Dreirosen Buvette – A holiday destination for locals
Valérie Ziegler, nuage
I almost get a little annoyed with myself that I don’t do it more often myself, even though I live in Basel. The tranquillity … The scents of the harbour, of summer, of vacation! For many people, Dreirosen Buvette is a place where they at least feel as if they are on holiday. And the magical morning hours, when it feels like everyone else is still asleep, are also the favourite time of buvette operator Saveria Schmidt: “For me, there is nothing more beautiful than jumping briefly into the Rhine and then enjoying a coffee in the sun before I open the hatch.”
“For me, there is nothing more beautiful than jumping briefly into the Rhine and then enjoying a coffee in the sun before I open the hatch.” Saveria Schmidt
Life pulsates along the Rhine in summer – by day...
...and by night.
The small snack stands in the form of containers or wooden huts are an open invitation to spend some delightful hours outdoors. The people of Basel know that summer can’t be far away when the first buvette opens. That feeling when the first rays of sunshine tickle the skin, when the first toes are dipped into the still-far-too-cold Rhine, when cheery smiles are finally seen out and about in the streets again. It is as if a whole city is awakening from hibernation. Buvettes mean life!
Saveria Schmidt is one of Basel’s most renowned bartenders. © Basel Tourismus, Oz Jacob Tabib
Saveria on the bank of the Rhine. © Basel Tourismus, Oz Jacob Tabib
From spring to deep into the autumn, Basel residents and visitors love to meet there for a coffee, the ever-popular aperitif, or a nice dinner.
Frosé, granita & beads of sweat
Dreirosen Buvette is beloved not only for its holiday vibe but also for its warm hospitality and numerous specialities. Lemonade as a refreshing slushy, frosé (which one searched for in vain in Basel for years), fresh panini with homemade hummus or antipasti – tutto fatto in casa. And yes, the lovingly decorated tables (Saveria is a trained florist) quickly remind one of a visit to nonna’s.
The beer and the fruit spritzers come from the region … and the coffee has been sourced from friends from Colombia since the very beginning. Which, by the way, can also be ordered frozen here.
And don’t forget to check out the fabulous drink creations. After all, Saveria, who previously ran the popular Smuk cocktail bar on Feldbergstrasse, is not without reason one of the most renowned bartenders in the northwestern Swiss city on the Rhine. “Certain guests come in at the very beginning of spring to ask if the Aperol is ready yet,” says the 37-year-old. And there’s a very good reason for that: here you get it in the form of a granita. And frankly, that makes it a lot better!
“Certain guests come in at the very beginning of spring to ask if the Aperol is ready yet.” Saveria Schmidt
Saveria and her husband Andreas had always dreamed of having their own buvette. “When we got the contract five years ago, I cried with joy,” says the young restaurateur.
Those tears of joy quickly turned into beads of sweat born of a passion for the work. After all, while their many customers – many of them regulars – feel like they are on vacation here, the summer project for Saveria and Andi is not just a matter of relaxation. As parents of a four-year-old daughter and a seven-year-old boy, they divide the work and care days between them.
What happened to the originally planned joint Friday? “We were actually able to implement that,” Saveria says happily, “though whether it’s really a shared Friday or more of a shared office is another question.”
It was a bit of a strain on the relationship as a restaurateur couple, to be sure. But they had known that from the beginning. “Currently, Andi is with the kids in Hungary. When they come back, I will go to Sardinia with the little ones.” That’s just how it is. In autumn, family holidays are on the agenda. The well-deserved long break then comes in January.
During the Christmas season, Saveria and Andi serve hot drinks to “Adväntsgass” visitors. © Adväntsgass im Glaibasel
After the buvette season, Saveria and Andi will immediately get started on preparations for the “Adväntsgass” – “the alternative Kleinbasel Christmas market” in Rheingasse. Their hot drinks are legendary!
From the morning swim to the sundowner
Swimming in the Rhine is Basel’s most popular sport in summer.
With the four Basel ferries, you can cross the Rhine through the force of the current alone.
Basel’s Old Town is also worth a visit at any time of year.
Saveria is living her dream. She gladly concedes the point: “I experience my perfect summer day in Basel every day.” More or less, at least. If she were off work, she would enjoy a delicious lunch at a riverside café after swimming in the Rhine, and then spend the whole day sitting by the Rhine and soaking it all in. “Maybe another ferry ride – I always find that lovely!”
When tourists ask her for tips, she likes to recommend the city centre with the picturesque Spalenberg or the bustling Marktplatz on a Saturday. “In Grossbasel, I also like the Café Rosenkranz.”
But the Rhine is definitely an important hub. “Recently, I spent an entire day with my children at the Rhystärn, it was wonderful!”
During a river cruise on board the Rhystärn, you can admire the landmarks of Basel, such as the Cathedral (Münster), the Roche Towers and the picturesque Old Town houses on the bank of the Rhine, at their very best. © Basler Personenschifffahrt (BPG)
A visit to Dreirosen Buvette is well worth it not only for a relaxing morning swim but also for a sundowner.
After the hustle and bustle, when the guests have enjoyed their last “Schlummi” (Swiss German for “nightcap"), Saveria usually rides back to Ettingen in the Baselland on her Vespa. Home. The place where she is most at peace.
What does she looks forward to when she thinks about winter? “D’Adväntsgass,” she laughs. And, of course, the break after that. “I am looking forward to snowboarding with my family in the mountains.”
The perfect contrast before starting again. With the tickling rays of sunshine. And eager customers asking for aperol granita.
Cooperation with Basel Happens
Would you like to meet more exciting personalities of Basel? On the Instagram channel “Basel Happens”, our journalist Valérie Ziegler has been showcasing her beloved city since 2017, together with the local photographer Oz J Tabib. Discover inspiring and unique places, people, and projects!
