My 10 Favourite Cafés in Zurich – personally tested
Zurich offers a huge variety of cafés. What sets the best cafés apart is high-quality coffee beans, precise preparation and a well-balanced overall experience. For me, great coffee is not just about espresso, cappuccino, matcha or cold brew, atmosphere matters just as much. A café should have personality, invite you to stay, and offer something special, whether that’s beautiful lighting, music, a garden or well-made sweet and savoury dishes. All cafés on this list were personally tested and are among my favourites in Zurich.
Classic coffee house und patisserie: Café und Conditorei 1842
Specialty Coffee und Barista-Know-how: MAME | COFFEE
Brunch und cosy living-room vibe: Kafi Dihei | Kafi Freud
Neighbourhood café with garden: Kafi Paradiesli
Modern café with plants und design: Coffee and Plants
All-day café for coffee, lunch und apéro: apoTHEKE | Milchbar
Café with music und community feeling: Bros Beans und Beats
On this page, you’ll find my personal recommendations for cafes in Zurich, sorted and briefly explained.
Details below 👇
apoTHEKE – Italian coffee, breakfast and homemade cakes
The former apoTHEKE is now a versatile spot where you can find everything from great coffee to burgers. I like the relaxed vibe and the consistent focus on quality.
🍳 What makes apoTHEKE special
- Italian coffee
- Breakfast, lunch and apéro
- Homemade cakes and quiches
- No artificial additives
- Outdoor seating in good weather
⭐ My tip
Homemade apple crumble cake with a cappuccino
💡 Good to know
Perfect at any time of day, from breakfast to evening drinks
Bros Beans und Beats – Specialty coffee with music and relaxed vibes
Bros Beans & Beats combines excellent coffee with music and a laid-back, urban feel. It’s the kind of place where you naturally end up staying longer.
🍳 What makes Bros Beans und Beats special
- High-quality coffee
- Warm, friendly service
- Breakfast, open sandwiches and salads
- Veggie and meat options
- Outdoor seating in summer
⭐ My tip
Large vegetarian breakfast
💡 Good to know
Great spot for relaxed mornings with good music
Café und Conditorei 1842 – Traditional coffee house with fine patisserie
This traditional café stands for top-level patisserie and nostalgic Swiss coffeehouse culture. I especially love it on cold winter days.
🍳 What makes Café 1842 special
- Classic coffee house culture
- High-end patisserie
- Nostalgic interior
- Breakfast and brunch daily
⭐ My tip
Breakfast or brunch with a hot chocolate and whipped cream
💡 Good to know
Especially cosy on cold winter days
COFFEE – Seasonal specialty coffee and vegetarian brunch
COFFEE is small, personal, and fully focused on exceptional beans. The coffees come from Zurich roaster Stoll and feel genuinely distinctive.
🍳 What makes COFFEE special
- Seasonal beans from local roaster Stoll
- Lighter roast profiles
- Vegetarian gourmet brunch on Saturdays
- Very small and intimate café
⭐ My tip
Campos espresso and Saturday brunch
💡 Good to know
No reservations. Arrive early to get a seat
Coffee and Plants – Café combined with a plant shop
Coffee & Plants is a green oasis in the city. A café bar and plant shop merge into a cosy experience that’s easy to fall in love with.
🍳 What makes Coffee and Plants special
- Café and plant shop in one
- Beautiful ceramic tableware and décor for sale
- Sweet and savoury dishes
- Calm, green atmosphere
⭐ My tip
Seasonal open sandwiches and bowls
💡 Good to know
Located in Sihlcity (2nd floor)
Kafi Dihei – All-day brunch until 4 pm with living-room vibes
Kafi Dihei feels like a second living room. Warm, welcoming, and perfect for long afternoons with something sweet and a good coffee.
🍳 What makes Kafi Dihei special
- Brunch served until 4 pm
- Homemade cakes
- Sandwiches and quiches
- Very cosy atmosphere
⭐ My tip
Waffles with smoked salmon, avocado mash and herb cream
💡 Good to know
No reservations on weekends
Kafi Freud – Café with granola, books and lots of greenery
Kafi Freud is my go-to when I’m looking for calm. Lots of greenery, books, and coffeehouse music make it ideal for a relaxed brunch or a quiet break.
🍳 What makes Kafi Freud special
- Homemade granola
- Cakes and quiches
- Books and café music
- Brunch menu on Saturdays
⭐ My tip
Granola with yoghurt and fresh fruit
💡 Good to know
Perfect place to read and relax
Kafi Paradiesli – Neighbourhood café with a romantic garden
A small hidden gem away from the crowds. In summer, the garden surrounded by roses is especially beautiful.
🍳 What makes Kafi Paradiesli special
- Quiet neighbourhood café
- Beautiful garden
- Homemade cakes and ice cream
- Breakfast and light lunch
⭐ My tip
Chèvre chaud with rhubarb jam, followed by lemon cake
💡 Good to know
One of the most charming café gardens in summer
MAME – World-class specialty coffee in Zurich
MAME is one of the best coffee addresses in Zurich in my opinion. Everything here revolves around beans, brewing methods, and flavour — and you can really taste the difference.
🍳 What makes MAME special
- Run by barista champions
- Personal coffee recommendations
- Various brewing methods
- Tastings and barista courses
⭐ My tip
Chocolatey espresso or cold brew in summer
💡 Good to know
A must-visit for true coffee lovers
Milchbar – Café and apéro spot with a hidden courtyard
Milchbar is a café by day and a great aperitif spot in the evening. In summer, the inner courtyard is the perfect place to unwind.
🍳 What makes Milchbar special
- Coffee from local roastery Black und Blaze
- Breakfast, lunch and apéro
- Quiet courtyard in summer
⭐ My tip
Breakfast or evening apéro
💡 Good to know
Very central, close to Paradeplatz