The best bars and cafés German-Speaking Switzerland

What a view! When you visit the Jules Verne Panoramabar, choose a day when the sky couldn't be bluer and happily climb into one of the comfortable armchairs. This bar, named after the famous French adventure novelist, is located at the top of the Urania Observatory. As you sip a cocktail, you'll enjoy a breathtaking view of the city of Zurich and, above all, the lake and the Alps in the background. At nightfall in winter, the city is illuminated in all its glory. A must-see!

Such a tiny bar with such a warm atmosphere, it's like magic! Behind this French name hides a magnificent old-fashioned wooded room where the many mirrors still give an impression of space. Here you will be served a glass of wine for a "French aperitif" of course. The Philosopher is one of the most original bars in Zurich and is definitely worth a visit. Good to know: this bar is attached to the restaurant Mère Catherine. A very nice and friendly address dedicated to French cuisine.

You can dive into the heart of the Dadaist movement with a drink at the Cabaret Voltaire. Art lovers, students and curious tourists appreciate this unique bar. A Dada library is available to introduce you to the offbeat and original thinking of the movement. The room is of course decorated with Dadaist art objects. This multi-purpose place opens up all your minds. A restaurant and bar, a library, exhibitions, concerts, workshops, guided tours and themed evenings await you...

Do you like alternative? You will be pleasantly served at the El Lokal bar with its phosphorescent skeleton that watches over the zinc and the heterogeneous and bushy decoration that covers the walls. There is always something to discover in this bar and the view on the Sihl river alone is worth a visit on the terrace. Some evenings it's really crowded, the price of a well-deserved success for the beautiful team that runs this magical place. On the spot, you will find the restaurant with tapas in the evening and menus at lunchtime.

Switzerland is world-renowned for the unrivalled quality of its chocolates, a reputation that owes much to the Sprüngli confectionery in Zürich, founded in 1836. Even today, Sprüngli specialties such as Luxemburgerlis (macaroons), truffles, chocolate bars and other sweets are made according to traditional recipes. Their hot chocolate is also delicious. It's also one of Zurich's favorite places for breakfast, Sunday brunch or lunch.

We love this warm café with its jazzy atmosphere, located under the Einstein hotel (well indicated). Successful mix of bistro chairs and more design elements, cosy corner with sofa, play area for children, soft light, large windows, candles, books and magazines, charm of the old, old carpet, design counter; hot drinks like cappuccino always served with a glass of water. The owner speaks very good French. The Stickerei is also a very good address for aperitif time!

A very nice local bar, the Grenzwert is never empty! With its lounge music, the atmosphere is friendly. You can play table football, sit on the armchairs and sofas at the entrance, at the counter, or in the wooden area at the back of the bar. For the adventurous, you can find the Sonnendeck (from June to August from 6pm when the sun is shining) with the Grenzwert team on the grounds of the NT Areal, an alternative and cultural space set up on the grounds of a disused goods station, at number 80 of the Ufferstrasse.

Founded in the 1970s by Hansjörg Bürgin, Schluggstube is a family-run business. In the space of fifteen years, it has grown from a modest antiques store to an unusual bar and institution. Nestled in the heart of the city center, the Schluggstube is an Ali Baba's cave brimming with treasures for sale, each with its own story and price. It's a popular spot for Cliques during Basel's famous Carnival, imbued with the festive soul of this age-old tradition.

Welcome to Café-Bar Elisabethen, a unique place in the heart of the city, nestled in a church. Enjoy a full range of traditional beverages in a spiritual setting. The sun's rays illuminate the Elisabethenkirche, creating a warm atmosphere. Enjoy a cappuccino as early as 7am. Even in winter, enjoy espressos and Italian sweets. For lunch, enjoy soups and fresh dishes. In the evening, enjoy an aperitif: prosecco, wine or beer.

The Bücheli Caffé Bar Lounge is a trendy meeting place for Basel's nightlife. Right in the heart of the city, this bar welcomes you in a large space with high tables and stools, not forgetting a lounge area with leather sofas and coffee tables. The immensity of the bar makes you dizzy, as does the generous cocktail menu, which is also sold by the liter! In summer, large tables with southern accents welcome you to the pedestrian area. A warm place to try out with friends when you're in Basel. Cheerful, friendly waiters.

Nestled at the foot of the majestic Johanniterbrücke, the Cargo Bar embodies the cultural essence of Basel. More than just a meeting place, it's a sanctuary where friends share aperitifs and memorable evenings. Don't miss the oyster evenings, taste the Isigny specials with a glass of muscadet or crémant d'Alsace. Experience vibrant evenings, with DJs and artists on hand to create an unrivalled atmosphere of Good Vibes. Claude Gaçon and his dynamic team make Le Cargo one of Basel's most popular establishments.

Since 1997, the bQm has been part of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, where you'll find probably the cheapest cocktails in town. It's in a relaxed atmosphere with a superb view over the city that students gather, but not only. The bar welcomes everyone and offers free cultural events twice a week, on Wednesdays and Thursdays: concerts, DJ evenings, quizzes, an open stage... On the à la carte menu, you'll find a nice list of affordable drinks as well as snacks (sandwiches, focaccias, pretzels...).

The Kino Xenix Bar is a wonderful independent cinema where you can discover films from all over the world and retrospectives. The program is extremely varied, and the films are almost always subtitled in French or English. The venue also boasts a cosy bar, nestled in a former kindergarten: a popular playground for Zurich's youth. An atypical bar where you'll feel right at home, especially in summer with its large terrace and the possibility of playing pétanque or ping-pong. Mixed and varied clientele, good spirit.

One of the most famous cafés in Zurich, the Odéon was Lenin's lair during his stay in the city but also des. There is still an unavoidable place on the sidewalk that cannot be noticed when you leave Bellevue to reach the old town by the Limmatquai. Always full and lively, the hotel features a beautiful Art Nouveau decoration that plunges you with delight in the 1920 s. If you have a small or a big hunger, it is also possible to restore it.

A passion for coffee, specialised knowledge, roasting methods and different preparation methods: welcome to Früling. The place is simple and uncomplicated, with a clear focus on organic and supporting local producers. Open every day, you can also enjoy several organic and local breakfast formulas. At noon, salads and vegetables, fruits accompanied by fresh juice or lemonade. And on weekends, you can have breakfast all day long without worrying about the time!

This neighborhood micro-bar is charming for its ambiance, its microscopic terrace, its friendly crowd, its trendy background music and its small, even more compressed concerts. We love the local beers, homemade cocktails and aperitifs served here. It's a place apart from the mainstream, and that's exactly what we come here for. Far from being an uncluttered, standardized place, we like to meet up with the locals and discuss current affairs over a drink and some tapas. The Zar is far from weird!

Looking for a trendy spot? Barbière is a brewery and beer bar in the hop capital of France. It's a trendy place to try local malts, blondes, browns, ambers, ale and stout, accompanied by an aperitif snack. Hipster setting. Brick walls and rough-hewn iron furniture plunge you into an industrial, urban setting. Very local, the Bernese like to meet here to share an aperitif board or simply a barista-style coffee with the cute little decoration in the milk foam.

This unpretentious address opposite the station will delight those looking for a late afternoon coffee or a quick bite to eat. It serves smoothies, tea and coffee at all hours, delicious bagels and sandwiches, and excellent local and Italian wines in the evening. The warm bread is crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. The bagels here are named after cities, like the delicious New York and Pittsburgh. The place is very popular with locals. Pleasant outdoor terrace, with lots of trees and quiet.

In the heart of Gstaad, L'Alpina Lounge & Bar is a sophisticated and luxurious cocktail bar open around the clock. Here, you'll be immersed in a cosy, lounge-like atmosphere: you'll sit on large armchairs in Swiss embroidered fabrics, in a décor of antique wood. You'll be charmed by the bay window overlooking the outdoor terrace, the warm ambience by the fireplace and, above all, the cocktail menu. Antipasti, pasta dishes, burgers and seafood are also available à la carte for lunch or dinner.

It's hard not to fall under the spell of this café on Schöneggplatz. We love this "little garden" which, contrary to its name, is much bigger than you think. Nestled in the heart of Zurich's 4th district, just a stone's throw from the warm evenings of Langstrasse, this peaceful and green little corner seems to have come out of a dream! The menu features freshly prepared dishes based on market arrivals. Local residents also flock here for a drink while devouring plates to share.