Where to eat

I have a penchant for Italian food. Gatto Nero (Oetlingerstrasse 63) is my go-to Italian restaurant near home. With fine cuisine and a cozy ambiance, it brings a Mediterranean feeling to Basel, serving cicchetti, panini, and other Italian specialties. In the city center, I can recommend Bodega zum Strauss (Barfüsserplatz 16), a classic Basel spot. An all-time favorite is Chez Donati (Gerbergasse 84), which has the finest Italian food and great old-school service.

Beyond Italian, there is: Restaurant Kunsthalle (Steinenberg 7). I’ve been going there for almost 20 years – ever since my very first visit to Art Basel. You can choose between dining in the bistro or alfresco in the garden. Late-night drinks at the elegant Campari Bar are a must.

Chanthaburi Restaurant Sairung (Feldbergstrasse 57) is the best Thai restaurant in Basel, with fresh dishes and a beautiful garden. The chef, Sairung Suksamran, grew up in Chanthaburi in the south of Thailand and has been cooking her hometown recipes here for 18 years.

The best places to shop?

I used to go to the concept store Set & Sekt (Rümelinsplatz 5) when I lived in Basel more than 10 years ago, so when I moved back, I was very happy to discover it’s still here. The shop has a great selection of pieces by some of my favorite designers.

I can’t wait to see what our Art Basel Shop (Messeplatz 10) has to offer this year. There will be all kinds of Art Basel items, products by artists, and a few special limited editions by the artist Katharina Sieverding.

Best place to swim in the Rhine?

I usually jump in at the Museum Tinguely and float until the Johanniterbrücke. In the summer, I go swimming every day, and I know many gallerists who also start their days like this during Art Basel. Do as Baslers do and get a Wickelfisch swim bag to keep your clothes and belongings dry while you float – we’ll have some at the Art Basel Shop!

Nightlife hotspots

I love to dance to techno music, and the best line up is at Nordstern (Westquaistrasse 19). There will be special DJs there during Art Basel; DJ Dixon will not only speak in our Conversations but also play on Friday night. This year we collaborate with Fondation Beyeler and Nordstern on an experience bringing together Thomas Bangalter, DJ Rampa, and Julian Charrière in the fair halls.

The Bar Les Trois Rois is great for late-night drinks. If you are a smoker, check out the Cigar Lounge designed by Herzog de Meuron. The handmade tiles on the walls make for the most beautiful smoking lounge I have ever seen.

Best place to catch the sunset?

The iconic Mittlere Brücke crossing the Rhine to connect the old and new part of the city offers unobstructed views of the sunset reflecting off the river and the city skyline. Watch out for Haegue Yang’s installation there as part of this year’s Parcours.

One thing in Basel that visitors should not miss?

The city’s art institutions are world class, and their shows shouldn’t be missed. Go to the Kunsthalle Basel, Kunstmuseum Basel, Museum Tinguely, Fondation Beyeler, Kunsthaus Baselland, Schaulager, HEK, and the project spaces and galleries. This might sound overwhelming, but almost everything is in walking distance so you can actually do it all in one weekend. And don’t forget to swim in the Rhine!