The story
In the heart of Saanen, just a short stroll from the centre of Gstaad, 16 ART-BAR-RESTAURANT offers a convivial escape where country cooking meets international flair. Open from Thursday to Monday, starting at 5 PM, this is a place where the day’s rhythm slows down and the focus shifts to good company and generous plates.
The team invites guests to call ahead or send an email to secure a table, ensuring a smooth welcome. Once inside, the atmosphere is one of understated warmth – a setting that suits everything from a casual dinner after a day on the slopes to a relaxed evening with friends. The outdoor terrace, equipped with warm military blankets in cooler months, extends the invitation to linger, whatever the weather.
The menu at 16 is a reflection of the seasons and the day’s inspiration. Starters might include antipasti or a changing soup of the day, while main courses range from ravioli with black truffle from Périgord to daily fish and grilled cuts like entrecôte, côte de boeuf, and côte de veau. A selection of local cheeses from Michel Beraud in Rougemont and a molten chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream round out the meal. This honest, ingredient-led cooking, valued for its quality and affordability, earned the restaurant a Michelin Bib Gourmand.
Cuisine here is both grounded and versatile, blending the traditions of country cooking with international influences. A thoughtfully curated wine list accompanies the food, with a new edition available each season.
16 is also a hub for the local community. The 16 Boucherie next door offers a Thai and burger takeaway, as well as a wine shop – walk-in only, no reservations. During the summer, the restaurant’s sister location, Berghaus Wasserngrat, reopens on the mountain, serving regional products with passion and creativity from an event space perched at 1,920 metres. And for a classic pub experience, the Saanerhof Pub remains a beloved local fixture, though it closes for the summer and returns in October.
Recognition
Ambience
Details
History
good quality, good value cooking
The Buchs Brothers have firmly established their chalet bistro on Mittelgässli in Saanen with a tried-and-tested concept – the small menu features pasta, fish, and local Saanen meat. But success breeds complacency – what was served here did not impress us as much. The pea and mint soup was – let’s say – adequate. The tuna carpaccio, however, was drowned in olive oil and buried under a mountain of onion slices cut too thick. The asparagus salad with Gstaad quail eggs would have been flawless had an overpowering curry mayo not dominated the dish. Unfortunately, the crispy partridge with crunchy lentils came with a rather uninspired morel sauce, while the Saanen veal chop grilled over charcoal with fried potatoes was at least juicy and tender. Conversely, the carelessly presented (homemade?) ravioli with porcini mushrooms disappointed, unnecessarily accompanied by insipid tomatoes. At least the tiramisu was as good as ever, and excellent Swiss wines remain available by the glass.
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