Five new hotspots in Zurich
Try out
From a Bloody Mary as a pitcher to fried food and umami omelettes: these places in Zurich serve a different type of brunch.
The Bite: Bloody Mary and Burgers
“Dirty Brunch” is the name of the new food concept of the Swiss-Canadian inspired gourmet burger bar “The Bite”. If the word calories doesn’t immediately cause a panic attack, then you’ve come to the right place. Because you eat a few of them here: the menu is hearty and good. This is appreciated by both hangover sufferers and comfort food seekers alike. Buttermilk pancakes with berries and whipped cream, French toast or vanilla bourbon ice cream provide a sugar rush.
But actually you come to the burger restaurant because of the burger. Vegetarians can choose between grilled halloumi or marinated portobello as a meat substitute. And if coffee or tea is too pious for you in the morning or at noon, you can order a Bloody Mary (there’s even a pitcher) or Mimosa (Prosecco with orange juice).
Dirty weekend brunch, The Bite, Brauerstrasse 15, Sat–Sun: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Prices per dish.
Dar: Moroccan and vegan
In Zineb Hattab’s second restaurant, the “Dar”, which opened in autumn 2021, the brunch tradition will be continued in the spirit of its predecessor. Alexandra Moosbauer worked at the Maison Blunt at Gasometerstrasse 5 for 23 years and practically brought brunch to Zurich in the 1990s. The restaurant was later renamed the “Maison Raison”. From then on, animal products had consistently disappeared from the menu. Moroccan and vegan are now also on the hearty menu at “Dar”.
You eat bulgur kefta balls with shakshuka sauce and tostada, order black radish salad with pears, caramelized tofu and pine nuts or KFM (fake Kentucky fried chicken with mushrooms instead of chicken) with a spicy sauce. And if you want to round off the spicy sauce with something sweet, try the fluffy pancakes with nut nougat cream and orange syrup or the typical Moroccan harcha (semolina bread) with jam, whipped cream and pistachios.
darGasometerstrasse 5, Sat–Sun: 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., exchange of experiences CHF 49 per person.
«Am Rank»: Fried omelet
Seven days a week, the cultural venue “Am Rank” in Niederdorf, which is played by the “Rechberg 1837” team led by Alexander and Raphael Guggenbühl, cooks what the farm and the surrounding area have to offer. From Thursday to Saturday you also have the opportunity to listen to a concert right in the middle of the bar as a kind of cultural digestif.
But Saturday morning and lunchtime is all about brunch, and it offers dishes you won’t find on any other menu. Undecided or those who want to be surprised choose the 3-course «Chef’s Session». You should definitely try the crunchy umami omelette, optionally with onion and bacon chutney and ricotta or creamed leeks and roasted onions.
Brunch at the RankKultur Lokal Rank, Niederdorfstrasse 60, Zurich, Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 3 courses CHF 65 per person.
Restaurant Lux: Flying brunch to DJ sounds
There is a flying brunch in the Lux restaurant at the Kongresshaus in Zurich. Small bowls of dishes inspired by street food cuisines from around the world are constantly being served. For example, you can enjoy bao buns with crispy duck, eggs benedict with homemade braid or tuna sashimi with wakame salad. You take what you feel like doing. If you want to be on the safe side, order à la carte.
At the Barista Corner, the coffee is prepared to your personal requirements, or you can take a fresh juice to your seat, where you can let the beats of a Zurich DJ sprinkle you. The background music is an integral part of the restaurant’s new brunch concept.
Brunch deluxe Restaurant Lux, Claridenstraße 3, every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., CHF 68.
Community bakery: sourdough bread and small menu
“Back to the bakery trade” is the motto of the communal bakery. After various pop-ups – for example in the Bar Sacchi, in the Café Bovelli and in the Plaza Club – the bakery has now found a permanent location in Zurich West. Nino Brüllmann and his team are bringing the bakery revolution, such as that taking place in London or Copenhagen, to Zurich. Very good, crispy croissants and sourdough bread are among the specialties.
This is also served for Sunday brunch: about toasted sourdough bread, two fried eggs and wild mushroom ragout on top and garnished with cress salad with seeds. To be recommended as a «side», even if you are actually not hungry anymore, is one of these grandiosely good croissants. You can also take take-away and eat it later on a digestive walk.
Collective BakeryFörrlibuckstrasse 160, Zurich, brunch Sat–Sun: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.