Restaurant 3a, Interlaken

Modern, spacious restaurant /cafe facility sharing floor with Interlaken Youth Hostel reception. Cafe/bar and well-organised kitchen cooking international dishes to order. We had sweet and sour chicken and rice with salad, but other options also appealed, such as pasta dishes and daily specials. Prices very reasonable compared to elsewhere in city. Located a couple of buildings away from Interlaken Ost train station in direction of city centre.

We discovered 3a unpretentiously through a rock concert with a lively audience who were also enjoying the food. Upon entering, you are immediately enveloped by the welcoming and relaxed atmosphere. The menu ranges from traditional Swiss cuisine to international dishes, with highlights including fish, meat and pasta. The portions are generous and the food is delicious, we had to go back the next day. We had pennes Napoli, Bolognese, fried organic shrimps with vegetables and parpadelle, and organic shrimps with Massaman curry. The wine, beer and cocktail menu is well selected, offering options that pair very well with the dishes served.

We almost missed this place thinking it was just the youth hostel. Once we had figured out how it works, it was great. You browse the menu then order from the small bar area, where you are given a receipt which needs to be taken to the cooking area, handed to the chef who cooks everything freshly in front of you. We ate here 3 times in our week, and it was always excellent. Good variety of pasta and rice dishes, great flavours, good quantities and very good value for Interlaken.

Ordered 3 sandwiches and a pasta at 1726, Waitress 1 told me that the kitchen hasn’t open and asked if I’m willing to wait until 1800. I’m okay so I paid and she didn’t give me the receipt/ bill. She proceeded to serve 3 sandwiches at my table. At 1810, I was wondering where is my food so I went to the cashier and asked about it. I described my order (time, items, etc.) to Waitress 2. She gave me the disbelief look as I didn’t have a receipt. I told her I ordered with Waitress 1 and she confirmed with her (she could have just checked the cashier’s information??), while laughing and probably insinuating that I was out of free food. Waitress 1 apologized and gave me the receipt so I can collect my food at the chef kiosk. When I reached, Chef 1 ushered me and another 2 Asians to another chef’s counter and proceeded to serve another 2 Caucasians (they came after me). Chef 2 saw that I waited pretty long and asked if I ordered the daily set meal which I didn’t and shouldn’t have been ushered to the other queue. The other 2 Asians didn’t order the set meal too? I was livid as I was doubted and made to wait longer than others, getting pushed around randomly. Finally got my food at 1830 after I questioned Chef 2 on why I was being skipped. There were no signages on how the restaurant works, or which chef was in charge of cooking what. There was no apology for the wait and wrong directions. Felt discriminated as others didn’t have the same treatment, might be a misunderstanding but it’s usually the smallest actions that matter😞

Okay fast food. Lots of fat in the food. Also not so cheap. But if you need something fast. Go here. Ask forvless sauce if you dont want too much fat

Wouldn't usually occur to visit a restaurant in a youth hostel, but not us much choice in Interlaken as you might expect, and it's expensive. 3a's staff were helpful, and the wholesome food was cooked fresh in front of us by a very professional kitchen team. Would visit again if ever find myself back here

The chef makes everything in front of you. They're hygienic, and they'll ask all modifications as per your taste. The food was insanely delicious. They have daily menu with soup and salad which is absolutely brilliant. For all nights that we stayed in Interlaken,this was our restaurant of choice. Keep up the good work guys !

Located in the hostel it is a great option for a very good, quick option that is very reasonable. Salad with chicken and mango very good Chicken teriyaki good but ask him to go light on sauce Pasta with mushrooms very good The pasta and chicken came with a small salad and 2 pieces of bread They cook right in front of you and ask questions, such as garlic or spicy Great option

I enjoy the fresh cooking just in front of the guests in the wok. And the amosphere of lounge restaurant is easy, with on the one side tourists and on the other side locals are eating or meeting. To recomend.

It’s absolute surprise!! Extremely clean, fresh and delicious!! Don’t miss!!! Really happy I found this place (also amazing choice for vegan!)

I went here with a friend I was visiting (local girl). She told me it was good food and cheap which it certainly was. I had an Indian vegetable curry with tofu and it was absolutely delicious. I loved that it was prepared in front of me in the big clean kitchen, the chef even asked how spicy I would like it and if I wanted various other ingredients. The portion was large for the price and also came with a side salad - I want to eat here everyday!!!

We ate here one afternoon after a good walk around the nearby lake. It was very busy with people doing a variety of activities as it is attached to a hostel. Despite this business the service was really good and the food offer excellent, fresh and varied and my meal was cooked in front of me from scratch. Surroundings are bright, clean and contemporary.

A bright and friendly cafe / restaurant in the Youth Hostel building. A good choice of tasty food; hot food is prepared fresh in front of you. The plum cake was very nice!

Food was amazing! Very flavourful, big portions and quite inexpensive (for Switzerland). Would definitely recommend this restaurant to any visitors.

One the most value for money places we have found in Switzerland. Be sure to like pasta before you pay there a visit. Lots of places to sit (inside & outside). Not sure when exactly but at evening time there is a pasta buffet for 17.5CHF with 5 different toppings- dressings (carbonara!!!) and a salad and one scoop of ice cream or a coffee.

We needed somewhere to eat other than out hotel. Saw this restaurant as part of the Youth Hostels building. Do not be put off by this! We found the staff friendly and helpful, and the food and drinks were most reasonably priced. My wife had a penchant for potatoes, so chose the special of chicken legs and roasted potatoes - it was extremely cheap at 9.50 francs. I chose the beef teriyaki, (at three times the price) and enjoyed seeing it prepared in front of me. Proportions were largeish. You could sit either outside or inside. We chose the later. (On the way back to our hotel when checking out the prices we had two servings of ice cream for 4 francs, which we also consider a bargain).