Food Guide for Expats in Liechtenstein

Published on October 1, 2025 and written by Cyril Jarnias

Nestled Between Austria and Switzerland, the Tiny Yet Fascinating Liechtenstein

The tiny yet fascinating Liechtenstein offers a culinary richness often overlooked, blending tradition with modernity. For expatriates seeking authenticity and new taste experiences, this culinary guide offers a journey through local flavors, from robust meat stews to artisanal cheeses and typical sweet treats that will awaken your taste buds.

Explore local markets and discover how fresh Alpine products daily inspire the country’s cuisine. This culinary overview will quickly become essential for anyone wishing to immerse themselves in local culture and truly feel at home in this picturesque corner of Europe.

Must-Try Dishes of Liechtenstein Cuisine

Käsknöpfle, Liechtenstein’s national dish, is a pasta specialty made with milk or quark cheese, then baked with local mountain cheese and onions. This iconic dish is typically enjoyed with applesauce, making it both rich and comforting.

Another essential classic is Ribel (or Tüarka-Rebel), a rustic dish prepared from a mixture of cornmeal and sometimes wheat. Traditionally cooked in milk until creamy, it’s then lightly toasted to develop its flavor. Ribel is eaten for breakfast or as a snack, often served with sweet additions like jam or compote.

Here are some other local specialties:

• Hafalaab: thick soup with dumplings made from flour and semolina.
• Torkarebl: a cross between porridge and corn dumplings.
• Dishes using local products like artisanal honey from Alpine valleys or aged cheeses from mountain farms.

Dish	Main Ingredients	Special Feature
Käsknöpfle	Homemade pasta, Alpine cheese	Baked with onions
Ribel	Corn/wheat semolina, milk	Often toasted then sweetened
Hafalaab	Broth, flour/semolina	Rustic dumplings
Torkarebl	Corn flour/semolina, milk	Served with jam/coffee

Swiss culinary influence is evident in the abundant use of melted cheese (reminiscent of Swiss fondue), while the pasta resembles that consumed in Austria (spätzle). Germany has also left its mark through introduced baking techniques and some typical simple desserts.

Among the standout local products:

• Alpine cheese: central ingredient in many traditional dishes
• Artisanal honey: used both to accompany certain dishes and in pastries

Where to enjoy these specialties:

Recommended restaurants:

• Family-run inns in villages frequently offer homemade Käsknöpfle.
• Establishments in Vaduz or Balzers often feature a “traditional cuisine” menu including these iconic dishes.

Culinary events:

• During summer village festivals (“Dorffest”) and farmers’ markets (“Bauernmarkt”), it’s common to see ribel or käsknöpfle prepared right before you to showcase their authenticity to visitors.

Interesting Fact
In some Liechtenstein families, they say there are as many secret recipes for Käsknöpfle as there are Alpine pastures! Tradition even holds that each family has its own exclusive blend of local herbs added to the cheese during baking.

For the curious expatriate foodie eager to explore this unique culinary culture, sharing a meal around a large table remains one of the best ways to be welcomed as a local—because here more than elsewhere, “eating well” is above all about sharing.

Exploring Traditional Markets and Iconic Restaurants

Traditional markets in Liechtenstein, particularly in Vaduz and Balzers, hold a central place in local life. In Vaduz, the Christmas market is renowned as one of Europe’s most beautiful, attracting residents and visitors annually with its colorful stalls, artisanal products, and unique festive atmosphere. This type of event illustrates the importance of markets as places for social gathering, cultural exchange, and tradition preservation. In Balzers, local events also maintain strong attachment to rural customs.

These markets feature a variety of typical products showcasing Liechtenstein’s terroir:

• Local cheeses (often made from Alpine milk)
• Artisanal charcuterie
• Smoked or dried meats
• Fresh agricultural products: new potatoes, root vegetables
• Mountain honeys
• Homemade jams

Product	Origin / Special Feature
Alpine cheeses	Local milk
Dry sausages	Family recipes
Ribel corn	Ground corn for traditional dish
Honey	Black bees from the Rhine

Among the iconic restaurants to discover in Liechtenstein are several historic or renowned establishments:

• In Schaan: some traditional restaurants stand out for their family history or menu focused on regional cuisine.
• In Eschen: a few inns still serve typical dishes in an authentic setting.

Must-try dishes at these locations:

• Käsknöpfle: small homemade pasta coated with a generous mixture of melted local cheeses and served with fried onions.
• Ribel: rustic preparation made from coarsely ground semolina (ribel corn), often accompanied by compotes or served as a side dish.

These dishes embody the Liechtenstein culinary soul—they’re frequently associated with family or village celebrations and large community gatherings.

Cultural Anecdotes:

The Vaduz winter market isn’t just about shopping; it’s also an opportunity for local families to celebrate St. Nicholas together over homemade mulled wine.

Some historic inns proudly display recipes passed down through generations—each chef adds their personal touch while meticulously preserving inherited know-how.

Practical Tips for Expatriates Wishing to Fully Enjoy Markets and Restaurants:

• Prefer an early morning visit to get the best selection at stalls.
• Participate in seasonal events (Christmas Market in Vaduz, village festivals) to fully experience local conviviality.
• Don’t hesitate to exchange a few words in local German during purchases; this facilitates cultural integration.

Quick List:

• Always try Käsknöpfle during your first local culinary experience
• Bring a reusable bag for market shopping
• Ask locals about the best days/times according to the season

To truly absorb Liechtenstein’s culinary heritage,
it’s advised not only to explore its markets,
but also to linger around a convivial table where
the ancestral flavors of the country still live today.

Dining Etiquette Tips for Expatriates

Punctuality

• Punctuality is essential in Liechtenstein, both professionally and privately.
• Arriving late to a meal is considered disrespectful to the host and other guests.

Host Gift

• It’s customary to bring a small gift when invited to dinner, such as flowers (avoid chrysanthemums which are associated with funerals), a bottle of wine, or chocolates.
• Present your gift upon arrival, accompanied by a thank you note.

Dress Code

Occasion	Recommended Attire
Formal dinner	Elegant and understated clothing
Meal with friends	Casual but neat
Family gathering	Clean and modest

• Avoid overly flashy or sloppy outfits. Sobriety and discretion are appreciated.

Meal Progression

• Wait for the host to invite you to the table and begin the meal before touching food.
• It’s not uncommon for a toast to be made before starting: follow along, look your neighbors in the eyes while clinking glasses, then say “Zum Wohl!”
• At the end of the meal, it’s appropriate to warmly thank the host for their hospitality. A simple phrase like “Danke für das Essen” (thank you for the meal) usually suffices.

General Table Behavior

Do:

• Maintain upright posture
• Place hands on the table (but not elbows)
• Use cutlery correctly: knife in right hand, fork in left
• Wait until everyone is served before starting

Don’t:

• Speak loudly or interrupt someone
• Serve yourself without offering to others first
• Use your cell phone during the meal

Respecting these rules demonstrates not only good manners but also a sincere willingness to integrate into Liechtenstein society.

Finding International Ingredients in Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein, though small in area, offers surprising diversity in access to international ingredients. This dynamism meets the needs of a cosmopolitan population and numerous expatriates wishing to cook according to their traditions while discovering local culture.

Specialty Grocery Stores

In main cities like Vaduz or Schaan, several specialty grocery stores offer food products from around the world. These shops are often run by families from different foreign communities and provide a wide selection of imported products:

• Mediterranean products (olive oil, Italian pasta, Greek cheeses)
• Asian ingredients (basmati rice, soy sauces, instant noodles)
• American and British specialties (peanut butter, breakfast cereals)

Opening hours generally range from 8:00 AM to 6:30 PM Monday through Saturday. Common addresses include:

Grocery Name	Approximate Address	Main Specialties
Asia Market	Vaduz	Asian products
Mediterraneo	Schaan	Mediterranean products
International Food Store	Triesen	European/global ingredients

For expatriates seeking to rediscover the taste of their home country or explore international cuisine without leaving Liechtenstein, these grocery stores constitute a true haven.

Local Markets

Weekly markets are held in main cities. They provide opportunities to discover not only fresh local products but also some stalls dedicated to international flavors:

• Vaduz Market:
  • Where: Central square
  • When: Saturday morning
  • Specifics: Occasional vendors offering exotic spices or European specialties

These markets are often animated by a festive atmosphere reminiscent of major cultural events.

Online Shops

To complement the physical offering, several online stores deliver to Liechtenstein:

• Amazon.de / Amazon.fr
  • Wide international selection
  • Fast delivery within days
• Swiss specialty food shops
  • Websites like farmy.ch or coop.ch/lebensmittel/internationale-kueche/
    • Varied selection for Indian, Chinese, African cuisines…

Online purchasing particularly allows access to ingredients difficult to find locally and offers a convenient alternative for residents far from major cities.

Personal Importation

Many residents order directly from foreign suppliers or bring back certain ingredients themselves when traveling to neighboring countries (Switzerland and Austria). This practice is particularly common among expatriates wanting to obtain specific products from their home countries.

Cultural Events and Festivals

Liechtenstein regularly hosts multicultural festivals where gastronomy takes center stage:

• National Day (August 15)
  • Stalls with international dishes prepared by various communities.
• Annual culinary festivals
  • Guided tastings from around the world.
  • Opportunity for the public to purchase some ingredients presented at these events.

These gatherings not only promote social integration but also mutual discovery between local and international cultures.

The places mentioned above thus enable Liechtenstein residents—especially expatriates—to maintain their culinary habits while gradually integrating into local life. The regular presence of international ingredients on the national market also testifies to the commercial dynamism characteristic of this small Alpine state.