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Switzerland

Zurich

Switzerland, Zurich

We love Zurich – it’s awesome. Wander through the old town, appreciate the lake, consider shopping – as it’s one of the best places in Switzerland, which doesn’t appreciate brand diversity in most smaller towns. It’s very international and generally quite friendly.

Things to see

  • In the summer, the swimming areas lining the east side of the lake couldn’t be more charming – bring a towel, a bottle of wine, and settle in for a great day of swimming and socializing.
  • Kunsthaus: Zurich’s world-class gallery has a strong early 20th-century section, with important works by Switzerland’s own Alberto Giacometti plus Munch, Picasso and Matisse, and impressionists and post-impressionists including Manet and Van Gogh.
  • Stained glass windows: There are beautiful windows created by artist Marc Chagall in 1967 at the Fraumünster church; Sigmar Polke’s windows in the Grossmünster are also stunning. Pay for entry to both.

Food

  • **Chalet Züriberg is in the hills above town, with great views. It caters to a larger crowd, reservable for office parties and the like. Fun, fondue-focused.
  • ***Didi’s Frieden, Stampfenbachstrasse 32: excellent, one of the best wine lists in Zurich. Near the city center.
  • **Die Waid is one of those traditional Swiss places in the hills that Zurich seems to specialize in. Excellent view, handles larger groups well.
  • **Fischerstube Zurihorn: If it’s nice weather, this is a lovely, high end experience on a patio over the lake. It’s about a 15 minute walk south of the Opernhaus along a nice promenade on the lake. If it’s a clear evening you’ll have a beautiful view of the Alps. Reserve well in advance.
  • **Gasthaus Rathauskeller: excellent, in the old town. Classic Swiss standards and a nice rotating menu of elegantly plated seasonal options.
  • **Grande Café & Bar: this definitely is a more touristy option than I would normally choose, but it’s central and serves a decent American-style breakfast starting at 8 in Sat/Sun mornings.
  • ***LaSalle: very hip spot and location, in a concert hall converted from a shipbuilding warehouse. Huge portions. Average food.
  • **El Luchador: Mexican in Zurich! It’s honestly not great and a fairly rough-around-the-edges place, but still, it’s Mexican! I’d go back.
  • **LA Brea SoCal Tacos: terrible name, average food, expensive. I liked the setting (in the summer, the outdoor area), and the staff were working hard, so I’d likely go back.
  • **Osteria Borgo is an acceptable option in the very touristy old town area. It’s not amazing Italian, but the interior is nice.
  • **Raclette Stube: maybe a little touristy, but this is THE place for raclette in Zurich. They have salad, fondue, raclette, and rosti – that’s about it. Very classic.
  • **Restaurant Zugersee Lido: really pretty setting on the southeast side of the lake, but fairly average food, windy and exposed, and indifferent service. It’s okay, but not a destination.
  • **Sapa Canteen: decent Vietnamese in a modern/hip setting, easy walking distance to the main train station

A few restaurants out in Oerlikon:

  • **Fusio has good pizza and pasta (on the expensive side). 
  • *Kai sushi is pretty average for Switzerland – quality of the fish was good, fairly bland, high prices.
  • **Restaurant Namaste Oerlikon has rather good Indian food and painfully slow service.
  • **Tamarind Hill Indian Restaurant: I came here for a work dinner near Oerlikon, and honestly for a group meal, it was quite good. They have set menus that run about $60/head, with a big range of dishes.
  • **Tres Amigos: completely acceptable (if not spicy) tex-mex in a nice setting, not far from the train station.
  • **Jao Praya is a little tired on the interior, but the food (Thai) was pretty solid.

Hotels

  • **25hours Hotel Zurich: A hip choice, there are two locations (East and West). The spaces are  filled with contemporary art and the restaurants/food are quite good. Rooms range from bunk beds to suites, and they have a sauna and bikes. The ‘Langstrasse’ location is closer to the old town of Zurich.
  • **Acasa Suites (Oerlikon): rather nice, actually. It’s a corporate location on a busy street, but the lobby/restaurant has personality, and the rooms are comfortable.
  • *Hotel Alexander Zürich was a rather sad, bare bones budget hotel in the old town. Skip.
  • **Hotel Montana Zürich is close to the train station and very affordable (my room with breakfast ran 125 CHF in June 2026). It’s not fancy and a little tired, but the bed was comfortable and clean, and the breakfast more than typical). This is not a strong recommendation, but for a budget pick, it’s acceptable.
  • **Mama Shelter Zurich (Oerlikon): One of those “trying really hard to be hip” hotels. After a long work day, I found it a little annoying, but the location is really convenient, right by the train. And quite cheap for Zurich! Breakfast is slightly below average and the bar/restaurant (*Garden Mama) could really use a bit more attention and service.
  • **Scheuble Hotel: https://www.scheuble.ch/en/hotel: we liked this. Clean, friendly, very central, reasonable prices.
  • **Hotel Seehof: in a quieter part of town but still accessible. Nice beds, clean, good breakfast.

Further Out in Canton Zurich

  • **Restaurant Pöstli Baltenswil is a rather unassuming place on the edges of an industrial area, easily accessible from the freeway. Food was very good, schnitzel, burgers, cordon bleu.

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