I had lived in Zurich for two years in total, before I was two years in Lucerne. Now I am based in Winterthur, where I enjoy our garden to the fullest. Sowing, nourishing and harvesting your own vegetables is such a wonderful process… and a wonderful reminder to value as well as cherish every ingredient and food Mother Earth provides us with.

What do you love most about Zurich?

It’s a place of change and happenings. I find it fascinating to see how new pop-up stores and off spaces are created, and how fast the food and art scene is growing. What I also love about Zurich is that it does have this “international metropolis” feeling, but at the same time it’s also very smallish and “Swiss-ish”, meaning you still run into friends and acquaintances while being on the go.

What do you do?

I work as a freelance photographer and artist, whereas I describe myself as a visual storyteller. Next to my visual work I host Vietnamese supper clubs where I serve homemade meals and infuse my artistic visions of dealing with topics such as migration, identity and our perspective on Asian culture as well as representation of people with Asian heritage.

You can find me and my supper club under @myliennguyen and @milissupperclub on IG.

How do you feel about the food scene in Zurich?

Enriching and diverse! I love that there are more and more restaurants with Asian cuisine opening up. You’ll find your Korean BBQ, several Japanese ramen places, dumpling bars, Vietnamese restaurants… I remember my teen years where I only got good Vietnamese food at home. Now there are some acceptable places in Zurich too. (Homemade is still the best, right?)

Name your top 3 restaurants in Zurich.

Miki / Ikoo, Zum Guten Glück, Le Cèdre

Where would you take a date?

Ice Cream date! Eisvogel, Gelateria Di Berna or Gelati Tellhof.

Which Swiss dishes would you encourage travelers to try?

In my opinion the Engadine kitchen is internationally totally underrated! Sure, fondue and raclette, but that’s probably already on every to-do list of every tourist visiting Switzerland. So, I recommend Capuns, Pizokel and Bündner Nusstorte (nut cake)!

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, we sat down with three friends of INDULGE to find out what they’re up to this Sunday. They gave us some great tips on what to cook, what to eat, and what wine to buy.

Emma O’Connell, Sommelier:

What are your plans for Valentine’s Day?

I’ll be honest, I’m not a huge Valentine’s gal, but I will be enjoying a nice meal with my husband at home. I’m actually doing a live tasting of a white rioja on Instagram that evening.

Do you have any recommendations for interesting wines to help lovebirds get in the mood?

We’ll be pairing this white rioja with a small apero of chorizo, jamon and manchego.

After the live, I’ll enjoy a Côte de bœuf with my husband, paired with a gorgeous rioja. I’m currently a huge fan of this (from the same producer). It’s such a cosy hug of a wine. Chocolate and vanilla aromas, perfect for snuggling up on the sofa with. It also has little hearts on the label so can’t think of anything better!

Champagne is always a good option for a romantic meal, and recently I’ve been drinking quite a lot of Corpinnat. These are made in Spain with the champagne method and are truly delicious. My back-up plan would be a fine Corpinnat (vintage), with sushi. I tried this one recently and was very impressed.

Are there any places in Zurich that you would recommend getting take-out for you and your significant other on Valentine’s Day?

As for takeaways, I am very keen to try the Omakase from Gaijin. The Omakase in house is fabulous, and I’d imagine this is no different.

I recently had the ‘Josef at Home’ meal from restaurant Josef and was blown away too. You get the elements for a 4-course meal at home and finish/plate it up for dinner. It was lots of fun and absolutely delicious. I reckon it would be a great surprise for a loved one who likes food.

For something casual, I’ve seen that Action Burgers have released a ‘cook at home’ box. A juicy burger with a nice chianti would also be the perfect choice for a relaxed, fun evening. Perhaps followed by a cookie from Malt.

Sven Flory, Hospitality Expert:

What are your plans for Valentine’s Day?

I have to work in the probably most romantic hotel in Switzerland, Bürgenstock Hotels & Resort.

In your opinion, what’s the most romantic dish a person can cook for their partner?

Tournedos Rossini

Are there any places in Zurich that you would recommend getting take-out for you and your significant other on Valentine’s Day?

McDolder by The Dolder Grand.

Mirjam Eberle, Private Chef:

What are your plans for Valentine’s Day?

I don’t know yet!

In your opinion, what’s the most romantic dish a person can cook for their partner?

For me there is no romantic food, just good food. But for a romantic evening, it should be light… maybe a bit spicy and finish with a dessert.

Are there any places in Zurich that you would recommend getting take-out for you and your significant other on Valentine’s Day?

Something to share, like dumplings from Tenz, or classic sushi from Samurai.

I actually live in Romanshorn but work in Zurich a lot, which is why I know this city very well. Zurich is a wonderful place to me – it offers a bit of big city flair, but also the charm of a village. You can virtually get around to everything in the inner city within just a few minutes.

What do you love most about Zurich?

I love its straightforward character, the wide range of cultural opportunities and its incredible location on the lake with the Alps just a stone throw away. And let’s not forget the wonderful food scene with new innovative gastro-concepts emerging almost daily.

What do you do?

I am a specialist in aesthetic medicine with a practice/clinic located at Stauffacher that I have operated for almost 20 years. I live in the countryside (Romanshorn at Lake Bodensee), but work in Zurich every other day.

How do you feel about the food scene in Zurich?

For the past few years, the food scene has changed and moved away from (boring) home-style cooking toward multi-cultural influences, healthy cooking and especially more and more toward freshly prepared meals. The spectrum ranges from small mini restaurants with economical prices all the way to gourmet restaurants.

Name your top 3 restaurants in Zurich.

I love well-grilled meats, which is why I love AURA 800° Grill & Bar, where the service is always great, the food is exactly the way I like and the clientele is young and from all over the world. It is, however, more suitable for indoor dining.

My second recommendation for a warm summer evening is the outdoor restaurant Baur au Lac that offers wonderfully light cuisine in an incredibly beautiful ambience.

The third restaurant I am recommending is a gelateria right around the corner from me because I am just an aficionado of all things gelato. In my opinion, Rosso Arancio offers the best gelati of all time. The creaminess and the flavor come from only the best ingredients and it’s always a revelation. I have not touched any ready-made gelati from the supermarket since.

It is difficult for me to limit myself to naming only three of my favorite restaurants… for a small healthy snack, I love to frequent Not Guilty in my building but also enjoy an evening at 1904 by Lagonda with its gourmet kitchen or with Chef Heilemann, who relocated from Restaurant Ecco (2 stars) to Widder Bar & Kitchen.

Where would you take a date?

To enjoy a wonderful summer evening, I love restaurants like Lake Side directly on the lake or the Baur au Lac, but also The Restaurant at the Dolder Grand. The conclusion to a beautiful summer evening should take place in the roof bar “The Nest” at Storchen, which offers the most spectacular views across the city.

Which Swiss dishes would you encourage travelers to try?

Obviously, you must try fondue and raclette. This is an absolute must. And then there are also the crispy, golden-yellow potato pancakes (Rösti) with veal ragout (Zürcher Geschnetzeltes) as well as the “Luxemburgerli” by Confiserie Sprüngli (similar to small macarons) and the hard, spiced biscuits called “Basler Leckerli”.

One year and a half! I moved from Lucerne (I lived there also for a year and a half), and before that I lived in Italy and Peru.

What do you love most about Zurich?

It is in the middle of everything! So many things are going on every week, it’s home to interesting people from all around the world, the size of the city is just great (not too big, not too small), and it has an amazing location.

What do you do?

I am an operations and project manager with a passion for photography and blogging. You can find me at @ellarend on Instagram/YouTube and on my blog Coffee with Ella.

How do you feel about the food scene in Zurich?

I feel there is a lot of variety, there are restaurants from all around the world. I have a huge list of places I still need to try, and this list grows every week!

Name your top 3 restaurants in Zurich.

This is hard! Barranco (I need to mention Peruvian food), La Taqueria, Yen’s. I like restaurants that make me feel at home.

Where would you take a date?

It really depends, but I would say George / Brick / Clouds / Tales Bar for a cocktail, Binz & Kunz for a more easygoing drink, Cafe Lang / Babu’s / jenseits im Viadukt for coffee.

Which Swiss dishes would you encourage travelers to try?

I am a fan of Rösti, and I think travelers generally enjoy raclette more than fondue. Also, bread and cheese! I love Silserbrötli and Mandelgipfel… and Gruyère, of course.

I grew up in Zurich.

What do you love most about Zurich?

I love that there are so many opportunities to meet new people and try new things. There are so many cultures as well as creative influences around the city, and it is always changing which I think is extremely fascinating and inspiring.

What do you do?

At the moment, I am working full-time in finance and in my free time, I like to discover new restaurants for my Instagram Foodie Account What About Zurich.

How do you feel about the food scene in Zurich?

As a foodie, I am obsessed with the food scene in Zurich, and I think there is always something new to discover.

Name your top 3 restaurants in Zurich.

This changes constantly but at the moment I adore San Gennaro for pizza, Ikoo for ramen and Milchbar for brunches.

Where would you take a date?

I guess to a new restaurant or a bar like Dalis Bar (they often have musicians), Barfussbar/Rimini Bar or to a more quiet place like Café Lang to spy on other people as a plan B. 😂

Which Swiss dishes would you encourage travelers to try?

Coffee from the Swiss coffee house chain ViCafe. Apart from that, cheese of course, but there are also many other specialities that local businesses have to offer.

At the moment, I’m living in Winterthur because of my studies in St. Gallen. However, every time I’m in Zurich for work, to meet my friends and family or just to take a walk by the lake, I am reminded of the beauty of Zurich and how much I want to return to the city once my studies are finished.

What do you love most about Zurich?

The thing I love most about Zurich is how big and small the city feels at the same time. Every time, there are new things to discover around each corner and still you manage to run into old friends & colleagues on a regular basis.

What do you do?

I’m the manager of a small start-up called Laromi and a student at the University of St. Gallen.

How do you feel about the food scene in Zurich?

I love the food scene in Zurich! There has been such a diverse and interesting development of new restaurants, concepts and start-ups. I hope that this is just the beginning.

Name your top 3 restaurants in Zurich.

Any place that serves delicious, authentic Italian food. Tibits because I love the concept and used to work there. AuGust because it offers the perfect combination of simplicity and seriousness in every aspect.

Where would you take a date?

When going on a date with my husband I like to either discover a totally new place or to enjoy the time together in a relaxed atmosphere with friendly staff. Più and AuGust have been our stable go-tos for quite some time now.

Which Swiss dishes would you encourage travelers to try?

Älplermagronen with homemade apple sauce! One of my personal all-time favorites and really delicious comfort food. A perfect choice especially during the cold season that is slowly but surely coming.

I grew up on lovely lake of Zug about 25 km outside of Zurich. Starting a career in gastronomy has allowed me to live in wonderful cites around the world and I spent 6 years in Vancouver, Berlin as well as London. We have since settled six years ago in Zurich Wiedikon.

What do you love most about Zurich?

There is a lot to love about Zurich. The proximity to mountains and several beautiful lakes as well as the high living standards. What I love most about Zurich though is the constant growth in gastronomy. The scene has only developed recently over the past ten years but therefore still is an open playing field with a lot of space for new things.

What do you do?

I am a founder and co-owner of three American inspired Restaurants in Zurich. We do Southern fried chicken at Yardbird, Southern BBQ at Brisket and Gourmet Burgers at The Bite.

How do you feel about the food scene in Zurich?

Zurich’s food scene is relatively new and growing constantly. It’s hard to keep up with all the inspiring things popping up. I love that there is still “unclaimed” territory to be explored.

Name your top 3 restaurants in Zurich.

I like starting my day with coffee at COFFEE in Grümgasse 4 in Wiedikon. For lunch, I can highly recommend Chez Nahn’s Pho Bo and virtually everything at Rosi for dinner.

Where would you take a date?

I would suggest a Negroni at SACCHI and dinner at La Baracca, a cute little intimate Italian place.

Which Swiss dishes would you encourage travelers to try?

The classic fondue and raclette in winter, Bratwurst with onion sauce and Rösti in summer.

I relocated to Switzerland from Australia just over 7 years ago when my wife was transferred here. We lived 2.5 years in the city and now the past 5 years along the lake in Au, a little slice of the country just 18 km’s from the city.

What do you love most about Zurich?

It really is one of the best cities I have had the privilege to get to know. It’s vibrant and always changing, safe, beautiful and clean. The seasonal changes still amaze me as we really don’t have that big of a change where I am from in Australia. This brings with it the different things to do and of course to eat, each month literally seems different.

Watching these changes over the lake is just magical: We can sit on our terrace and watch the weather change, and in the warmer months get to enjoy one of the best swimming experiences Switzerland has to offer.

What do you do?

I am a chef, and I have a cooking school where I teach a wide variety of cuisines as well as dietary specialties like gluten free, low GI or even raw food. I also have a food truck for street food festivals and events.

How do you feel about the food scene in Zurich?

It really is changing month to month. Seven years ago, I wasn’t that impressed with the food scene in Zurich, unless you had thousands to spend on a meal. Now it’s like the floodgates have opened and everything from Michelin-starred restaurants to the smallest hole-in-the-wall restaurant offer great food for all budgets.

Name your top 3 restaurants in Zurich.

I’m a huge fan of Asian food. Being from Sydney, we had world-class offerings on every corner it seemed so when I do go out, it is usually for Asian cuisine. My favorite is Hongxi, serving great dumplings and the service is very friendly. Another favorite is Achi, a bit more crazy than the elegant Hongxi. Big tables, big flavors and big servings. A real feeling of being in a traditional family restaurant in China.

For a morning coffee, you can’t pass Café Noir just off Langstrasse. They roast their own beans and make a mean brew. Small, hip and just right for a quick hit of caffeine.

Where would you take a date?

My wife really loves to go to Chäsalp. An old farmhouse turned into an amazing restaurant, rabbits wandering around outside and the best cheese fondue Switzerland has to offer.

Which Swiss dishes would you encourage travelers to try?

Fondue is a must, and there are so many versions: You have to e.g. try fondue Chinoise which is without cheese but with stock and different meats as well as sauces. I’m also a huge fan of Capuns, a regional dish from the mountains of Graubünden. They are a dumpling wrapped in a type of spinach and cooked in a cream sauce. Definitely a winter meal before starting that long hike.

I grew up in a small village called Neftenbach, located near Winterthur in the Canton of Zurich. After graduating from the University of St. Gallen (HSG) in 2011, I started working for a law firm in Zurich and therefore permanently moved to this lovely city. Except for a year I recently spent in Los Angeles, I have lived in Zurich ever since.

What do you love most about Zurich?

Since Zurich is situated right in the heart of Europe, it has become very international in recent years. Although Zurich is a rather small city compared to other metropolises around the world, it is incredibly diverse both in terms of people and (food) cultures. What I admire most about Zurich is that it managed to become a driving force in financial markets but at the same time to keep its rural roots. I especially like the Hardturm area where wonderful events such as the Street Food Festival take place. Lake Zurich and its surrounding areas can only be described as gorgeous, particularly in summer time. I love to take a stroll along the waterside promenades during my lunch time. What I also love about Zurich is that you can get everywhere by means of public transport without bothering about traffic jams and parking spaces. This is especially handy when experiencing Zurich’s food culture and night life without bothering about drinking and driving.

What do you do?

I am a lawyer, working for a major international law firm in Zurich. I also have a degree in higher education and used to teach classes in a Swiss high school. As for hobbies, I like to travel around the world with my wife and to dive into different (food) cultures – we can only be described as huge foodies.

How do you feel about the food scene in Zurich?

I think that Zurich has a lot to offer in terms of food from all around the world. Zurich locals love discovering new trends, and they want exotic dishes to be as authentic as possible. There are a lot of secret places that are not easy to spot among the numerous restaurants and food courts located all over the city. Most restaurants I go to have been recommended to me by locals. If there had been the opportunity to book a food tour around Zurich in the past, my wife and I would have been the first ones to book it! I am convinced that our tours add a lot of value to the Zurich food experience of both visitors and locals.

Name your top 3 restaurants in Zurich.

The first that comes to my mind is one we used to go to on a regular basis as we lived in Zurich-Wiedikon: La Côte. Beautifully decorated in an old-fashioned style, La Côte serves French classics like Entrecôte Café de Paris and other delicious dishes. One of the highlights is also the Charbonnade, an all-you-can-eat beef dish for which you get your own little charcoal (!) grill to prepare the beef in any way you like it. Another restaurant I really like is the Giesserei in Zurich-Oerlikon. Situated in an old factory building, there is a daily changing menu of authentic and innovative Mediterranean dishes and seasonal delicacies. Lastly, Caduff’s Wine Loft has an outstanding menu of perfectly arranged and deliciously tasting dishes – not to mention the thousands of wine bottles lying in an air-conditioned undercroft under the Wine Loft, illuminated by candles.

Where would you take a date?

That depends on the date’s taste in food. To play it safe (since everyone loves Italian food), I would probably take her to one of the Italian restaurants like the Cantinetta Antinori located in Zurich’s lovely old town. As an alternative, restaurant Sorell on Zurichberg is also recommendable for a date, also for the stunning view of Zurich you will have from there.

Which Swiss dishes would you encourage travelers to try?

I would definitely encourage visitors to try Swiss cheese dishes like Fondue and Raclette (although it sounds a little cliché). When I lived in Los Angeles, the first food device we bought was a Raclette oven, which was a highlight for our American neighbors and guests whenever they came to visit. For breakfast, I recommend to try a Birchermüesli, a dish known throughout the world that was invented by Zurich physician and nutritionist Dr. Max Bircher-Benner. Ultimately, I also suggest to try Luxemburgerli – the Zurich macarons that are light and airy and therefore incredibly scrumptious.

I was born and raised in Lucerne, which is only 45 minutes from Zurich. I have been living in Zurich since 2012. Naturally, as a Lucerner, I always thought Lucerne was the best little city in the world. Since moving to Zurich, however, I must admit that my opinion has changed.

What do you love most about Zurich?

Zurich is the perfect blend of modern, diverse and forward-looking… while celebrating its history and traditions. During the year, one can celebrate ancient festivals like Sechseläuten and Knabenschiessen or party with a million guests from all over the planet at the world’s largest techno parade “Streetparade”. In which other large city can you jump into crystal clear waters for an after-work swim? Being in the heart of Europe, Zurich has a great mix of cuisines with influences from many different regions. All seasons can be enjoyed outdoors: from the summer picnics on the lake to a cozy fondue in the beautifully illuminated old town at Christmas.

What do you do?

I am passionate hotelier, having studied hotel management and worked in some the finest hotels in the world. My position keeps me often on the road, traveling from Asia to the Middle East and the Americas. I am quite lucky to have this opportunity to be exposed to so many different cultures and sample all the cuisines and trends from around the globe.

How do you feel about the food scene in Zurich?

Zurich’s restaurants have always been known for their quality and regionally sourced products. The food scene is now booming with diverse options and inspiration from all around the world: From the finest Michelin starred experiences to markets as well as street food festivals – there is something for every taste and budget. And don’t forget the fantastic Swiss wines! Yes, we even have excellent vineyards in Zurich. For the beer drinkers, the local award-winning craft beers will delight.

Name your top 3 restaurants in Zurich.

A local neighborhood favorite is the Restaurant Bürgli in Wollishofen. Set in a quaint building from 1864 with a large terrace overlooking the lake, you will find the best Entrecôte Café de Paris in town or fish specialties from the lake of Zurich.

A true Zurich classic is the Sternen Grill, where you can enjoy my personal favorite typical Swiss dish – Wurstsalat. This is composed of the national sausage of the Swiss – the “Cervelat” – chopped into a tart salad with pickles, onions as well as Gruyère cheese. Indeed, we call it a salad! So no reason for guilt afterwards. Sit upstairs on the terrace, and watch life go by on Bellevueplatz below.

If you really want to splurge and treat yourself, the 2 Michelin Star restaurant Ecco Zurich would be my choice. Chef Stefan Heilemann will truly delight your palate with the best ingredients, including some such as the wild garlic picked from the woods directly behind the restaurant.

Where would you take a date?

For a really special meal, my first choice would be the Ecco Zurich.

For a first, date I would recommend Caduff’s Wine Loft in the hip and trendy Kreis 4! The food is excellent and you can impress your date with your wine knowledge as you visit their well-stocked wine cellar.

Which Swiss dishes would you encourage travelers to try?

As mentioned, the Wurstsalat is a must. You can never go wrong with a traditional Cheese Fondue (don’t forget a Swiss cherry Schnaps to help digestion). Especially on cold winter days, Älplermagronen is a hearty favorite. This is a kind of gratin with potatoes, macaroni, cheese as well as onions. And most importantly, you have to get apple sauce on the side.