lifestyle
Zurich Residents Discover 3 Classic Restaurant Styles Rooted in City History
Residents can visit established venues serving vegetarian fare, Swiss classics and street food at addresses grounded in city history.
How we reported this
Hiltl at Sihlstrasse 28 opened in 1898 as the world's oldest and first vegetarian restaurant, founded by Ambrosius Hiltl and later expanded to additional Zurich locations.
Vegetarian Starting Point
Residents seeking meat-free meals can begin at the Sihlstrasse 28 site, where the original establishment continues to operate alongside its later branches. This provides a direct entry to long-running vegetarian dining without requiring further research into newer openings.
Artwork and Swiss Classics
Kronenhalle at Bellevue features original works by Picasso, Giacometti and Chagall while serving Swiss classics. Residents can combine a meal with viewing these pieces in one location, making it a straightforward choice for those interested in both art and traditional dishes.
Street Food Option
Sternen Grill at Birmensdorferstrasse 83, established in 1963, operates as Zurich's original street food outlet and remains known for its massive sausages and homemade pita. Residents can stop here for quick, portable items during daily routines or evening outings.
Historic Building Setting
Zeughauskeller, also referred to as Zeig Gasse Keller, occupies a 15th-century building from 1487 that once stored arsenal weapons. This venue supplies residents with a classic restaurant experience inside preserved architecture from the city's earlier period.
Regional Specialties to Order
Across these and similar spots, residents encounter Zurich culinary classics such as Zürcher Geschnetzeltes in cream sauce, Rösti and Luxemburgerli pastries. These items appear consistently in descriptions of local dining and can be requested directly at the venues listed above.
Practical next steps involve checking current opening hours through the restaurants' own sites or the Zurich tourism listings at zuerich.com before heading out. Residents can plan visits by address to combine multiple stops in a single outing, starting from central points like Bellevue or Sihlstrasse and extending to Birmensdorferstrasse as time allows.