What is the typical Swiss German name for a croissant?

What is the typical Swiss German name for a croissant? Gipfeli. In the German-speaking part of Switzerland, a croissant is typically called a Gipfeli. The word is related to German-speaking names for crescent-shaped baked goods, including Gipfel and the Austrian Kipferl family.

A Swiss Gipfeli is related to, but not always identical with, a classic French croissant. It commonly has a crisper crust and a less buttery character. Swiss bakeries also sell several variations, including filled pastries and Laugengipfeli, a pretzel-style version treated with lye before baking. Regional recipes and bakery traditions mean the exact shape and texture can differ.

The language distinction matters because Switzerland has several major linguistic regions. In French-speaking Switzerland, the usual term is croissant; in Italian-speaking areas, local usage may reflect Italian pastry vocabulary. Gipfeli therefore identifies the German-speaking Swiss term rather than a universal Swiss name.

Another possible confusion is Gipfel, which can refer to other Swiss crescent pastries or simply “summit” in German. Gipfeli is the diminutive form most associated with the everyday Swiss German croissant.