Where to eat in Zurich: what to order and where
Zurich eats Swiss: sliced veal in cream, rösti, sausage and good chocolate. It is expensive, so lunch is the better value. The best-known rooms sit in the old town and around Paradeplatz, so book dinner.
The short answer
- Best area to eat
- The old town and Niederdorf for traditional rooms, Zürich West for newer places.
- Order this
- Zürcher Geschnetzeltes with rösti, and a slice of cake in a confiserie.
- When to eat
- Lunch from 11:30, dinner from 18:00. Kitchens often close by 22:00.
- Book or walk in
- Book dinner at Kronenhalle. Zeughauskeller and cafes often take walk-ins.
- Tipping
- Service is included. Round up or leave a few francs for good service.
What to eat in Zurich
- Zürcher GeschnetzeltesThin slices of veal in a cream and mushroom sauce, usually with rösti. The city's best-known dish.
- RöstiFried grated potato, crisp outside and soft within, served beside meat or with an egg.
- CervelatA boiled Swiss sausage, often grilled and eaten with bread and mustard. A common lunch.
- Cheese fondueMelted cheese and wine in a pot, eaten with bread. Best in colder months.
- LuxemburgerliSmall, light macarons from Sprüngli, sold by weight. Buy a small box.
- Swiss chocolateBuy from a confiserie rather than a supermarket, and choose a small amount of something fresh.
Where to eat in Zurich, by neighborhood
Altstadt and Niederdorf
Traditional rooms, beer halls and wine bars on both banks. Prices rise near the river, so check menus before you sit.
Paradeplatz and Bahnhofstrasse
Historic cafes and formal restaurants near the banks. Good for cake, expensive for dinner.
Zürich West
A newer district with converted warehouses, market halls and international kitchens. Easy by tram.
Places worth a booking or a queue
-
Zeughauskeller
CHFCHFBeer hall · Paradeplatz
OrderZürcher Geschnetzeltes or a big sausage
A large hall in a former arsenal, with long tables and hearty Swiss plates. It is busy, but the portions are generous.
- Book
- Walk in, or book at peak times
Confirmed open: zeughauskeller.ch
-
Kronenhalle
CHFCHFCHFCHFBrasserie · Seefeld
OrderZürcher Geschnetzeltes with rösti
A classic Zurich room with art on the walls and white tablecloths. The kitchen is open all day.
- Book
- Book online or by phone
Confirmed open: kronenhalle.com
-
Haus Hiltl
CHFCHFVegetarian restaurant · Altstadt
OrderThe buffet, paid by weight
A long-running vegetarian restaurant with a large buffet. A useful stop for anyone who does not eat meat.
- Book
- Walk in, or book for dinner
Confirmed open: hiltl.ch
-
Confiserie Sprüngli
CHFCHFCHFCafe and confiserie · Paradeplatz
OrderLuxemburgerli and a hot chocolate
The best-known confiserie in the city, on the square where Bahnhofstrasse begins. Come for the cakes and chocolate.
- Book
- Walk in
Confirmed open: spruengli.ch
Food markets in Zurich
- Wochenmarkt BürkliplatzVegetables, flowers, cheese and regional produce from farms around the city, beside the lake.Tuesday and Friday, early morning to late morningSource: zuerich.com
How Zurich eats
- Meal timesLunch is the main hot meal, and kitchens close early in the evening.
- TippingService is included in the price. Round up or leave a few francs for good service.
- ReservationsBook the best-known restaurants for dinner, especially at weekends and in December.
- WaterTap water is safe and good. Many fountains in the city also run drinking water.
Signs of a place to walk past
Menus with photos of the dishes by the door.
Staff on the pavement calling you in near the river.
Fondue offered in summer on a tourist terrace with no locals.
Eating in Zurich: questions people ask
What food is Zurich known for?
Zürcher Geschnetzeltes, sliced veal in cream sauce, is the local dish, usually served with rösti. Chocolate and Luxemburgerli are the best-known sweets.
Where is the best place to eat in Zurich?
For tradition, Kronenhalle or Zeughauskeller. For vegetarian food, Haus Hiltl. For cake, Confiserie Sprüngli.
Do you need to book restaurants in Zurich?
For the best-known restaurants at dinner, yes, especially at weekends. Beer halls and cafes often take walk-ins.
How much do you tip in Zurich?
Service is included. Round up or leave a few francs for good service.
Is Zurich expensive for food?
Yes. Lunch menus and set meals are the best value, and tap water is free.
Where can vegetarians eat in Zurich?
Haus Hiltl is the best known. Most restaurants also offer vegetarian dishes, and the city has many meat-free places.