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The Best Swiss Restaurants In Zürich

A Zurich postcard with a view of the Limmat river. Single exposure tonemapping using Photomatix.
A Zurich postcard with a view of the Limmat river. Single exposure tonemapping using Photomatix.

Zürich is one of the best places to indulge in some hearty Swiss cuisine and reflects a variety of regional influences. Due to its history of farming, Swiss dishes focus on simple, tasty ingredients and range from creamy cheeses to the famous Rösti potatoes. We have taken a look at some of Zürich’s best Swiss restaurants and put together a selection for your next visit.

Zurich, Switzerland

Zeughauskeller

Restaurant, Swiss, German, European

The Zeughauskeller is centrally located on Zürich’s Paradeplatz and is one of the city’s biggest beer halls. It was built in 1487 and represents an important part of Zürich’s culinary history. Originally used as a weapons arsenal, a variety of military devices still guard the massive building. The traditional Swiss interior with its stone pillars and wooden ceiling give the restaurant a stereotypical Swiss ambiance. The vibrant Zeughauskeller serves hearty Swiss cuisine and visitors often share the broad tables with other guests on busy nights. The ideal spot for an authentic Swiss eating experience in a lively setting.

Kronenhalle

Bar, Restaurant, Swiss

Swiss cheese
© Sonja Pieper/Flickr
Zürich’s Kronenhalle is a culinary institution and one of the most renowned restaurants in the country. The restaurants graceful interior features artistic masterpieces by Picasso, Chagall and Mirò and visitors will feel as if they have returned to a more elegant period in time. Additionally it has earned a reputation for world-class Swiss cuisine and regional specialities. The adjoining bar is considered one of the best in the world and it is well worth visiting before indulging in the extraordinary traditional dishes. The Kronenhalle is the culinary event of a lifetime and a landmark of the Swiss restaurant scene.

Alpenrose

Restaurant, Swedish

The traditional Zürcher Geschnetzeltes and Rösti I
© Jens Ohlig/WikiCommons
The charming owners of the Alpenrose, Katharina Sinninger and Tine Giacobbo, have successfully served savoury Swiss dishes for the past two decades. The ingredients are sourced from regional farms with an emphasis on organic products, and additionally the restaurant only serves Swiss wines. Visitors can experience some true Helvetian dishes and while the Alpenrose adheres to traditional Swiss cooking, its menu is simultaneously highly originial. The enchanting interior with its panelled walls and rustic accents are completely in unison with the restaurant’s culinary concept. The Alpenrose’s unpretentious yet artful recipes make it one of the top destinations in Zürich.

Restaurant zum Kropf

Restaurant, Swiss

Cheese Fondue I
© t-mizo/Flickr
This historic restaurant is located in the city centre and serves delicious Swiss cuisine in one of Zürich’s most beautifully decorated buildings. The Baroque-styled Bavarian beer hall with its high vaulted ceiling and artistic frescos creates an authentic atmosphere in which visitors can enjoy the high quality dishes. The kitchen has combined savoury Swiss and Bavarian cooking and perfected it over the last 120 years. With its sophisticated yet cosy atmosphere, Zum Kropf offers the ideal setting for its hearty dishes and continues to delight locals and tourists alike.

Hotel & Restaurant Helvetia

Hotel Restaurant, Restaurant, Mediterranean, Swiss, Northern European

Helvetia, situated in the city centre, offers authentic Swiss cuisine and hospitality and has gained an outstanding reputation over the years. The menu consists of modern Swiss dishes while also incorporating international influences. The inside is dominated by dark, wooden panels, contrasted by the bright table clothes, and during the summer months visitors can take a seat on the tranquil summer terrace. Restaurant Helvetia has successfully retained the essence of Swiss cooking while adapting it to modern tastes, and its finely balanced flavours make it one of the best traditional restaurants in Zürich.

About the author

Lena was born in rural Germany and showed a passion for philosophy and linguistics from an early age. Her journeys would lead her from being a trainee in a Greek diving centre to an English teacher in Thailand, to finally becoming a student of politics and languages at Royal Holloway. In recent years Lena has focused on developing her personal and academic skills through her very own Ted Talk and internships in journalism and TV presenting. Lena's multiple talents and curious personality have led her to seek out ever new challenges and travels, not setting herself any limits.

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