10 Best Cafés in Basel

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From a tea (read chai) lover to a coffee addict; Basel has completely transformed me in the last 4 point something years. In this article today, I reveal my favorite places – some of them I like to work in, some of them I like to hang out in with my friends and some of them are totally for the experience.

Without further ado, here’s my list:


#1 Café Huguenin

It lands on my #1 and rightly so; probably one of the first cafes I fell in love with and also one of the reasons I now call this city my home. The staff is friendly; the coffee and croissants are a delish option in the mornings and their quiches and salads are to die for!

In winters (well, all round the year); my daughter orders the sugar churros which are amazing! I also love how they make sure they have seasonal drinks; like melon-lemon mocktails in summer and Gluhwein in winters. So there are always a ton of options; in summers it’s a great idea to sit outside and during the winters, I love the cozy ambiance be it on the ground/first floor!

Price point: $$ Rating: 4.5/5 Location and Ambiance: 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 Click here for website!

#2 Café Zum Isaak

The best part about the café is that it is right opposite to the Munster; so the setting is almost perfect for every Basler and/or a tourist! You have 2 outside seating areas: one right opposite the Cathedral and the other one in the back garden.

If you plan to work; the inner room might be more apt – I’ve also had interesting work meetings/calls in the café and they have definitely maintained the old charm! The coffee is always on point!

Price point: $$ Rating: 4.5/5 Location and Ambiance: 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 Click here for website!

#3 Teufelhof bar

der teufelhof basel gast und kulturhaus basel hotel bar 3 62929
My Swiss Story: ’10 Best Cafés in Basel’, Pic Credit: Basel.com

On the Musik Academie tram stop; this bar which I think also has a hotel and a restaurant attached to it is one of the coziest places in town! The orange juice, coffee, and croissants are to die for!

Try now, thank me later!

Price point: $$ Rating: 4.5/5 Location and Ambiance: 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 Click here for website!

#4 Cafe Mercedes

Is a recent discovery for me; unlike the others it has a very modern ambiance – a good breakfast option along with a fine selection of coffees to go with. And before I forget; sit under the skyline and admire the White Merc in between the room. 😊

Price point: $$ Rating: 4.5/5 Location and Ambiance: 👍🏻👍🏻 Click here for website!

#5 Confiserie Bachmann and Sprungli

Putting both of them here in case you have a sweet tooth like me! Both of them have the best (absolutely the best) desserts and confectionery in town; I prefer the coffee in Bachman as opposed to Sprunglii.

Totally worth a visit!

Price point: $$ Rating: 3.5/5 Location and Ambiance: 👍🏻 Click here for website!

#6 Confiserie Beschle

I discovered Beschle by accident during a birthday party of one of my daughter’s classmates. It is located in Clarastrasse and has a whole basement floor for chocolate making workshops! The ambiance is quite modern and cozy and the coffee paired with chocolate is quite the treat!

Price point: $$ Rating: 4/5 Location and Ambiance: 👍🏻 Click here for website!

#7 Confiserie Schiesser

Is one of those iconic cafes in Basel; where you go more for the experience than for what you eat/drink. They have the best confectionery (one of a kind!) on the ground floor and a beautiful café with the old world Swiss charm on the first floor.

I absolutely love going here during winters (try to get the window seat for the beautiful view of the Rathaus and Marktplatz); the only problem is finding a place during the rush hours.

Price point: $$ Rating: 4/5 Location and Ambiance: 👍🏻👍🏻 Click here for website!

#8 Finkmueller

I have tried Finkmueller in Markthalle (market hall) and the coffee here is great; also if you are into vegan/organic treats, you will find them here.

Price point: $$ Rating: 3.5/5 Location and Ambiance: 👍🏻 Click here for website!

#9 Confiserie Brandli

Nestled right in between Barfi and Marktplatz; Brandli has a fine selection of confectionery and coffees. It is clubbed with their apparel store and has a very modern feel to it. The service is much more formal and the staff is quite attentive.

Price point: $$ Rating: 3.5/5 Location and Ambiance: 👍🏻 Click here for website!

#10 Ristorante La Sosta

restaurant lasosta
My Swiss Story: ’10 Best Cafés in Basel’, Pic Credit: Tripadvisor

The reason I know this place is cuz I lived almost next to it for a whole year; the restaurant is inside the toy museum in Basel and serves the best coffee ever! Even the food is quite nice and can be clubbed with the museum visit.

Price point: $$ Rating: 3.5/5 Location and Ambience: 👍🏻👍🏻 Click here for website!


There are so many more like CupCake Affair, Sutter Beg, Magical Cafe, Unternehmen Mitte, La Manufacture et all that didn’t quite make it to my top 10; however, those are worth trying as well.

Are you a coffee/tea person? What are some of your favorite cafes in your city? Tell me in the comments section.

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