Zürich is home to some of the world’s best chocolate, and also some of the best coffee. Unsurprisingly, you’ll find great coffee houses here in which to enjoy them all throughout the city. We list the best places in Zurich to grab coffee or cake on your next trip.
Kafi Dihei’s interior is full of antique furniture and lamps set among old-fashioned tapestry, all part of the owner’s attempt at making his customers feel at home. Kafi Dihei has recently been voted one of the best brunches in Zürich and its menu offers a great selection of local dishes. The cakes, as well as the bread, are homemade and the sandwiches and omelets are recommended. Eat in the small garden area in summer; an ideal setting for breakfast on a sunny morning.
Café Sprüngli is a landmark place to buy sweet treats in Zurich. The company dates to 1836, and is especially renowned for its Luxemburgerli macaroon. The café is located on the Paradeplatz, a vast square lined with Swiss banks. Visitors can choose from a range of chocolates and cakes or enjoy a light lunch. The interior has been designed in a classic style, with a selection of colorful sweets greeting the customer on well-lit, polished shelves.
Café Peclard is part of the Conditorei Schober and renowned for its sweet treats, coffees and teas. Entering the café feels like a step back in time; generations of families have come here to indulge in the wonderful sweet treats. The homemade pastries and cakes are unsurprisingly outstanding. The café itself charms the visitor through its high Baroque ceilings and enchanting features such as the old-fashioned cash register.
Mohrenkopf is a very traditional coffee house that has flourished in Zürich for over 30 years. It has recently undergone renovation, while retaining its traditional charm. The café offers a number of local dishes and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The must-try dessert is the chocolate covered marshmallow, from which the coffee house received its name. On a warm day, customers can sit in the outside area, which makes a great spot for people watching.
Odeon, a world-renowned café in the Bellevue, is one of the most popular meeting places in Zurich and has seen a number of important people pass through it. James Joyce and Albert Einstein were both fans, enjoying a variety of cakes and chocolates like other patrons then and now in a grand salon of chandeliers and mirrored walls.
Cake friends offers a blend of contemporary furniture and antique accents, and as the name suggests, some of the best cakes and pastries in town. With its high quality ingredients and careful preparation, Cakefriends has gained an outstanding reputation for being able to satisfy any sweet tooth.
Café Henrici. on the bustling Niederdorfstrasse has a name derived from Christian Friedrich Henrici, who was responsible for the words behind Bach’s Coffee Cantata. A deep love for coffee is at the heart of this institution, served in an interior that is simple, yet stylish with wooden furniture lined up along the polished counter. Try a slice of the exquisite flammkuchen with your coffee.Café Henrici also serves refreshing cocktails as well as a delicious brunch.
Café Chez Andy is a small, but cosy place with a charming garden area. It is one of the more secluded cafes in Zürich and an ideal retreat for an afternoon coffee and a book. The outside reminds the visitor of a building from a fairy tale, while in the warm interior the cafe serves an all-day breakfast, brunch (try the charcuterie and cheese plates) and a variety of baked and sweet goods. The homemade cakes fill the place with mouth-watering smells and contribute to the peaceful ambience.
Rio Bar is a charming garden venue next to Zürich’s railway station. Rio not only serves some excellent coffee, but tasty lunches too with a variety of healthy dishes. In the evening or on a warm day, the bar turns into a popular spot for an after-work drink. It offers refreshing local beers as well as the popular Aperol. Its breakfast is truly worth the visit and is best enjoyed with one of their fresh juices or hot coffees.
This quirky mixture of tearoom and confectioners draws its influences from Japan‘s popular anime culture. Inside the café, there is a light interior with pink accents, which contributes to Miyuko’s cute atmosphere. The cakes are arguably the most beautifully decorated in the city and certainly taste just as sweet, with vegan, lactose and gluten-free options; wash down with one of a selection of authentic Japanese teas.
Café Felix immediately impresses the visitor with its grand spiral staircase, marble tables and classical design. Its menu is impressive and offers a number of coffees, fruit juices and teas, as well as breakfast, cakes and other baked treats. Café Felix is best described as a classical Swiss café and its central location on the Bellevue makes it a favorite among locals and tourists.
