The Land of Fondue
Last weekend I (Emma) took a short trip to Switzerland to visit my dad, who lives there. Since I’m just a short flight away from the UK, it felt like the perfect opportunity for a quick food-focused getaway. My dad is a big foodie too, so he planned a weekend of memorable meals and a few touristy stops. Sofie had visited him earlier this year and had tried many of the same restaurants, so between the three of us we had plenty of recommendations. While fondue was jokingly suggested, we mostly stuck to a variety of other Swiss and regional dishes. Below are the highlights from the restaurants and meals that stood out on my trip.
Hotel Storchen in Zürich
On a chilly late October afternoon we stopped for coffee while exploring Zürich. I couldn’t resist ordering a sweet treat as well — a scoop of vanilla ice cream topped with whipped cream. You could see the vanilla specks, a sure sign of good quality, and it tasted wonderful. The café sat on the Limmat River, so we enjoyed our drinks and dessert with a lovely water view. It was a lovely, unplanned pause during our walk and a delightful spot to warm up and rest our legs.
Churrasco Steak & Nikkei Cuisine in Zürich
Our first full day finished with a big dinner that my dad described as “a carnivore’s dream.” The restaurant blends Japanese and South American influences, though we focused on the steak offerings rather than the fusion plates. I did notice wagyu bao buns heading out from the kitchen and they looked incredible. We shared a steak platter recommended by my dad, which came with three cuts of beef and four sides: truffle fries, mushrooms, spinach, and mixed vegetables. Even though I usually avoid large amounts of red meat, I found the steak very tender and the sides complemented it well — flavorful but not too heavy.
Kronenhalle in Zürich
The following day we took it easy in the morning and had a reservation for a leisurely lunch at Kronenhalle, a classic and elegant Swiss restaurant. The dining room felt refined, with artwork adorning the walls (photography wasn’t permitted), which added to the atmosphere. For starters I chose a beetroot, apple, and horseradish salad, followed by beef goulash stroganoff with spätzle — those delicious little egg noodles. I was full after the main course but couldn’t pass up dessert, and the crème brûlée I had was outstanding. My boyfriend ordered a raspberry and pistachio mousse that looked as beautiful as it tasted, so I made sure to capture a photo of it.
Bar Ristorante Olimpia in Lugano
On our final day we caught an early train to Lugano. The journey usually takes around two hours, but ongoing construction in the Gotthard tunnel extended it to about three hours. Lugano sits in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland, and stepping off the train felt almost like entering another country — signs and conversation were in Italian and the atmosphere felt distinctly different from German-speaking Zürich. Despite rain during our visit, we explored the lakeside and then enjoyed a hearty Italian-style lunch. Being in the region, pasta felt essential: I had tagliatelle bolognese and finished with panna cotta for dessert. It was a satisfying meal and a nice contrast to the Swiss-German cuisine we’d enjoyed earlier.
The End
Before I knew it, my weekend was over and it was time to fly back to the UK. Switzerland’s variety of languages, cultures, and landscapes is remarkable given the country’s size, and three days barely scratched the surface. I hope to return and explore more regions and restaurants in the future. One small tip for visitors: be prepared for higher prices compared with many other countries — checking price tags can be a surprise!
Thanks for reading — have you been to Switzerland? What did you enjoy most? Leave a comment below and share your impressions.