Restaurant
Kronenhalle
A Zurich institution at Bellevue since 1924, serving traditional Swiss cooking beneath original works by Chagall, Bonnard, Léger, Hodler and Giacometti.
Le Dézaley
A long-established Old Town restaurant at the foot of the Grossmünster, representing the canton of Vaud with cheese fondue, fondue chinoise and Chasselas wines.
At a glance
- Type
- Vaudois and Swiss cuisine, fondue
- Area
- Altstadt (Old Town), Zurich, Switzerland
- Price
- $$$ · Upscale
- Official site
- le-dezaley.ch
Good to know
- Cheese fondue
- Fondue chinoise
- Wines from French-speaking Switzerland
Why we recommend it
Le Dézaley has been welcoming guests for more than 120 years in the Old Town lanes at the foot of the Grossmünster. It describes itself as a representative of the canton of Vaud in German-speaking Switzerland, and the result is a restaurant that brings the hospitality and food culture of French-speaking Switzerland to the heart of Zurich.
Cheese fondue is the speciality, made with mature sur choix cheese from the region, as the restaurant puts it, and served in the traditional pot to share. Fondue chinoise, which Zürich Tourism lists among its features, is the other classic. The menu also includes Züri-Geschnätzlets, Zurich's own veal dish, with crispy rösti, and home-style seasonal dishes that change through the year. To drink, the obvious match is a Chasselas or another wine from French-speaking Switzerland, and the list is built around them.
It is a cosy place for a long, sociable dinner, especially in the colder months when fondue makes most sense. Couples and small groups get the most out of the shared dishes, and the atmosphere is relaxed rather than formal. If you have already eaten fondue in the Niederdorf, this is a good place to compare the Vaudois style, and the wine list makes it worth a visit even for those who are not cheese enthusiasts.
According to Zürich Tourism, Le Dézaley is open from Monday to Saturday, 11:30 to 14:00 and 18:00 to 23:00, and closed on Sundays. Zürich Tourism describes it as a culinary meeting place offering French-Swiss hospitality and charm. Booking ahead is wise for dinner, particularly on Friday and Saturday evenings in autumn and winter; reserve by phone or through the restaurant's website. Prices are at the upper end of the mid-range for Zurich.
The restaurant is on Römergasse, a lane between the Grossmünster and the Niederdorf, so it fits naturally into an evening in the Old Town. The Grossmünster, Bodega Española and the bars of the Niederdorf are all within a few minutes on foot, and the Limmatquai and the river are just below. After dinner, a walk along the river or across to the left bank rounds off the evening.
Le Dézaley FAQs
What is Le Dézaley known for?
Cheese fondue and fondue chinoise, in the tradition of the canton of Vaud.
Is Le Dézaley open on Sundays?
No. Zürich Tourism lists it as open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner and closed on Sundays.
Do I need to book?
Booking is wise for dinner, especially at weekends in autumn and winter.
What wine should I drink with fondue?
The restaurant specialises in Chasselas and other wines from French-speaking Switzerland.
Is there anything besides fondue?
Yes, including Züri-Geschnätzlets with rösti and seasonal home-style dishes.
How long has Le Dézaley been open?
It has welcomed guests for more than 120 years.
Where is it?
At Römergasse 9, at the foot of the Grossmünster in the Old Town.
Is it suitable for groups?
Yes. The shared fondue dishes suit couples and small groups well.