Zurich is a charming, walkable town with an impressive culinary scene. As you stroll about the town center, you will find cafes along the Limmat River and amongst the finest shopping districts in the world.

As a Certified Sommelier and Certified Specialist of Wine, I seek out casual and upscale restaurants with great wine lists to share with my readers. If you are like me, food and wine are a big part of your travel experience, and you want to find the best places, especially when time is of the essence.

We discovered much of Zurich’s crème of the crop for casual dining in four short days. I highly recommend the following spots, and depending on the time of year you visit, I recommend choosing patio seating every chance you get.

Zurich Town Center

Simons Steakhouse

Below the Hirschen Hotel, Simon’s Steakhouse is in a casual environment and an excellent choice for lunch or dinner. They specialize in meat from Argentina and dry-aged beef from the United States. We enjoyed our fillets, but the sauces and the fixings made the meal; the Steakhouse salad with bacon, avocado, and croutons, baked potato, sautéed mushrooms, and fresh bread were delicious.

Their wine list, carefully curated with the help of local Zurich wine merchants, includes wines from across the globe that pair best with their hearty cuisine. The staff is personable and adds to the fun experience.

Vallocaia

We stopped in Vallocaia, a quaint Italian restaurant, and shared fresh bread and olive oil with a bottle of Brunello di Montalcino. The restaurant is exquisite inside and out. The menu includes homemade pasta, ravioli dishes, risotto entrees, and mouthwatering seafood, beef, lamb, and veal options.

August Boucherie at The Widder

Although located in the extravagant Widder Hotel, August Boucherie is an unassuming, comfortable spot with a traditional menu that includes locally sourced meat and fish. This restaurant is the place to order a ragout of Swiss veal, pork or beef, sausage skewers, or Fleischkase—if that is your thing. We started with their delightful Caesar Salad and a lovely bottle of Peppoli Chianti Classico.

August Boucherie is also a fine place for people-watching. We gazed out the large windows at the shoppers coming from Bahnhofstrasse Street, the infamous avenue for luxury goods.

Santa Lucia

Santa Lucia has a warm and inviting aura. The staff truly enjoy their craft, and the cuisine is fantastic. With delectable choices of gnocchi, pizzas, pasta, and risotto, you cannot go wrong. We loved the shrimp risotto and Caprese salad, but I was thrilled enough with the fresh bread and bottle of Masi Brolo CampoFiorin.

Gran Café Motta

Gran Café Motta is a cute café with views of the river. It was a fabulous perch for us to watch the professional cyclist event that was going on throughout the city. I highly recommend the Sea Bream Filet with artichoke hearts, cherry tomatoes, and potatoes; the ensemble of fish and vegetables was one of the most flavorful dishes I’ve ever had. If you are not a fish person, the Penne with chicken and spinach is also an enjoyable option.

Schobers Chocolade

If you are looking to satisfy your sweet tooth, Conditorei Schobers Chocolatier is a must-stop for chocolates, pralines, and baked goods. The owners take pride in their products and welcome customers to stroll in to enjoy hand-crafted treats from first-class Swiss production.

 

Fishing Village on Lake Zurich

Fischerstube Zurihorn

If you only have time for one meal in Zurich, go to Fischerstube Zurihorn. The restaurant has the perfect patio overlooking Lake Zurich, free entertainment to include surfers and boaters dancing upon the waters, superior cuisine, and an excellent wine selection.

A bottle of Vino Rosso Baca Nera, a red blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Corvina from Veneto, set the stage for us. We accompanied the wine with an appetizer of smoked trout salad with fresh cream, beetroot, granny smith apples, and hazelnut vinaigrette. My entrée of handmade sepia tagliolini with salmon, whitefish, and golden shrimp in saffron sauce was unforgettable. My husband got the Salmon burger, which was also top-notch.

Lucerne

Da Ernesto

If time allows, take a day trip from Zurich to Lucerne. The town has breathtaking views of the Alps and Lake Lucerne and an abundance of cafes to pick from. If it is pizza, you desire while strolling the Cobblestone streets, look no further than Da Ernesto. The crust is crisp and flaky, and the sauce is divine. Start with an Aperol Spritz and a fresh garden salad and watch the tourists come and go under the Chapel Bridge.

Where to Stay

Ambassador Hotel

After our long night train journey from Vienna, we were exhausted and in much need of a shower. We overheard the couple ahead of us tell the hotel concierge that the Ambassador Hotel Zurich was by far the best hotel they had stayed at in Europe. We experienced the same hospitality and were welcomed and treated like royalty from start to finish.

Our room was spacious, and we had an adorable little balcony on which we always enjoyed our nightcaps. The laundry service was quick and efficient, and the gracious staff was always accommodating.

The restaurant Silk is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the bar is an excellent place to begin or end your day of touring the city. Our hotel package included breakfast, which included a mix of savory and sweet options: cheeses and meats, fresh bread and croissants, quiche, fruits, yogurt, and granola—and, of course, specialty coffee drinks.