Award-winning restaurant plans to spark up the grill!

It comes as no surprise to hear that one of Switzerland’s best restaurants is about to make a big announcement.  You can probably guess what’s about to happen, but let’s first, zip back in time.

In January 2021, a tryst of talent came together when Zafar Khan, Tariq Masih and their Swiss business partner, Michael Bollitere decided to open a restaurant in Ostermundigen, a near-suburb of Bern.  Within a month, the demand for their food had soared skyward with packed-out table reservations and growing take-away orders.  

What was the secret to their success?

Tariq is a chef of exceptional talent.  He’d probably be still playing professional cricket in Pakistan had his passion for food not lured him towards an opportunity to demonstrate his culinary expertise in Switzerland.  It’s that passion to create excellence that drives both Zafar and Tariq to keep preparing and serving SWAAD’s popular array of ‘Indianische’ courses.

Tariq has benefitted from his time spent preparing both Italian and French cuisine, but perhaps more so from his strong admiration for a Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influence.  He’s a big fan of coriander, cumin seeds, garlic and Himalayan salts…. I could eat at SWAAD every night!  

This is an establishment that ensures that all the food is fresh – nothing is frozen, and nothing comes out of a can.  “Quality matters”, they explained.

The name ‘SWAAD’ is a Hindi and Punjabi word meaning ‘delicious’.

Zafar, an Ethnologist, informed me that had he not started a restaurant he’d be involved in some form of agriculture, probably growing food.  

After four years of success, creating and serving an array of popular curries and Indian delights, the inevitable question arose – ‘Should we open a second restaurant?’.  

YES… of course!

Shout it out loud and get excited.  I have to say, ‘Bernapark residents… you lucky people.’  You can walk around the corner from Deisswill station and walk straight into their new restaurant.  

But wait – this restaurant is not going to offer the same menu as SWAAD in Ostermundigen.  The new SWAAD, will be an Indo-Persian grill and will undoubtedly unleash decades of spice-blending, maverick madness and knowledge harboured by Tariq.  This former Executive-chef is about to reach new heights.

With 80 seats inside and 120 outside, they anticipate being busy.  The menu will include chicken, beef – sirloin and fillet steaks, pork, prawns and even lobster.  

The seafood platter looks incredible.

Naturally, they will also cater for vegetarians and vegans.  Their new and second restaurant will be opening in early May 2025.  

My advice is very simple – Go!

If you are looking at starting a business and want to be as successful as SWAAD, they have this to say, – “Be patient and have a clear philosophy”.  To that they add an amazing menu and a very welcoming smile.

Restaurant: SWAAD

Address: Ostermundigen and from May 2025 Bernapark (Deisswill)

Reservations: 031 558 33 88

This article was written by Bruce Anderson for SwissMeUp.com