What to do in Zürich

These are our ZIWA members' favourite eating places beside the Zürichsee: enjoy them!
This does not constitute an ad for the establishment as such, we are just sharing information between members.
They are listed in anticlockwise order around the lake, starting at Bürkliplatz.

And if you find our recommendations helpful, make sure you mention to the restaurant where you read about them - on the ZIWA website.

Bauschänzli on an island in the Limmat just opposite Bürkliplatz. As well as the self-service place there's a chic sit-down restaurant with wonderful views of the river and the lake. You need to book as it gets very busy. Tel: 044 212 4919.
Recommended by Julia.
www.bauschaenzli.ch

Seerestaurant Acqua at Mythenquai (April, Julia) There's an outdoor café bar and lounge as well as an indoor restaurant and nightclub. It's right on the waterfront at the boat harbour. Service can be a bit slow but it's worth admiring the view while you wait.
www.acqua.ch

Seerose in Wollishofen
'My favourite lakeside restaurant is still the Seerose in Wollishofen I love the atmosphere and the décor, and I find the food to be very good, although somewhat overpriced; last but not least, I like the fact that they have live music... They are also open in the winter and they give you covers so you can sit outside if you feel like it.' Christine F.
Seestrasse 493, 8038 Zurich. Tel: 044 481 6383.
Recommended by Christine, April.
www.zuerich.com

Mönchhof am See in Kirchberg.
There's a garden restaurant as well as the Captain's lounge. Very relaxed atmosphere, right beside the lake. Parking can be tricky so take the 165 bus.
www.moenchhof-am-see.ch

Chez Fritz in Kilchberg (Julia, April) Opposite the Lindt chocolate factory, it's hard to spot but can be found right on the lake. Lunchtime menu is good value, evenings perfect for a special occasion or just for drinks al fresco. Very chic with prices to match.
www.chezfritz.ch

Seerestaurant Tracht Seestrasse 25, 8803 Rüschlikon, tel: 044 724 0515.
Sandy writes: 'It's a cute small place with a very nice terrace directly on the water.' Julia adds, 'The management has changed in the past year, and they now do a fairly pricy Swiss-style menu. But the location is still perfect.' Parking available for restaurant customers, beside the Strandbad parking.
www.seerestauranttracht.ch

Hotel/restaurant Alexander in Seestrasse 182, Thalwil. 'Great view, good food, bit expensive,' says Tonny. They do Provençal specialities. The terrace is open in summer.
www.alexander-am-see.ch

Portofino Tonny writes, 'My favourite is the Portofino in Thalwil.' Julia adds, 'It's my favourite too, because of the wonderful location and informal atmosphere. You can enjoy a drink or two, eat snacks, pizza, grill specialities or even ostrich on the large garden terrace, and when it's wet, the indoor restaurant is also nice with a different, reasonably priced menu. Own car park plus parking at the nearby boat station.'
Seestrasse 100, 8800 Thalwil. Tel: 044 720 3240

L'O in Horgen: very nice terrace, good food. It's quite chic, but the lunch menu is affordable. Located directly on the water, across the rail tracks - park in the underground shopping car park (near the tricky road works just now) and be careful to cross at the level crossing. You need to book. No under 8s.
www.lo-horgen.ch

Landgasthof Halbinsel Au 'The restaurant on the peninsula in Au, again a perfect terrace, good food and not too expensive,' says Tonny. Located beside a nature reserve and vineyard. Fish specialities. Large parking area.
www.halbinselau.ch

Seerestaurant Meilibach In Seestrasse 371 in Au.
Reasonably priced place directly on the lake, handy for boats.
Recommended by Rowena.Tel: 044 781 3471

Eichmühle in Wädenswil, suggested by Rowena.
It's not quite on the waterside but has a lake view and does good seafood.
Closed Sunday evenings and Mondays. 044 780 34 34.

Pfäffikon SZ Margaret G. writes, 'As far as lakeside restaurants go there are two very nice ones in Pfäffikon - the Schiff (tel. 055 416 1718) and the Gasthaus zum Rathaus (tel 055 410 2450).
The Schiff has a lovely terrace on the lakeside and the Gasthaus zum Rathaus also has a terrace not quite by the lake but you can see it from where you sit. The Schiff is slightly lower in price. They are opposite each other and the Schiff is signed, if you come into Pfäffikon from the Richterswil direction on the lake road, as it is a hotel as well.
In case the weather is not good enough for sitting outside, they are both very nice inside as well. Both restaurants are also very close to where the lake boats pull in.'

Restaurant Al Porto in Lachen: Mediterranean and Asian food specialities. Good atmosphere, good food. It's smart, with a view of Lachen harbour.
Suggested by Tonny.

Hotel/Restaurant Rössli Jackie B. writes, 'My husband and I had lunch today at the Restaurant Rössli in Hurden and the food and the setting were truly magnificent. I was so taken with it. We sat outside and enjoyed everything about it. I'll definitely be taking my visitors there.' It's on the Seedamm between Pfäffikon SZ and Rapperswil.
www.hotel-restaurant-roessli.ch

Hotel Adler, Hurden Sandy says: 'The most fabulous place to go, especially if you can get somebody else to pay the bill, is the Hotel Adler in Hurden. Hurden is on the dam between Pfäffikon and Rapperswil.
The Adler is one of the very best restaurants in Switzerland. Chef Hess is a magician. Combine his food with a direct view of the Alps behind the Oberersee, and you have just found a slice of heaven. It is very pricey, but well worth it.'
Hurdnerstrasse 143, 8640 Hurden. Tel. 055 410 4545
www.mq-adlerhurden.ch

Gasthof Frohberg in Jona 'The only restaurant which is nearby me, with a spectacular view of the lake and is children friendly and has good food, is Gasthof Frohberg in Jona (Rapperswil). Weekends tend to be crowded so reservation over the weekend is a good idea.
Ling Na.
www.frohberg.ch

Restaurant Bacino - Hotel Hirschen am See - Seestrasse 856, Obermeilen - 044 925 05 00 - 'which is right on the lake, and you can eat outside on the garden terrace, or inside in the restaurant. It's divine for a romantic lunch with a glass of wine - quite chic. Adequate parking either at the side of the hotel, or across the road.' Anne Z.

Restaurant Schiffli - Seestrasse 885, 8706 Meilen - 044 923 03 04, which is across the road from the lake. It is wooden inside, sort of old fashioned Swiss (it also has a garden in the summer) and specializes in fish dishes (the Zanderfillet with deep fried basil is to die for!) - quite elegant, but as usual here, everything goes! There is adequate parking.
Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Anne Z.

Petermann's Kunststuben in Küsnacht is very well-known. You need to book well in advance for its seafood specialities. The garden terrace is open in summer.
Suggested by April.
www.kunststuben.com

Sonne, Küsnacht Suggested by Joan, Deb, April. 'We all know about the wonderful restaurant inside the hotel, but have you tried the relaxed 'summer' restaurant? No need to reserve but on lovely summer evenings this is always a popular place to eat or just have a drink right on the lakeside. Very relaxed, self service and family friendly.' Arrive by car, train (6 or 16 to Küsnacht) then a short 5 min walk under the Seestrasse road to the hotel. Again there is always the boat in the summer, a very relaxing 30 min trip from the centre of Zurich to Küsnacht.
www.sonne.ch

The Fischstube at Zürichhorn - Bellerivestrasse 160, 8008 Zürich - 044 422 25 20. Anne writes, 'It was originally designed for the 1936 Expo, and has had a checkered history architecturally - they have tried to keep the original design, it's not pretty, but the position is fantastic - it is right on the water, so you can see the swans drifting past, and is wonderfully sunny in the evenings - even if you only go for a drink. The food is quite good (nothing special though), but the setting is great, and there's lots of parking!' Deb adds, 'it's my favorite because I love fresh fish, and the location is beautiful.'

Casino and Lakeside Lounge at Zürichhorn Bellerivestrasse 170 CH-8008 Zürich, Tel: 044 385 86 00.
Go here for a meal in or outside, just have a drink, there is even a sushi night (Mondays).
Arrive by car, bus (to China Garten) or even boat to Zürichhorn. Joan.

Restaurant Frascati At Utoquai. It's a conveniently located Italian-style restaurant right by the lake with a large terrace. You can just stop by for a drink but on busy evenings, they expect you to order a meal.
Open daily until midnight.
www.molino.ch

Julia Newton, 28 May 2008

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