My 10 favourite cafés in Zurich

There are now many cafés in the city. However, the best cafés stand out from the crowd, with high quality processed coffee beans and the perfect preparation to get the best coffee taste. The great art of coffee culture, a discipline of its own to conjure up the best espresso, cappuccino, latte macchiato, matcha latte, cold brew etc. for coffee lovers. The ambience is also important for me. A coffee house must radiate personality and invite me to stay. And then there's that certain something, be it beautiful lighting, decoration, a romantic garden or great music that underlines the ambience. Also for the physical well-being there is the one or other sweet or salty food. 

Have fun with my list of favourite cafés in Zurich - as always all of them tested by themselves:

apoTHEKE

© apoTHEKE
© apoTHEKE

The former apoTHEKE is now a place that pampers its guests with Italian coffee, breakfast, salad, panini and burgers. There are also quiches, daily specials, seasonal specialities, aperitifs and sweet pastries. A high quality of the products without additives is important to the operators. In good weather you can also sit outside.

My tip: homemade apple crumble cake with cappuccino

Contact & Opening Hours

Zürichbergstrasse 17
8032 Zürich, Schweiz
T: 044 260 82 82
E:
Monday:
07:30 - 22:00
Tuesday:
07:30 - 22:00
Wednesday:
07:30 - 22:00
Thursday:
07:30 - 22:00
Friday:
07:30 - 22:00
Saturday:
09:00 - 16:00
Sunday:Closed
Last updated: Aug. 4, 2019, 1:53 p.m.

Bros Beans & Beats

The Bros Beans & Beats stands for cordial service, high-quality coffee and pleasant sounds in a comfortable atmosphere. Besides coffee, there is breakfast, fine sandwiches, various salads and aperitif plates. Vegi or with meat/salmon. In summer you can also sit outside.

My tip: big vegetarian breakfast

Contact & Opening Hours

Gartenhofstrasse 24
8004 Zürich, Schweiz
T: 044 543 65 80
E:
Monday:
08:00 - 18:30
Tuesday:
08:00 - 18:30
Wednesday:
08:00 - 18:30
Thursday:
08:00 - 18:30
Friday:
08:00 - 18:30
Saturday:
10:00 - 18:00
Sunday:
10:00 - 18:00
Last updated: Jan. 21, 2020, 2:27 p.m.

Café und Conditorei 1842

© Café und Conditorei 1842
© Café und Conditorei 1842
© Café und Conditorei 1842

At the traditional Café & Conditorei 1842 you can enjoy coffee house culture with the highest patisserie art. The shop shines in playful neo-baroque style as in the old days. On cold, snow-covered winter days, warming up with a cup of hot chocolate is particularly homey and kitschy. In addition to daily breakfast and brunch variations (during the week until 2 p.m., on weekends all day) you can choose from sandwiches, soups, salads, quiches and selected specialities. 

My tip:breakfast or brunch with a drinking chocolate incl. whipped cream.

Contact & Opening Hours

Napfgasse 4
8001 Zürich, Schweiz
T: 044 251 51 50
E:
Monday:
09:00 - 19:00
Tuesday:
09:00 - 19:00
Wednesday:
09:00 - 19:00
Thursday:
09:00 - 19:00
Friday:
09:00 - 19:00
Saturday:
09:00 - 19:00
Sunday:
09:00 - 19:00
Last updated: April 1, 2022, 2:46 p.m.

COFFEE

© COFFEE

The small Café COFFEE serves various seasonal coffees from the Zurich roaster Stoll. The beans are lighter than the Italian, rather strong roasts, but very unusual in taste. Depending on the time of day, there are cakes, sandwiches or small dishes.

Every Saturday from 10 am a vegetarian gourmet dish is served as brunch. During our visit we were surprised with a salad creation with chickpeas, marjoram, eggplant, feta, cashew, celery and tangerine mayo. A truly successful combination. Egg lovers will also get their money's worth with Eggs Benedict. The Onsen egg is served with sauce hollandaise and toasted brioche. To get one of the few seats (reservations not possible) it is worthwhile to be on site shortly before 10 o'clock.

My tip: Espresso Campos & Saturday brunch

Contact & Opening Hours

Grüngasse 4
8004 Zürich, Schweiz
E:
Monday:
08:00 - 18:00
Tuesday:
08:00 - 18:00
Wednesday:
08:00 - 18:00
Thursday:
08:00 - 18:00
Friday:
08:00 - 18:00
Saturday:
09:00 - 17:00
Sunday:Closed
Last updated: Nov. 20, 2021, 1:59 p.m.

Coffee and Plants

☕️🪴The combination of café bar and pot plant shop. In the green feel-good oasis Coffee & Plants (Sihlcity 2nd floor), all the senses get their money's worth. 🥰 Heartily decorated with plants from Mary & Plants and incredibly beautiful, handmade plates from Keramik Atelier. Both are available for purchase. ❤️

The culinary offer.
🧁SWEET
-Banana Bread and Très Leches by Soul Food by Aris
-Yuzu Lemon Cake and Death by Chocolate Cake, Sticky Bun and Chocolate Bun by White Rabbit Bakery

🥪SALZIG seasonal sandwiches (meat / vegi / vegan), bowls and soups

My tip: Seasonal sandwiches and bowls

Contact & Opening Hours

Kalanderplatz 1 Sihlcity 2. OG
8045 Zürich, Schweiz
T: 044 202 88 99
Monday:
08:00 - 20:00
Tuesday:
08:00 - 20:00
Wednesday:
08:00 - 20:00
Thursday:
08:00 - 20:00
Friday:
08:00 - 20:00
Saturday:
09:00 - 20:00
Sunday:Closed
Last updated: Oct. 22, 2022, 4:46 p.m.

Kafi Dihei

Wells according to your mood until 4 p.m. in the cosy living room. That's the Kafi Dihei. Besides breakfast dishes, various sandwiches with homemade focaccia, quiche and much more are offered. The numerous cakes are all homemade and very fine. Every day from 15-17 o'clock there are two scones fresh from the oven with a choice of teapot. Reservations are not accepted on weekends. But with a little patience you can usually find a place.

My tip:Wafers with smoked salmon, avocado mash and herbal cream

Contact & Opening Hours

Zurlindenstrasse 231
8003 Zürich, Schweiz
T: 044 557 43 48 ‎
E:
Monday:
08:30 - 18:00
Tuesday:Closed
Wednesday:
08:30 - 18:00
Thursday:
08:30 - 18:00
Friday:
08:30 - 18:00
Saturday:
09:00 - 18:00
Sunday:
09:00 - 18:00
Last updated: Aug. 4, 2019, 2:55 p.m.

Kafi Freud

Roschen and his team spoil their guests at Kafi Freud with homemade granola, fine cakes, quiche and of course fresh coffee and chai. Cosy atmosphere with plenty of greenery, coffee house music and a selection of good books invite you to linger. On Saturdays there is also the brunch card with egg dishes, warm banana bread and much more

My Tip: Granola with yoghurt and fresh fruits

Contact & Opening Hours

Schaffhauserstrasse 118
8057 Zürich, Schweiz
E:
Monday:
07:00 - 19:30
Tuesday:
07:00 - 19:30
Wednesday:
09:00 - 17:00

Special hours on May 1, 2024

Thursday:
07:00 - 19:30
Friday:
07:00 - 19:30
Saturday:
09:00 - 17:00
Sunday:
09:00 - 17:00
Last updated: April 8, 2022, 8:21 a.m.

Kafi Paradiesli

A little paradise, the Kafi in the 7th circle, fortunately spared from the big crowds, you can enjoy breakfast, a light salad or quiche over lunch or then satisfy your sweet hunger with homemade cakes, ice-cream and coffee in the afternoon. It is especially nice to sit in the dreamy garden surrounded by rose bushes in summer. Then the guests may help themselves free of charge with water at the hearty Steinbrunnen.

My tip: Chevre-chaud with rhubarb confi and babya with bitter-lemon dressing - as dessert the homemade mango ice cream or lemon cake with an espresso

Contact & Opening Hours

Hofstrasse 19
8032 Zürich, Schweiz
T: 044 558 67 45
Monday:Closed
Tuesday:
09:00 - 18:00
Wednesday:
09:00 - 18:00
Thursday:
09:00 - 18:00
Friday:
09:00 - 18:00
Saturday:
09:00 - 18:00
Sunday:
09:00 - 15:00
Last updated: Aug. 4, 2019, 2:58 p.m.

MAME

The MAME is run by Japanese Emi Fukahori (Swiss Barista Champion 2015) and her French partner Mathieu Theis (Swiss Barista Champion 2016). In a familiar atmosphere you can learn all kinds of things about the different coffee beans, roasting methods, brewing methods and different flavours. Probably the best coffee in Zurich. Emi advises you with a lot of passion, so that everyone can find the right coffee according to their preferences. Coffee tastings and barista courses are organized on request.

My Tip: Espresso with chocolaty aroma or cold-brew in summer

Contact & Opening Hours

Josefstrasse 160
8005 Zürich, Schweiz
T: info@mame-coffee.com
Monday:
08:00 - 17:30
Tuesday:
08:00 - 17:30
Wednesday:
08:00 - 17:30
Thursday:
08:00 - 17:30
Friday:
08:00 - 17:30
Saturday:
09:00 - 18:00
Sunday:
09:00 - 18:00
Seefeldstrasse 19
8008 Zürich, Schweiz
Monday:
08:00 - 17:30
Tuesday:
08:00 - 17:30
Wednesday:
08:00 - 17:30
Thursday:
08:00 - 17:30
Friday:
08:00 - 17:30
Saturday:
09:00 - 18:00
Sunday:
09:00 - 18:00
Last updated: March 21, 2020, 10:18 p.m.

Milchbar

© Milchbar
© Milchbar

The milk bar near Paradeplatz is ideal for a coffee or an aperitif with selected delicacies and a good glass of wine in the evening. In summer you sit in the nice courtyard with water splashing from the nearby fountain. The coffee comes from the local small roaster Black & Blaze. At noon there are some lunch menus and in the evening the chef conjures up up up-to-the-market, uncomplicated culinary delights.

My tip: Breakfast or aperitif

Contact & Opening Hours

Kappelergasse 16
8001 Zürich, Schweiz
T: 044 211 90 12
Monday:
06:30 - 22:00
Tuesday:
06:30 - 22:00
Wednesday:
06:30 - 22:00
Thursday:
06:30 - 22:00
Friday:
06:30 - 22:00
Saturday:
08:00 - 22:00
Sunday:
10:00 - 20:00
Last updated: Sept. 11, 2018, 7:10 a.m.