Food and Drink in Zurich

For the best sausage (wurst) in Zurich visit Sternen Grill at the Bellevueplatz on Theatrestrasse 22. map

For a great traditional Swiss and non-touristy restaurant try Gambrinus Restaurant on Langstasse. Reservations required and by phone only (or in person, if you're nearby), no email reservations accepted. map

Try a Swiss specialty Kalbsgeschnetzeltes mit Rosti, a veal dish with a creamy sauce served with potato. May be available at Gambrinus (above).

For some of the best chocolates in Zurich try Confiserie Honold with stores in the Old Town and at six other locations around Zurich. Also try Confiserie Teuscher on Storchengasse 9, Bahnhofstrasse 46 and Schweizergasse 11 (also available at Cafe Felix at Bellevueplatz 5). map

Two restaurants recommended in DK Europe Guide:
Kronenhalle Restaurant Bar, Rämistrasse 4, 8001
Haus zum Rüden, Limmatquai 42, 8001

Considered one of the best desserts makers in Zurich - try Cafe Schober on Napfgasse 4. map

Things to see and do in Zurich

After watching a few views on visiting Zurich I discovered a few interesting sites to see - in no particular order. Get a Zurich card (and validate it) at the airport or Hauptbahnhof, good for 24 or 72 hours for any transit in Zurich.

💢 Visit Lindenhof, a beautiful lookout to view the Old Town and surrounding mountains.

💢 Visit Jules Verne Panoramabar for a great view of the city while having a relaxing drink. map

💢 Visit the Zurich Thermal Baths (Thermalbad Zürich) to relax in the infinity pool with a great view of the city. (Note: take your own towel or they'll charge you a hefty fee for a rental.) map

💢 Bike rentals are free throughout the city, requiring only a refunded deposit. The program is called "Züri Rollt". Look for the signs for "Züri Rollt" or "Gratis Leihvelos" (free bicycle).

All year round

• Bike Station Main train station, Europaplatz, Kasernenstrasse 100 Daily 8:00–21:30

May to October 

• Pestalozziwiese (near Bahnhof), Lintheschergasse 10 | Daily 9:00–21:30
• Landsmuseum (near Bahnhof), Museumstrasse 2 | Daily 9:00–21:30
• Bellevue (near Quaibrücke), Bellevueplatz 2 | Daily 9:00–21:30

💢 The boat tour of Lake Zurich (Zürichsee) is recommended - either the 90 minute or more in-depth 4 hour cruise. One tour boat company is connected with the ZVV transit system. Their tour brochure can be downloaded here. Tours depart from the Zürich Theatre pier in the Bellevue district near the Quaibrücke.

💢 Take a short ride to Uetliberg (from the Hauptbahnhof) and climb the steps to the look-out area and tower for the most spectacular view of Zurich and the surrounding area. Popular with both locals and tourists. See the video "Top 5 things to do in Zurich."

💢 Visit Cafe Schober on Hapfgasse street for some of the best desserts in Zurich. map See my Zurich Food & Drink page.

Lindenhof, Zurich

Jules Verne Panoramabar

Thermalbad Zurich

Lake Zurich tour boat

Züri Rollt - Gratis Leihvelos (Free Bicycle)

Uetliberg

Chocolate and cheese

A resource guide for travel to Switzerland. I discovered that there are lots of guides available through a website I've just discovered called "Tours by Locals". It has information on private guides all over the world, not just Switzerland, including reviews by users.

Here are some Rick Steves videos on Switzerland (and Liechtenstein):
Switzerland's Greatest Cities
Switzerland's Jungfrau Region
Switzerland Travel Skills with Rick Steves
Little Europe: Liechtenstein

And here is a good overview of Liechtenstein:
Liechtenstein Travel Guide

For more information on interesting rail travel excursions in Switzerland see my Rails site.

If using your own phone in Switzerland (and it is unlocked), a Swisscom or Orange SIM card can be purchased at major airports. The Swisscom SIM card is good primarily for Switzerland because it is quite expensive to use in the rest of Europe. Orange sells a SIM that can be used anywhere in Europe and costs about $50 for a 14 days but can be topped up online. It can be purchased online and received by mail prior to your trip. Also available on Amazon.ca and Walmart.ca. Register and topup the card here. For eSIM plans with data only, Airalo is an inexpensive alternative.