Update to what is still good & what is new:

After presenting an overview of where to dine in style in the Olten-Aarau region in Switzerland’s northwest in my last post, I want to break this list down in three parts of this area. The start makes the fine dining restaurants in my home town of Olten. Next will be Aarau, then the rest of the Olten-Aarau region. I will go into every single dining-spot and describe its food offerings, ambiance, service level and pricing.

I have classified the dining venues in three categories. And I will beginn with top restaurants, before coming to the ones with modern (and innovative) cuisine. The final point sets the category of classic dining spots with a twist.

1. Top restaurants in Olten’s fine dining scene

As I have pointed out in my overview post about the Olten-Aarau (casual) fine dining scene, there is only one top dining spot left after another one closed down. And this is Restaurant Traube in Trimbach. Correctly, this eatery belongs to the category “Rest of Olten-Aarau region”. However, as it is only one kilometer (0.6 mi) away from the border to Olten, I also list it under Olten. Here are the details on the area’s signature place.

Traube Trimbach

I have dined here several times lately, after not visiting it for a while. And I have to admit, it is (still) top class! While its location just outside of Olten is not spectacular,

its food offerings are (modernized classic cuisine). The chef, Arno Sgier, is a consummate professional indeed. Everything I had here on my recent meals was unbelievably good! Each of the dishes was not only expertly crafted, but also, refined, creative and inspired. Do not expect less than culinary magic performed here!

Also the service knows how to persuade. It is provided with professionalism, warmth and attentiveness. And the atmosphere in here is sophisticated without being pretentious.

The restaurant has one Michelin star and 17 Gault Millau points.

On offer here is the Traube Menu with six courses (160 SFR/US$), the Gourmet Menu with one course less (145 SFR/US$) or the Starters Menu with eight starters (190 SFR/US$).

2. Restaurants in Olten with modern (and innovative) fine dining

There is quite a number of dining venues in the Olten-Aarau region with a well made, modern approach. However, not all of them necessarily offer a cuisine that can be described as innovative too. For this reason, I will indicate if that is true for a restaurant just after its name – like that: (innovative).

Four restaurants in Olten fall into this category. I begin with the newest one in town. It is a place that appeared several times on this blog already. This because of the fact that its concept has changed several times over the years. It is about Restaurant Stadtbad.

Restaurant Stadtbad Olten (innovative) [previous post]

The current status of the Stadtbad is that it has new owners and new managers. However, the latter are known in town, the former sous chef and a server from Restaurant Terminus (see below), Pascal Peterhans and Anieke Offrein. The friendly couple put together a range of dishes that are original, contemporary and sometimes even healthy. And my first visit in the opening week showed that they know their business. I was delighted by the imaginative creations

and the considerate service at this eatery with its relaxed feel.

Starters range from 12.50 to 26.00 SFR/US$, bowls from 23 to 34.50 SFR/US$, pasta from 32.50 to 39 SFR/US$, main courses from 27.50 to 48.50 SFR/US$ and desserts from 8 to 17.50 SFR/US$.

Restaurant Terminus Olten (previous post)

There was also a change of management in another restaurant I have been a regular for many years, the Terminus. That was in 2020. The new host, Nicolas – Nicci – Ambrosch, is also no newbie to Olten’s culinary scene (service at Terminus, manager at Riva Café & Winebar). Since his start as manager at Terminus, there have been changes. It became less a spot with trendy crossover dishes and more a meat lover’s place.

And yes, sometimes the first part comes up a bit short – in my opinion. Service is of high level – Nicci is a great host – food performance is solid and the ambiance is laid-back.

Starters cost between 11.50 and 24.50 SFR/US$, mains – divided into butcher shop and classics – between 29.50 and 56 SFR/US$ and desserts between 9.50 and 14.50 SFR/US$.

Restaurant Salmen Olten (innovative) [previous post]

Since its opening twenty years ago, the Salmen has become an established dining venue on the local restaurant scene. Its interiors are divided into two rooms, a brasserie and a stucco adorned space with white tablecloths.

 

The offer – classics with Mediterranean influences –

 

is the same throughout the dining spot. The Salmen is listed in the Michelin guide and is awarded with 13 points Gault Millau. On all my visits over the years, food was carefully done and presented. And service was always friendly and attentive. While I usually appreciate their high quality mains, I am not particularly a fan of their desserts (they often lack flavor). Overall, you cannot go wrong here when looking for a fine meal in pleasant ambiance.

There is a varied menu to choose from (starters from 8.50 to 26.50 SFR/US$, mains from 28 to 51.50 SFR/US$, desserts from 9.50 to 16 SFR/US$). Alternatively, you can go for the dinner menu that changes regularly (3/3+/4/4+/5 courses 72/77/83/89/101 SFR/US$).

Restaurant Schlosserei Genussfabrik Olten (previous post)

UPDATE: out of business in May 2022

This dining spot, housed in a former locksmith shop, has been in business since about ten years. And this under the guidance of Nicolás Castillo, a known personality in town, who has his rough edges. Whereas chefs come and go here, the cuisine still remains more or less the same, contemporary Spanish influenced food, well prepared and nicely arranged.

So far I have not been disappointed with the offered. Service is pretty good, and the decor is hip chic.

And the Schlosserei probably has one of the best outdoor areas in Olten!

You can either go for the surprise menu (3/4/5 courses 89/99/105 SFR/US$) or opt for à la carte (starters from 13 to 29 SFR/US$, mains from 29 to 73 SFR/US$, desserts from 9 to 19 SFR/US$).

3. Classic restaurants in Olten offering fine dining with a twist

Under this category I list all the (casual) fine dining that is traditional or classic yet has that certain something what makes it memorable. This might be a dash of originality, creativity or similar.

In the town of Olten, I consider three dining spots to be part of this circle. Let us begin with the newest of them, although this description does not suit it well. In fact, it is an old classic of Olten’s culinary scene in a new guise. It is about Restaurant National.

Restaurant National (previous post)

Before this eatery with sophisticated Italian, French influenced cuisine opened in Olten’s old town end of 2017, there was its predecessor, Restaurant Felsenburg, in the town’s periphery. While it was run by a father-son duo, the National is managed by the son only, Sergio Salsi. It actually is a cut-down version of the “original”. And it is smaller, too. But the food is still as good as it used to be. Also the chef is the same as at the Felsenburg, Ivano Boschi, Sergio’s brother-in-law.

On offer here are pasta and meat above all. As to the former, Pasta Mista Fatta in Casa, is a favorite. In terms of meat, all the beef dishes are good choices. My husband even says that the beef fillet is his preferred one in the region. And for dessert, the tiramisu and the zabaglione are the best ones I have ever tasted!

Service is immaculate here, Sergio Salsi, assisted by his ex-wife Elvira Salsi, are great hosts! And the ambiance in here is pleasant although tables are quite tightly packed.

While the former dining spot Felsenburg had Gault Millau points, the National has not (yet). However, it is listed in the Michelin guide.

As to the food offerings, there is a small selection of cold starters from 9.50 to 14 SFR/US$ and hot soups at 12 SFR/US$. Furthermore, you find here a number of pasta dishes that you can order as a starter (from 14 to 28 SFR/US$) respectively as a main (from 18 to 36 SFR/US$). Meat is available from 46 to 52 SFR/US$, fish and sea food from 46 to 52 SFR/US$. Desserts cost from 12 to 15 SFR/US$.

Restaurant Zollhaus (previous post)

UPDATE: change of management in October 2022

Since Adrian and Sandra Mueller bought the Zollhaus back in September 2016, this restaurant has become an established name in Olten and surroundings.

This not only because they constantly serve excellent traditional Swiss and European classics

but also because it all fits here. Not only the food but everything else is not to be faulted, be it the amiable atmosphere, the gracious service or the reasonable pricing.

Hence, it does not really matter that creative dishes are rare on the menu; that used to be different when they started. Instead, the service has become faster. In this rather rustic dining spot, they concentrate on their strengths and do this right. For example, I have never had a main here that was not to my complete satisfaction! But take into consideration that most dishes are served with rather heavy sauces and portions are big. And it can be noisy and hot in here when the place is fully packed, as it is the case almost always. The Zollhaus has been awarded 14 points Gault Millau and is listed with Michelin.

There is quite a choice to choose from: you find starters between 12.50 and 19 SFR/US$, mains between 32 and 53 SFR/US$ and desserts between 4.20 to 12 SFR/US$.

Restaurant Aarhof (previous post)

This restaurant has been a safe bet on the local culinary scene for almost 30 years now.

Host Thomas Rhiner and his team know what their regulars want, well made classics without frills. And they know how to deliver, sometimes with a twist but most times not. And they have maintained a high level of food quality all those years.

What I found a bit a pity is that the décor has been left more or less unchanged since the 1980s or so. Nevertheless, you feel comfortable in here. Service is friendly and mostly competent. The menu is rather extensive and varied. You always find quite a number of seasonal dishes on it too.

Starters amount from 11 to 28 SFR/US$, soups from 14 to 15 SFR/US$, mains from 21 to 58 SFR/US$ (chateaubriand – beef tenderloin from the center piece in two courses 69 SFR/US$) and desserts from 10 to 18 SFR/US$.

Looking back and forward

While my last post gave an overview on the (casual) fine dining scene in my home region of Olten-Aarau in Switzerland’s northwest, the current one was about the town of Olten only. I informed about all the dining venues here offering seriously good food, and this with some important details. Next will be the same for the neighboring town of Aarau and for the rest of the Olten-Aarau region.

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