Switzerland

Widely considered to be one of the finest restaurants in Switzerland, perhaps even the whole of Europe, maestro chef Rico Zandonella's award-winning reputation attracts the wealthy gourmets of Zurich and boasts a celebrity list that includes the Swiss president, singer Tina Turner (who lives nearby) and the emperor of Japan. The restaurant is in the lakeside town of Kusnacht, about 15 minutes from the city, housed in an elegantly decorated building that was once an art gallery. The menu changes regularly, and can include outstanding speciality lobster dishes or a number of other inventive dishes such as Tuscan dove, scampi lasagne in lemongrass sauce or stuffed squid with a fennel confit. All entrées, desserts and cheeses are of exceptional quality, as is the wine cellar. Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday to Saturday. Advance booking essential.

Food Type :French

Address :Seestrasse 160, Küsnacht

Website :https://www.ricozandonella.ch/

One of Zurich's most famous restaurants, Kronenhalle is the place to see and be seen, and over the years has attracted celebrity greats such as James Joyce, Pablo Picasso, Richard Strauss and Yves Saint-Laurent. The interior is decorated with original works of famous 20th-century artists including Picasso, Matisse and Miró. The fare is traditional Swiss and includes huge portions of rösti, a delicious herring in double cream, veal steak and duck liver. Reservations are essential.

Food Type :Local

Address :Rämistrasse 4 (Right Bank)

Website :www.kronenhalle.com

Originally the carpenter's guildhall, Zunfthaus Zur Zimmerleuten is one of the architectural showpieces of Zurich. Up a flight of Baroque stairs, the elegant dining room serves up dishes that combine Zurich specialities with chef innovations, including the Lake Zurich fish soup with garlic rouille or the triple fillet accompanied with rösti and cream sauce. Reservations recommended. Open daily.

Food Type :Local

Address :Limmatquai 40 (Right Bank)

Website :www.zunfthaus-zimmerleuten.ch/

The huge dining hall built in 1487, with thick stone pillars, wooden beams and a decorative ceiling, was originally the city's armoury, and the medieval character of the restaurant is highlighted by the décor, with weapons and paintings from the Middle Ages, and waitresses in old-fashioned costume. Known for its tasty traditional Swiss meals, the portions are hearty and served with local beer. Classic speciality dishes include the Zurich-style sliced veal and mushrooms and rösti potatoes. Zeughauskeller also offers a wide variety of different types of sausage. Open daily from 11.30am. Reservations recommended.

Food Type :Local

Address :Bahnhofstrasse 28a, Paradeplatz (Left Bank)

Website :www.zeughauskeller.ch

Situated on the site of a 300-year old mill, this slick modern restaurant draws trendsetters from the advertising and arts scene who are attracted by the modern approach to fresh ingredients and light cuisine. Duck ('blaue ente' means 'blue duck') is the house speciality and comes in various forms. Other dishes include fish and crustaceans, loin of lamb, vegetarian curry and pastas. Reservations recommended.

Food Type :Modern Eclectic

Address :Seefeldstrasse 223

Website :www.blaue-ente.ch

Established in 1325 as a wine cellar and a restaurant in 1551, Veltliner Keller evokes a sense of history and charm in its detailed wooden panelling. Originally used to store Italian-Swiss wines that were transported to Zurich over the Alps, this delightful restaurant offers wholesome, hearty cuisine that will not disappoint. The seasonal menu includes Swiss and Italian dishes as well as the traditional Zurich dish, kalbsgeschnetzeltes (sliced veal and mushrooms in a white wine sauce).

Food Type :Local

Address :Schlüsselgasse 8

Website :www.veltlinerkeller.ch

Located in the St Gotthard Hotel, the Hummerbar (Lobster Bar) is one of Zurich's top dining spots. The rich scarlet décor and dark wood creates the perfect setting for a romantic dinner. Fresh caviar, oysters and shellfish are flown in daily from Iran, and woven into the menu of classical French cuisine with a Mediterranean flair. Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner and on Sunday for dinner.

Food Type :Seafood

Address :Hotel St Gotthard, Bahnhofstrasse 87

Website : www.hotelstgotthard.ch/de/restaurant-und-bar/hummerbar-zuerich/

This trendy cafe and bar, formerly a coffeehouse where the pre-revolutionary Lenin met intellectuals, has been transformed into an art-nouveau eatery frequented by locals and tourists alike. Other celebrities to have dined here include the likes of Joyce, Einstein, Mata Hari and Mussolini. Nowadays it is the bourgeois-chic crowd who like to dine on fine pasta dishes and other delicious meals. This eatery remains open late so expect an eventful evening! Reservations recommended.

Food Type :Café

Address :Limmatquai 2

Website :www.odeon.ch

A trip to Switzerland would be incomplete without sampling traditional Swiss fare. A country famous for cheese, most notably the tasty Gruyere variety, communal dishes such as raclette and fondue are commonplace in both Swiss homes and upmarket restaurants. Ideal for a wintery treat, travellers should head to Chez Crettol, where these particular dishes are the speciality. With a selection of fondues to choose from, patrons can while away the time dipping, twirling and eating and finishing off with a zesty local white wine. Those who can't handle more than a few mouthfuls of bread can opt for raclette, a combination of boiled potatoes, pickled onions and gherkins, drizzled with melted cheese, which is scraped off a melting block. For a heart-warming Swiss evening, a warm crackling fireplace and an understated environment that looks characteristically similar to a Swiss dining room, Chez Crettol is the place. Open daily for dinner.

Food Type :Local

Address :Florastrasse 22, Kusnacht

With one of the best locations in Zurich, the Seerose offers a romantic element to Zurich dining. Situated on the vast lake, guests are surrounded by water, quaint boats, city lights and majestic snow-capped mountains. Whether travellers are looking for a sunny and crisp lunchtime venue or an evening out, with a European flair, the Seerose will fulfil their expectations. Reminiscent of a yacht on the Mediterranean with elegant beachhouse trimmings, the Seerose serves up fresh cuisine ranging from seafood to curry. Patrons can start with goat's cheese and honey on a salad bouquet or a Salade Noel, with chicory, nuts, fresh fruits and an Indian sauce. Popular mains include moule et frites and duck l'orange or for the more adventurous, a red beef curry. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, booking recommended.

Food Type :International

Address :Seestrasse 493

Website :seerose.dinning.ch

Those in search of authentic Swiss cuisine prepared to perfection need look no further than the Les Armures. This renowned eatery located in the 5-star Hotel Les Armures features three dining rooms for patrons to choose between, namely the Terrace, Salle des Artistes and Carnozet and serves Swiss favourites with a French flair and elegance. Patrons should try the wild mushroom soup, sliced breaded veal or the roasted duck breast served in a raspberry vinegar sauce. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations recommended.

Food Type :Local

Address :1 Rue Puits-St-Pierre

Website :https://www.hotel-les-armures.ch/en/

A warm and friendly bistro situated opposite the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in the trendy Plainpalais district, Café des Bains serves fresh innovative dishes from all over the world. With a varying daily lunch menu, patrons can expect mouth-watering quality dishes, prepared with only the finest ingredients, which are creatively presented. They can take lunch at the bar area where they can access free wifi or just sit back and enjoy a freshly brewed coffee. In the evenings patrons can choose from an attractive a la carte menu that is accompanied by a good winelist. For a relaxed dining experience in Geneva, travellers should head to Café de Bains. Open Monday to Friday for lunch and dinner, and Saturday for dinner.

Food Type :Café

Address :Rue des Bains 26

Website :www.cafedesbains.com

Popular with tourists and locals alike, La Perle du Lac is the only restaurant in Geneva that is situated directly on Lac Leman. Known for its large flowered terrace overlooking the Alps mountain range and the tranquil lake, guests at La Perle du Lac easily unwind whilst relishing the flavours of their pan fried escalope of duck liver with apple or the much loved slow-cooked lamb shanks. Situated in pretty Mon Repos Park, La Perle du Lac has been serving five star French cuisine to diplomats and businessmen for over 30 years. Open Monday to Sunday for lunch and dinner.

Food Type :French

Address :Rue de Lausanne 126

Website :www.laperledulac.ch

Situated about three miles (five kilometres) outside of central Geneva, city slickers and tourists alike cannot help but gravitate towards Café du Soleil. With a leafy outside sitting area dotted with blood red tables and a simple interior with antique wooden chairs and elaborate framed mirrors adorning the bare white walls, the frank décor of Café du Soleil only highlights the scrumptious cuisine. Regarded as one of the oldest restaurants in Geneva and one of the best fondue restaurants to boot, there is no uncertainty over what to order. For a light lunch, patrons should try their brochettes or freshly prepared salads otherwise the sirloin and rump steaks are a good bet. Open daily for lunch and dinner.

Food Type :Local

Address :Place du Petit-Saconnex 6, Petit-Saconnex

Website :www.cafedusoleil.ch

Ideal for a business lunch or gastronomic night out, Auberge de Floris is a sophisticated terrace restaurant overlooking the lake in the picturesque village of Anières, 15 minutes southwest of the city. Claude and Inès Legras warmly welcome patrons to this Michelin star restaurant known for its delectable seafood. Patrons should try the tuna carpaccio starter drizzled with orange zest and olive oil and follow with pecorino-stuffed calamari in octopus ink sauce with chorizo potatoes and steamed courgette flowers. Next door is the bistro, offering less complex but still inventive dishes at slightly cheaper prices. Open Tuesday to Saturday for lunch and dinner.

Food Type :French

Address :Route dHermance 287

Website :www.lefloris.com

A haven for wine lovers, Les Papilles de Lavinia is a new wine and tapas bar that combines the sweet and savoury dishes with a wonderful selection of wines from leading producers around the world. Guests can sit intimately at a table for two or join a larger group around the heavy wooden tables. With tasteful décor and a trendy wine bar atmosphere, Les Papilles de Lavinia is ideal for a sophisticated lunch or after-work drink. Open for lunch and early dinner from Monday to Saturday.

Food Type :Spanish

Address :Rue de Coutance 3bis

Website :www.lavinia.com/ch/restaurante.aspx

The elegant Restaurant du Parc des Eaux-Vives is situated in a historic mansion dating back to the 18th century in the picturesque Parc des Eaux-Vives along the lake. The gourmet restaurant, decorated with two Michelin stars, is overseen by talented chef de cuisine Julien Schillaci whose refined menu is composed according to the produce of the season. The art deco dining room is complimented with world-class wines and outstanding service. In summer, the Parc des Eaux-Vives terrace is one of the most beautiful settings in Geneva. Ideal for business or leisure, the Parc des Eaux-Vives is open daily for lunch and dinner.

Food Type :French

Address :Quai Gustave-Ador 82

Website :www.parcdeseauxvives.ch

Met by an ornate fountain in the entrance way and draped in rich ochre, red and orange décor, this cosy Moroccan restaurant features rugs, cushions, tapestries and belly dancers on Saturday nights. A popular eatery with locals and almost always bustling, La Mamounia serves traditional Moroccan dishes and delicious tagines. Rooms with different colours and décor can be booked for private parties and large tables. The flagship dish, the chicken 'Mamounia' with toasted almond sauce is not to be missed. Reservations accepted. Open daily.

Food Type :Moroccan

Address :3 Avenue de Frontenex

Serving some of Geneva's finest French cuisine, Le Chat-Botté boasts renowned chef Dominique Gauthier, who prepares innovative and delicious gourmet food night after night. Located in the Hotel Beau Rivage, this stylish and sophisticated restaurant is tastefully decorated and boasts one of Switzerland's finest selections of wines. Patrons should try the tartar of slipper lobster with lime and ginger, coco milk and citronella gaspacho, or the Pyrenean spring lamb and polenta fries served with a delicious light cream. Whatever guests choose to eat, Le Chat-Botte does not disappoint. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations recommended.

Food Type :French

Address :Quai du Mont-Blanc 13

Website :www.beau-rivage.ch

Located in the leafy green suburbs of Carouge, this bustling classic restaurant has fast become one of Geneva's favourites. The ever-changing art adorning the walls and wine list allows patrons to sample some exciting new additions while dining on traditional French fare. Open Monday to Friday from January through August and Monday to Saturday September through December. Reservations accepted.

Food Type :French

Address :31 Rue Jacques-Dalphin