roots
Flemish, Vegetarian, Modern Cuisine · St. Margarethen, Basel
Restaurant in Basel, Switzerland
The Read
Vegetable-Centred Fine Dining
Price
€€€€
Chef
Pascal Steffen
Why go
Roots holds two Michelin stars and a La Liste top-restaurant ranking for its vegetable-forward tasting menu in Basel's Bachletten neighbourhood. Chef Kim Devisschere's kitchen treats produce as the main event rather than the supporting cast, earning three Radishes from the We're Smart Green Guide. At €€€€ and near-impossible to book, it is the clearest yes for a special occasion dinner in Basel; plan six to eight weeks ahead minimum.
About roots
Is roots in Basel worth booking for a special occasion?
Yes, unambiguously; but only if you are prepared to commit to a vegetable-forward tasting menu at €€€€ pricing, only if you can actually secure a table. Roots holds two Michelin stars and a 2025 La Liste score of 83 points, making it one of the most decorated restaurants in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. For a celebration dinner where the cooking genuinely needs to deliver, roots is one of the clearest yes-bookings in Basel.
The Space and the Setting
Roots is on Bachlettenstrasse in Basel's Bachletten neighbourhood, a residential quarter that sits away from the tourist centre. The address itself signals something: this is not a hotel dining room or a grand-boulevard destination. The room is intimate in scale, which matters for a special occasion. A tightly configured dining space at this level of cooking means the service ratio tends to be high and the atmosphere contained rather than cavernous. For a date or a birthday dinner, that physical register; close, considered, unhurried, is an asset. If you are after a large celebratory table or a private dining room, confirm availability directly before booking, as seat count data is not publicly listed.
The Tasting Menu: Vegetables as the Main Event
Chef Kim Devisschere runs a kitchen built around the Think Vegetables, Think Fruit philosophy. This is not a token gesture toward plant-based eating: the documented philosophy positions vegetables and fruit as the primary subject of each dish, with meat and fish playing supporting roles rather than anchoring the plate. The We're Smart Green Guide has awarded roots three Radishes, a credential that tracks specifically how seriously a kitchen integrates produce-led thinking into its menu architecture.
What this means practically for your tasting experience: expect a menu where the progression is structured around seasonal produce rather than the conventional protein-forward sequence. The narrative arc of the meal moves through vegetables in ways that most tasting menus do not attempt. If you find the standard fine-dining format of three protein courses with vegetable garnishes repetitive, roots addresses that directly. If you are expecting a conventional luxury tasting menu where a wagyu course or a Dover sole is the emotional centrepiece, recalibrate expectations before you arrive.
Two Michelin stars over consecutive years (2024 and 2025) confirm that the technical execution is operating at a level where the unconventional ingredient hierarchy does not come at the cost of precision. La Liste's 83-point score in 2025 (down marginally from an earlier benchmark but still firmly in the top tier) places roots in the same competitive conversation as two- and three-star rooms across Switzerland, including Hotel de Ville Crissier in Crissier, Schloss Schauenstein in Fürstenau, and Memories in Bad Ragaz. Within Switzerland's fine-dining tier, that company is meaningful.
Ideal time to visit
Roots opens Tuesday through Saturday from 6:30 PM, closing at midnight. Sunday and Monday are dark. If you are choosing between a midweek or a Friday/Saturday booking for a special occasion, Saturday gives you the full run of the evening without a work-night constraint, but it is also when demand is highest and tables are hardest to secure. A Thursday or Friday booking is a reasonable compromise: the kitchen is at full pace, the room feels occasion-appropriate, you have marginally better odds of finding availability than on a Saturday.
Given that the restaurant operates a tasting menu format, there is no meaningful difference in the menu between a Tuesday and a Saturday, the kitchen runs the same programme across the week. Timing within the evening matters more: arriving at opening (6:30 PM) gives you the full unhurried experience before the room fills. For the full picture of Basel's restaurant scene, cross-reference against the city guide when planning a multi-night trip.
Booking Difficulty
Booking at roots is classified as near impossible. Two Michelin stars in a city the size of Basel, with a compact room, creates a structural imbalance between demand and available covers. Plan to book a minimum of six to eight weeks ahead; for a Saturday in peak season or around Art Basel in June, three to four months is not excessive. If you have a fixed date for a celebration, lock the reservation before you book flights or hotels. This is not a restaurant you can decide on a week out and expect to find a table.
Ratings at a Glance
- Michelin Stars: 2 (2024, 2025)
- La Liste 2025: 83 points
- La Liste 2026: 82 points
- We're Smart Green Guide: 3 Radishes
Practical Details
| Detail | Roots | Cheval Blanc by Peter Knogl | Stucki - Tanja Grandits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price Range | €€€€ | €€€€ | €€€€ |
| Michelin Stars | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| Cuisine Focus | Vegetable-forward, Modern | Classic French | Contemporary, Creative |
| Booking Difficulty | Near Impossible | Near Impossible | Difficult |
| Opening Days | Tue–Sat (dinner only) | Check directly | Check directly |
| Leading For | Special occasion, tasting menu | Ultimate splurge | Creative tasting, solo diners |
For other high-end options in the city, see Ackermannshof, Bel Etage, and au violon for different price points and formats. For broader planning, the Basel hotels guide, Basel bars guide, Basel wineries guide, and Basel experiences guide cover the full picture.
How It Compares
Cheval Blanc by Peter Knogl is the only argument for spending more than you would at roots in Basel: three Michelin stars against roots' two, a classic French register that is more conventional in its luxury signalling. If the highest possible credential is the priority for a once-in-a-trip dinner, Cheval Blanc edges ahead on raw accolades. Roots wins on originality: the vegetable-forward tasting menu architecture is a genuinely different experience, not just a stylistic variation on the standard fine-dining format. Both are near-impossible to book without significant advance planning.
Stucki - Tanja Grandits is the more accessible alternative at the same price tier. One Michelin star rather than two, but easier to book and a creative tasting menu that has a strong following. If roots is fully booked and you need a comparable special-occasion option at €€€€, Stucki is the first call. Ackermannshof covers Mediterranean-focused cooking at the same price tier but in a different register entirely, better suited to a group dinner than a tasting-menu occasion.
If budget is the deciding factor, Brasserie Les Trois Rois at €€€ gives you a grand brasserie experience at a lower price point, au violon at €€ is the practical choice when the occasion calls for atmosphere but not a four-figure bill. Neither is a substitute for roots if the tasting menu format is the point, but both are worth knowing as fallback options when the two-star room is booked out.
Planning details
- Hours
- Monday: Closed · Tuesday: 6:30 pm–12 am
- Location
- Bachlettenstrasse 1, 4054 Basel, Switzerland
- Website
- roots-basel.ch
- Phone
- +41 61 322 10 56
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Roots presents an understated, quietly refined experience that foregrounds produce rather than theatrical dining room gestures. Set in a residential corner of Basel, the dining room deliberately avoids grandeur so that the sequence of dishes — rather than décor — commands attention. At two Michelin stars, the kitchen's rigorous technique and a vegetable-first philosophy give the restaurant a focused seriousness: courses read as thoughtful variations on seasonal ingredients, with proteins positioned as supporting evidence. The overall effect is intimate and restrained, rewarding diners who arrive ready to follow a precise, ingredient-led progression rather than a showy service.
Best For
Roots is best for evening occasions that favor thoughtful tasting and close attention to technique. Its two-Michelin-star standing and vegetable-forward approach suit date nights, special celebrations and business dinners where culinary rigor matters. The neighbourhood’s quieter, residential feel and the room’s modest presentation make the restaurant a place for concentrated dining rather than loud socializing. Because what matters here is the sequence of dishes and the kitchen’s philosophy, the restaurant is especially well matched to diners who appreciate structured multi-course menus and seasonal creativity led by vegetables as the central theme.
Ordering Tips
Expect a carefully sequenced progression: the kitchen treats vegetables as protagonists and lets that logic shape each course, so allow the meal’s arrangement to guide your choices. Ask about the house signature — Roots Garten — if you want a clear example of the restaurant’s philosophy. Given the focus on sequence and technique, lean into the kitchen’s recommendations rather than constructing a la carte substitutions; the plates are designed to play off one another and to showcase vegetable-led compositions supported by proteins.
Planning details
Hours
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- 6:30 pm–12 am
- Wednesday
- 6:30 pm–12 am
- Thursday
- 6:30 pm–12 am
- Friday
- 6:30 pm–12 am
- Saturday
- 6:30 pm–12 am
- Sunday
- Closed
Location
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Also Consider
- Stucki - Tanja Grandits; Contemporary French, Creative, €€€€
- Brasserie Les Trois Rois; French, Classic French, €€€
- Cheval Blanc by Peter Knogl; Classic French, €€€€
- au violon; Classic French, €€
- Ackermannshof; Mediterranean Cuisine, €€€€
Restaurant context
Cheval Blanc by Peter Knogl is the only argument for spending more than you would at roots in Basel: three Michelin stars against roots' two, a classic French register that is more conventional in its luxury signalling. If the highest possible credential is the priority for a once-in-a-trip dinner, Cheval Blanc edges ahead on raw accolades. Roots wins on originality; the vegetable-forward tasting menu architecture is a genuinely different experience, not just a stylistic variation on the standard fine-dining format. Both are near-impossible to book without significant advance planning.
Stucki - Tanja Grandits is the more accessible alternative at the same price tier. One Michelin star rather than two, but easier to book and a creative tasting menu that has a strong following. If roots is fully booked and you need a comparable special-occasion option at €€€€, Stucki is the first call. Ackermannshof covers Mediterranean-focused cooking at the same price tier but in a different register; better suited to a group dinner than a tasting-menu occasion where the menu architecture itself is the draw.
If budget is the deciding factor, Brasserie Les Trois Rois at €€€ gives you a grand brasserie experience at a lower price point, au violon at €€ is the practical choice when the occasion calls for atmosphere but not a four-figure bill. Neither substitutes for roots if the tasting menu format is the point, but both are worth knowing as alternatives when the two-star room is unavailable.
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Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full roots guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare roots
| Venue | Cuisine | Price | Booking Difficulty | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| roots | Flemish, Vegetarian, Modern Cuisine | €€€€ | Near Impossible | 2026 La Liste Top RestaurantsWe're Smart World Top Restaurants 20252025 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 Michelin 2 Stars2024 Michelin 2 Stars |
| Stucki - Tanja Grandits | Contemporary French, Creative | €€€€ | Unknown | 2026 OAD Classical in Europe Ranked · #982026 Les Grandes Tables du Monde Members2026 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 OAD Classical in Europe Ranked · #101We're Smart World Top Restaurants 20252025 The Best Chef Two Knives2025 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 Michelin 2 Stars2024 OAD Classical in Europe Ranked · #107 |
| Brasserie Les Trois Rois | French, Classic French | €€€ | Unknown | 2026 OAD Casual in Europe Recommended2025 OAD Classical in Europe Ranked · #4032025 Michelin Plate2024 Michelin Plate |
| Cheval Blanc by Peter Knogl | Classic French | €€€€ | Unknown | 2026 OAD Classical in Europe Ranked · #42026 Les Grandes Tables du Monde Members2026 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 Michelin 3 Stars2025 The Best Chef Two Knives2025 La Liste Top Restaurants2024 Michelin 3 Stars |
| au violon | Classic French | €€ | Unknown | 2025 Michelin Bib Gourmand2024 Michelin Bib Gourmand |
| Ackermannshof | Mediterranean Cuisine | €€€€ | Unknown | 2025 Michelin 1 Star2024 Michelin 1 Star |
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A quick look at how roots measures up.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear to roots?
Roots holds 2 Michelin stars and carries a €€€€ price point, so the room will expect you to dress accordingly. Think polished; a jacket for men and an equivalent effort for women. There is no dress code published in the venue record, but at this tier in Basel, arriving underdressed risks standing out for the wrong reason.
How far ahead should I book roots?
As far ahead as the reservations system allows; 4 to 8 weeks minimum is a sensible starting point. Two Michelin stars in a city the size of Basel, with limited covers and only five service nights per week, means availability disappears fast. Tuesday and Wednesday evenings are your best shot if you have flexibility; Friday and Saturday go first.
What are alternatives to roots in Basel?
Cheval Blanc by Peter Knogl is the direct comparison at the top of Basel's fine dining tier. Stucki by Tanja Grandits is a strong alternative if you want bold flavour work in a different register. For a lower-commitment evening at a more accessible price point, au violon or Ackermannshof are worth considering.
Is roots good for a special occasion?
Yes; 2 Michelin stars, a La Liste score of 82 points, a kitchen philosophy built around vegetables as the centrepiece make roots a clear answer for a milestone dinner in Basel. The catch is booking: with only five service nights and high demand, you need to plan well ahead. If you cannot secure a table, Cheval Blanc by Peter Knogl is the closest alternative at the same occasion tier.
