5 Essential Food Spots in Zurich

1. Le Mere Catherine

A list of Zurich food destinations cannot be complete without including the incredible Le Mere Catherine. The setting itself is shyly tucked away between narrow cobblestoned streets, and its interior feels reminiscent of the late Tudor period, with its white walls and dark wood beams arching overhead. This is the perfect spot to stop for lunch on a cold day. I still fondly reminisce about the marvelous plate of toasted baguette slices topped with fresh goat cheese I had last time I visited the city. Follow this up with a bowl of the soup du jour and you’ll be warmed well enough to continue your adventures for the day. 

2. Le Dezaley

Le Dezaley leans more towards traditional Swiss cuisine, specializing in dishes from Vaud in particular. Visitors will be happy to learn that an age-old fondue recipe is served here, and those more familiar with local fare will be delighted to find Rösti (a common hashbrown-like dish served with a variety of toppings such as cheese, eggs or ham), among the offerings. My personal favorite is the homemade Spätzlipfanne with cheese and vegetables. Spaetzle is a sort of macaroni and cheese type dish that definitely should not be skipped. 

3. Brezelkonig

Available at the Hauptbahnhof, Brezelkonig is a staple for train rides. Pair one of their freshly baked pretzels with a cold Apfelschorle and you’re in for the ultimate snack pairing, a real treat to enjoy as you watch the scenery rush past your carriage. The warm, buttery pretzel is soft and doughy, with just the perfect amount of flaky salt scattered across the top. The Apfelschorle, a common carbonated apple drink in the region, complements the pastry well. 

4. Teuscher

Thankfully for those of us who are in the United States for the foreseeable future due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Teuscher can also be found in select locations domestically, including Newport Beach, Beverly Hills and San Diego. Notable for both their decadent chocolate varieties and the colorful and well-decorated interior of the shop, picking up Teuscher feels like an immersive experience into a candy wonderland, rather than just popping down to the grocery store to pick up a Hershey bar. Between the sights, the taste of the samples and the delightful cocoa aroma of the store, Teuscher is a great place to stop for both a snack and some souvenirs for friends and family. 

5. Johanniter

I have yet to make a visit to Switzerland without visiting Johanniter. If you walk into the restaurant and there’s a giant copper kettle-like apparatus suspended from the ceiling then you’re in the right place. My go-to dish whenever I visit is a large plate of Rösti with a nice link of bratwurst. These days I would omit the meat, but back in the day I always favored the St. Galler bratwurst, which is white instead of the usual brown or red color one might expect from a sausage. Also notably offered at this establishment are large glasses of local and regional beers.