There’s something comforting about the cafés in Basel, Switzerland’s cultural capital located at the border with France and Germany. It is, perhaps, because of the sweet aroma of Swiss confectionary delights creating a uniquely sweet, cotton-like vibe. Perhaps it’s because of the warm Swiss hospitality coupled with home-made delicacies made to perfection.
Cafés in Basel have now become an integral part of the city for me. Not going to a café whilst in Basel feels like an incomplete visit, as though I haven’t visited the city at all. It’s like an important part of the puzzle for me.
B1 Rooftop Bistro in Basel, however, comes with an added bonus: views. Located, as the name suggests, on a rooftop at St. Alban-Anlage 26, it is the perfect place to see Basel right from the top. Serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and so much more – spending your time at B1 Rooftop Bistro is not only good for your tummy but also for your eyes.
At the top in Basel
The indoor dining area set with cozy sofas and chairs is surrounded by a four-dimensional balcony, allowing you to see every corner of Switzerland’s cultural capital as far as the eye can reach. The city’s elegant, modern, state of the art trams, from that height, look like miniature toys. The landscape blends the city infrastructure’s with the trees and, yes, you can also see some mountains.
I, even though it was cold and windy, decided to sit outside. The staff, who are incredibly kind and lovely, brought me a blanket and a warm seat cover.
After taking hundreds – and I literally mean hundreds – of videos and pictures, I decided to order my breakfast. I enjoyed, and was quite literally, lost in the views and vibes that I did definitely loose track of time. There is something magical, unique and mesmerising of seeing the city from that height. There is also a philosophical aspect to enjoying Basel’s scenery from that altitude: all of the problems of everyday life appear so miniscule and insignificant.
Having digested the wonderful views, I ordered a coffee (to keep me warm), a butter croissant and two sfogliatella (couldn’t pronounce this either when I first saw it on the menu). Also, I had presumed that sfogliatella are much, much bigger than this in size! If I had known beforehand, I would’ve definitely ordered at least five more of these. Filled with a sweet, creamy texture, it’s a great snack to have with your morning coffee.
Recommendation
You definitely need to have breakfast at B1 Rooftop Bistro because they are not only a treat for your tummy but also your eyes. I, for one, can’t wait to go back there to try some of their other items on their menu. You can, in the meantime, find out more about them and their opening hours via their website here: https://www.b1-rooftop.ch/
Read more about Switzerland here:
- Markus Leitner, Switzerland’s Ambassador to the UK, hosts discussion on sustainable finance
- ‘Switzerland Tourism’ wins Digital Innovation of the Year prize at the Digital Economy Award 2024
- Two villages in Switzerland designated Best Tourism Villages 2024 by UN Tourism
- Switzerland’s Embassy celebrates its 10th Anniversary in Oman
- IMD ranks Switzerland at #2 in the World for Digital Competitiveness
- Switzerland’s SBB to launch direct train links from Zurich to Florence and Livorno
- All chocolate lovers need to visit this one place in Zürich, Switzerland
- Cinnamood Basel: the best place for delicious Cinnamon Rolls in Basel, Switzerland
- ‘Schilthorn 20xx’: Steepest cable car to be inaugurated in Switzerland next month
- ‘i favoriti Caffè by Grieder’: delicious coffee and cake with an Italian touch in the heart of Basel, Switzerland
- Confiserie Bachmann Basel: A heavenly abode for coffee, chocolate and cake lovers
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By Raza Hussain | Recently featured in The Telegraph, The i Paper, POLITICO Europe and Tim Walker’s column | Editor of www.NewsLeaf.com | Former social media officer at Gina Miller’s True & Fair Party | Currently a Senior Advisor at a think tank and a foundation | Extra-Mile Winner of the Newsquest Young Reporter Scheme (2014) | Talent for Writing certificate by Young Writers (2015) | Travel blogger | Prize for Outstanding Achievement in Sociology (2019) | Social media PR and political communication
