The Best French Restaurants In Zurich

As Switzerland’s largest city, Zurich is a cultural center for many different nationalities and it has the authentic cuisine to prove it. Take a break from the traditional Swiss-German fare and step into these top French restaurants in Zurich.

1. Lumière Restaurant and Bar

Restaurant, Seafood, French, Italian

Located in the old town of Zurich across the street from Widder Bar, Lumière Restaurant and Bar is an intimate French brasserie with large windows to allow sunlight to bounce off their yellow walls. They offer outdoor sidewalk seating that is perfect for enjoying nice weather. Lumière’s menu offers selections of classic and original dishes of Argentine beef, veal, chicken, seafood and fish. Their wine list offers selections of French, Italian, and Argentine wines.

2. Hummer & Austernbar

Bar, Restaurant, French

Located at the St. Gotthard Hotel is the gourmet Hummer & Austernbar. This lobster and oyster bar takes its inspiration from traditional French cuisine, but Chef Patrick Schmutz is not afraid of a little innovation and gives the restaurant’s French cuisine a Swiss twist. They were the first restaurant in Switzerland to serve oysters, which they source from France and serve the classic French way – raw and in the shell. The classic lobster bisque and lobster thermidor also originated in France and are staples of Hummer & Austernbar.

3. Restaurant Le Rendez-vous

Bistro, Restaurant, French

Restaurant Le Rendez-vous serves French cuisine as well as pizza. This quaint bistro is run by husband and wife duo Anne and Hervé Buttin. Le Rendez-vous prepares various daily menus with selections that are made with only fresh, seasonal ingredients of the highest quality. The seating area is small and cozy and they also offer outdoor seating on a terrace covered by an awning. At Le Rendez-vous, diners are always treated to excellent food and equally excellent service.

4. Restaurant La Côte

Restaurant, French

Restaurant La Côte is a traditional French restaurant whose decor and ambiance has an old-school French feel to it. La Côte is definitely the restaurant to go to for fantastic French meats; the menus are always freshly prepared everyday and their classic dishes are the charbonnade à discretion and entrecôte café de Paris. The service and staff are very friendly, and with the all-you-can-eat menu, diners will be sure to leave more than satisfied.

5. Bei Babette

Restaurant, Vegetarian

Bei Babette is a small cafe and restaurant that serves coffee and generous portions of breakfast, crêpes, galettes, and a small selection of mains, soups, and salads with vegetarian options. The decor is bright and colorful, with a wooden bar and rugs on the floor to make it feel homely. When the weather is nice, guests can enjoy their crêpes in the outside seating area. The cafe can get packed on the weekends, as most other places close at 2pm on Sundays and Bei Babette is still open into the night.

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