Bars and restaurants
Kronenhalle, Altstadt
One of the city’s most venerable institutions. Famed for its impeccable service and delectable takes on French and Swiss classics, the restaurant has perfected the art of understated hospitality. The interior is a traditional, muted affair: lights are dimmed, chandeliers sparkle and waiting staff in freshly pressed uniforms sail between tables like clockwork. Paintings by European greats including Chagall, Miró and Picasso (many of whom were guests) adorn the walls, accompanied by a portrait of Hulda Zumsteg, who founded the restaurant in 1924 with her husband, Gottlieb.
Choupette, Enge
This colourful modern brasserie is five minutes on foot from Lake Zürich and connected to the Hotel Locke am Platz. In spring the vol-au-vent aux chanterelles with asparagus and morels is a particular favourite. The tartares are freshly prepared at the table and an excellent wine list complements the dishes. The urban interiors were created by designer Tatjana von Stein, who also furnished the Locke Living Group’s aparthotel.
Kindli, Altstadt
Founded in Lindenhof, Kindli was established as an inn in 1474 when the city was home to just 7,000 residents. The interior has a timeless feel, with walnut panelling, white tablecloths and silk reading lamps that create a cosy atmosphere. The menu features classic Mitteleuropa cuisine and contemporary Japanese dishes.
Gül, Langstrasse
Elif Oskan and Markus Stöckle own both the restaurants Rosi and Gül. Oskan has sought to make Gül a place of comfort and conversation. “Anyone of Turkish heritage would say that food, more than anything, is about community and gathering,” she says. As Zürich’s food scene continues to transform into a richly layered, multicultural feast, Gül’s spiced-up, fresh take on traditional Turkish dishes stands out.
Kunsthaus Bar, Altstadt
Kunsthaus Bar is a prized place for encounters between art and cuisine. The bar is a prime location for coffee before visiting the Kunsthaus Zürich, lunch between exhibitions or an aperitif after a long day of wandering the nearby galleries. The space was designed by David Chipperfield Architects and features a marble bar on emerald-green stools, plush, red booths, tall ceilings and sweeping light fixtures. But the main feature is a 1934 surrealist painting by artist Max Ernst titled “Pétales et jardin de la nymphe Ancolie”, which matches the interiors in colour palette and style.
Gamper Bar, Langstrasse
This paired-back wine bar is the type of place that you hope to find on an evening wandering the city. Gamper Bar can be found on a corner in the lively Langstrasse district, a few doors down from its sister restaurant. While head chef and owner Marius Frehner serves a four-course tasting menu at the restaurant, Gamper Bar is a more relaxed culinary affair, offering small dishes, charcuterie and an extensive selection of simple fish dishes.
La Stanza, Enge
School friends and restaurateurs Livio Notaro, Jonas Herde and Daniel Ferrari are at the helm of six hospitality projects in Zürich but La Stanza was the original. The ambient coffee bar wouldn’t feel out of place in Milan, though the interiors invite a sense of Manhattan historical charm (the trio have spent plenty of time in New York), complete with high ceilings, a marble-topped bar designed by a woodworker in Bergamo and ornate shutters. From dawn until dusk, a slew of well-heeled politicians and financiers frequent La Stanza for its coffee beans, smart choice of newspapers and the chilled jazz playlist curated in-house.
Samigo, Enge
Overlooking Lake Zürich, the ground floor and garden of Samigo Amusement is a restaurant while the rooftop is home to a sportsground that offers boxing, yoga, basketball and bootcamps. The menu fuels diners with flavourful choices, from truffle-aioli fries and cauliflower tempura to the forever-classic cheeseburger topped with homemade sauce. There’s also a Sunday brunch and a selection of iced treats for hot summer days. On Friday nights and Sunday, the rooftop basketball court is transformed into an open-air club.
Schnupf, Langstrasse
This restaurant-cum-bar serves quality dishes and drinks in its low-lit dining room on cosy nights and in a shaded garden on sunny days. Co-managed by Natalie Wachter and Rodrigo Zimmermann, Schnupf strikes the perfect balance between sophistication and informality with a menu that is compact and seasonal. Handcrafted ceramics and textiles from Zürich-based enSoie add to the ambiance, infusing the space with local artistry and charm.
Café Nude, Wipkingen
Café Nude stands out from the banks of the river Limmat with its yellow tables, floor-to-ceiling windows and steady hum of chatter. Though it is always bustling, the café doesn’t feel crowded thanks to its spaciousness. The award-winning concrete building was designed by Estudio Barozzi Veiga and shares the riverside space with Tanzhaus Züurich, a performing arts centre that focuses on contemporary dance.
