Image by Minimum bouldering

I started bouldering back in England at university and although I wouldn’t call myself a supreme hardcore climber I do thoroughly enjoy it. Not only the activity itself but the laid back attitude that seems to be a mandatory character trait for those who indulge in the sport.

When I moved here I was delighted to find that my flatmate was a climber too. We set out to find ourselves a nearby bouldering spot and came across Minimum…after about 45 minutes of searching for it! It’s not the easiest place to find so I’d suggest you write down the exact address if you decide to go and check it out. It’s right by tram stop Post Wollishofen.

The bouldering facilities are simple but more than adequate. The one limiting factor would be the size and only because the place seems to have become increasingly popular! I don’t blame people from wanting to become regulars after visiting this place though – it has a built in bar, a common use barbecue (bring your own meat), they sell cheap and tasty food in the evenings and once a month they host a music event.

I’m a bit out of practice at the moment so if you see a small black haired girl cursing in the corner somewhere because she’s dropped a few levels, come over and say hi!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Minimum | Relaxing | Own shoes CHF 14
Bachstrasse 15 | Kreis 2 Enge
Mon – Tue 17:30 – 23:00, Wed 12:00 – 23:00, Thu – Fri 17:00 – 23:00, Sat-Sun 13:00 – 20:00

Image by Miltiadis Sarakinos

My journey of discovery of ethnic food started during my student years in the U.S. Up to that point, my only alternative to Greek food had been pizza. In Boston I first discovered Chinese and Thai. Mexican also felt good. Enlightenment came with sushi; confirmation later when I discovered Indian and Arabic here in Switzerland.

Indian food meant primarily tandoori in all its variations: chicken, shrimp, fish and lamb. For those unaware: a tandoori meal is cooked in the tandoor, a clay oven where the food is placed at a safe distance from the fire for slow cooking.

So it would be no surprise that a new restaurant named Tandoori would attract my attention; especially if the restaurant is located in my favorite area. After this first visual arousal, other senses had to be involved: the food had to be tried. And the venue passed the test with a very high note. Apparently, they know how to serve tandoori dishes with quite intense flavors. If there are two of you (my lucky number when it comes to dinner) get the shrimp and a chicken to share them. If there is a third person involved, get the fish to practice the ultimate sharing.

For the extremists: dinner buffet on Saturdays for a very reasonable price of 35 CHF/person. For the working class: lunch buffet during weekdays.

I like the interior: its secondary role as an art gallery with paintings for sale fits my taste.

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Tandoori | Restaurants (Indian) | Fish Tandoori CHF 25.00
Bleicherweg 19 | Kreis 2 Enge | +41442020021
Mon – Sat 10:30 – 23:00, Sun 17:30 – 23:00

Image by Miltiadis Sarakinos

Every rule is best confirmed by its exceptions. So here are some of my rules: I practice dinner cancelling and I avoid red meat (health awareness). I also prefer ethnic restaurants: Arabic, Asian, Indian, Italian, Greek etc.

And now the exception(s): I permit myself the pleasure of a dinner with red meat in a typical Swiss restaurant. My favorite delicacy is bio-beefsteak tatar. For those unaware: it is smashed high quality raw beef that is pasted like (or together with) butter on toasted bread. OK, I skip the butter and have a good conscience but I order the very spicy version of the meal.

Mövenpick is a chain of Swiss restaurants. Their offerings overlap. Quality and service are impeccable. From the entire chain in Zurich I prefer the Palavrion because of the setting: in the summer it is possible to sit outside and in the winter just behind the big glass wall where it feels like sitting outside. Since the venue is located in an area with many bars and clubs, it is possible to enjoy people-watching at its best.

After my favorite meal, I always neutralize the flavor with a scoop of stracciatella ice cream and an Espresso. Only afterwards do I regain my health awareness.

Some additional information: there is a wide Sushi offering and a Sunday buffet brunch for CHF 29.00.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Mövenpick Palavrion | Coffee & tea, Restaurants (Swiss) | Beefstake Tatar CHF 31
Beethovenstrasse 32 | Kreis 2 Enge | +41442865454
Mon – Fri 08:30 – 00:00, Sat 11:00 – 00:00, Sun 11:00 – 23:00

Image by Miltiadis Sarakinos

Onyx Bar is best known as Hyatt Bar. I discovered it shortly after it opened a few years ago and gradually adopted it because it reminded me of my nights out in Helsinki during the 90s.

Hyatt Bar feels classy and sinful at the same time. It is the choice of many well-dressed people. Once I commented to a lady with whom I was sharing a table in Onyx: “there are many beautiful women here” and she replied: “and many beautiful men too”. Indeed, many people there are good looking; they know it, they show it and many like to take advantage of it.

You will encounter diversity and contrast: coats and ties together with jeans and leather jackets; young people of student age as well as a more mature public; young women conversing with older men and vice versa; dresses ranging from the very conservative, teacher-type to the most extravagant outfit.

You will hear non-local languages: German as spoken in Germany, English, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese and a lot of Russian.

There is background music whose volume rises as the evening progresses. And during the warm season, there are tables outside. Maybe there would be a Ferrari or a Lamborghini parked on the pavement.

To complement the offering: nuts roasted in-house and sweet coconut-flavored chips (you eat one, you can’t stop) as well as a large humidor with the flagships of Cuban and Dominican production.

The service is excellent.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Onyx Bar – Hyatt Hotel | Bars, Coffee & tea, Restaurants | Juice CHF 9.00
Beethoven-Strasse 21 | Kreis 2 Enge | +41438831072
Sun – Wed 06:30 – 01:00, Thu – Sat 06:30 – 02:00

Image by Miltiadis Sarakinos

I introduced the sauna experience in my article about Sauna Utoquai (see the Sauna Utoquai article). Here is some more philosophy mixed with facts: apparently, sauna strengthens the immune system. According to one theory, it is the high temperature in the cabin which simulates fever in the body thus killing harmful germs. According to another theory (mine), it is the thin layer of subcutaneous fat (nothing to do with getting fat) that develops after a few months of regular visits: it acts as a heat shield for the body. If you ask me: it is the euphoric kick (lots of endorphins) after coming out of the cold lake.

So if you are visiting Zurich or live here and became curious, go to Sauna Enge: housed at a public baths wooden platform sitting ON the lake, it offers a great view of Zürisee and the Glarner Alps. There are three cabins one of which (the best one) is reserved for women Tuesday to Saturday. The whole establishment is reserved for women on Mondays.

There is a lot of space for sunbathing and, should it get cold, you can cover up with blankets and/or move inside behind the glass door and still gaze at the lake and the snowy mountain peaks.

A two-hour stay is recommended but nobody controls. Go early on a sunny day, have breakfast (basic snacks are available) and leave after dark so as to experience all luminosity phases of the lake. A book belongs to the must-have accessories.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Sauna Enge | Relaxing | Single entrance CHF 25.00
Mythenquai 9 | Kreis 2 Enge | +41442013889
Oct – Apr 09:00 – 23:00 | Special times in the summer