Food in Zurich

Gazing out over Lake Zurich is one of Zurich’s purest pleasures. And when you can gaze out over the lake accompanied by great food and drink, it doesn’t get much better. Widder by The Lake is the restaurant of Hotel Alex, a smart and sexy venue perched idyllically on the western shores of Lake Zurich.

It might have been Gustav Zumsteg's extensive art collection that originally attracted the rich and the famous, but it's a self-generating phenomenon: more of their like keep on coming. 

This gentrified brassiere restaurant, awarded 15 points by the Gault-Millau gourmet guide, attracts a bohemian and lively crowd of local literati and financial wheeler-dealers. 

This modern, casual brassiere makes for an unusual eating experience that, like marmite, you either love or hate.  Based on set menus which feature a series of small tapas style dishes that are fixed around the themes of veggie or meat, it makes for gourmet pick ‘n’ mix experience. 

Hato serves up beautiful Asian cuisine in this elegant Zurich restaurant. The a la carte menu comprises dim sum, sushi, sashimi and a range of grills with vegetarians and meat-eaters well catered for.

Their mezze platters are delicious and come at a very competitive price, their brunch is one of the best in town and the staff are friendly, efficient and always at your service.

Strip the Swiss cuisine from all its cheesiness and cheese - and this is what you get. The Alpenrose has been offering original Swiss dishes from all regions and with only local produce since the 1990s, probably the first restaurant in town that took the 'go local' approach seriously. 

The menu takes inspiration from the modern brasserie trend ,with classic options for both lovers of meat or those strictly vegetarian (somewhat unusual to find both on a menu in Zurich). The terrace, open in spring and summer, is an ultra stylish location for summer aperitifs and compliments the restaurant's cosmopolitan ambitions.

Its fabulous setting looking right over the lake and beyond make it worthy alone for a visit, however that is not all that appeals about this quirky, charming and fun restaurant/bar. Its interior echoes that of a vintage ship, with lots of dark wood and shiny brass touches, and there is a South of France feeling in the attitude and menu here too.

You might expect people to come here mainly for the view from the 35th floor of the Prime Tower, but the food might actually exceed your expectations. David Martinez Salvany creates dishes inspired by his Catalonian heritage, and there is even a full tasting menu for vegetarians.

Its fabulous setting looking right over the lake and beyond make it worthy alone for a visit, however that is not all that appeals about this quirky, charming and fun restaurant/bar. For Sunday brunch there is no better place to be, and it can be a lively venue in general to spend an evening out for drinks or dinner. 

Originally the café bar of the adjacent Maison Blunt, for Sunday's oriental brunch, there's a loungy feel with sofas with exotic fabrics and the traditional Moroccan tea room tables. This seating arrangement might not please everyone, but there are more 'European' chairs and tables at the front.

We love Iroquois' American-style hamburgers and fries - choose from beef, chicken, veal, fish or vegi. All are served alongside bottles of locally-produced artisan ketchups. But it's not all about the burgers. There's also a good range of salads and daily specials, as well as a weekend brunch offering, Znüni (morning tea) and a very decent kids' menu, that doubles as a colouring sheet (pencils are provided) - nice. Rounding it off is a drinks list comprising beer, wine, cocktails, coffee, tea, softdrinks and juices.   Iroquios hosts seasonal events, such as its annual pumpkin-fest in October, and screens international sports including tennis and the World Cup.   The shabby-chic interior offers a comfortable dining space with a tiny art gallery at the far end. In summer, there's a pleasant terrace area where diners can spill out onto leafy Seefeldstrasse for a meal or a beverage. 

With its oh so French feel, cute interiors and lovely outdoor space, this café found the speedway straight into the hearts of Zurich's hip and cool when it opened in 2011. It's a place to chat, to relax, to read - and most of all to have breakfast. But beware, its Sunday brunch is one of the most popular in town and you will have to book a table well in advance.

Despite interiors that might remind you of your own granny's bedroom, it may surprise you with its monthly bash of country music and one of the best Sunday brunches in town.

While perhaps not as trendy as it once was, the food at Volkshaus is very good, there's a great atmosphere and you might still see the occasional celebrity taking a seat.

This bright room with its black and white tiles might have originally been a butcher's shop, but meat is not that much of a concern anymore in a café bar that is famous for its vegan muffins. It's a popular place for brunch on a Saturday and Sunday, so get there early or book a table.

With its gastropub feel and location in a park by the river Sihl, the Fork & Bottle has become somewhat of an expat hub in Zurich for English speakers. And this is by no means a bad thing. The convivial atmosphere and friendly, efficient staff make for a splendid meal, whether it's Sunday brunch (try the eggs Benedict if you can resist the full English!) or a bang-up pub meal from the seasonal menu at other times. 

You can choose from prime, Angus or wagyu beef then pimp it up with a selection of toppings including blue cheese, Swiss bacon and guacamole. There is also a selection of sandwiches and skewers. Don’t be confused by the ‘dirty’ rating Helvti swears by. Here, the ‘dirtier’ the meal, the greater the taste.

Located in a Hardbrucke alleyway adorned with hundreds of "floating" umbrellas, Gerold Chuchi offers a small but perfectly formed menu of burgers and homemade pasta. 

Since it opened in August 2013, it has made a name for itself among Zurich’s burger lovers as the place to go. It’s not hard to see why. It is warm and cosy, with a shabby chic ambiance made for whiling away time gorging. 

A focus on quality over quantity means a limited menu made up of fresh vegetables, homemade bread, grilled Swiss meat and mountain cheese – all free from preservatives and flavour enhancers. It’s about as far from the greasy burger stereotype as you can get. Wash it all down with a beer from the restaurant’s vast selection. Reservations not possible.

Holy Cow! in Zurich could be described as Switzerland in a burger. Part of a franchise that started life in Lausanne, this Zurich burger restaurant not only looks to buy as much produce as it can in Switzerland; it aims to buy at least one product from each canton. It then whips it up into an imaginative menu that works '100% Swiss Guarantee beef’ into a range of burgers – from the classics such as beef or big cheese, and bacon and avocado, to the innovative – think toasted goat’s cheese, honey glazed chorizo and hot chilli. There is also a range of chicken burgers that match the beef for quality, and veggie burgers made from chickpeas, lentils and bulgur wheat. The latter can be a little claggy, though. There’s nothing processed here: expect fast food with a quality spin. Reservations not possible.

With the world famous Hiltl in town, Samses is often referred to as the 'other' vegetarian restaurant. The signature item is their (fully vegan!) veggie burger though - definitely the best in town and ordered by about half of the guests on any given night.

Korner serves up a big selection of home-made burgers, with 10 different beefburger styles, as well as a couple of veggie and chicken options on the menu. If you like chilli, we recommend the "Mr Scoville". 

We love Iroquois' American-style hamburgers and fries - choose from beef, chicken, veal, fish or vegi. All are served alongside bottles of locally-produced artisan ketchups for you to add at your leisure. 

Located by the shores of Wollishofen, this romantic bistro/restaurant invites you to relax. Enjoy the beautiful view of the lake, while sipping a cocktail. 

Seerose is Zurich’s answer to Saint Tropez. Suspended above Lake Zurich, its wooden terrace complete with pristine white lounge furniture mimics the deck of a luxurious yacht. 

This is an ideal summer oasis located near one of Zurich's most famous local attractions, the Chinagarten. It's the perfect place for drinks after work or lounging around on a sunny Saturday afternoon on sofas set on a wooden decked terrace which sits right out on the waters edge.

It might feel more like a picnic site here between sheds and containers and there will be no service at all on a rainy day. But as soon as the sun appears, you will want to come here, order a drink and grab some food at the bar.

Not only has fashion store Modissa on Bahnhofstrasse been fully revamped, its recent re-opening also saw the arrival of its very own restaurant on the top floor, including a stunning terrace with great views of the hustle and bustle on the shopping streets of Zurich’s city centre. Open even after shopping hours and equipped with comfy chairs and a spacious bar, the rooftop restaurant serves Asian snacks from the trolley and cocktails with a touch of sake or yuzu.

This restaurant in a historic round room with high ceiling and big windows serves excellent Mediterranean cuisine and has one of the loveliest terraces in town. 

George opened in 2014 in a chic attic apartment on Sihlstrasse. Thanks to its location on the 5th floor of Haus Ober, above the casino, the restaurant-cum-bar enjoys enviable views over Zurich’s rooftops. It has the feel of a modern penthouse, but elegantly incorporates traditional bar culture.

This gentrified brassiere restaurant, awarded 15 points by the Gault-Millau gourmet guide, attracts a bohemian and lively crowd of local literati and financial wheeler-dealers. This is partly due to the cooking skills of the charismatic Swiss star chef Françoise Wicki and her menu which is built on a fusion of gourmet cuisine with down-to-earth Swiss fare. The restaurant's appeal is also due to it having one of the best service teams in the city, sometimes a weakness in many top restaurants in Zurich, who are friendly, fun and professional. In the summer months the romantic terrace overlooking the river is a must do at least once in the season.

On the third floor of the PKZ Women clothing store you'll find the latest edition of popular vegetarian restaurant Hiltl. A charming location, incredible views of busy Bahnhofstrasse and across Zurich to the lake, plus the restaurant's signature delicious vegetarian buffet - sounds like the perfect shopping pitstop to us! 

Popular with locals and visitors alike and situated between vines and allotments, the Waid offers by far the best views of Zurich. 

The trend for all things clean hasn’t escaped Zurich’s foodie scene. Whether you are vegan, gluten-intolerant, love juicing or like to eat organically, there is a restaurant or café for you.

The concept of this store is quirky and very cool  - it's a vegetarian butcher. Plus loads of great salad, juices and fine wine to buy too. If you are looking for a hip working space, there are even little desk areas for lap tops, free Wi-Fi and a lunch service too.

Hato serves up beautiful Asian cuisine in this elegant Zurich restaurant. The a la carte menu comprises dim sum, sushi, sashimi and a range of grills with vegetarians and meat-eaters well catered for.

Tibits has a great selection of around 40 vegetarian and vegan dishes daily. There's loads of salads as well as hot food, soups, fresh juices and desserts. 

As part of one of Zurich's most famous luxury hotels, the Baur au Lac, means expectations are set high for this upmarket popular dining spot. The menu takes inspiration from the modern brasserie trend , with classic options for both lovers of meat or those strictly vegetarian (somewhat unusual to find both on a menu in Zurich). 

With the world famous Hiltl in town, Samses is often referred to as the 'other' vegetarian restaurant. They need not hide from the spotlight though, with their relaxed atmosphere, quirky staff and small but delicious buffet. 

The 'kitchen by the water', part of culture and youth centre Dynamo. It is best enjoyed outside. Daily changing lunch menus (including at least one vegetarian option and a vegan menu on Wednesdays) using local ingredients, light snacks and cakes are served on its terrace right next to the river. 

This spacious venue with a designated bistro-area, situated in a former mill and brewery at the edge of town, is a good location for business lunches and events (separate rooms are available), and the food is of good quality.

Zurich's love for sushi might not have started with Yooji's, but it sure took off with it. Thanks to its competitive prices and sustaining quality, Yooji's has become a favourite with many locals, now offering its bits and bites at half a dozen outlets in town. 

On the third floor of the PKZ Women clothing store you'll find the latest edition of popular vegetarian restaurant Hiltl. 

The terrace, open in spring and summer, is an ultra stylish location for summer aperitifs and compliments the restaurant's cosmopolitan ambitions. Perfect for a swanky business lunch or relaxed working dinner.

Brisket is hipster Zurich at its tastiest. At lunchtime there's a short menu where, really, it's all about the melt-in-the-mouth pulled pork sandwiches - served with chilli on brioche-style hot-dog buns with a changing choice of side-salad including potato, green leaf or coleslaw. 

It's classic and classy, it's pure and white and clean, and it tries to attract the bold and the beautiful - or at least the bold and those who like to impress their business partners with a neat lunch.

Try their 'Ufklappti', an unfolded sandwich, and the 'Ofenei', a kind of oven-baked fried egg. It's a popular place for brunch on a Saturday and Sunday, so get there early or book a table.

It's where we put our sunglasses on and doze away while hearing the trams pass by and the river flow past. The best place to relax after a Saturday out shopping.

Sternen Grill at Bellevue is well-known as possibly the best place in town for this Swiss-German cheap eat. If you like sausages that is.