Salmen

The story

Salmen Olten – Classic Cuisine in a Jugendstil Setting, Michelin Recommended

A House with a Story

Restaurant Salmen occupies a building constructed in 1898 by architect Karl Suter-Meister. It served as a lively meeting place and social venue in early 20th-century Olten. During 2002 renovations, a richly decorated stucco ceiling was uncovered in the small hall – badly water-damaged and long hidden behind layers of plaster and wood. With support from the Oltner Altstadtkommission and the cantonal heritage office, the room was restored and placed under protection. Today it shines again, giving the dining room a unique, warm atmosphere. The restaurant’s name comes from Salmenbräu, a beer brewed in Rheinfelden from 1799 to 1973; a few mementos are displayed as a reminder.

The Team and Philosophy

Head chef and managing director Daniel Bitterli leads the kitchen, with Silvia Strackbein as Entremetier and Sous Chef, Vinothan Nasarasa as Gardemanger, and Vanessa Schneider as Chef de Service. Their guiding motto is “Mit Liebe” – with love – which accompanies every step, from ingredient selection to plating to service. All dishes – including stocks, sauces, and ice cream – are made from scratch. The kitchen is rooted in classic cuisine, using seasonal products sourced from trusted local suppliers such as Biohof Scheibler.

What’s on the Plate

The menu changes regularly. A daily lunch menu and a four-to-five-course evening menu are available, and courses can be freely combined with à la carte options. Representative dishes have included Nüsslisalat with bacon and dates; Roastbeef from Biohof Scheibler with wild garlic mayonnaise and spring salad; Kalbs Cordonbleu with fries and vegetables; beef fillet Stroganoff with almond rice or homemade pasta; Entrecôte with béarnaise, potato gratin and vegetables; and pan-seared monkfish with port wine sauce, wild garlic mashed potatoes and asparagus. Desserts like molten chocolate cake (20-minute wait) with balsamic-vanilla ice cream and passion fruit sauce or a passion fruit-mango slice with coconut ice cream finish the meal. A curated wine list offers 12 to 15 wines by the glass.

Michelin Recommended

Salmen’s precise execution of classic cuisine, combined with its extraordinary setting and genuinely warm service, has earned it a Michelin Recommended distinction. It is a place where hospitality feels natural and the cooking speaks for itself – a genuine Olten address for those who value honest, care-filled dining.