The trend for all things clean hasn’t escaped Zurich’s foodie scene. Whether you are vegan, gluten-intolerant, love juicing or like to eat organically, there is a restaurant or café for you. Here we navigate some of the city’s best healthy eating joints.
Best for veggies …
Hiltl became the world’s first vegetarian restaurant when it opened in 1898, and has since grown into a Swiss institution of meat-free goodness at its seven locations and veggie butcher’s. Also good are Tibits, a vegetarian buffet that recently opened a new branch in Zurich Oerlikon, and Samses in the industrial quarter, which does the city’s best veggie burger.
If you’re vegan …
… try Roots in Zurich. Everything is vegan – from the satisfying ‘protein salad’ with quinoa, tofu and beetroot hummus to the irresistible juices, which range from green to fruity. Another goodie is Elle ‘n’ Belle on Limmatstrasse: it has won a slew of awards for its vegan fare.
Freshly juiced goodness …
Don’t be put off by Sasou’s unassuming exterior: this locale on Langstrasse concocts creative smoothies and cold-pressed juices before your eyes. It also offers different cleansing programmes. Alternatively, get your circulation going with the ‘Green Power’ smoothie at Fruitiamo in Enge. For something truly exotic, try the freshly squeezed coconut juice at The Studio in Stadelhofen – while watching radio DJs at work.
Being healthy on the go …
… doesn’t get more convenient than takeaway Hitzberger (in Zurich and Basel), whether you want to press your own orange juice to sustain you through a train journey, or grab pomegranate seeds to throw on your lunch. The salad buffet at Gärtnerei, which has outlets in Zurich, Zug and Bern and doesn’t use any additives or preservatives, is also deliciously practical.
Naughty treats
Les Gourmandises de Miyuko off Sihlquai is a paradise of gluten-free-but-full-of-pizzazz cakes. For something cooler in the summer months, look no further than the ice cream at vegan organic restaurant Vegelateria in Kreis 4. Or why not try the chia seed carrot cake and vegan cupcakes at Klara’s Kitchen on Universitätsstrasse, which also has an organic shop.
Grow your own …
… it’s the best way to be sure of the quality. Veg and the City offers everything you need to transform your balcony into a greenhouse, as well as courses to teach you how to grow your own produce in the smallest of spaces. It also has allotments to rent.
Keep an eye on Time Out Switzerland – where you will find a host of recommended eateries across the country – to ensure you don’t miss out on any exciting upcoming food events, including the Street Food Festival and the Swiss Food Festival.