Day-by-day eating plans for Zurich: weekend classics, family routes, vegan plans, on-a-budget editions.

Making a weekend of it

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Day-by-day plans

Zurich weekend: the classics, done right

  • ★ 4.6
  • 2 days
  • First-time visitor, two days

A weekend built around the Zurich canon: Geschnetzeltes at a guildhall, Spruengli on Paradeplatz, fondue beside the Grossmuenster, and one Heilemann lunch at the Widder.

  1. Day 1Saturday: Niederdorf, lake, zunfthaus dinner

    Morning
    Coffee and sourdough toast at John Baker Stadelhofen from 08:00. Walk into Niederdorf along the Limmat, stopping at Spruengli on Paradeplatz for a hot chocolate at the cafe.
    Afternoon
    Lunch at Zunfthaus zur Waag on the Muensterhof. Order Zuercher Geschnetzeltes with butter rosti, a glass of Buendner Pinot, the canonical version of both. Walk along the lakeside afterwards.
    Evening
    Dinner at Le Dezaley beside the Grossmuenster from 19:30. Fondue moitie-moitie, a bottle of Lavaux Chasselas, raclette to share if you are hungry.

    StopsJohn Baker Stadelhofen CafeCafe Spruengli ParadeplatzZunfthaus zur WaagLe Dezaley

  2. Day 2Sunday: Hiltl brunch, Bahnhofstrasse walk, Kronenhalle long lunch

    Morning
    Brunch at Haus Hiltl from 10:00. Birchermuesli, the vegetarian buffet by weight, a fresh juice from the bar. Walk south along Bahnhofstrasse to Paradeplatz after.
    Afternoon
    Sunday lunch at Kronenhalle on Raemistrasse from 12:00: a long Sunday meal of Tafelspitz or Geschnetzeltes under the Chagall and Miro originals. The kitchen runs continuously through to 22:30.
    Evening
    Cocktails at the Kronenhalle Bar from 20:00, then a nightcap and Mousse au chocolat in the dining room before walking the Limmat back to the hotel.

    StopsHaus HiltlKronenhalleKronenhalle Bar

Three days of Zurich tasting menus

  • ★ 4.7
  • 3 days
  • Fine-dining traveller, three days

A three-day fine-dining route through Zurich's two-star kitchens: Widder, IGNIV and the Dolder Grand, with light meals between to recover.

  1. Day 1Day 1: Thursday Widder lunch, light dinner

    Morning
    Coffee and pastries at MAME Josef from 09:00. Filter coffee, perhaps an espresso flight to start the trip properly.
    Afternoon
    Thursday lunch at Widder Restaurant from 12:00. Stefan Heilemann's four-course tasting in 90 minutes for CHF 160; the easiest way into one of the city's best two-star kitchens.
    Evening
    Light dinner at Bauernschaenke on Rindermarkt from 19:30: soul-food plates, a single glass of wine, then early to bed.

    StopsMAME JosefWidder RestaurantBauernschaenke

  2. Day 2Day 2: Friday market morning, IGNIV dinner

    Morning
    Friday morning at Markthalle Im Viadukt from 09:00: produce, cheese, charcuterie under the railway arches in Kreis 5, a small lunch at the stalls before the lake walk.
    Afternoon
    Walk the lakeside from Bellevue to Tiefenbrunnen, stopping at MAME Seefeld for a filter coffee. Rest at the hotel.
    Evening
    Dinner at IGNIV Zurich by Andreas Caminada from 19:00: Daniel Zeindlhofer's two-star sharing tasting menu, designed for the table to dismantle together.

    StopsMarkthalle Im ViaduktMAME SeefeldIGNIV Zurich by Andreas Caminada

  3. Day 3Day 3: Saturday brunch at the Dolder, evening tasting

    Morning
    Saturday brunch at Saltz at the Dolder Grand from 12:00: seafood, charcuterie, hot kitchen, the view back across the city.
    Afternoon
    Rest at the hotel. A short walk in the Adlisberg before dinner; the Dolder spa if you booked it.
    Evening
    Dinner at The Restaurant at the Dolder Grand from 19:00: Heiko Nieder's two-star tasting menu, modern European with Asian accents. The kitchen takes Sundays and Mondays off, so build the trip Thursday through Saturday.

    StopsSaltz at The Dolder GrandThe Restaurant at the Dolder Grand

Zurich Old Town day: fondue, lake, Niederdorf

  • ★ 4.6
  • 1 day
  • First-time visitor, single day

A Zurich first-day walk from the Bahnhofstrasse to the lake, with a Swiss-classic fondue dinner in Niederdorf.

  1. Day 1Day 1: Bahnhofstrasse to Niederdorf

    Morning
    Coffee and a Tirggel from Confiserie Honold at 09:30, then walk the Bahnhofstrasse.
    Afternoon
    Lunch at Zeughauskeller from 13:00 for the canonical Swiss Wurst plate and a Räbe-Helles. Walk the Lindenhof viewpoint after.
    Evening
    Fondue dinner at Swiss Chuchi at 19:30 for the moitié-moitié on the Niederdorf strip, finishing with a kirsch on the side.

    StopsZeughauskellerRestaurant Swiss Chuchi

Zurich lake day: Felchen Knusperli and a boat

  • ★ 4.7
  • 1 day
  • Lake day, single day

A Zurichsee day with the canonical Felchen Knusperli lakeside lunch and a boat to Rapperswil.

  1. Day 1Day 1: Bahnhof to the lake and back

    Morning
    Breakfast at Cafe Sprüngli on Paradeplatz at 09:00 for a Luxemburgerli (the trademark Zurich macaron) and an espresso.
    Afternoon
    Lunch from 12:30 at Le Dezaley for the Felchen Knusperli (deep-fried lake whitefish) and a Federwiisser when in season. Boat to Rapperswil at the end of the lake after lunch.
    Evening
    Back in Zurich, dinner at Kronenhalle from 19:30 for the canonical Zurigeschnetzeltes (Zurich-style veal in cream sauce with Rösti).

    StopsCafe Spruengli ParadeplatzLe DezaleyKronenhalle

Zurich Langstrasse night: world food, craft beer, late jazz

  • ★ 4.5
  • 1 evening
  • Off-axis evening

A Langstrasse and Kreis 4 evening on Zurich's most diverse food strip, with craft beer and a late jazz finish.

  1. Day 1Day 1: Langstrasse from north to south

    Morning
    Skip; this itinerary starts at dinner.
    Afternoon
    Start at the north end of the Langstrasse around 18:30 and walk south towards Helvetiaplatz while the strip fills up.
    Evening
    Dinner at Hiltl from 19:30 (the world's oldest vegetarian restaurant, since 1898) for the buffet and beer. Move to Restaurant Markthalle in the Viadukt arches for late drinks; finish at one of the Langstrasse jazz cellars.

    StopsHaus HiltlRestaurant Markthalle Im Viadukt

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Making a trip of these plans? Where to stay in Zurich, what to book ahead, and a car for the day trips. Prices and availability open on each partner's site.

  • Zen HotelsPlaces to stay in Zurich · from USD 124 a nightSee stays
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