My 10 favourite cafés in Zurich

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

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

Café Henrici is known for its excellent coffee specialities and delicious Flammkuchen (tarte flambée). Also the desserts like the walnut chocolate brownies and the New York cheesecake are very fine. Perfect for an evening drink with friends together with a snack. Every Sunday there is Sunday Brunch with e.g. Acai Bowl.

My tip: Warm goat cheese baked in thin brick dough, with honey & walnuts on leaf salad and house dressing - also the tarte flambée Feta, Yolo and Happy Vegan

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.

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

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

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

La Stanza has the best espresso in Zurich for many. A perfect start to the day with classic espresso, Sfogliatella (Italian pastry speciality from Naples), cannoli or croissant, optionally filled. We continue with warm focaccia and salads over lunch. In the evening, handpicked wines and cocktails quench your thirst. Every Saturday from 6pm homemade pasta free offered.

My tip:Espresso with Sfogliatella

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

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