O.K., so it looks like I managed to trick (charm?) a gentleman into inviting me out for coffee, he will be meeting me in Bern on Saturday, but he is from Zuerich and doesn't know the area.

The problem is, neither do I, as I am currently living in Fribourg, so now I have the great dilemma of having to suggest for a nice, charming place to meet/hang out at.

So, could you gals and gentlemen suggest your favorite dating hangouts/meeting places in the city of Bern? Somewhere that is a)not a smoky bar, b)safe and fairly public, c)charming/nice ambiance, d) accessible enough so that if date is fun we can go find something else fun to do after tea/coffe--like dinner, or movie, or park walk, or something of the sort, and e)would be a good place for me to suggest to the gentleman in question (i.e. I don't want to suggest a place that is going to give him a weird impression of me, like, say, a "eybrow-raising lifestyle habits" bar/disco, or a poodle-hairstyle competition event, or something outrageously expensive, or anything weird like that.

One last thing, I'm meeting my sweetie in the middle of the day so maybe the bars would be closed at that time?

Anyway, your suggestions very, very much appreciated!!!

Thx,

-E.

I'm curious about e)...it doesn't look like you finished what you were going to say. What exactly are you planning to suggest to the gentleman in question?

Sounds intriguing ?

If he's a decent sort of a chap he won't mind where you go to be honest because, as far as I'm aware, the football season's pretty much over after tonight

Hello blue
I would recommend the restaurant schwellenmätteli. It is located on the banks of the Aare. As a venue its really nice and I think they are also open for lunch. you can check out their website: www.schwellenmaetteli.ch

Its quite easy to reach. From the main train station take the no. 3 tram direction Saahli and you get off at the helvetiaplatz tramstation. There are signs along the way where you should go. Theres a stair that leads down to the riverbank and its beside an art museum.

Let me know how it suits your taste.

have fun....

Ha ha ha! Now, wouldn't you like to know? ;P

Aurora_borealis,

Thanks for the suggestion, that restaurant looks really nice indeed. Not budget, but not outrageously expensive either. Does one need reservations, do you know, or casual drop ins are o.k.?

-E.

you're welcome.
I would strongly suggest that you make reservations. they have actually 2 restaurants there + a lounge. When we went there (w/o reservations) on a saturday, both restaurants were booked out.

Schwellenmaetteli is indeed nice. Some other options:

Altes tramdepot near the Bear Pits, lovely view of Bern, you can walk to the main shopping st or down to the river afterwards (towards Schwellenmaetteli).
http://www.altestramdepot.ch/

The Kornhaus area is nice and central, the Kornhauscafe is one option but there are several cafes (e.g. Adrianos) around the area you can check out which are nice too if it doesn't suit your fancy
http://www.kornhauskeller.ch/

Ah, whoops. A "bit" too late isn't it (I just realised what day it was :P) Ah well, for future reference to anyone out there... hope you had a good time.

Time to get out of the house, cyrat... if only the weather were obliging....

This is my favourite spot in bern in summer. Can't wait to go back.