We asked Zurich’s top concierges to share their personal recommendations for the perfect day in the city
Concierge of Dolder Grand Hotel
Dolder Grand Hotel’s perfect itinerary includes: Breakfast at Sprüngli on Paradeplatz A two-hour private cultural-historical city tour of Zurich’s main attractions Lunch at Zeughauskeller (former armory house) Shopping on Bahnhofstrasse and around the Old Town A coffee break at Café Schober (a traditional coffee shop) A boat tour on Lake Zurich with a glass of champagne Dinner at Restaurant Kronenhalle (famous for its original paintings by Chagall, Picasso and Mirò) or a Swiss-style dinner at Restaurant Adlisberg After dinner drinks at the Dolder Grand Bar
Best Restaurants
The Restaurant at The Dolder Grand
Cuisine: International
Kurhausstrasse 65, 8032
Mesa
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Weinbergstrasse 75, 8006
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Spice
Cuisine: Pan-Asian
Germaniastrasse 99, 8044
Best Shops
Grieder Department Store
For: Ready-to-wear and couture fashion for men, women and children
Bahnhofstrasse 30, 8001
Fidelio
For: Multibrand luxury fashion
Münzplatz 1, 8001
Globus
For: High end fashion, perfumes, food and homeware
Schweizergasse 11, 8001
Jelmoli
For: Multibrand luxury fashion and gourmet food
Seidengasse 1, 8001
Best to Do
Take a swim in Lake Zurich Tour Zurich by Segway Enjoy the open air cinema on Lake Zurich During the summer, enjoy the Zurich Theater Spectacle, a theater and performing arts festival, which offers numerous open air performances
Jeremie Varry
Best Restaurants
Pavillon
Cuisine: International
Baur au Lac Hotel, Talstrasse 1, 8001
Rive Gauche
Cuisine: Mediterranean grill
Talstrasse 1, 8001
Rico’s Kunststuben
Cuisine: French
Seestrasse 160, 8700 Küsnacht
Best shops
Many exclusive shops and boutiques are located on Bahnhofstrasse.
Best To Do
Take a tour of the famous Old Town Walk along Bahnhofstrasse to Sprüngli and have coffee and dessert, (The Sprüngli Luxemburgerli dish is famous in Zurich). Visit the Fraumünster church and admire the Chagall windows. Storchengasse has many chic, elegant shops. Then take the Strellgasse to Lindenplatz, which is a garden overlooking the river and the Old Town. Cross the Urania Brücke bridge and visit the panoramic Bar Jules Verne, where you’ll enjoy a marvelous view over Zurich. Then walk to Niederdorf, where you will find trendy bars and restaurants. Visit the Grossmünster church Enjoy a boat tour on Lake Zurich.
Antonio Caduff
“Your perfect day in Zurich should begin with a walk through Niederdorf to enjoy Zurich’s Old Town with its traditional buildings and quaint shops. Then visit the art museum Kunsthaus Zurich, where you’ll find Swiss and international art from the Middle Ages to the present day. Have lunch in Niederdorf and visit the Grossmünster, with its beautiful views over Zurich. Relax on the banks of Lake Zurich and enjoy the panorama of the Swiss Alps, then walk to the famous Bahnhofstrasse and shop for watches, chocolate or the latest fashion. After a great day’s sightseeing, we recommend a visit to the well-known Kaufleuten restaurant / club, where you can eat dinner, indulge in delicious cocktails and enjoy the city’s nightlife.”
Best Restaurants
Kronenhalle
Cuisine: Swiss / French
Rämistrasse 4, 8001
Sonnenberg
Cuisine: International
Hitzigweg 15, 8032
Zunfthaus zur Waag
Cuisine: Traditional local
Münsterhof 8, 8001
Best shopping district
Bahnhofstrasse
The famous Bahnhofstrasse offers a wide range of high end stores like Chanel, Gucci, Bally as well as Globus and Jelmoli.
Best to Do
Niederdorf
Niederdorf is a district in Zurich’s Old Town. It’s a beautiful quarter with many shops, bars, and restaurants.
Opera House
Zurich Opera House enjoys an international reputation.
Swiss National Museum
The permanent exhibitions present a rich tapestry of the country’s history and culture.
Pimmi Pande-Jones
“Breakfast at the gorgeous Metropol Restaurant. Then, after taking in some of the beautiful architecture in the city, make your way to a unique private watchmaker’s tour on the exclusive Bahnhofstrasse and learn about the intricacies behind this traditional Swiss trade. Afterwards, enjoy some window shopping and get some top styling tips from one of our Zurich-based fashion and image stylists. Stop off for lunch at Dolder Grand’s Restaurant and take in the breathtaking views of the lake and the city from this fascinating 19th century building. After lunch, take a professionally guided Meditation Walk in the surrounding woodland before enjoying your well-deserved Hydraheaven Treatment, which includes a massage and floatation experience in Dolder Grand’s Spa. After a refreshing nap, head to Terasse (The Terrace House) for aperitifs before sumptuous fine dining at Chez Fritz right next to the Lake. Finish off the night with drinks at the elite Jade Nightclub.
If you have the energy on the second day, we recommend a private half-day hiking tour of Mount Uetliberg with a trek through the magical forest. If you’re less keen on hiking but love nature, head instead for the Tree Museum of Zurich, an arresting contemporary homage to nearly 2,000 species of tree. From there, head for brunch at the cool Moroccan-inspired Maison Blunt with its funky clientele and low seating, and if you can tear yourself away from your shisha pipe, make your way to The Museum for Modern Art in Zurich for a private tour on Dada; this is the city of the eclectic art movement after all! Treat yourself to an exquisite late lunch at Brasserie Seefeld and then head back to your suite for some R&R.
Best Restaurants
Chez Fritz
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Seestrasse 195, 8802
Seerose
Cuisine: Swiss
Seestrasse 493, Kreis 2
Best Shop
There are so many designers to choose from on Bahnhofstrasse. But you cannot go home without fine Swiss chocolate; for the very best try Sprüngli.
Best to Do
Take a boat trip on the lake and find the best place to enjoy the views with some delicious Italian wine. We recommend The Dolder Grand’s Terrace or the Seerose on Lake Zurich.
Piero Benzi
“We recommend breakfast in Confiserie Sprüngli, followed by a private tour (courtesy of Cronos Limousines) of Zurich and lunch in downtown restaurant Kronenhalle.”
Best Restaurants
Kronenhalle
Mesa
Best Shops
Grieder Department Store
Globus
Jelmoli
Best to Do
City tours and lake trips
