Manora

Manora is the self-service restaurant concept operated by Manor, Switzerland's largest department store chain, and occupies prominent positions in major Swiss city centres including Zürich's Bahnhofstrasse, Basel, Bern, and Geneva. The format is a cafeteria-style counter where diners select dishes from a rotating daily menu, pay at the register, and seat themselves in large, airy dining rooms typically located on upper floors of Manor stores. The food quality is distinctly above that of a typical chain cafeteria: daily specials draw on Swiss and international cuisines and are prepared fresh on site. Typical offerings include pasta dishes, grilled meats, salad bars with a wide selection, Asian-inspired rice bowls, and Swiss classics such as Rösti and Geschnetzeltes. The salad bar is widely regarded as particularly strong, with a mix of composed salads and fresh vegetables priced by weight. Pastries and desserts from Manor's in-house bakery round out the selection. Prices are moderate by Swiss standards and represent good value in city-centre locations where alternatives at comparable quality typically cost considerably more. Seating is informal and the atmosphere is functional rather than atmospheric — these are practical, uncomplicated places to refuel. Manora restaurants are open during department store hours, typically Monday through Saturday, and some locations now open on Sundays. The Zürich Bahnhofstrasse location on the upper floors of the Manor flagship is one of the largest in the country.