Zürich is Switzerland's largest city and the capital of the canton of Zürich, set on the northern tip of Lake Zürich where the Limmat river leaves the lake, with the Alps visible on clear days. It combines a medieval old town, world-class museums, lakeside swimming, and the luxury shopping of Bahnhofstrasse with famously punctual public transport and very high prices.
Zürich's cuisine mixes German-Swiss traditions with Alpine cheese cooking and a strong international and vegetarian scene. The signature dish is Zürcher Geschnetzeltes, sliced veal in a cream and mushroom sauce served with rösti, alongside cheese fondue, raclette, St. Galler bratwurst, Birchermüesli and Sprüngli's Luxemburgerli. Haus Hiltl, founded in 1898, is the world's oldest vegetarian restaurant. Local lake fish such as perch, Swiss wines from the Zürichsee slopes and Swiss chocolate complete the table.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define Zürich.
Zürcher Geschnetzeltes
Sliced veal in a creamy white-wine and mushroom sauce, served with rösti
Where to try: Kronenhalle / Zeughauskeller / Zunfthaus zur Waag
Price: CHF 32-48 (approx USD 40-60)
Cheese Fondue
Melted Gruyère and Vacherin cheese eaten with bread cubes, a cold-season classic
Where to try: Swiss Chuchi / Le Dézaley
Price: CHF 33-45 (approx USD 41-56)
Raclette
Melted raclette cheese scraped over potatoes, gherkins and onions
Where to try: Raclette Factory
Price: CHF 30-45 (approx USD 38-56)
St. Galler Bratwurst
Grilled veal bratwurst served with a Bürli bread roll and mustard
Where to try: Sternen Grill
Price: CHF 8-10 (approx USD 10-13)
Luxemburgerli
Light macaron-style confections made fresh by Sprüngli
Where to try: Confiserie Sprüngli Paradeplatz
Price: CHF 2-3 each (approx USD 3-4)
Egli Fillets
Fried Lake perch fillets
Where to try: Fischstube Zürichhorn
Price: CHF 35-50 (approx USD 44-63)
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Swiss
French
Indian
Lake Fish
Market Hall With Local And International Food
Modern Swiss
Swiss Beer Garden
Swiss Cafe And Chocolate House
Swiss Fine Dining
Tibetan
Traditional Swiss Beer Hall
Food tours & tastings in Zürich
Eat your way through Zürich with a guide.
Browse food experiences in ZürichWe may earn a commission from bookings made through these links.
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Bratwurst
Grilled sausage with a Bürli roll eaten standing
Find it at: Sternen Grill, Bellevue
Cervelat
Grilled Swiss sausage, scored and charred
Find it at: Lakeside kiosks and city parks
Vegetarian buffet by weight
Hot and cold buffet priced per 100 g
Find it at: Haus Hiltl
Falafel and kebab
Quick takeaway in the Langstrasse district
Find it at: Langstrasse (Kreis 4)
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Bürkliplatz Market
Lakeshore market with produce and flowers
Hours: Tue and Fri mornings (confirm on the city of Zürich website)
Markthalle im Viadukt
Indoor market hall with regional and international food in railway arches
Hours: Hours vary by stall
Frau Gerolds Garten
Seasonal food garden in Zürich West
Hours: Seasonal, afternoons and evenings
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Lunch is roughly 11:30AM-2PM and dinner 6PM-10PM; many kitchens close between meals
Tipping is not mandatory; rounding up by a few francs is customary
Tap water is safe and free to request; ask for 'Hahnenwasser'
Reserve in the winter fondue season
- Vegetarian
- Excellent; Zürich is a vegetarian capital with Hiltl and many dedicated restaurants
- Halal
- Available at Middle Eastern and Turkish restaurants, particularly around Langstrasse
- Gluten free
- Widely understood; ask for 'glutenfrei'
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | CHF 12-25 per meal (approx USD 15-31) | Bratwurst, market food halls, buffet by weight |
| Mid-range | CHF 30-55 per meal (approx USD 38-69) | Traditional restaurants serving Zürcher Geschnetzeltes, fondue and raclette |
| Upscale | CHF 100+ per meal (approx USD 125+) | Hotel and fine-dining restaurants |