Image by Christine Syrad

My friend suggested I check out a place that I had yet to realize was going to land its way into my top 3 restaurants in Zurich. I am eternally grateful for the recommendation.

I love this place for a number of reasons, the food being a pretty obvious factor, of course. Aside from offering mouth-watering dishes, some rather unusual ones too, for very reasonable prices by Zurich standards, the wine selection (now presented on an iPad as well as on the wall) is delightfully extensive. The atmosphere really lends itself to sipping on indulgent wines in the company of your favourite people.

The first couple of times I ordered the Tavolata, which is definitely amazing value – for 55 CHF you will be treated to an array of antipasti, sort of tapas style in their presentation, followed by two pasta dishes that lead to the finale of meat. For the quality you get, I can’t think of anywhere else that offers the same bang for your buck (and without making you feel cheap either).

More recently I’ve been exploring the regular menu and today’s beef goulash with spaetzle (a Southern German and Swiss specialty) was divine despite my not even being that great a fan of speatzle. They may have changed my mind about the little blobs of eggy dough, or is it, perhaps, maybe, that I have become a little Swiss?

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Zum Alten Löwen | Restaurants (Swiss/European) | Tavolata CHF 55
Universitätstrasse 111 | Kreis 6/7 Fluntern | +41433431169
Mon – Fri 11:00 – 14:00 & 18:00 – 00:00, Sat 18:00 – 00:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zurich

Image by Blinde Kuh

There are a few imitations of this concept in major cities around the world, but what makes this one special is that it was the first of its kind – this is where people first flocked to with the desire to attempt to not-so-dexterously lift their forks to their mouths in pitch darkness. It is also where I first succumbed to poking a finger in my glass as I poured my water to ensure I didn’t spill it everywhere and where I hope eating with my fingers will be confined to unless I travel to a country in which it is considered standard.

I don’t want to spoil the experience for anyone by outlining it all here seeing as the mystery of it all was what made it so fun, but there are some highlights I have to share to entice you into going. The image you see above shows how your evening will start. Once you’ve taken a look at the menu you’ll be escorted to your table conga style by the blind waiter or waitress who will be actively involved in your dining experience.

If you’re lucky, you’ll end up next to some people who haven’t realised that just because they can’t see, it doesn’t mean people around you can’t hear you. The couple next to us were on a first date and it’s thanks to the setting of this particular restaurant that we got to observe a hilariously cringeworthy exchange of sweet nothings.

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Blinde Kuh | Art & culture, Restaurants (European) | Whole experience CHF 80
Mühlebachstrasse 148 | Kreis 8 Seefeld | +41444215050
Lunch Wed – Fri 11:30 – 14:00 | Dinner Mon – Thu 18:30 – 23:00 Fri – Sun 18:00 – 23:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zurich

Image by Christine Syrad

I was looking for a special place to go to for a special person’s celebration and, while I run the risk of tooting my own horn, I have to say my choice of restaurant was absolutely spot on for the occasion.

The restaurant in Hotel Greulich is quiet and modern and yet it manages to keep the atmosphere cosy and warm. The staff add to the place’s appeal – rarely have I encountered better service in Zurich.

The intrigue of this place lies in it’s Tapas-esque menu. The concept is called, “small plates” but the tidbit of food that appears in front of you is certainly more upmarket than your average tapas.

I opted for the Suprise Klein and was entertained with four different dishes (two as a started and two as a main) and thoroughly enjoyed the after taste of the experience. It was hard to encapsulate the ethnic genre of the food, so I’ll just say it was probably based on what inspired the chef on that particular day. My pineapple sorbet with pineapple chutney and rosemary pannacotta suggested he was going for tropical vibes.

If you’re in the mood for good food but not quite sure where your craving is headed, then give Hotel Greulich’s small plates a try. Be warned that it’s not cheap, but I do think you get value for money, which, you may have noticed by now, is not always the case in Zurich.

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Hotel Greulich | Bars, Restaurants (Various) | Surprise set CHF 68
Herman-Greulich-Strasse 56 | Kreis 4 Aussersihl | +41432434243
12:00 – 13:45 & 18:30 – 21:45 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zurich

Image by Christine Syrad

When I first arrived in Zurich I immediately went to this place to stock up on some Japanese essentials. There is a Japanese food corner in Globus and Jelmoli but the selection is by far the biggest at Nishi. You can buy rice in bulk (up to 10kg) and you can find fresh ingredients such as lotus root and proper tofu (not just the tetra pack kind). I was most happy about the ice cream and spent a few minutes wondering how much trouble they must go through to bring frozen goods to Switzerland from Japan.

If you’re looking for some Japanese bits and bobs for around the house like little decorations and kitchenware, then Nishi most likely has what you’re looking for. If you’re a Japanese television drama and film fan you can rent DVDs for 4 CHF or so. It may be a small shop, but it’s equipped with a myriad of nostalgia inducing objects for the Japanese residents of Zurich. For non-Japanese visitors it provides a great selection of food to get acquainted with.

Don’t forget, there is much more to Japanese food than sushi so get yourself over to Nishi to stock up on the alternatives, some of which you can taste at Ooki (check the Ooki article).

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Nishi | Shopping
Schaffhauserstrasse 120 | Kreis 6/7 Fluntern | +41443631163
Mon – Fri 09:00 – 18:30, Sat 09:00 – 16:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zurich

Image by Christine Syrad

Despite not being a girly girl and despite never being able to maintain manicured hands due to my climbing, I found this place really enchanting and am contemplating using the cold weather as a hiatus from climbing just so I can pull beautifully manicured hands out of my ski gloves this year. Just for a change.

Schminkbar is tucked away behind Bahnhofstrasse and is the perfect little oasis in the middle of all the shopping chaos that surrounds it. Upon entering you’re faced with a bar where you can order a hot tea or perhaps a prosecco, whichever you find relaxes you more. If you come just in time for your appointment, don’t fret, you will get some tea and a fruit kebab during your treatment anyway.

What I find so appealing about this place is that you won’t find an air of pretentiousness that can sometimes waft around such salons. Since my nails never resemble anything other than tools that help me grip walls, I usually feel embarrassed about presenting them to a manicurist. Here I felt like it’s ok to walk in with claws and expect to leave with hands fit for a magazine spread.

The quick manicures and pedicures are perfect for those of us in a perpetual hurry who still want to look polished – they only take 30 mins or so max!

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Schminkbar | Relaxing | Manicure CHF 30
Beatengasse 9 | Kreis 1 City | +41433330808
Mon 11:00 – 20:00, Tue – Fri 09:00 – 20:00, Sat 09:00 – 18:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zurich

Image by Christine Syrad

This isn’t a shop for shopaholics, or perhaps it is. It depends on how you sate your addiction, by buying one-off expensive pieces or buying large quantities of lesser priced items. If you’re the former addict, then this place may be your downfall.

I have to admit I do not own anything from here (yet!), as it is the kind of place you walk out of 200 CHF poorer with only a hat, albeit a beautiful hat, to show for your investment. However, I find it’s the optimal place to go to on those days I aspire to be more, well, eclectic. The inspiration you get from this place is enough to place it on my list of favourite shops. It’s quite simply a breath of fresh air from all the mainstream brand boutiques you find on Bahnhofstrasse.

Even the layout of the shop beckons you to wander in and take a little gander at what they have to offer – it’s almost as if the clothes are walking on their own little catwalk!

If you fall in love with something and then kick yourself for not having the guts to buy it then and there, their new online shop will erase all your regrets.

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Eclectic | Shopping
Werdmühlestrasse 7 | Kreis 1 City | +41433448042
Mon – Fri 10:00 – 18:30, Sat 10:00 – 17:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zurich

Image by Christine Syrad

“Wir arbeiten hier nicht modern, sondern mit Gefühl”. This quote by Ruedi Stäheli on the front page of their website pretty much sums up my experience at this special steak house – it’s certainly not modern but the place emanates emotion from every square inch of its décor. The first time I set foot in there I felt like I’d stepped onto a film set – partially because the waiter serving us had such a peculiar air about him. He was perfectly nice but there was something about his mannerisms that kept having me think, “is this for real?”

It all adds to the experience though and although old school dining scenes are not where I usually feel most at ease, this place has a different edge to it that doesn’t make you feel out of place the way you would if you walked into Chanel wearing sneakers!

The food is exquisite and while it doesn’t look like much when it’s placed in front of you, don’t let that fool you! The Café de Paris sauce my steak was swimming in was sublime and the non-stop supply of pomme allumettes ensured I soaked up every drop.

If you’re on the lookout for a meaty dish but you don’t want the mucho bravado that often comes with steakhouses, then this is your place, well, actually, it’s my special place now, but I’m willing to share!

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La Cote | Restaurants (French) | Whole meal CHF 80
Aemtlerstrasse 26 | Kreis 3 Wiedikon | +41442419191
Mon – Fri 11:00 – 15:00 & 18:00 – 00:00, Sat 18:00 – 00:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zurich

Image by Christine Syrad

Sunday Brunching is one thing I’ve tried and tested many times here in Zurich and I’ve seen that some places do food better than others while others offer better atmospheres. Piazza is one of the places you go to for the atmosphere, although the food’s not half bad either. Just make sure you book yourself a spot since, as is often the case here in Zurich, brunch tends to be a busy ordeal and there’s nothing more heartbreaking on a Sunday than turning up to your favourite place only to find it’s booked out…again. If you do miss the boat, you can always come back for an afternoon snack or beers in the evening!

What I love about this place is its location – I think it’s safe to say that Idaplatz is still a little bit of a hidden gem buried in a residential part of town. In the summer it boasts a crowd of fun-loving people who happily rest their tight-jean-wearing bums on the benches while sipping on beers bought at the kiosk. When it’s still too early for beers you can sit in one of the charming bars lining the square, Piazza being one of them.

Some people describe the piazza as making you feel like you’re elsewhere in Europe and while I agreed at first, I now think it’s actually very typical of the relaxed side of Zurich visitors to the city tend to oversee because they expect it to be nothing more than a finance hub.

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Piazza | Bars, Coffee & tea, Relaxing | Large brunch CHF 24
Idaplatz 2 | Kreis 3 Wiedikon | +41445589529
Tue – Sat 09:00 – 00:00, Sun 10:00 – 18:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zurich

Image by Christine Syrad

The thought of cramming a sofa into one’s suitcase may put some visitors to Zurich off the idea of taking a peek at a furniture shop, but let me tell you, Neumarkt is not your average furniture shop. You also don’t have to worry about inadvertently buying something as most of their wares are astronomically priced.

So let’s see if I can convince you to hush the practical voice in your head and consider a trip to this place more akin to a wander around an art gallery. The sumptuous furniture on display is nice enough to look at but what will really have your jaw dragging along the ground is the building itself. From the outside it appears to be nothing more than a regular old-style apartment building. Then you step inside to find that an Alice in Wonderland scenery has been recreated for adults!

The first time I walked in I was wearing a skirt – you may want to avoid this as half the building’s floors are iron grates and totally see-through from below! Below the grates you’ll see a pool of water and when you follow the stairs down to the pool and turn a corner you’ll discover a whole new feature. I’ll stop here with the description to avoid ruining the fun!

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Neumarkt | Art & culture, Shopping
Neumarkt 17 | Kreis 1 City
Mon – Fri 09:00-18:30, Sat 10:00 – 17:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zurich

Image by Christine Syrad

Since moving to Zurich I find that rather than stick a slice of bread in the toaster I am willing to go the extra mile on the weekends and venture over to a bakery to buy myself some freshly baked gipfeli (the Swiss German word for croissants).

There are three bakeries near my house, the other two being 200m closer to me but I always make a point of going the extra (1/8 of a) mile to this place. The gipfelis are astoundingly good – they’re buttery and extra crispy, which I’m pretty sure has got to be a hard combination to perfect! In addition, since it’s a Greek bakery, they offer an amazing array of Mediterranean looking sweets.

You have to go early though or hope that when you get there they’ve just pulled their latest batch out of the oven because these babies sell out fast!

I have to say, I always used to walk past this place without giving it a second thought as there are bakeries galore in Zurich. It wasn’t until we were out of bread on a Sunday that I discovered it and I’ve never looked back. Yes, that’s right, it’s actually open on a Sunday!

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Artos | Snacks
Bremgartnerstrasse 66 | Kreis 3 Wiedikon
Mon – Fri 06:30 – 18:30, Sat 06:30 – 13:00, Sun 07:00 – 12:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zurich