Restaurant Schnabel: Basel specialities on Trillengässlein
One of the Old Town's most traditional restaurants, between Rümelinsplatz and Spalenberg: hearty Swiss cooking, a set lunch and all-day opening on some days.
Photo: Fabian Siegler, via Google Maps
Our verdict
The Schnabel is an Old Town restaurant without airs, which counts itself among the most traditional in the city. The cooking is hearty and Swiss, with Basel specialities.
It suits a quick lunch as well as a relaxed evening.
On the plate
At lunchtime there is a set menu and a vegetarian plate, in the evening the à la carte menu. Our sources name no fixed signature dish, as the menu changes.
Location
Trillengässlein lies between Rümelinsplatz and Spalenberg, three minutes from Marktplatz and four from Barfüsserplatz. The walk takes you through the lanes where Basel feels most medieval.
Our advice
It is closed on Sundays, and on Mondays and from Wednesday to Friday the kitchen closes in the afternoon. For Saturday evening, booking online is best.
Read next: Eating in Basel: specialities, prices and where locals eat and Basel Läckerli: history, recipe and the best addresses in Basel.
Sources: the establishment's website, Basel Tourismus, Google Maps (address, reviews, October 2026), timetables from transport.opendata.ch, walking times calculated on OpenStreetMap.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Restaurant Schnabel in Basel?
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Samuel Tschudin
Samuel spent eight years guiding groups through the Old Town, from Münsterplatz to the Rhine promenade. He builds his routes on foot, watch in hand, and cuts whatever does not fit into a real day. He would rather write that a visit is not worth the ticket than pad out a list.
