Restaurant Löwenzorn: Basel cooking on the Gemsberg
Food and drink have been served on the Gemsberg since 1874: meatloaf, rösti and cordon bleu in panelled rooms, in summer in the courtyard. One of the taverns where the Old Town feels at home.
Photo: Thomas F. Roth, via Google Maps
Our verdict
The Löwenzorn is a Basel institution on the Gemsberg, one of the prettiest squares in the Old Town. The name is recorded from 1781, and food and drink have been served in the house since 1874.
The restaurant is made up of several old houses that have grown into a rambling whole. Each room has its own character.
On the plate
The cooking is Swiss and traditional: Basel Tourismus mentions meatloaf, rösti and cordon bleu. There are also lighter, more modern dishes.
Location
From Marktplatz it is a three-minute walk uphill to the Gemsberg, five minutes from Barfüsserplatz. In summer the courtyard opens, one of the quietest gardens in the Old Town.
Our advice
Ask for a table in the panelled room with the heraldic glass, or in the courtyard when it is warm. Some guests find the prices high for Basel; the setting makes up for it.
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
How long has the Restaurant Löwenzorn been open?
Does the Löwenzorn have a garden?
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.
