BIMI Zurich
Japanese restaurant
I first visited a Japanese restaurant as a student in Boston. The invitation mentioned a Japanese steakhouse with Samurai like performance cooking: sounded great for a fan of Asian food. No mention of the fact that not all Japanese food is served cooked. And so came sushi and wasabi: this first unexpected contact with a new pleasure had it all: you know there is something in it you like but hesitate about fully letting go. You know the second time would taste better. You know you will do it for the rest of your life.
21 years later Japanese food is commonplace in Europe. But now the point is originality. Which are the most Japanese of the Japanese restaurants? Consider the following criteria: (i) the personnel are Japanese and prefer to speak English rather than the local language (ii) you don't understand much of the menu and it needs to be explained to you (iii) it gets full of Japanese visitors who apparently don't speak the local language and order spectacular stuff (iv) service is slow (v) it is expensive.
Welcome to Bimi in Zurich-Seefeld: a simple and unpretentious environment; luxury lies in the flavor. The sushi is on the salty side. For a main course I recommend the beef filet: eat it slowly with the vegetables because the portion is Spartan. Finally: don't be afraid of the red beans on the ice cream if you haven't tried them before: they are good; let go on the first time.
About this spot
Explore cities like a local with Spotted by Locals - discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Zurich guide.
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in Zurich
Kunsthaus – Art lover's must
Enjoy the incredibly aesthetic brutalist open space with high ceilings, soft concrete, and brass-finished elements. To complete the experience, take a seat in their art deco-inspired bar.
By
Ellen-Aleksandra
Svorjova
Dolder Grand – Nature and/or Luxury in the Skies
For an active getaway, follow one of the tens of hiking paths to wander in the forest, or navigate to Loorenkopf for an overview of the whole city with the Alps in the background.
By
Ellen-Aleksandra
Svorjova
Loorenkopf – Alpine panorama in Zürich
To reach the spot, navigate by public transport to the tram stop Römerhof and jump on a Dolderbahn funicular. From the final stop at Dolder Grand, head to the forest and follow the signs to the Loorenkopf.
By
Ellen-Aleksandra
Svorjova
Weisses Kreuz – Local food, local people
"Weisses Kreuz" in Zurich isn't fancy - it's probably what some people would call an 'old man's pub', but what other pub has a 'Stammtisch' for regulars?
By
Emma
O'Connell
Rosi – Cool kid on the Block
At Rosi, Bavarian fine dining gets playful with dishes like "Magic Mushrooms" and "Yellow Snow." Open till midnight, it’s perfect for a fancy snack or full menu!
By
Isabelle
Thürlemann
Rechberg 1837 – Candlelight dinner
Come to Rechberg 1837 for an intimate fine dining experience, they have a green Michelin star and a 100% Swiss menu. Perfect for a romantic date night!
By
Isabelle
Thürlemann
MINIMUM – On top of things – climbing hall
MINIMUM is a cozy boulder hall with 100m² of routes for all skill levels. Rent climbing shoes and start climbing. As a reward, enjoy their homemade food!
By
Isabelle
Thürlemann
Waid – Touch the sky
Ready for a quick, rewarding escape from Zurich? The Waid lookout is an hour’s walk that with city views, trails around Käferberg, and even a deer park!
By
Isabelle
Thürlemann
Zufreeden – Gluten free heaven
I particularly like the variety of products they offer, which can make life a lot easier if you are gluten-free and they also have several vegan options.
By
Marie-Lou
Pijnenburg
Stadtgärtnerei – A lush spot in the city
The outside area is also worth a visit. You'll find a beautiful collection of palms and agave in a sandy environment crossed by a water basin with fishes.
By
Marie-Lou
Pijnenburg
Afghan Anar – Dance of spices
Afghan Anar in Zurich, now with two locations, delights with cozy ambiance and flavorful Afghan dishes like the must-try Mantu dumplings.
By