The Hottest Restaurants in Zürich, Switzerland Right Now

Kronenhalle is one of Switzerland’s most iconic restaurants that was constructed in 1862. It is a culinary landmark that perfectly blends haute cuisine with fine arts. The legendary building was initially the meeting place for musicians, actors, authors, and artists. Some of them used to pay with their artworks, which is why guests today can gaze upon genuine canvases by Chagall, Picasso, Rodin, Matisse, Bonnard, and Miro, hanging on the restaurant's walls. The establishment is intimate in nature with old-world dining areas made up of white linen tablecloths, soft candlelight, dark wood walls, and stained glass.

Diners can enjoy traditional Swiss fare, such as Balleron sausage, chateaubriand steak with Bernaise sauce, sliced veal in a creamy gravy, and Wiener schnitzel with potato rosti. Besides the classic dishes, the restaurant has also introduced vegetarian and vegan versions of its signature items, such as vegetarian Zürcher Geschnetzeltes made with mushrooms and faux meat, and avocado à la vinaigrette. In desserts, visitors can indulge in the richest chocolate mousse, apple sorbet, and classic Italian crème brulée. If you want to experience dining the old-fashioned way with silver domed dishes served by white frock waiters, then visit Kronenhalle restaurant in Zürich.

Nestled inside a historical building that dates back to 1315, Zunfthaus zur Waag is a traditional fine dining establishment that is located opposite the Fraumünster Church in Zürich center. The restaurant features an exquisite dining room on the first floor along with a spacious summer terrace seating that offers a breathtaking view of the city center. The interiors of the eatery are made up of vintage wooden furnishings, carpet floorings, and chandelier lights in cream and gray color tones that give the place an elegant and upscale vibe.

The kitchen is headed under the leadership of Chef Erik Schröter, whose menu is influenced by cuisines around the world. Today, Zunfthaus zur Waag has become a venue that showcases Swiss local dishes alongside international fare with specialties, such as Zürcher Geschnetzeltes – thinly sliced veal in a creamy sauce with tender mushrooms, crispy rosti with cranberry sauce, fried filet of lake perch served with almond butter, pan-fried sole fish with herb risotto, Wiener schnitzel with potato cucumber salad, and gnocchi in pesto sauce. Guests can also enjoy sweet dishes, including plum tart with cinnamon ice cream and dumplings with apricots in vanilla sauce.

If you are looking for some of the best Italian cuisines in Zürich, then La Piazza restaurant in the Friesenberg district is where you need to be. Opened in 2017, La Piazza offers its guests a small piece of Italy in Switzerland. Even the restaurant is designed like a comforting trattoria with an outdoor summer seating area and an indoor family-style dining room. The interiors of the establishment are made up of dark wooden furniture, sofa seatings, and hanging light fixtures in blue and white color tones.

Under the leadership of its owner and chef, Pablo Manduca, the kitchen prepares a menu that pays homage to the regional traditional dishes of Mediterranean cuisine. All the specialties are homemade using the most organic choice of ingredients in Switzerland. Some of the unique items that you can sample here are porcini mushroom risotto, shrimp scampi, quattro formaggi pizza, tagliatelle with fresh mussels, grilled salmon with dill sauce, lemon scallops in marsala sauce, and braised steak with mashed potatoes. La Piazza also features an extensive wine list made up of Italian labels to pair with your meals.

Weisses Rössli is a pleasantly quiet restaurant that has left its mark on Zürich's hip gastronomic scene. Located in the Enge District, this restaurant uses good quality ingredients to create dishes inspired by French cuisine with Mediterranean and seasonal influences. The dining room decor is relaxed and intimate in nature, made up of wooden tables and chairs, wood-paneled walls, and diffused lighting. The fine dining establishment also features an outdoor garden terrace seating surrounded by lush greenery.

The kitchen is run by a young team that is headed by Chef Mathieu Bacon, who has created a concise seasonal menu, where guests can choose the number of courses as per their preference. Visitors can indulge in culinary delicacies, such as halibut with estragon sauce served on white bean puree, veal entrecote wrapped in parma ham, pan-seared monkfish with gnocchi and beetroot, crispy rosti with braised veal filet, and smoked duck breast with black garlic. The meal ends on a sweet note with lavish dessert items: shortcrust pastry tart filled with dark chocolate, roasted hazelnuts, and truffle-flavored ice cream and Pavlova served with rhubarb sorbet.

Barranco is a modern restaurant inspired by the flavors of Lima. Situated directly opposite the Cafe du Bonheur, Barranco serves authentic Peruvian cuisine that is bursting with flavor, zing, and spices. The interiors of the restaurant are lively and harmonious, with colorful wall art made by street artist Entes, simple cafe-like wooden furniture, and indirect light fixtures in a monochromatic palette.

The meal starts with a traditional aperitif made by fermenting corn in large clay pots. It is a Pisco cocktail or a Peruvian beer-like drink called chica. The menu features classic dishes, such as ceviche clasico – chunks of raw stone bass fish marinated with a spicy citrus emulsion, camote umami – sweet potatoes with dried olives, feta cheese, and chili, anticuchos – grilled slices of beef heart, and lomo saltado – stir-fried beef strips in an avocado wasabi emulsion. Besides the amazing South American cuisine, guests can also enjoy wines and craft cocktails that will perfectly complement their meal.

Zürich is a city that is abuzz with activity day and night with its countless events, many museums, diverse gastronomic scene, and vibrant nightlife. If you are looking for rest and relaxation on your vacation, then you can visit the nearby Swiss Mountains, explore the peaceful parks around the city, or stroll through the quirky shopping areas in refurbished industrial sites. For history buffs, the city of Zürich is filled with Renaissance buildings and also houses lots of exhibitions both in and out of museums to keep art lovers happy for weeks. It is one of the finest Swiss cities to visit for an unforgettable experience.

Which attractions and restaurants would you like to visit on your vacation in Zürich? Share your ideas with our community in the comment section below. And don’t forget to check out our latest articles and recipes.