The temperatures drop and the hunger for cheese increases. We introduce you to the food hotspots in Zurich where you can enjoy cheese in its most liquid form. Small warning in advance: This article is not for lactose-intolerant readers.
British cheese Deli
The Swiss pride themselves on cheese – but they are not alone in this, because the English are also real masters when it comes to cheese. The British Cheese Deli in Zurich is Wallace & Gromit’s biggest cheddar dream. Special: the Scottish fondue mix, which is particularly popular with liqueur lovers. An extra tip from the deli: a shot of whiskey provides that extra punch.
Limmatstrasse 231, 8005 Zurich
@britishcheesedeli
Raclette Factory
Cheese with cheese, please: The Raclette Factory is not for the faint-hearted. The best time to eat here is after a long night with lots of alcohol. You are spoiled for choice between raclette varieties such as pesto, truffle, garlic or chili. And if the cheese isn’t still running out of your ears after this bomb of a meal, there’s a hearty cheesecake for dessert.
Rindermarkt 1, 8001 Zurich
@raclettefactoryag
Al Paso – Fondue sandwich
This is where it gets sticky. For this version of fondue, you don’t need a long fork, but a napkin. Vanera and Gregor Kern from Al Paso in Zurich’s old town have experimented and created a Swiss take on the grilled cheese sandwich. The fondue-to-go is one of our must-haves with addictive potential.
Spitalgasse 12, 8001 Zurich
facebook.com/alpaso
Swiss Chuchi
The first fondue parlor in Zurich’s Old Town has mastered the art of the ultimate fondue. With the right candlelight, this fondue evening is guaranteed to have a happy ending. But if you’ve had enough of fondue and raclette, you’ll also find other cheese dishes on the menu: How about a potato and cheese soup or capuns au gratin with cheese? No matter what ends up on the table, it’s guaranteed to be romantic at the Swiss Chuchi.
Rosengasse 10, 8001 Zurich
@swisschuchi
Helvti-Chäschtli
If you don’t fancy the usual Bünzli-style fondue chalets, you’ll feel right at home in the Helvti-Chäschtli. Here you can enjoy a 6-course fondue menu in the middle of the 80s California style parlor. The in-house Tünklümen and Helvti-Chäschtli Plättli with various meat specialties are also original. And now the highlight at the end: the champagne is included.
Stauffacherquai 3, 8004 Zurich
@hotelrestauranthelvetia
Mrs. Gerold’s garden
Mrs. Gerold’s garden has the right establishment for every season. In the Winterstübli or Wintergarten, you will also find protection from the cold and a warm meal for your stomach this season: choose between different types of fondue or a raclette with side dishes.
Geroldstrasse 23, 8005 Zurich
@fraugeroldsgarten
Chästli in Europaallee
If you’re looking for a table with fondue on the spur of the moment, Europaallee is probably your best bet. Cheese fever reigns here late at night, and in several restaurants all along the street. At the Fondue Chalet you will find all the information you need to reach cheese heaven.
Fondue chalet at the National Museum
A mysterious castle, magical lights and mystical fog: the Fondue Chalet near the Luminarium at the National Museum is strongly reminiscent of Harry Potter’s second home. The fondue menu is just as magical: Chili fondue or fondue chinoise guarantee intense explosions of flavor.
Museumstrasse 2, 8001 Zurich
@illuminarium.ch
Fondue Alp Grossmünster
Dip me baby one more time – that’s the motto of a romantic fondue dinner at the Grossmünster Fondue Alp in the heart of Zurich’s Niederdorf district. As you can imagine, this room looks like Alpöhi’s hut. And as it should be, there’s a mulled wine by the fire on Grossmünsterplatz to round off the day.
Grossmünsterplatz, 8001 Zurich
@fondue_alp
Zimmerleuten Guild House
Not for the faint-hearted: At Zunfthaus Zimmerleuten, it’s all you can eat, fondue style, until the cheese runs out of your ears. If this is too much lactose for you, you can also use a vegan version. The highlight of the evening, however, is the magnificent view of the Fraumünster and the Limmat.
Limmatquai 40, 8001 Zurich
@zimmerleuten_zurich
Chalet au Lac
The Chalet au Lac could easily take part in a remake of Heidi. In the cute wooden hut at the 5-star Hotel Baur au Lac, you can enjoy a full four-course menu with harmonizing side dishes to go with the melted cheese. A wooden path surrounded by brightly lit Christmas trees creates a romantic atmosphere for you and your date.
Talstrasse 1, 8001 Zurich at the Baur au Lac
@bauraulac
Uto Kulm
When you open the door to Uto Kulm, you will be teleported directly to Graubünden. The original Maiensäss chalet on the Uetliberg has its very own etiquette rules: anyone who comes dressed as Santa Claus drinks kirsch on the house all evening, anyone who arrives late spends the evening on the milking stall, and everyone is greeted with a hearty “Käs-Ahoi”.
Uetliberg 652, 8143 Uetliberg
@uto_kulm
Klosters Hüschi in Zurich’s Christmas village
Whether in wine soup, pepper sauce or tart, a dash of spirit is good for the taste buds and the mind: Klosters Hüschi am Bellevue does it right and refines its Talisker cheese dip with a ten-year-old single malt Scotch whisky. Whether you order a kirsch or a glass of wine to go with it depends entirely on your drinking strength. But remember: whoever loses the bread in the cheese sandwich does the washing up!
Bellevue, Christmas Village
@wienachtsdorf
Chalet Züriberg
The hearty Fondue Chalet Züriberg awaits your visit in the middle of district seven. Next to the flickering of the fireplace is the hot cheese mixture with racy chili, crispy fried bacon cubes or black truffle. Alternatively, there is even a (vegan) fondue chinoise or raclette on offer.
Orellistrasse 21, 8044 Zurich
chalet-zueriberg.ch
Chalet for fondue
Are you just passing through Zurich or did you get a little hungry before the five-hour train journey? The Chalet zum Fondue is located directly on the station square at Zurich main station and satisfies Swiss cheese cravings with Valais, Talisker or mountain fondue and fresh bread. Afterwards, you can take a comfortable digestive nap on your onward journey.
Bahnhofplatz, Zurich main station
facebook.com/zumfondue
Fribourger Fonduestübli
The Fribourger Fondue Stübli may be an old stalwart, but it has all the more cheese experience. It doesn’t look wild on the menu in the parlor, but it doesn’t have to. In this case, the original tastes so good that there’s no need for kitsch. Combined with warm hospitality, this is a safe bet.
Rotwandstrasse 38
facebook.com/fribourgerfonduestuebli
Le Dézaley
The Le Dézaley puts its cards on the house family recipe, which is said to be the best fondue in town. If you like it exotic, you can also ask for morels or black truffles in the cheese mixture. This small restaurant with a French atmosphere on Römergasse in Zurich’s Niederdorf district has a romantic touch – perfect for a first Advent date.
Römergasse 9, 8001 Zurich
facebook.com/LeDezaley
