Italian dining in Zurich

Hardly any city north of the Alps is as close to Italy as Zurich: Ticino begins on the far side of the Gotthard, Milan is just over three hours away by train, and since the late 19th century Italian immigrants have helped shape city life. Fine Italian dining is found mainly in the city centre around Paradeplatz and Bahnhofstrasse, often in restaurants with a hotel or wine estate behind them and a correspondingly discreet setting suited to business.

The range extends from a tasting menu with a creative signature to a lively osteria serving tris di pasta, a plate of three kinds of pasta. Visitors should allow for Swiss prices: in upmarket restaurants, main courses quickly cost more than 50 francs. Some restaurants are closed on Sundays, others serve a lunch menu only on weekdays. It is often the cheapest way to get to know a restaurant’s cooking.

Tip: For business meals, the lunch menus of the city-centre restaurants are a good choice; on Sundays check opening times in advance, as several restaurants are closed.