I am a sucker for sandwiches… Nothing beats a bit of bread filled to the brim with deliciousness, but it’s hard to find a decent one here in Zürich. They are often dry, mini submarines filled with some dodgy meat and a lonely pickle. I had almost given up in my search until I came across Il Pentagramma.

You walk in and are immediately greeted by a big smile and a “buongiorno”. They have all of the possible fillings lined up in the counter before you so you can pick and mix or go for one of their suggestions. I almost always get the ‘Goloso’… This giant, fresh foccacia is filled with creamy gorgonzola, spicy salami and sharp, pickled aubergines. They heat it up so everything oozes out and it’s just the best thing ever.

The other thing this place has going for it in a city that sometimes takes itself a little too seriously is that it has no airs and graces. You sit at old fashioned wooden tables with Italian radio chatting in the background. You don’t get plates or cutlery, you just hang on to your sandwich wrapped in greaseproof paper, and once you’re finished ,you mop up all the mess with the roll of kitchen paper provided (you will need most of it). If the weather is nice, have them wrap it up for you and go sit in Platzspitz park nearby.