Restaurants

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Latest revision as of 10:32, 15 November 2011

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General Comments

Restaurants are very expensive in Switzerland, also do not expect a good service. Not all restaurants have the menu in English, so be prepared to order unknown food. Tips are not mandatory but (of course) it should be nice. You can not give tips using credit cards, only in cash.

Brunch

• 8032 Zürich - Bohemia, am Kreuzplatz, 8032 Zürich, 044 383 70 60, http://www.bohemia.ch

Has good food normally but also great Sunday brunch including English breakfast or American style pancakes. This is on Kreuzplatz (Tram 11).

• 8001 Zürich - Movie restaurant, by ABC Cinema

Reasonable grub at all-in price. Busy in summer too, when you can have your brunch at the outside tables.

• Restaurant Lake-side, Bellerivestrasse 170, 8008 Zürich, http://www.lake-side.ch/
• Strozzis Seehaus, Seestrasse, 8704 Herrliberg http://www.strozzis.ch/
• Restaraurant Löwen, Seestrasse, Meilen http://www.loewen-meilen.ch/

Crêperie

• 8037 Zürich - Crêperie Grüntal , Breitensteinstrasse 21, 8037 Zürich, 043 366 85 02

Has great crêpes. I had the one with salami, leek (lauch), olives, chilli and Mark had the smoked trout with Crème Fraîche. Sweet crêpes are also available. It is also open later in the evening. Located in Wipkingen, near Escher-Wyss Platz.

Chinese

• 8005 Zürich - Restaurant Beyond, Zollstrasse 20, 8005 Zürich, 01 366 83 45

This is restaurant offers Shanghainese/Chinese style cuisine, and is also where the staff from the Chinese Embassy go to eat. There are two menus available - one is a “westernized" menu where they also offer Thai dishes, the other menu offers food that is quite different. This is just across the road from the Hauptbahnhof, on the Landesmuseum side.

• 8002 Zürich - Entehuus, Alfred Escher Strasse 11, 8002 Zürich, 01 201 44 90

Peking duck and some other Chinese dishes. Went there for Peking Duck and was surprised at how inexpensive it was.

French

• 8001 Zürich - Romantikhotel Florhof , Florhofgasse 4, 8001 Zürich, 044 250 26 26, http://www.florhof.ch/

This is our favorite restaurant. It’s French and the food is always good. The chef lives in Colmar and goes home on the weekends. Sometimes the restaurant is open on weekends but you should call in and check first. I really recommend this place for a great cozy meal. You don’t really need to dress up but you can. We usually go to the restaurant in jeans. If you have a birthday, just let them know and the chef will make a cake. We have never been disappointed.

• 8001 Zürich - Lumiere, Widdergasse 5, 8001 Zürich, 044 211 56 65, http://www.restaurant-lumiere.ch/

French bistro-style food served by friendly staff. The food is well-prepared and reasonably priced, and the restaurant is very dog-friendly!

Ethiopian

• 8003 Zürich - Marathon , Zurlindenstrasse 21, 8003 Zürich, 044 463 59 24

A brief but good Ethiopian, and Italian menu. I recommend the vegetarian sampler for three people plus a portion of the key tibs (beef) as a good mix for four people. The service is friendly but a bit slow, and inexpensive for Zurich. We will definitely go again. Note that the restaurant has moved to nearby Weststrasse 192 [September 2006]. Closest tram stop is Schmiede Wiedikon on the 9 or the 14.

Indian

• 8004 Zürich - King's Kurry, Freyastrasse 3, 8004 Zürich, 043 268 48 28, http://www.kingskurry.ch

Probably the Indian restaurant with the best reputation in Zürich. The service can sometimes be a bit slow but the food is good. It is located near Bahnhof Wiedikon. 1. The food tasted as though it had been made the day before. [zc]

1. Err, Indian food is normally cooked that way - the overnight marinade draws the flavours together and improves all curries. If you didn't like the food could you be more specific about exactly why?Reviewed in the NZZ 2003-7

• 8004 Zürich - Masala, Stauffacherstrasse 27, 8004 Zürich, 044 240 03 61, http://www.masala.ch

Similar to UK Indian restaurants. We like it.

• 8048 Zürich - Spice Route, Badenerstrasse 505, 8048 Zürich, 044 491 65 00, http://www.spiceroute.ch

Used to be a very good place. Opposite Letzigrund Stadium.

• 8037 Zürich - Ravi's, Rütschistrasse 29, 8037 Zürich, 044 361 66 56, http://www.ravis.ch

This is in Wipkingen and they have different things. Also good but perhaps not as good as the top restaurants - but different cook, different tastes.

• 5424 near Baden, about 30 km from 8001 Zürich - Curry Beiz, 5424 Unterehrendingen, 056 222 56 61, http://www.curry.ch

Wonderful all-you-can-eat buffet, including vegetarian selections. The website lists their à la carte menu. Reservations recommended. [zc]

1. Update Nov 2006. I regret to report that the quality of our last meal there was quite unacceptable. There was a party going on in the main part of the restaurant, and we opted to order à la carte instead of the buffet. I don't know if that was the problem or what, all I know is that we were served uninspiring, mediocre dishes. Sad...

• 8002 Zürich - The Spice Gourmet, Seestrasse 43, 8002 Zürich, 044 2011 05 66, http://www.thespicegourmet.com

Located about 50 meters from Bhanhofstr. Enge. This is a tiny place, so book ahead. Food is nicely spiced and flavorful, but the portions are very small. They offer homemade lemonade which is good but pricey (CHF 6). The naan was excellent but dessert was a complete disappointment. [at]

• 8700 Küsnacht - Malabar Garden, Hörnlistrasse 16, 8700 Küsnacht, http://www.malabargarden.ch/

Reviewed in the NZZ, 30 March 2006

• 8049 Zürich - BestCurry Indian Food Delivery and Catering Services, Vorhaldenstrasse 9, 8049 Zürich, 043 536 1344, 76-3809466, http://www.bestcurry.ch

Bestcurry caters to authentic Indian cuisine for all occasions. We create each meal with love and care and take pride and joy in preparing your meal exactly the way you like it - Hot and fresh everyday. We are committed to classic Indian cooking traditions and combine this with the authentic taste of home like food. We use the best herbs and spices, putting together a feast for your senses using garden fresh vegetables and juicy delicious meats, If you are vegetarian then our Menu has a variety of dishes for you.

Bestcurry prepares out Indian - style menu favorite or create a special menu just for your lunch, party or an event. Whether you are planning an event for business luncheon at noon, dinner or a lively family re-union apero or friends get-together with evening snacks or marriage party or a birthday party we serve you with our delivery or take away at your office or home or various locations in Zurich city and around it at best prices. Order and taste our Indian cuisine by phone or Email or for immediate take-out. Please contact us atleast one day in advance for parties and further information or queries for special customized Indian food. Delivery charges are based on size of the order. Please find helpful information on www.bestcurry.ch on details of the various dishes in the menu and regarding how delivery services works.

Indian/Pakistani

• 8050 Zürich-Oerlikon - Handi, Schwamendingenstrasse 16, 8050 Zürich-Oerlikon, 01 311 80 38, http://www.handi-restaurant.ch

Just recently tried Handi in Oerlikon and quite liked it. Service was a little slow, but hey, one has to relax with Indian food.

== Indian/South Indian ==!

• 8057 Zürich - Restaurant Kerala, Hofwiesenstrasse 188, 8057 Zürich, 01 364 45 77, http://www.keralarestaurant.ch

Very good South Indian food. I can recommend their buffet on Wednesdays and Sundays. A good place to try South Indian food.

Indian/South Indian

• 8004 Zürich - Restaurant King's Kurry, Freyastrasse 3, 8004 Zürich, 043 268 48 28, http://www.kingskurry.ch

Very good Indian food. Lunch buffet every day during the week. Also try www.kingskurry.ch/southindia for South Indian food - Birmensdorferstrasse 191, 8003 Zurich!

Italian

• 8001 Zürich - Il Golosone, Uraniastrasse 20, 8001 Zürich, +41 44 212 4008

For the best pizza in town, Il Golosone on Uraniastrasse. No bookings possible at lunchtime so get there early....reservations possible for evening session.

Behind Jelmoli carpark has very good pizzas. Very fresh ingredients. Always crowded on the weekends so either book or go early. Currently, our favourite pizza place but place is tied with Don Leone (see below).

• 8004 Zürich - Pizzeria Don Leone, Bäkerstrasse 31, 8004 Zürich, 044 241 01 01, http://donleone.ch

Friends have checked out this place and it passed their inspection too. Service can sometimes be slow though. Sort of place you go to take your time. So I wouldn’t recommend going there before a movie even though it’s around the corner from Stauffacher’s Metropole cinema. Owner also owns Franco's Pizza in Oerlikon. I know some Italian friends who work nearby and go there for lunch everyday.

• 8055 Zürich - Grottino 77, Aemtlerstrasse 11, 8003 Zürich, +41 44462 19 12, http://www.grottino77.ch

I've been going there for 11 years and the pizza and paste is great; service friendly. I feel very at home there.

• 8037 Zürich - Bindella, Hönggerstrasse 115, 8037 Zürich, 044 276 60 60, http://www.bindella.ch

Another really good Italian place. Currently they have really good Piemontese truffles.

• 8001 Zurich - Contrapunto, Waaggasse 5/7 off of Paradeplatz, 8001 Zurich, 044 211 65 25

Good Italian place that actually makes their pasta al dente. I like the carpaccio and the spaghetti with clams. Not too smoky, always a plus.

• Il Faro, Seestrasse, Herrliberg http://www.ilfaro.ch

Very nice atmosphere, good view over the lake, they also do take away pizza.

Japanese

• 8008 Zürich - Ginger , Seefeldstrasse 62, 8008 Zürich, 044 422 95 09

I don't know much about Japanese food but Ginger on Seefeldstrasse is nice but expensive. It is located across the road from Tiffins. The chef prepares all dishes in the center (sushi/sashimi) and places it on a conveyor belt. The restaurant is very small and you can chat with chef and watch the preparation. It’s a bit pricey but the quality is good. I don’t like fish, but I always find something to eat because they also do stuff with beef and eggs and vegetarian.

• 8001 Zürich - Isakaya, Waisenhausstrasse 5, 8001 Zürich, 043 344 89 29 http://www.isakaya.ch/index1.html

Pretty good sushi for Zurich; they sometimes even have toro (fatty tuna). Convenient to the main station, and actually appears to be run by Japanese people. Closed on Sundays.

• 8004 Zürich - Restaurant Bar ISHI, Badenerstrasse 97, 8004 Zürich, 043 243 30 00 http://www.ishi.ch/

Lebanese

• 8004 Zürich - Restaurant Cèdre, Badenerstrasse 78, 8004 Zürich, 044 241 42 72, http://www.libanesisch.ch/

This has always been a good option for a mixed group of vegetarians and meat-eaters. Le Cèdre is probably the most well known in Zürich. Booking is usually required on weekends unless you're really lucky. We’ve never been disappointed. Mezzeh has always been yummy. Belly dancers on some days. Unfortunately, this means that all discussions cease while extremely loud music is played while she goes from table to table.

• 8004 Zürich - Restaurant Arabesque, Werdstrasse 66, 8004 Zürich, 044 242 53 59, http://www.libanesisch.li/

Another option (for Lebanese food) is Arabesque. The food is also good and the mezzeh is slightly different to Le Cèdre's. Also has belly dancers on some days. Same deal with the loud music. Would recommend booking on weekends.

Greek

• 8004 Zürich - V.P. Catering, Ankerstrasse 16, 8004 Zürich, 043 243 80 46, http://vp-catering.ch/

HGreek food for eat-in or take-away. If the weather is nice, they have outdoor seating, as well. Good prices for Zurich, and popular among my colleagues for a quick lunch. Closed Sundays, no dogs allowed. Closest to Bezirksgebauede on the 2 or 3 tram.

Swiss/Modern Swiss

• 8001 Zürich - Heugümper, Waaggasse 4, 8001 Zürich, 044 211 16 60, http://www.restaurantheuguemper.ch/

Heugümper -- is pretty good. In die Altstadt. Worth a try.

• 8008 Zürich - Blinde Kuh, Mühlebachstrasse 148, 8008 Zürich, 044 421 50 50, http://blindekuh.ch/zuerich/eingang.html

Blinde Kuh serves pretty good food in a unique setting -- the restaurant is completely dark, and the servers are all blind or visually impaired. Really interesting experience. Be sure to make reservations, as it is fairly small and usually booked in advance.

• 8003 Zürich - Zentraleck, Zentralstrasse 161, 8003 Zürich, 044 461 08 00, http://www.zentraleck.ch/

Zentraleck has a short but very good menu that focuses on seasonal ingredients prepared in a modern, Western fusion style. They really pay attention to presentation and come up with interesting combinations of flavors and ingredients. Reservations recommended.

• 8001 Zurich - Oepfelchammer, Rindermarkt 12, 8001 Zurich, 044 251 23 36, http://oepfelchammer.ch/

Really good modern Swiss fusion cuisine. Long-standing tradition involving climbing through the beams on the ceiling and drinking a glass of wine upside-down.

Swiss/Traditional

• Hochwacht, Pfannenstiel http://www.hochwacht-pfannenstiel.ch/
• Pflugstein, Erlenbach http://www.pflugstein.ch/
• Wirtschaft zur Kittenmühle, Herrliberg http://www.kittenmuehle.ch/
• Restaurant Blümlisalp, Herrliberg

As far as I can tell there is no website, but try Google or http://reisen.annabelle.ch/tipp-des-sommers-bluemlisalp

• Walliser Kanne, Linteschergasse, 8001 Zürich http://www.walliserkanne-zuerich.ch/
• Restaurant Breiti, Forchstrasse, Herrliberg http://www.rest-breiti.ch/

If you like Cordon-Bleu, this is a place to go and explore. Every night is a "Cordon-Bleu Paradies". I would call this a traditional Schweizer Beiz.

Swiss Fondue/Raclette

• 8001 Zürich - Restaurant Le Dézaley, Römergasse 7+9, 8001 Zürich, +41 44 251 6129, http://www.le-dezaley.ch/

Quality fondue at a reasonable price. Don't forget your Kirsch!

• 8004 Zürich - Fribourger Fondue Stübli, Rotwandstrasse 38, 8004 Zurich, 044 241 90 76,

Some of the best fondue in Zurich, in a cozier and less smoky atmosphere than Dezaley or Adler's (and cheaper, too!) They serve both vacherin fondue and moitie-moitie fondue. The chocolate mousse makes an excellent dessert. Closest tram stop is Bezirksgebaeude on the 2 or the 3. They are sister restaurants with Raclette Stube in Niederdorf, if you want something more central, with the same menu.

• 8001 Zürich - Raclette Stube, Zähringerstr. 16, 8001 Zurich, 044 251 41 30

Some of the best fondue in Zurich, in a cozier and less smoky atmosphere than Dezaley or Adler's (and cheaper, too!) They serve both vacherin fondue and moitié-moitié fondue. The chocolate mousse is an excellent dessert. Located in Niederdorf, they share the same menu as their sister restaurant, Fribourger Fondue Stübli.

• 8001 Zürich - Adler's Swiss Chuchi, Rosengasse 10 8001 Zürich, Switzerland 044 266 96 66

WARNING! Be careful about Adler - The hotel never mentions, but be careful about your group size. When we went there were four of us and the waiter told us we had to order four courses. When we said one of us was not so hungry and did not want to order, the waiter (not in a very polite way) said it was a rule and that we must order! Then we called the manager and he said we had to order but that it did not have to be a main course. The fondue was good but still the behavior of the waiter and this "rule" which was not so polite was enough to ruin our evening. I think they should inform you about this rule when you are making your reservation. Nevertheless the fondues were good.

• Innenstadt Zürich - Fondue Tram, departs Bellvue several times per evening in Fondue season http://www.vbz.ch/vbz_opencms/opencms/vbz/deutsch/Angebote/Extrafahrten/FondueTram All Aboard!

This could possibly be an overpriced experience. You can't see out of the windows. The food is good, and you can have more if you ask. It is worth going at least once....

Thai/Asian

• 8008 Zürich - Tiffins, Seefeldstrasse 61, 8008 Zürich, http://www.tiffins.ch

Tiffins offers great trendy Thai food. It is very crowded after 7:30 pm on most days but the staff provide very quick service. This is not a posh eatery! Good food, reasonable prices, wooden tables.

• 8032 Zürich - Nooba, Kreuzplatz 5, 8032 Zürich, 043 243 60 06 http://nooba.ch/nooba/

Smoke-free pan-Asian restaurant that is open on Sundays and also does take-away.

Thai

• 8004 Zürich - Roi-Et , Schöneggstrasse 30, 8004 Zürich, 044 291 58 30

Really good Thai place. It’s not “trendy” but there are plenty of delicate flavours in the food. Very extensive menu for such a small place. Bus Stop: 31/32 Militairestrasse, off Langstrasse.

• 8001 Zürich - Blue Monkey , Stüssihofstatt 3, 8001 Zürich, 044 261 76 18, http://www.bluemonkey.ch

Another good restaurant in Niederdorf, that is has a trendy setup. Don’t go upstairs – it’s just same food for more money. Stay down, in the restaurant/café. The food is really good.

• 8001 Zürich - Ban Song Thai , Kirchgasse 6, 8001 Zürich, 044 252 33 31, http://www.bansongthai.ch

Good but booking essential. Also in the Niederdorf.

• 8004 Zürich - Sala Thai , Kanonengasse 31, 8004 Zürich, 01 241 11 80, http://www.sala-thai.com

After several disappointing Thai and Indian curries in Switzerland, this was a pleasant surprise. Beautiful food and quite reasonably priced. As we're used to curries in the UK, we asked for extra spicy, which was excellent, but not for the faint-hearted! Traditional Swiss decor is nice too. [erpm]

Other

• 8001 Zürich - Cafe Zahringer, Zahringerplatz 11, 8001 Zürich, 044 252 0500

Good food at reasonable prices for Switzerland. The restaurant is veggie-friendly. There are really good vegetarian soups that change every day.

• 8001 Zürich - Manta Bar, Bahnhofstrasse 42, 8001 Zürich, 043 344 85 00

Popular place to get sandwiches downtown during lunch. They ahve a wide selection of sandwiches that can then be heated up and taken to go. Can be a bit pricey, but the sandwiches are quite good.

• 8004 Zürich - Paninoteca Caffetteria, Ankerstrasse 38, 8004 Zürich, 043 317 1333

Friendly staff make hot or cold sandwiches to order, near-ish Stauffacher. Very reasonably priced, for Zurich, and the sandwiches are huge.

• 8037 Zürich - Restaurant Die Waid, Waidbadstrasse 45, 8037 Zürich, 043 422 08 08, http://www.diewaid.ch

Lovely setting in Wipkinger Berg (?), overlooking the city and the lake. We enjoyed the food, but would even recommend the place just for the view and setting. We went on a somewhat hazy day and can't wait to go back on a clear one. [zc]