Of all the many Old Town terrace cafés, Rust on Marktplatz has the edge, overlooked by the Zytglogge and facing the cathedral along the length of Hauptgasse. Look out for the local delicacy Solothurner Kuchen, a tart of nut fondant and whipped cream piled on a biscuit base, supplied by the slice in cafés and whole – in many sizes – by any of the confiseries in the centre.

Manora, the self-service restaurant in the Tardis-like Manor department store just off Marktplatz, has a rooftop terrace and a range of fresh-cooked dishes at rock-bottom prices (Mon–Fri 9am–6.30pm, Thurs until 9pm, Sat 8am–5pm). Both Kreuz and Baseltor hotels have co-operative café-bar-restaurants, both of them serving up delectable organic food in gargantuan portions; Kreuz is less expensive (menus from Fr.12, day and night), while Baseltor has the slight edge on quality (both closed Sun lunch). Otherwise, reflecting Solothurn’s cultural mix, Taverna Amphora, Hauptgasse 51, offers Greek specialities for well under Fr.20; Trattoria Alfredo, Goldgasse 15, the same with an Italian bent; and tiny Pittaria, Kreuzgasse 12, has cut-price, but authentic, Arabic snacks – wash down your falafel (Fr.7.50) with delicious cardamom-spiced coffee.