This post introduces Zeughauskeller, one of Zurich’s most famous traditional restaurants. During my final day in Switzerland, I planned to explore Zurich’s old town for half a day before heading back to Korea. After seeing most of the old town, I needed lunch but found that many alternative restaurants were closed during break time.
Since the traditional Swiss restaurants I had visited during my trip were fairly ordinary, I initially wanted to try something different like Italian pasta or Southeast Asian noodles. However, all these restaurants were closed for their afternoon break. That’s when I remembered Zeughauskeller, a well-known Zurich restaurant I had researched earlier that operates without break time.
Location and Getting There
Zeughauskeller is located just a short walk from Fraumünster, one of Zurich’s main landmarks. The restaurant sits within walking distance from Paradeplatz in Zurich’s historic center, housed in a 15th-century building that was originally an armory built in 1487.
Since the path to the restaurant goes through narrow alley-like streets, I recommend using GPS navigation to avoid getting lost.
Operating Hours
- Monday to Saturday: 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM
- Sunday: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
The restaurant operates from 11:30 AM until late night at 11:00 PM, except on Sundays. Most importantly, there’s no afternoon break time, making it a good choice for visitors looking to dine during off-peak hours when other restaurants are closed.
Wait Times and Crowds
Zeughauskeller is highly rated on TripAdvisor with over 5,000 reviews, so I expected crowds and potential waiting. Fortunately, visiting around 3:00 PM after the lunch rush meant no waiting time for our party. The restaurant was still busy with a lively atmosphere despite the off-peak timing.
Menu and Pricing
I requested an English menu upon arrival. The menu contains many items written in German with minimal pictures, making it challenging to identify dishes even with prior research. I recommend researching specific menu items online beforehand to save time during ordering.
Restaurant Interior and Atmosphere
The interior features rustic and historical ambience with weapons from the former armory now serving as decoration. The wood-dominant design reflects traditional Swiss styling, creating an authentic historic atmosphere.
The restaurant is quite spacious, befitting its reputation as one of Zurich’s premier dining destinations.
Food Review and Recommendations
I ordered two traditional dishes: Schnitzel (menu item #46) and Schweinshaxe (menu item #42). While these dishes originate from German cuisine, they’ve become integral to Swiss traditional food due to the countries’ proximity.
Schnitzel with Rosti
The schnitzel resembles a German-style pork cutlet similar to Japanese tonkatsu that many might recognize. The menu offers “choice of side dishes,” allowing customization with additional sides. I selected rosti, one of Switzerland’s most famous potato dishes, as my side.
Having tried schnitzel at a Grindelwald restaurant previously, Zeughauskeller’s schnitzel quality was notably superior. The pork was more tender, and the breading quality was excellent. The menu offers blueberry sauce for an additional 1.8 francs, which I didn’t add but would recommend for cutting through the richness.
The rosti exceeded expectations – shredded potatoes fried crispy like a pancake with a nutty, satisfying flavor that made it surprisingly delicious.
Schweinshaxe (Roasted Pork Knuckle)
The schweinshaxe arrived as an impressive roasted pork leg with excellent visual presentation. The meat was remarkably tender and flavorful. The accompanying potato salad featured a refreshing lemon-based dressing that provided nice contrast.
While both sides were potato-based, Swiss potatoes have excellent quality, making both accompaniments enjoyable. The potato salad can be substituted with other sides if preferred – just ask your server for alternatives.
Price and Value Assessment
Zeughauskeller pricing reflects typical Swiss standards rather than budget dining, but the portion sizes are generous and food quality justifies the cost. For Swiss dining standards, the value is reasonable given the historic setting and food quality.
Final Thoughts
Zeughauskeller proved to be a pleasant surprise during my Zurich visit. I had moderate expectations since I was getting tired of Swiss cuisine by this point in my trip, but the food quality lived up to the restaurant’s reputation.
The restaurant successfully delivers emblematic Swiss-German food in an authentic historic setting, making it a good choice for visitors seeking traditional Swiss dining experience in Zurich’s old town.
The combination of no break time policy, historic atmosphere, and quality traditional dishes makes Zeughauskeller a practical choice for tourists with flexible dining schedules who want to experience authentic Swiss cuisine.
