Zurich's café culture runs from grand historic houses to modern coffee bars. Confiserie Sprüngli at Paradeplatz, where the family opened its house in 1859, is the place for Luxemburgerli macaroons and coffee in an elegant café-salon, while Café & Conditorei 1842 near the Grossmünster, long known as the Schober, is famous for its hot chocolate and its neo-baroque shop. At Bellevue, the Art Nouveau Café Bar Odeon has been open since 1911 and once counted Einstein, Lenin and James Joyce among its guests.
For a more contemporary scene, Café Henrici in the Niederdorf takes its inspiration from San Francisco coffee culture and serves food all day, Kafischnaps between Wipkingen and Unterstrass serves breakfast until 16:00 in a former butcher's shop, and Collective Bakery in Zurich West is known for sourdough, double-baked croissants and home-roasted coffee. Breakfast and brunch are popular at weekends, so arrive early or book where reservations are taken. Most cafés open early on weekdays, and several stay open into the evening, which makes them useful stops between sights.
6 places · Updated November 12, 2026
Our top 3 cafés in Zurich
Café
Zurich's best-known confectioner, at Paradeplatz since 1859, with a ground-floor shop for Luxemburgerli and chocolates and one of the city's best-known café-salons.
View details — Confiserie Sprüngli ParadeplatzCafé
A historic Old Town confectioner near the Grossmünster, founded in 1842 and formerly known as Schober, famous for its hot chocolate and cakes.
View details — Café & Conditorei 1842Café
An Art Nouveau grand café at Bellevue, open since 1 July 1911, once frequented by Einstein, Lenin, James Joyce and the Dada founders.
View details — Café Bar OdeonCafé
A modern coffee house at the southern end of the Niederdorf since 2009, inspired by San Francisco coffee culture, with all-day food, brunch and a sunny terrace.
View details — Café HenriciCafé
A neighbourhood café-bar in a former butcher's shop between Wipkingen and Unterstrass, serving breakfast until 16:00 and traditional Swiss food.
View details — KafischnapsCafé
An artisan bakery and café in Zurich West, known for sourdough, double-baked croissants, home-roasted coffee and a brunch with organic eggs and shakshuka.
View details — Collective Bakery