These are my top 10 best Restaurants in Zurich that you absolutely don’t want to miss when you come visit. From cozy Swiss eateries to vibrant international cuisine, I’m excited to share these 10 restaurants I personally love with you. This guide will make sure you avoid the tourist traps and disappointing meals with these top 10 best restaurants in Zurich from someone who actually lives here!
Table of Contents
- Zurich Restaurant Scene
- How I Review Restaurants
- Things to Know About Dining in Switzerland
- Let’s Chat Typical Swiss Food
- 10 of the Best Restaurants in Zurich
- Recap of the 10 Best Restaurants in Zurich
Zurich Restaurant Scene
When you visit Zurich, you will quickly find that it sure has its fair share of lackluster dining spots. Scroll through Instagram or TikTok, and you’ll see countless videos of influencers hyping up the same (in my opinion) bland eateries. Coming from foodie havens like the Bay Area, Portland, San Francisco, and New York, I’ve developed pretty high standards for good eats. For me, dining out isn’t just a meal—it’s an essential part of my travel (and life) experience, something you’ve probably noticed if you follow my blog.
So, instead of feeding into the overhyped, Instagram-famous joints you’ve seen a million times, I’m steering you towards places you might not have heard of. Places I’ve eaten at more times than I can count and always love. Now, get ready to indulge in some truly unforgettable meals as we explore the 10 best restaurants in Zurich! And of course there are plenty more than just these 10, so stay tuned for more foodie guides!
How I Review Restaurants
Here at Linds Alyse (aka that’s me, and my blog) I share spots I’ve personally gone to, photogprahed with my cutesty iPhone and are reviewed and rated by the following:
- Service: If I don’t get kind, attentive service, it does NOT get posted here on my blog. I will go through and update posts if I return and notice a change.
- Taste/Quality: The food has to be exceptional, fresh, and the drinks have to make me melt in my chair. If not, we aren’t going to talk about it.
- Atmosphere: I want to sit at a nice table or bar, not be *totally* crammed into a book (which to be honest can be hard to find here), and have a nice ambiance.
- Price: With EVERYTHING being expensive in the heart of Zurich, it’s got to be worth the price, and when the above are met, to me, it makes the price justified to me.
Things to Know About Dining in Switzerland
- It is expensive: And it doesn’t really matter where you go, it’s all pricey. You will notice in this post I share dollar signs next to restaurants, and most of them are all $$-$$$ and that is because that is simply the going rate for all meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Cash or card? No worries here, cards are widely accepted.
- Bill splitting: Be prepared for a slight frown if you ask to split the bill – it’s not customary here.
- Service style: Don’t expect super proactive service. If you need anything, including the bill, you’ll likely have to flag someone down. However, I only include spots where they are kind in terms of this kind of service. No snarky remarks (which happens a lot here), or rude interactions.
- Reservations are required: Zurich’s dining scene is busy so it’s important to always book ahead, especially from Thursday to Saturday!
Do you need to tip at restaurants in Switzerland?
Everyone seems to have a different opinion on this. Wait staff are payed adequately and you don’t need to tip, however it’s often custom to tip 10%.
Let’s Chat Typical Swiss Food
Raclette: This dish features melted cheese typically served with boiled potatoes, pickles, and onions. It’s a cozy, communal meal perfect for winter evenings.
Fondue: Perhaps the most iconic Swiss dish, fondue involves dipping bread into a pot of melted cheese. There are also variations with chocolate for dessert fondue.
Rösti: AKA ‘hash browns’, rösti is made from grated potatoes that are fried or baked until crispy. It’s a popular side dish for dinner, not breakfast like you might be used to.
Zürcher Geschnetzeltes: This dish consists of thinly sliced veal cooked in a creamy mushroom sauce and served with rösti or noodles. It’s a classic Swiss comfort food.
Zopf: A traditional Swiss bread, zopf is a rich, braided loaf made with flour, milk, eggs, butter, and yeast. It’s often enjoyed on Sundays or special occasions.
Bircher Muesli: Developed by Swiss physician Maximilian Bircher-Brenner in the late 19th century, this breakfast dish consists of rolled oats soaked in milk or yogurt and mixed with grated apple, nuts, and other fruits.
Älplermagronen: Also known as Alpine macaroni, this hearty dish combines macaroni pasta with cheese, potatoes, cream, and sometimes onions or bacon. It’s a meal popular in mountain regions during the winter season.
*IMPORTANT NOTE*: In this post you won’t see me share any traditional fondue or raclette spots, and to be honest, I am sorry about that. I am lactose-intolerant, and just the sight and smell of fondue makes me gag. You are on your own for finding those spots! However, if you are also lactose-intolerant and worried about traveling here, this guide is perfect for you!
10 of the Best Restaurants in Zurich
How to Use This Map: Click on each icon to discover more about each location. To save this map for future reference, click the star next to the map’s title. This will add the map to your Google Maps account. Later, open Google Maps, go to the menu, and select “Your places” to find this map!
Volkshaus
Address: Stauffacherstrasse 60, 8004 Zürich | $$ | A perfect blend of Swiss flavors and modern dining.
Volkshaus quickly became my must-visit recommendation for anyone dropping by Zurich. There’s something about the place that just works—the right mix of traditional charm and modern design that immediately makes you feel at ease. Plus, their bar is fantastic, perfect for either kicking off your evening with a vibrant cocktail or settling down as the night winds up.
Here the food is Swiss cuisine reimagined, all while offering dishes that cater to a range of dietary preferences, which I love! They also have a seasonal meat carving cart that our family always loves. The server carves right at your table, seasoning each piece perfectly and pairing it with just the right side.
I’ve had two different fish dishes the last times I’ve gone and been absolutely blown away by how amazing they were!
Lou’s
Address: Zweierstrasse 106, 8003 Zürich, Switzerland | American Comfort Food
When my friend, a fellow American now living in Switzerland, sent me a text that read, “How about some artichoke dip and a smash burger?” I couldn’t hit reply fast enough. Lou’s had been on her radar, and we decided to make it a girls’ night out.
The tables were perfectly spaced out, no squeezing in uncomfortably close to strangers here. It’s that laid-back vibe you’d expect from a classic American diner, and it’s something you don’t often find in the heart of Zurich. So, if you find yourself craving a taste of home in Zurich, do yourself a favor and head over to Lou’s. You won’t regret it.
Foodie Tip: The large wedge salad, pictured above with bacon, is perfect to split amongst 4 people and it’s seriously good. You can pass on the artichoke dip, that’s the only thing on the menu that didn’t “wow” us. Make sure to order the cauliflower wings – they are SO GOOD.
Kronenhalle
Address: Rämistrasse 4, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland | $$$ | Traditional Swiss
Kronenhalle began in 1924 and stands as a quintessential Swiss dining destination. It’s renowned for its timeless Swiss dishes and the unique, opportunity to mingle with famous faces amidst a backdrop adorned with artworks from Marc Chagall, Joan Miró, Pablo Picasso and Paul Klee.
Kronenhalle was also recently awarded Historic Restaurant of the Year 2024, and it’s often referred to as the best bar in the world. Now, with this said, you can expect to spend around $100 per person here, often more, but it’s a unique experience that’s truly worth it.
Ooki Japanese
(2 Locations) Address: Zentralstrasse 53, 8003 Zürich, Switzerland | Address: Badenerstrasse 457, 8003 Zürich, Switzerland | $$ | Japanese Izakaya and ramen.
Having lived in Asia, I can say confidently I am a ramen snob, and Ooki serves some of the best ramen I have outside of SE Asia. Not only is their ramen amazing, the rest of their dishes are absolutely perfect. From their yakitori to ramen or udon, you are guaranteed to be delighted.
Foodie Tip: Take a peak at their dinner menu here and make sure to make a reservation before you go! If you like spicy food, I 100% recommend the tantanmen ramen.
La Pasta
Address: Niederdorfstrasse 80, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland | $$ | Fresh, vibrant, homemade Italian dishes in a cozy space.
There is no shortage of Italian spots in Zurich, which makes sense as you can drive from Zurich to Milan in just about 3 hours. Speaking of, check out my one-day guide to Milan here! But, with that said, there are a lot of just ‘meh‘ Italian foods spots in the city, so that makes La Pasta stand out even more. Their homemade pasta dishes are oh so comforting and it’s one of my husband and I’s favorite date night spot in the city.
The vibe at La Pasta is just perfect, and I highly recommend it for a date night.
Le Relais de l’Entrectoe
Address: In Gassen 5, 8001 Zürich | $$ | French steakhouse with a set menu.
Le Relais de l’Entrecote’s menu is simple: a green salad with nuts, followed by an extra tender beef sirloin and its famous secret sauce, accompanied by matchstick French fries. You choose between your steak cooked blue, rare, medium or well done, and get two servings. It’s around 45 CHF per person and honestly, one of the best meals I’ve had in Zurich. It’s simple, yet absolutely delicious.
The only menu you will get is a wine menu to pick a glass, or bottle, to accompany your meal.
La Catedral
Address: Birmensdorferstrasse 83, 8003 Zürich | $$ | Authentic Mexican dishes and cocktail bar
La Catedral is a vibrant spot where Mexican culture comes to Zurich through its authentic dishes and lively cocktail bar. With a menu full of flavorful small plates and an array of refreshing drinks, it’s the perfect place for a casual night out. The attentive and friendly service adds to the warm, inviting atmosphere, making it a must-visit for anyone craving a taste of Mexico in Zurich. And I promise, it’s seriously good.
Foodie Tip: You can’t go wrong with any of the cocktails on their extensive list, however my personal favorite is the Voluptas. And for food you can’t skip the croquettes de birria & the quesadilla maravilla.
Gasthof Falken
Address: Birmensdorferstrasse 150, 8003 Zürich | $$ | Swiss dishes that showcase rustic flavors
Another unique and delicious spot in Zurich is Gasthof Falken. The decor is super cute, and the food is cozy, yet elevated. Here you can try traditional Swiss food like Zürcher Geschnetzeltes with rösti and Cordon Bleu. They also have an amazing local meat and cheese starter that I highly recommend! It’s a great spot to enjoy a warming, Swiss meal after a day in the city, or to celebrate a special occasion.
Foodie Tip: This is another great option if you, or your guests, have dietary restrictions. They always have a few excellent vegan and vegetarian options on their rotating menu.
Neue Taverne
Address: Glockengasse 8, 8001 Zürich | $$$ | Locally sourced, vegan and vegetarian dishes.
This is definitely another splurge, however it’s absolutely fantastic. Set back in a beautiful part of the city, you’ll find Neue Taverne, a vegetarian and vegan spot that sources locally grown ingredients into a pallet of explosion.
They serve a vegan caviar that is robust in flavor and will leave you craving more!
Sternen Grill
Address: Theaterstrasse 22, 8001 Zürich | $$ | Sausages and traditional Swiss bread on the go.
Sternen Grill has to be on this list because it’s a staple in the city. Now, it’s not a typical “restaurant”, but it’s a pillar of the city and gives you some traditional tastes. It’s located near the iconic Opera House and is the perfect spot to grab a quick lunch after shopping. Now, it’s nothing special or fancy, but it screams Zurich and is perfect for visitors or locals. It’s also where you’ll get to try Zurich’s famous Bürli – which is a thick crusted bread with a fluffy center that’s baked together.
Foodie Tip: Their spicy mustard packs a serious punch—it’s incredibly hot, almost like pure horseradish. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself, and others coughing as you dig in. It’s definitely tasty, but go easy on your first dip!
Recap of the 10 Best Restaurants in Zurich
- Volkshaus
- Lou’s
- Kronenhalle
- La Catedral
- Ooki Japanese
- La Pasta
- Le Relais de l’Entrectoe
- Haus am Fluss
- Gasthof Falken
- Neue Taverne
- Sternen Grill
As we wrap up, it’s clear these 10 restaurants barely scratch the surface of Zurich’s dining scene. From the historic charm of Kronenhalle to the perfect ramen flavors at Ooki, this list complies 10 spots I personally love. But trust me, there’s so much more to discover—with hidden gems and exciting new spots popping up all the time.
I’m constantly on the hunt for the next great meal, so stay tuned for more delicious finds. Now, I’m curious—what’s your go-to restaurant in Zurich? Have you tried any of the spots on this list? Share your favorites or let me know what I should try next in the comments below!
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