gorgeous nature, check out Lauterbrunnen, Mürren, Männlichen, and Schilthorn.