Kafischnaps

Kafischnaps is a relaxed neighbourhood café-bar between the Wipkingen and Unterstrass districts, in a building that was once a butcher's shop. Zürich Tourism describes it as a place where Zurich hospitality meets a modern lifestyle, and calls it a young, typically Zurich spot. If you want to see how residents eat and drink away from the Old Town, this is a good place to start.

The butchery heritage lives on in the kitchen. The menu focuses on traditional Swiss food, the meat comes from Swiss producers and the sausages are made in its own in-house butcher's shop. On weekdays, lunch menus change daily, alongside fresh soups and home-smoked fish. The big draw for many, though, is breakfast, which is served seven days a week until 16:00, so there is no need at all to rush out of bed.

As the day goes on, Kafischnaps shifts from café to bar, and it stays open until late on weekdays and on Saturdays. It is a relaxed place for an evening drink with friends, and the mix of a full breakfast in the morning and a lively bar at night gives it a broad appeal.

According to Zürich Tourism, it opens at 8:00 on weekdays and 9:00 at weekends, stays open until late from Monday to Saturday and closes at 18:00 on Sundays. Check before setting out late, as listed closing times can change. It suits brunch lovers, people staying in Zurich West or the northern districts, and travellers who want a break from the city centre.

The café is about 1.5 kilometres from the main station, roughly 11 minutes by public transport, and about 7 kilometres from the airport, which makes it a handy first or last stop of a trip. In summer, it pairs well with a swim in the Limmat: the river baths of Flussbad Unterer Letten and Oberer Letten are both about 600 metres away, and a riverside jogging route passes close by. Im Viadukt and the rest of Zurich West are also within easy reach, making it a good stop on a day spent away from the tourist centre.