Food Lover’s Guide to Zurich

Shopping on the Bahnhofstrasse and navigating the cobblestones of the Old Town works up quite an appetite, and Zurich has the goods to satisfy your cravings. Exploring this walkable city on foot gives you the calorie space to indulge in the region’s favorite items. Here are a few ways to get to know local culinary traditions.

Must-Try Dishes

Cheese and chocolate make up the majority of goodies that visitors can’t to try when they arrive in Zurich, and there are plenty of opportunities to do so. Fondue is at the top of the list—one of Switzerland’s best-known dishes, the combo of warm, melted cheese and bread is hard to resist. Just make sure you don’t drop your bread into the pot, or tradition says you have to buy the next bottle of white wine, which typically accompanies fondue. To start the day, treat yourself to a hot chocolate, and make time to visit the elegant Confiserie Sprüngli on Bahnhofstrasse to try its array of pastries and sandwiches, most famously the Luxemburgerli minimacarons.

Must-Do Experiences

• Head into the mountains on a day trip that introduces you to cheese- and chocolate-making in the Swiss countryside.
• Satisfy your sweet tooth on a dessert-themed walking tour.
• Visit the Lindt chocolate factory or the outlet shop to experience a piece of the Swiss chocolate industry.
• Take a cooking class to learn how to make chocolate, pastries, or cheese.
• Work on your dipping skills during a fondue lunch or dinner.