Your summer in Zurich: top restaurants & attractions

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Your Zürich journey should start from the Niederdorf district's cobblestone pathways. Popularly called the Old Town, it is the most atmospheric and lively part of the city and home to many beloved tourist attractions. The medieval narrow streets rising steeply on the east side of the River Limmat are filled with historic charm. This neighborhood is home to some of the city’s most important religious buildings, such as the Minster of Our Lady Church, the Lindenhof – a Roman castle of majestic beauty, the Swiss National Museum, and the Grossmünster cathedral.

The ancient architecture of the Old Town is perfectly contrasted by landmarks like the Bahnhofstrasse shopping district and a surge of bars and restaurants that form a part of Zürich’s nightlife. One of the best ways to explore the lovely streets of Niederdorf and understand its orientation is to take a two-hour Zürich Highlights tour. After a guided excursion through the Old Town, you will board the Dolderbahn railway and journey to the hills of the Zürichberg district for panoramic views of the lake and the city.

Though there are many options for dining in the Old Town, we would recommend visiting Bianchi along River Limmat. It is a popular Italian restaurant that serves some of the best seafood in Zürich. It offers a comfortable and inviting ambiance with its stark white decked tables, well-lit dining space, red leather chairs, and teak wood paneled flooring. The eatery features a shaded outdoor patio that runs along the river promenade.

Chef Lucio Paiano is at the helm of the kitchen which creates a Mediterranean-style menu mostly made up of local seafood produce. Some of the unique specialty items you can enjoy at Bianchi are lobster cream soup, grilled king prawns in a spicy herb sauce, clams spaghetti with date tomatoes, roasted sea bass filet with spinach in mustard sauce, and pan-fried scallops served on a bed of mashed potatoes. An exceptional selection of Italian and German wines is also available to pair with your meal, and their professional team members will always recommend the very best choice.

by Cemil Erkoc https://www.facebook.com/VisitZurich

Lake Zürich is the scenic backdrop of Switzerland’s largest city. It is unbelievably picturesque, with its waterfront decked by colorful villas packed together. The crescent-shaped lake is fed by clear glacier waters that flow down the Swiss Alps. It measures 40 kilometers in length and 3 kilometers in width. Almost every tourist who visits Zürich is bound to come across the area at some point on their vacation. The promenade features parks, gardens, outdoor terrace cafés, and tranquil mountain scenery.

On sunny days, you will see half of the city head down to the lake to indulge in a host of activities like hiking, exploring the islands, boating, sunbathing, and high-end water sports. One of the unique ways to take in the breathtaking beauty of Lake Zürich is to ride on the Felsenegg cable car which takes you to a 800-meter viewpoint overlooking the whole space. If you would rather stay on the ground, then opt to relax in a lakeside villa or visit the historic Café Bar ODEON for a lovely brunch or early evening dinner.

Café Bar ODEON is a vintage Viennese-style coffee house nestled in the heart of Zürich. The grand café opened its door in July 1911 and revolutionized the way Zürich’s art and political socialites drank their Champagne. The first place in the country to start serving Champagne by the glass, it soon became an institute for literati and artists from all over the world. Café ODEON has been frequented over the years by notable personalities, such as James Joyce, Albert Einstein, the Dadaists, and Patricia Highsmith.

The interiors possess a beautiful Art Nouveau decor with marble-lined flooring that has been preserved in its original form for more than 100 years. It is the best place in the city to have a breakfast meal in its old-world charm ambiance. The menu features classic dishes, such as fresh Marennes-Oléron oysters, crostini with beef tartare, the ODEON burger, Viennese crêpes, French toast with whipped cream, house made apple strudel with vanilla sauce, and homemade waffles with berry compote. Start your mornings by taking a seat along the promenade in the patio area and enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of Champagne while waiting for your meal.

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Located Southwest of Zürich, Üetliberg Mountain is the most northerly summit in the Albis ridge. Standing at a height of 871 meters, it offers tourists and locals alike a relaxing break from the congestion of the city. Üetliberg is famous for its striking Alpine panoramas, seasonal sports trails, and mountain-top restaurants. The hiking trails have options for all ability levels, starting from the stroller-friendly Planet trail to the more challenging Alpine Ridge routes. If you are an adrenaline junkie, then other activities include paragliding and mountain biking.

One of the easiest ways to reach the top is to take a ride on the Üetlibergbahn – a mountain railroad that starts from Selnau station, and then walk for 10 minutes to the summit. There are two primary ways to take in the panoramic view, one is to visit the lookout tower during the daytime, and the second is to relish a lovely evening dinner in a glass-enclosed space of the UTO KULM restaurant.

Nestled high above Zürich on the summit of Uetliberg Mountain, UTO KULM is a classy fine dining establishment featuring the landscape of the city as its fabulous backdrop. It is a stylish restaurant serving international and Swiss cuisine in its lavish interiors. The decor is elegant and welcoming, complete with French-style floor-to-ceiling glass windows, oak wood tables, velvety cushioned chairs, and hanging chandelier light fixtures. The restaurant boasts an open-air terrace that is an ideal place for any special occasion.

The kitchen treats guests to exquisite à la carte dishes: cheese fondue with veal, chicken, bread, and mushrooms; smoked duck breast with fennel, pickled salmon with asparagus, sliced veal with hash browns, and baked sesame tofu with glass noodles. If you are looking for a luxurious, romantic, and fancy gastronomic experience, UTO KULM restaurant is the must-visit place to create long-lasting memories of your time spent in the city.

by Rudolf Schüpbach https://www.facebook.com/rudolf.schuepbach

Grossmünster, or the Great Minster Church, is Zürich’s highlight that dominates the city’s skyline with its iconic twin towers. It is a Romanesque three-aisled galleried basilica with a chancel over a crypt that was built between the 11th and 13th centuries. The upper levels of the towers date back to 1487, but the domed tops were added to the structure in 1782. Situated on the south tower facing the River Limmat is a seated figure of Charlemagne – the person believed to have founded the order of the church originally.

Other architectural marvels worth discovering in the cathedral are the two modern bronze doors made in 1935–36, the sculptured capital remains of Gothic wall paintings, the late Romanesque cloister from 1200, and three vividly colored stained-glass windows in the choir designed by Augusto Giacometti in 1933. Thanks to its blend of medieval architecture and modernity, the Grossmünster Church remains one of Zürich’s most iconic landmarks.

After exploring the Grossmünster Church, head to an equally iconic brasserie nearby called Louis. It is a quaint old bistro where the French influences are reflected not just in its nostalgic art deco style, but also in its gourmet cuisine. The interiors are classy and elegant, with wooden cabinets, bright hanging light fixtures, vintage simple wood chairs, and old tiled flooring. The establishment has a large outdoor terrace where you can enjoy the medieval architecture of the Old Town while sipping on fine French wine.

Diners can sample classical brasserie delicacies like lobster bisque with herb croutons, veal cordon bleu with pommes frites, escargots in parsley sauce, beef steak with Paris butter served on a bed of mashed potatoes, and smoked trout with asparagus in lemon butter sauce. After your meal, visit the second floor of the bistro which features “The Tina Bar” to savor a glass of wine or a signature cocktail from its expansive drinks’ menu.

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Situated inside a castle-like building with neo-Gothic influences, the Swiss National Museum showcases the cultural history of the country. The Museum’s 14 collections consist of over 820,000 exhibits covering a wide range of subjects, including archaeology, painting, sculptures, textiles, and fashion. The archeological collections showcase artifacts discovered in Switzerland that date back from 100,000 BC to about 800 AD.

Other sections cover works of gold, silversmiths, jewelry, watches and clocks, scientific and musical instruments. There is also an Armory Tower exhibit that displays medieval arms and ammunition. The most unusual object here is an 18th-century sled in the shape of a lady's shoe that is part of the section "Carriages, Sledges & Wagons". The Swiss National Museum is a must-visit tourist destination for avid history buffs and people interested in knowing more about the country.

Located right across the fairy tale-style Swiss National Museum, Spitz is a beautiful restaurant that combines sophisticated cuisine and a calming atmosphere. It features a large outdoor terrace seating and a stylish indoor dining room, where guests are served fresh seasonal fare. The interiors are made up of elegant high ceilings supported by ornamented columns, modern discreet light fixtures, dark green timbers, brown wooden furniture, and white decked tablecloths, which give it a relaxing vibe. The decor is designed in such a way that it strikes a perfect balance between traditional and modern.

Spitz presents a playful cuisine that is a little experimental in its execution. Some of the scrumptious dishes that you can find on the menu are grilled lettuce with lemongrass vervain sauce, smoked salmon tartare with chicory, grilled sea bass with kohlrabi in beurre blanc sauce, and crispy duck breast with carrot purée and potato mousseline. In desserts, you can relish an inventive blueberry mousse with lavender and laurel panna cotta with lemon sorbet.

Zürich’s districts are abuzz with activity and creativity. With its historic churches and cobbled alleyways, Switzerland’s capital feels like a fairy tale destination. From relaxing in quiet peaceful parks to exploring quirky shopping areas in refurbished industrial sites, it should be on every traveler’s bucket list.

Have you been to Zürich already? What was your experience there? Share your thoughts with other foodie travelers in the comment section below. And for more ideas, check out our latest food&travel guides and recipes.