Few cities capture the essence of winter like Zurich, Switzerland. Whether you’re seeking a hearty fondue or a velvety hot chocolate, the city’s restaurants, bars and cafés provide a cozy and festive ambiance for savoring classic Swiss dishes and international favorites. Here are seven fantastic places in Zurich to fully embrace the city’s unique winter dining scene.
Widder Wonder Garden
Widder Garden in Zurich transforms into the Widder Wonder Garden for the holidays, decked with twinkling lights, vivid decor and the luxurious touch of Perrier-Jouët champagne. The garden’s seasonal menu features light fare, such as charcuterie plates with cornbread and curried pumpkin soup. Guests can unwind with a refreshing apéritif and step into one of eight cozy gondolas to try delicious fondue from Jumi cheesery.
Wienachtsdorf Christmas Market
Located next to Zurich’s opera house on Sechseläutenplatz, the lakeshore Wienachtsdorf Christmas village contains roughly 100 market stalls. Here, visitors can enjoy Swiss culinary favorites like Emmental cheese and heisse schoggihot (hot chocolate) while discovering a variety of handcrafted goods created by local artisans. Visitors can also engage in family-friendly activities like candle making at Hechtplatz. On weekends, the holiday spirit extends beyond Wienachstsdorf, as the Christmas Express boat connects this market with three additional Christmas markets across town.
Lindt Home of Chocolate
The Lindt Home of Chocolate immerses visitors in the world of chocolate with a towering nine-meter-high chocolate fountain and an onsite café filled with chocolate-inspired menu items. Visitors can explore the chocolate museum, which houses interactive exhibits about the history of cocoa, from its ancient origins to its evolution into today’s globally adored confection. The museum tour culminates in a tasting room, where visitors can sample chocolate directly from the tap and take home complimentary Lindt’s chocolate truffles.
This holiday season, Lindt Home of Chocolate is hosting a unique chocolate course where participants can craft their own chocolate creations under the guidance of master chocolatiers.
B2 Wine Bar Library
Housed in the B2 Hotel Zurich, the site of the former Hürlimann Brewery, the B2 Wine Bar Library is more than just a place to dine; it’s a place to connect. Featuring soaring ceilings, beer bottle chandeliers and an impressive collection of more than 33,000 books, the space invites guests to explore the extensive literary collection while tasting delicious foods such as wintery carrot soup, pumpkin ravioli and the daily tarte. During the winter months, the bar serves homemade white glühwein (mulled wine) and an exclusive cheese and wine pairing menu featuring gourmet Swiss cheeses from Maître Fromager Rolf Beeler and wines carefully curated by renowned expert Beat Caduff.
Café & Conditorei 1842
Since its inception as Eberle’s Sweet Shop in 1842, Café & Conditorei 1842 has offered some of the most exquisite sweets in the city. The café’s ornate setting provides the perfect ambiance for friendly gatherings to indulge in its famous hot chocolate and delectable pastries. One of the seasonal menu highlights is the gugelhupf, a traditional yeast cake made with almonds and raisins.
Winterzauber
Guests at Winterzauber at Uetliberg can enjoy live music and a Christmas-themed market stall serving classic winter street food, such as roasted chestnuts. Additionally, the Uto Kulm Restaurant features Engadine Maiensäss, a detailed recreation of an alpine hut. This cozy setting, with seating for up to 35 guests, is perfect for intimate group dinners.
Garçoa Schoggi Pop-up
Until April 2025, the Garcoa Schoggi Pop-up on Ottostrasse will be a hotspot for culinary creativity. Every week, Chef Michaela Frank unveils new recipes crafted with Garçoa’s exquisite chocolate. These delectable pop-up creations are accompanied by the shop’s specialty hot drinking chocolate.
This article first appeared on Forbes.
