Swiss cuisine is varied. The great speciality is fondue, a delicious concoction of Gruyère and Vacherin cheese, melted and mixed with white wine, flour, Kirsch and a little garlic. Other cheese specialities are Emmental and Tête de Moine. Pork sausages or salami come in a variety of local recipes including Beinwurst, Engadinerwurst, Knackerli, Landjäger and Leberwurst (liver pâté). A great variety of Swiss wines are available throughout the country. Swiss beer is also popular - both lager and dark beers. Bottled mineral water is an accepted beverage, with local brands including Henniez.

Things to know: Bars/cocktail lounges have table and/or counter service. Although there are many self-service snack bars, table service is normal.

National specialities:
• Viande sèchée (dried beef or pork) from Valais and the Grisons (where it is called Bündnerfleisch), served with pickled onions.
• Pieds de porc (pigs' trotters).
• Rösti (shredded fried potatoes).
• Fondue Bourguignonne (cubed meat with various sauces).
• Leckerli (spiced honey cakes topped with icing sugar), decorated in Bern with a white sugar bear.

National drinks:
• Kirsch, Marc, Pflümli and Williams (spirits).

Tipping: A service charge is included in all restaurant, cafe and bar services by law; further gratuities are not usually required.

Most major towns and resorts have nightclubs with music and dancing, sometimes serving food. There are also cinemas and theatres, a symphony orchestra in every main city, and some bars and restaurants have local folk entertainment.  Zürich is the country's top nightspot, with a plethora of trendy bars and a flourishing avant-garde club scene, closely followed by Lausanne and Geneva. During winter months, many ski resorts (including Verbier and Zermatt) offer a lively après-ski party atmosphere.

Special purchases include embroidery and linen, Bernese woodcarving, chocolate, cheese, Swiss army knives and luxury handmade clocks and watches. Zürich is the shopping capital, centred on the luxury boutiques and department stores of the celebrated Bahnhofstrasse.

Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0830 or 0900-1200 and 1400-1800 or 1830, Sat 0800 or 0900 -1200 and sometimes 1330-1600 too. Many shops (especially in rural areas) are closed on Monday mornings.