Worth Shopping At:
Sprüngli
Amongst the many Swiss chocolatiers, Sprüngli is the country’s most famous. There are so many high-calorie offerings that you could actually lose yourself, but try the Dunkel Truffes du jour and the Luxemburgli. There is also a café within the store that serves delicious hot chocolate. The only problem is that whatever fresh products you take away must be eaten within a few days as they do not keep.
Bahnhofstrasse 67
Tel + 41 44 212 1702
Schweizer Heimatwerk
Since 1930, Schweizer Heimatwerk has been keeping traditional Swiss crafts alive. All its products are designed and made in Switzerland with most of them handcrafted. There are wooden folk toys, games, puppets, puzzles, music boxes, baskets and paper-cutout pictures amongst the varied products on display. It is well worth a visit as you never know what you will find.
Bahnhofstrasse 2
Tel +41 44 221 0837
Worth Visiting:
Museum of Design Zurich (Museum Für Gestaltung)
It is no coincidence that our destination in this issue has a Museum of Design. Switzerland is after all the country that gave us such the internationally recognised symbol of the Red Cross. The main thematic areas are design, visual communication and architecture with clear explanations on the way in which designed objects and images are dealt with, the personalities in the field and the areas of design that shape our everyday lives.
Ausstellungsstrasse 60
Tel: +41 43 446 6767
Schweizerisches Landesmuseum (Swiss National Museum)
The Swiss National Museum lies on a landscaped triangle between the Hauptbahnhof and the Limmat and Sihl rivers. It has fulfilled the role of the nation’s attic for over a century. Special exhibits in this castle-like museum supplement the permanent display of items related to Switzerland and Swiss culture. These do not just include paintings and sculptures, but also weapons, flags, watches, clocks, tools, toys and prehistoric objects.
Museumstrasse 2
Tel +41 44 218 6511
Üetliberg
The Üetliberg is part of the Albis ridge and, at an elevation of 871 metres, making it the tallest point in the city. From here you can take in the view of Zürich, the lake and the Alps. Reward yourself with a drink at the Uto Kulm. If you feel energetic there is 1.5 hour walk to Felsenegg, from where you can take a cable car and then a train back to the city.
Worth dining At:
Kronenhalle
This is probably Zürich’s most famous restaurant, providing a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. Sit back and enjoy the traditional Swiss fare while admiring the works by Matisse and Picasso on the walls. Try the scrumptious air-dried beef, veal steak with fat morel mushrooms and tender calf's liver. The portions are huge and the bill reflects that. Make sure to reserve.
Rämistrasse 4,
Tel +41 44 262 9900
La Salle
One of the most hip and sought-after restaurants in Zurich is to be found in a very stylishly renovated shipbuilding factory. The trendy restaurant forms part of the Schiffbauhaus complex that houses two theatres and a jazz bar. The international cuisine served is simple yet mouthwatering. Try the Swiss dumplings, the homemade terrine, and the fillets of pikeperch with spinach and coconut milk.
Schiffbaustrasse 4
Tel + 41 44 258 7071
