Papa Oro’s: Bringing the Heart of Filipino Home Cooking to Switzerland

BY MYE MULINGTAPANG

Perched dramatically on a cliff along the serene Aare River, Papa Oro’s isn’t just a place to eat—it’s a deeply personal love letter to Filipino food and heritage. Tucked away in Switzerland’s natural beauty, this humble spot brings the unmistakable soul of the carinderia—that vibrant, no-frills eatery known across the Philippines—straight to Europe. But here’s the twist: at Papa Oro’s, the view is Alpine, but the flavors are 100% Pinoy.

A Turo-Turo Experience With a View

Step into Papa Oro’s and you’ll feel like you’ve stumbled into a hidden corner of Manila or Cebu, minus the chaos of the street traffic. The format is simple and nostalgic: turo-turo style, literally meaning "point-point." Diners grab a tray and point to whatever catches their eye—maybe a sticky-sweet adobo, kare-kare rich with peanut sauce, or the ever-crispy lechon kawali. Each plate is a DIY feast, assembled from a colorful spread of lovingly cooked viands and served with a generous scoop of rice.

It’s the kind of meal you’d get at your lola’s table, except now it comes with a breathtaking river view and a setting that feels like a home away from home.

Built From Scratch, Fueled by Love

The restaurant wasn’t born out of culinary school or investment plans. It was built from scratch by a family of Filipino immigrants, inspired by the meals Oro Guevarra cooked, the flavors Virgienia perfected, and the sense of community Anja and Tatjana grew up with. 

Today, their dream has become a living, breathing extension of their family table—where guests from all walks of life are welcome. It’s this personal connection that makes each visit to Papa Oro’s feel like a homecoming. You don’t just eat here—you belong here. 

Every bite tells a story. It’s not just sinigang, it’s Sunday lunch after church. It’s not just menudo, it’s the dish your mom made when she wanted to stretch the family budget but still make you feel special. Papa Oro’s isn’t chasing trends—it’s serving memories, busog moments, and that signature Filipino hospitality that turns customers into extended family.

“My goal is simply to welcome you into the heart of our home or as we often say, to our family table, said Oro.

A Symphony of Flavors, a Celebration of Culture

What makes Filipino food so uniquely powerful is its blend of influences: Spanish stews, Chinese noodles, Malay spices, and indigenous techniques come together in dishes that are both deeply personal and universally delicious. Papa Oro’s doesn’t just cook these meals—they celebrate them.

One moment, you’re savoring a hearty kare-kare made with tender cuts of oxtail, beef, or pork, simmered in a thick, velvety peanut sauce. The next, you’re diving into a cup of silken tofu with rich  amber-colored syrup, caramelized just right, or a decadent, melt-in-your-mouth ube cake. There’s something sweet, something salty, something sour—and everything in between. It’s an explosion of texture and flavor, designed to make you feel full—not just in body, but in heart.

At Papa Oro’s, every dish is an invitation to the Filipino family table—where the rice is unlimited, the laughter is loud, and the love is always the main ingredient.

In a world where global cuisine is evolving fast, Filipino food is having a long-overdue moment Papa Oro’s is making sure it arrives with flavor, flair, and a whole lot of pusong Pinoy. 

Around the world, chefs and diners are turning their attention to the bold, layered flavors of Filipino cooking. Filipino cuisine is turning heads with its bold, layered flavors and deeply rooted culinary traditions. Dishes like sisig, kare-kare, lechon, and adobo are gaining recognition across continents. But while some chefs are remixing these classics for modern palates, at Papa Oro’s, every meal starts with one essential ingredient: kanin. Steaming, fluffy white rice isn’t just a side here—it’s the main event. And surrounding it? A colorful, flavorful lineup of ulams (viands) that reflect the very best of Filipino home cooking. 

But make no mistake—this is not Filipino food stripped of soul. This is heritage on a plate. It’s more than just a restaurant; it’s a feast for the senses, where every dish tells a story, every plate is a canvas, and every bite is an invitation to experience the richness of Filipino culture.

Papa Oro’s is staying true to the heart of it all—kanin, ulam, and that familiar warmth of home.