Riehen & Bettingen
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Riehen & Bettingen
Known as the more 'rural' side of Basel Stadt, Riehen and Bettingen provide village living with city amenities.
Riehen and Bettingen are the two more rural communes within the Canton of Basel Stadt. Located only a short bus or tram ride away from the city, these villages feel a world apart due to the physical separation provided by the Baumlihof (the farmlands surrounding Riehen) and their location nestled against foothills along the German border. Both villages are quiet and residential, with a shared history as farming communities. They are distinguished from each other in a couple important ways: Riehen was home to several wealthy family estates and has the Canton's only vineyards, while Bettingen is home to the pilgrimage community of St. Chrischona and is highest point in Basel Stadt.
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Hirzbrunnen
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Grenzach-Wyhlen
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Inzligen
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Lörrach
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Weil am Rhein
Neighbours
highlights
La Serenissima
This elegant and cozy Italian restaurant makes for a nice afternoon or evening out. The stafff are very friendly and the service is excellent. The menu is small, but is well-curated with an excellent wine list and features delicious fare with an emphasis on traditions from the northern Italian region of Veneto.
Baselstrasse 18, 4125 Riehen
Zur grünen Amsel
For a wide selection some excellent home-brewed beer as well as some delicious Swiss-style cuisine, Zur Grünen Amsel is a good choice. With a cozy atmosphere and friendly staff, it is a lovely setting for drinks with friends and a hearty meal. It can get quite busy, especially in the warmer months so a table reservation is recommended.
Schmiedgasse 30, 4125 Riehen
Restaurant Baslerhof Bettingen
Restaurant Baslerhof is a little gem in Bettingen and well worth the trip. Known for its fantastic panoramic garden terrace, you can enjoy truly excellent seasonal cuisine, a good wine list with a gorgeous view of Bettingen and Riehen. Kid-friendly with a special menu and small playground, it will sure to become a family favourite.
Restaurant Baslerhof Bettingen
Brohegasse 6, 4126 Bettingen
Sängerstübli
Dating back to 1745, Sängerstübli is the oldest business (that is still operating) in Riehen. Family run, it is a local favourite with traditional Swiss cuisine. It is famous for its generous portions of schnitzel and Cordon Bleu and friendly staff. They also have some lovely desserts so try to save some room...if you can.
Oberdorfstrasse 2, 4125 Riehen
Melsa
Pizza Melsa is a great little pizza spot in Riehen. It has a cozy restaurant with some indoor and outdoor seating and its delivery service is ubiquitous in the neighbourhood as you will see by the many Melsa branded Smart Cars. With its friendly staff and excellent service it is perfect for a family pizza night.
Im Niederholzboden 2, 4125 Riehen
Cafes
Dolce Vita Cafe Bar is known for its excellent coffee and delicious selection of Italian-style cakes and pastries. A great place for lunch, it has a beautiful terrace in the summer.
Häxekessel is a cute little place with homemade crepes and cakes and a small selection of gift items. They also have catering and can host events such as children's birthday parties on site.
Farm & Bio Supermarkets
Riehen has some enticing bio/local market options. In addition to its farmer's market on Friday mornings, the village hosts Stadtbuur, a farm store featuring produce, meats, eggs, and many other products produced locally. Stadtbuur also has (right outside its front door) a milk automat from Riehen's own Hofladen Maienbühl featuring fresh, raw milk. Hofladen Maienbühl also offers an egg subscription as well as pasture-raised beef. For those looking for additional bio goods, Reformerhaus offers an eclectic offering from food to home goods to personal care items.
Wettsteinstrasse 6, 4125 Riehen
Baselstrasse 2, 4125 Riehen
Maienbühlsträsschen 31, 4125 Riehen
Specialty Groceries
Riehen has a number of specialty grocers including Henz Delikatessen, which has a wide selection of fine meats and Italian foodstuffs as well as fresh fish brought in daily from the Jura region. Spicyhof Supermarket has a nice selection of spices and Indian groceries as well as a convenient online store. In addition to a selection of Mexican groceries Verde Limón is also a lovely little cafe with a warm atmosphere and great hot chocolate.
Verde Limón
Baselstrasse 55, 4125 Riehen
Biogärtnerei am Hirtenweg
Biogärtnerei am Hirtenweg offers a large assortment of bio plant seedlings including vegetables, herbs, annual and perennial flowers. Much of the stock focuses on native, pro rara species. It's also a great spot to pick up compost. While the store is open for much of the year it's best to visit in spring/early summer when the stock is at its peak.
Papeterie Wetzel
Papeterie Wetzel has a nice selection of office and art supplies with a separate room devoted to gifts, cards and decorations. A good place to shop for Swiss and Basel specific items, like this fabulous pop-up card of the Basel Münster.
Schmiedgasse 14, 4125 Riehen
Home & Pets
Want to shop local for your home or pet? Riehen has you covered. Wenk Home Goods offers an eclectic mix of home and garden products that just might save you from a trip to OBI. Also, Brockenstube Riehen has a wide assortment of smaller home items and decor (it also shares space with a secondhand children's clothing boutique). Atelier Edelmann has many yummy treats and some cool, one of a kind items for your favorite furry friends.
Wenk Home Goods
Baselstrasse 46, 4125 Riehen
Wendelinsgasse 1, 4125 Riehen
Schopfgässchen 8, 4125 Riehen
Cenci Sport
Cenci Sport is a long standing institution, its roots going back to 1934 with its founder and passionate cyclist Ernest Cenci. Still run by the Cenci family, the shop offers a variety of sporting goods and wear, casual fashion, toys and games. It also offers bike service and ski rental and service.
Museums & Galleries
In terms of museums and galleries, Riehen packs a mighty punch for such a small village. It is home to the world famous Foundation Beyeler, which in addition to its impressive permanent collection hosts numerous popular temporary installations. Next to the Beyeler is Kunstraum Riehen, which features contemporary, mostly regional art.
Across the street, you can visit the colourful world of Swiss artist Claire Ochsner at her Künstlerhaus and sculpture garden. Still on the hunt for some contemporary art - check out Gallerie Mollwo's exhibitions - located a short walk into the village center.
Beyond art, Riehen offers a fun afternoon out for the whole family at the Museum of Kultur & Spiel. The museum features a few permanent interactive exhibits as well as playful temporary ones and family events.
Baselstrasse 101, 4125 Basel
Baselstrasse 71, 4125 Riehen
Museum Kultur & Spiel Riehen (MUKS)
Baselstrasse 77, 4125 Riehen
Baselstrasse 88, 4125 Riehen
Gallerie Mollwo
Gartengasse 10, 4125 Riehen
Kammertheater Riehen
The Kammertheater is a quirky little theatre in a former wine cellar that plays an interesting selection of ensemble plays in German. The room is also available for private bookings and events.
Baselstrasse 23, 4125 Riehen
Outdoor Swimming Pools
Riehen and Bettingen have some excellent options for outdoor pools in the summertime.
Riehen Naturbad is a lovely oasis that has a fantastic pool that is chemical-free! The water is cleaned by an amazing natural ecosystem. There are several different swimming areas, including a pool for laps, one for diving, a large slide and a toddler splash pad. It can be very busy in warm weather, so go first thing in the morning if you want to beat the crowds.
Bettingen Gartenbad is small, but generally more quiet and has an ample area for kids to run and play with a small playground and a couple tables for table tennis.
