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Switzerland is unique in that it assimilates most of its neighbors’ culture. As a result Swiss food is a conglomeration of German, French and Italian cuisines. Whatever the tourists’ palate there is a good chance it will be satisfied. In 2005 the Michelin Guide rated Switzerland second in terms of stars awarded to restaurants per capita.

Zurich lies in the German part of Switzerland. So along with the famous Swiss chocolates and Swiss cheese the cuisine staples here include things like Rösti (a potato dish similar to hash-browns) and Älplermagronen (meaning an ‘Alpine herdsman’s macaroni this is a meal-in-a-dish, that includes meat, cheese, macaroni and vegetables).

To list the five best places to eat in Zurich is very easy and very difficult at the same time ? both for the same reason. Very easy because there is such a wealth of restaurants to choose from and very tough because how does one shortlist only five out of so many great eateries. I am going to solve the problem by selecting five restaurants from the luxury range, five from the average-price range and five from those that give excellent value for the buck.

Luxury restaurants in Zurich

These restaurants may be a little heavy on the pocket but you can leave them with a heart sans all regret.

• The Restaurant Lindenhofkeller was established in 1860 and has been satisfying hungry stomachs since then. The restaurant is situated high above the Limmat river and has a wonderful view that only compliments the mood created inside. Imagine having the chance to choose from over 600 wines! Of course, if the task seems too tedious the waiters are always ready with recommendations. Everything on the menu is not just mouth watering but of the melt in your mouth variety. Their house specialty that is a must have for all meat lovers is the Zurich style prime veal that comes straight from the oven to your plate.

• Zunfthaus zur Waag is located in the very heart of the city at Münster square in the Guild hall belonging to a guild with the same name. The building dates back to the Biedermeier period and belonged to the wool weavers and hut makers. They not only have an extensive international wine list but they also have a special list of wines from the Lake of Zurich Area. The main menu is enough to write home about but keep enough space in your stomach for dessert. The Chocolate Mousse by famous cake maker Marcel Chardon is extraordinary and there is a good reason why Zunfthaus zur Waag closely guards the secret recipe.

• The Widder Restaurant is situated within the Widder Hotel renowned for its iconoclastic architecture. Though decorated in a rustic style its menu is extremely high-class. The Atelier Gourmet Menu provides an already prepared four or five course meal with wines paired with the food. The general menu however keeps changing almost every week, the constant being the quality.

• Veltliner Keller was originally a wine cellar and has been a restaurant since 1551. It is located in Old Town next to St. Peter’s Church. With an interior carved out of local carve wood grown only in Switzerland, this restaurant serves some great Swiss food. Order the house’s signature dish ?baked macaroni with meat and beef liver cooked slowly in a casserole.

• Zunfthaus zur Zimmerleuten is one of the architectural showpieces of Zurich. Try the ‘Lake Zurich fish soup’ here.

Average-price restaurants in Zurich

• Alt Züri, started in 1804 as a wine shop, is the oldest restaurant in town. You can taste some great Zurich wines here. On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturday evenings you can enjoy a performance along with a great dinner.

• Weisser Wind or The Grey Hound is located in a very old building first mentioned in old documents around 1434. The Salmon Trout fillet with Chive sauce and the Zurich style sliced veal are two dishes to keep in mind from their house specialties. This restaurant is closed on Sundays.

• The menu at Alpenrose puts special stress on the freshness of the ingredients it uses. Almost everything comes from local farmers and markets. ‘Älplermakaronen’ (Alpine macaroni) is definitely worth a try.

• Le Dézaley is situated in downtown Zurich. In the German dominated city this is a great place to try some French cuisine.

• FreiEck is a small restaurant with mainly Austrian cuisine. The Schnitzel mit lauwarmen Kartoffelsalat is definitely worth a try.

Value-for-money restaurants in Zurich

• The Swiss Chuchi restaurant offers genuine Swiss cuisine. During summer the restaurant opens up to allow for open air dining on the Hirschenplatz. The menu has traditional dishes like the Adler cheese fondue.

• Weisse Rose is probably Zurich’s smallest restaurant. Dining on traditional Swiss fare on small benches outdoors is an experience not to be missed.

• Kronenhof is a small restaurant located in the Affoltern area of the city.

• Crazy Cow is a trendy little restaurant in the heart of the city popular for, as the name suggests, great beef dishes.

• And to round off the five best places to eat in Zurich list is Zur Schtund, a small bistro. Enjoy a Tarte Flambée in the relaxed atmosphere of this restaurant.

Zurich is often called downtown Switzerland because of the number of restaurants here. Don’t forget to fill up on your visit to this paradise on earth.

Photo of onion soup at Crazy Cow Restaurant, Zurich originally posted by austinevan