Fine dining in the Zurich area, mostly on the left bank of Lake Zurich:

My previous two posts were dedicated to some of the best restaurants in Zurich city (fine dining and casual fine dining). Now it is up to the same in the Zurich area. Please note that I mostly cover the left bank of Lake Zurich as my son lives here. So, there will be no recommendations as to other areas around Zurich. And this despite the fact there must be plenty of good dining spots there too. But I cannot be everywhere. One exception to this is Zurich Airport in Zurich’s north where I happen to dine out every now and then. Hence, expect some advice with regard to (casual) fine dining in the Zurich area plus a few addresses worth trying out (where I have not dined yet). And note that I will not make a difference between (fancy) fine dining and casual fine dining. Yet I will let you know in the text what it is about.

I will start with three restaurants on the left bank of Lake Zurich before going into more dining spots in the area that sound promising. The end will make an eatery in The Circle, the new district at Zurich Airport. And I will indicate the driving time by car from Zurich city too.

1. Belvoir Restaurant & Grill Rueschlikon (12 minutes by car)

tasty European cuisine in contemporary restaurant with stunning views of Lake Zurich & lake towns

Belvoir Restaurant & Grill in Rueschlikon is beautifully located high above the Lake Zurich with stunning views of it. This is certainly one of the venue’s best assets, but there is much more. It is at Hotel Belvoir, a four-star superior establishment, where I have stayed one night (see my post). While this accommodation has made a name for itself with being a place for business travelers and for special occasions (for instance weddings), it is also suitable for staying and dining in style.

Since chef Pascal Kleber has started here in 2018, Belvoir Restaurant & Grill is also a foodies place (14 points Gault Millau). It offers European cuisine made with local and seasonal produce whenever possible. There is quite a range of dishes, from more elaborate ones to simpler from the grill. On the menu you find starters from 16 to 25 SFR/US$,

intermediate courses from 19 to 24 SFR/US$ and mains from 34 to 56 SFR/US$. In addition, there are char grilled options (mains) from 53 to 63 SFR/US$. They come with two side dishes and one sauce that you can choose from a selection. Desserts are available between 4.50 and 21 SFR/US$. And if you prefer small bites, there is also a bistro menu.

Belvoir Restaurant & Grill boasts great views – I have mentioned it – of Lake Zurich and also on the lakeside towns. Big picture windows allow a panorama vista of the area.

The dining spot’ interiors are kept modern. It is an open space with generous spacing between tables for more privacy and personal space. Service on our visit (during the first Corona wave) was a bit awkward but you cannot blame them. Who knew at the time what this was all about? I definitely have to return to experience under normal conditions. And to deliver on my promise to indicate whether it is (fancy) fine dining or casual fine dining, I would say it is somewhere in the middle of both.

2. Restaurant Sihlhalde Gattikon (13 minutes by car)

an rural idyll with immaculate classic cuisine & gorgeous outdoor area

If you are looking for an picturesquely located fine dining restaurant with superb classic cuisine not too far from Zurich city, do not look further! Restaurant Sihlhalde in Gattikon/Thalwil is it! You are here at a beautiful timber-framed house with a gorgeous outdoor area, and this in the midst of cow pastures. It is a rural idyll!

When I had lunch here with a friend, the weather was ideal for eating outdoors. It was so peaceful to sit on the gravel terrace under the big chestnut trees!

The interiors are kept traditional with white tablecloths, carpeted floor as well as wood paneled walls and ceiling. I would call it a typical rural fine dining establishment.

In charge here is Gregor “Smoly” Smolinsky who celebrates haute cuisine by the book (1 star Michelin, 16 points Gault Millau). He had learned with Phillipe Rochat at Switzerland’s culinary institution of L’Hôtel de Ville in Crissier (see my post). And you note this well! Everything you get is immaculately prepared and arranged though not overly inventive. You find here classic dishes

but also such ones that already his father used to do here. Think in this context of Brasato Ravioli or Meat Loaf (according to Gault Millau the best far and wide).

On offer here is a small lunch menu

and for dinner you can choose among two menus. You can either dine à la carte (starters from 18 to 39 SFR/US$, mains from 54 to 66 SFR/US$ and desserts from 12 to 19 SFR/US$) or opt for the multi-course menu. Here you either take the first three courses (116 SFR/US$) or go for all six courses (146 SFR/US$). At lunch time, there is a two-course offer (48 SFR/US$ in 2020). And you can add dessert or cheese (16 SFR/US$). As to the ambiance, there are lots of regulars who call the staff by its first name. Service on our visit was courteous and professional.

3. Restaurant Alex Thalwil (12 minutes by car)

UPDATE: chef Michael Schuler left and started at Restaurant Krone in Regensberg in March 2024

Hotel Alex Lake Zurich, casual fine dining at Alex, directly on Lake Zurich

Restaurant Alex is yet another dining spot at a hotel. It is at the five-star Hotel Alex Lake Zuerich, a property of The Living Circle group.

I mentioned two others in my post about fine dining in the city of Zurich (Storchen Zuerich and Widder Zuerich), both with their Michelin star awarded restaurants. Some time ago, I had a two-night stay (my post) at Hotel Alex Lake. Since my being here their dining offer changed. At the time there was only one restaurant called Restaurant Alex. Tino Staub was at the helm featuring an Asian inspired cuisine. In November 2021, a new chef started at Restaurant Alex, Michael Schuler, the former sous chef of Restaurant Widder Zurich (see my post).

On offer at the Alex is international fare,

and this in a relaxed ambiance with modernly styled interiors. Starters are available from 10 to 32 SFR/US$, mains from 28 to 68 SFR/US$ and desserts from 6 to 18 SFR/US$.

There is also a menu for small bites. At the Aqua you can enjoy high-end cuisine in an elegant yet contemporary setting. Michael Schuler combines modern European food with Asian (especially Thai) one (1 star Michelin, 15 points Gault Millau). And the restaurant has this stunning lake view that you have either indoors through big picture windows or on the splendid terrace.

While I cannot judge the new chef’s performance, I think that having been sous chef at Restaurant Widder Zurich should actually guarantee for a successful dining experience. On my stay, service was correct yet a bit stressed at times (staff had to wait both the interiors and the terrace).

4. Other dining spots on the left bank of Lake Zurich worth a try

When my son moved in the area of the left bank of Lake Zurich, I made a list with fine dining restaurants I wanted to visit in the time to come. While at the beginning we were able to chase down the one or other, later on we met mainly in Zurich city (much easier to reach for my husband and me). So, there are some left on my bucket list. I would like to dine at following ones, first and foremost.

4.1. Restaurant Die Rose Rueschlikon (10 minutes by car)

You get here two dining spots in one that offer both an upscale dining experience. On the one hand, there is the more casual Taverna Rosa on the ground floor where you get Italian fare and other classics (Michelin Bib Gourmand). Here they serve a tavolata (family style dinner), in three to four courses (82 to 95 SFR/US$). Yet there is also an à la carte menu (starters from 11.50 to 21.50SFR/US$, pasta from 12.50 to 32 SFR/US$, mains from 28 to 52 SFR/US$ and desserts from 4.50 to 19.50 SFR/US$).

On the other hand, there is the more sophisticated  The Restaurant on the first floor (1 star Michelin, 16 points Gault Millau). Here chef Tobias Buholzer celebrates his five-course vegetarian snack menu (130 SFR/US$). You can add a cheese and/or dessert from a cart (28 SFR/US$ each). If you care for additional fish or meat, the chef has correspondent propositions. And he offers a vegan option as well. At the moment, this venue is closed as the necessary serving staff is not available. Therefore, you receive Tobias Buholzer’s creations at the Taverna Rosa for the time being (starters from 23 to 26 SFR/US$, mains from 35 to 39 SFR/US$ and desserts rom 17 to 18 SFR/US$).

4.2. Restaurant Eder’s Eichmühle Waedenswil (20 minutes by car)

This is yet another restaurant in an urban idyll (see Sihlhalde above), this time in Waedenswil. And again here is the son in charge, having taking over from his father. His name is Oliver Eder, continuing his father’s classic French cuisine (16 points Gault Millau). The venerable house that houses the dining spot was built 400 years ago and has been an eatery for more than 100 years.

When dining here, you can choose the location to do so. You may either decide on one of the two “Stuebli”, small traditionally furnished dining rooms. Alternatively, there is the contemporarily styled winter garden with views of Lake Zurich. As mentioned, you get here classics. Three menus are available (from 95 to 165 SFR/US$), and you can have most of their courses as single dishes too (28 to 58 SFR/US$). Plus there are some specialities (55 to 68 SFR/US$). Desserts range from 9.50 to 38 SFR/US$.

5. Restaurant Babel Kloten (Zurich airport, The Circle, 13 minutes by car)

In case you are stranded at Zurich’s airport and wondering where to go for a fine meal in a relaxed ambiance, I have a recommendation for you. Especially, if you like Middle Eastern food too. It is about Restaurant Babel at The Circle, a complex with restaurants, hotels, shops and more adjacent to the airport (opened in June 2021).

The chef here is Max Burkhalter who can look back on a long career in the Middle East and Asia. Specialty chef Mahmud Rahal, a Jordan and familiar with traditional Middle Eastern cuisine, assists him in his work.

The restaurant, located at the Hyatt Regency Zurich Airport The Circle, is an impressive sight with its modern design coming with oriental touches. Also the large open kitchen is an eye-catcher.

For warmer days, there is also an outdoor area overlooking a newly created park. The eatery’s atmosphere on our visit was busy. There was much activity going on, be it in the dining room or in the kitchen. And it made the impression ob being somewhat uncoordinated. This meant some waiting, for the menu or the check. Yet staff turned out being friendly, once available.

As to food offerings, there is a wide choice of Middle Eastern dishes, sometimes also with a Swiss touch. There are salads (15 to 18 SFR/US$), Babel specials (14 to 42 SFR/US$), mezze (12 to 16 SFR/US$), food from the Josper grill/oven (20 to 62 SFR/US$),

sides (6 to 8 SFR/US$) and desserts (6 to 18 SFR/US$). It is not easy to find your way through the menu. Our party of four settled for flatbread for all plus a salad, fish or meat from the Josper and a dessert each. Everything was tasty and came in big portions (the mains in particular).

Looking back and forward

This overview about where to dine in style in the Zurich area (in particular left bank Lake Zurich) is the last post of my mini-series about the city’s upscale culinary scene. My wrap up contains all the (casual) fine dining establishments that I have visited for the first time in the last two and half years in the region. It started with the FINE dining spots in Zurich city where you get high-end cuisine in a chic ambiance. The same followed for CASUAL fine dining venues where the atmosphere is more laid-back and food concepts often on the modern side (shared plates, vegetarian or vegan food, sometimes ethnic cuisines too).

In case you should be interested in the restaurant offer in my home area (Olten Aarau region in Switzerland’s northwest) too, I have recently done some posts about it (overview, Olten town, Aarau town, Olten-Aarau region). And what is next on my blog in terms of dining in style in Switzerland? I plan to do similar posts as I just did about other cities, towns or areas. The start probably will made the city of Basel, Switzerland’s third largest one. If you care about information where to go here for serious good food, come back later to check it out!

Dates of visits: May 2020 – May 2021

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