Rosso? No, Bar Basso! The new venue at Sihlstrasse – slightly hidden but just next to City Hallenbad – is the younger sister of the renowned Rosso Restaurant next to Hardbrücke. They seem to have a knack for finding locations which you don’t spot at first sight. But while it’s almost impossible to get a seat at Rosso short time, your chances are much better at Bar Basso.

Once inside you find industrial chic, turned into a comfortable, cosy environment. Simple but wonderful meals and a lovely staff await you. It’s not cheap, but going out for dinner in Zurich never is. And if you like pizza – Rosso is known for serving the best pizza in Zurich. If you like it to be thin and crispy give it a go at Bar Basso. It’s the same recipe.

I’ve only been there twice so far, as it just opened, but I’m sure I’ll become one of the regular.

Le Cèdre Bellevue is the young brother of Le Cèdre at Badenerstrasse (see the Le Cedre article). It opened in April this year, apparently to fill in some gaps that the original venue left open. It is managed by the (younger?) brother of the charmeur who rules the place in Badenerstrasse.

The difference between the two restaurants can be best summarized in two words: location and occasion.

About the location: the new restaurant is located more near the city center, the river and the lake. Most importantly, it has a big terrace.

For which occasion(s)? Here are some examples: a lunch if you are working in the area or visiting Zurich, an outdoors dinner during a warm evening, a snack for reacting to hunger after a swim nearby. So if the original place is ideal for a special experience, to be planned and savored in each detail, the new venue is mostly chosen after spontaneous decision-making.

The menu at Cèdre Bellevue is a subset of the menu of the original restaurant. However, if you are a regular of Badenerstrasse and don’t see your favorites in the menu, just ask. I myself realized that the Viagra (name of an appetizer, Pfizer is not directly contributing to its preparation) was available although it was not listed.

Café Milchbar is a recent discovery. Several years after my first visit, I ventured again into the Zentralhof, a beautiful and quiet square hidden near the busy and hectic Bahnhofstrasse. The square evoked vague memories of the Place Vosges in Paris. In the middle there is a fountain. During the warm season it is surrounded by flowers. Two cafés share the southeastern corner of the square for their tables.

The venue is a bakery offering a wide range of breads, sandwiches and pastries. It claims to be the only bakery in the city center preparing its own bread. It caters to early birds since it opens at 05:00 during working days. Lunch is also an option.

For me personally the spot is becoming a preferred station during my Saturday afternoon city stroll. I evade the crowds of the Bahnhofstrasse and enjoy my tomato-mozzarella specialty before going back to where the action is, preferably Confisserie Sprüngli (see the Sprüngli article).

Self service applies. Several major daily newspapers are available. When sitting outside you can choose between a table in the square or in the corridor leading out to the Kappelergasse, where the front entrance to the Café is. But even when sitting inside, during colder weather, you will still appreciate the atmosphere, it always feels like “taking a break”.

The Limmatquai, the eastern side of the river Limmat, prides itself as being one of the best addresses of the globe. Less crowded but much more elegant is, in my opinion, the western bank of the river. It is a pedestrian walk offering a unique perspective of the city.

Café Wühre is a small cozy café “strategically” located on the western bank of the Limmat. Open throughout the year, the café assumes its maximum charm during the warm season when tables are located outside along the waterline. During a sunny evening the visitor enjoys a colorful view of the Limmatquai which is literally “splashed” with sunlight.

The place offers coffee, tea, snacks and small meals. I recommend the big yogurt portion with fruits or seeds (around 12 CHF).

At busy times, the spot is ideal for people-watching. Numerous locals and tourists stream by in both directions.

Prices are below average. You arrive by walk. The nearest public transportation stop is a boat station 50 m to the north or the tram stations at the other side of the river (140 m).