Walter Ponce
Service: **★★★│**Food: **★★★★│**Location: **★★★★│**Price: **★★★│**Portions: ★★★★
The new Noumi restaurant in Bern does not need to shy away from the comparison with a hip trendy bar in Singapore, New York City or Barcelona: Starting with the DJ who provides the soundscape with lounge music, to the extraordinary bar and menu. innovative products of high quality are well received by the people of Bern.
I had the chance to be invited by the Restaurant a few weeks ago and I would like to share my honest thoughts.
The interior impresses with copper-colored basalt stones, subdued colors, natural materials such as wood or marble and with a central focus, the open kitchen. With experienced, but also** highly decorative**, cooks at the stove. I had the change to meet Urs Bührer, director of the Bellevue Palace, and get some great insights about the new opening and how they wanted to create something completely new.
In terms of the culinary and bar menu. Decided to start with a “Singapore Trap” (loved that name, don’t blame me) with a mix of Russian Vodka, Cherry Heering, Sake and Lemongrass. A great way to start the evening. They have a great variety of mixes so I recommend you to be adventurous and try different.
It is not easy to put together a menu from the highly tempting range, which is inspired by **food markets **and prepared with regional products. But since it corresponds to the concept of combining and sharing everything, I simply order from each area what I liked and can feast on a number of dishes. Btw, vegetarians will also find what they are looking for on the menu.
Food review Noumi restaurant
Starting with a delicious Thai Papaya Salad (coriander, charcoal shrimp, lime and palm sugar dressing) we continued the starters with Indian Panipuri (mint chutney, tamarind, black chick peas and potato).
Also on the table are delicious steamed dumplings (better known as dim sum in our part of the world).
As main dish, I went for the most interesting dishes in the menu:
Lemon myrtle grilled kangaroo with coleslaw and rosella jus + Tequila & lime grilled king shrimp (must try, it was delicious!!!).
With the new restaurant, director Urs Bührer wants to address a new target audience. With the Noumi, he has certainly come a big step closer to his vision. Merci Urs for the invitation, I will definitely be back!
Noumi Restaurant Website: https://noumi.ch/en/
Noumi Restaurant Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noumibern/
Noumi Restaurant Address: Kochergasse 3, 3011 Bern, Switzerland
The sharing concept
Noumi follows a sharing-plates concept inspired by food markets around the world. Instead of a classic starter, main course and dessert, the idea is to order several smaller dishes from different sections of the menu and put them in the middle of the table.
A few tips if you are new to this style:
- Order in rounds. Start with a few dishes and add more if you are still hungry.
- Mix cuisines. Combining Thai, Indian and Asian street-food inspired dishes is part of the concept.
- Ask for guidance. Staff can suggest how many dishes to order for your group.
- Check vegetarian options. Vegetarian dishes are marked on the menu.
Menus change over time, so check the current menu on the website before you go.
About some of the dishes
Some of the ingredients on a menu like Noumi’s are less familiar in Switzerland:
- Panipuri is a popular Indian street snack: crisp hollow puris filled with potato, chickpeas, chutneys and spiced water, eaten in one bite.
- Thai papaya salad (som tam) is a fresh, crunchy salad of green papaya with lime, palm sugar, chilli and fish sauce.
- Lemon myrtle is an Australian native herb with a strong, citrusy aroma.
- Rosella is a native Australian hibiscus, often used in jams and sauces for its tart, berry-like flavour.
- Kangaroo is a lean red meat, commonly eaten in Australia and usually served medium-rare.
The location
Noumi is on Kochergasse in the heart of Bern, right next to the Federal Palace (Bundeshaus) and Bundesplatz. It is one of the most central addresses in the city, which makes it easy to combine with sightseeing.
From Bern main station, it is roughly a ten-minute walk through the old town.
What to see in Bern
Bern’s old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and very walkable. Highlights near the restaurant include:
- Federal Palace (Bundeshaus): the seat of the Swiss government and parliament, with free guided tours on many days
- Bundesplatz: the square in front of the Federal Palace, which hosts a weekly market
- Zytglogge: the medieval clock tower with its astronomical clock and moving figures
- The arcades (Lauben): kilometres of covered shopping arcades along the old town streets
- Bern Minster (Berner Münster): the city’s Gothic cathedral, with a tower you can climb for views
- Einstein House: the apartment on Kramgasse where Albert Einstein lived while developing his early theories
- BärenPark: the bear park by the river, at the end of the old town
- Rosengarten: a rose garden on the hill above the old town, with one of the best views of Bern
- Zentrum Paul Klee: a museum dedicated to the painter, designed by architect Renzo Piano
Best time to visit Bern
- Summer is the most popular time. On hot days, locals float down the Aare river, which flows around the old town. Only do this if you are a confident swimmer and follow local safety advice, as the current is strong.
- Autumn is quieter, and the old town looks beautiful in the colder light.
- November brings the Zibelemärit, Bern’s traditional onion market, held on the fourth Monday of the month.
- December has Christmas markets in the old town.
Tips for dining in Bern
- Book ahead on Friday and Saturday evenings, especially for a central restaurant.
- Prices in Switzerland are high, so plan your budget accordingly.
- Tipping is not obligatory because service is included, but rounding up for good service is common.
- Cards are widely accepted, and many places also accept Twint, the Swiss payment app.
FAQ
What kind of food does Noumi serve? International sharing plates inspired by street food and food markets, with Asian, Indian and Australian influences.
Are there vegetarian options at Noumi? Yes, the menu includes vegetarian dishes.
How far is Noumi from Bern train station? About a ten-minute walk through the old town.
Do I need to reserve? It is recommended, especially for weekend dinners.
Is Bern worth a day trip from Zurich? Yes. Bern is around an hour by train from Zurich, and its compact old town is easy to explore in a day.
What is the best area to stay in Bern? The old town and the area around the main station are the most convenient for sightseeing and restaurants.
