When I first moved to Zurich I was disappointed by what I felt was a lack of a proper ‘cafe culture’. While there are plenty of bars all over the city, the cafes on offer and the coffee they served seemed lacklustre in comparison.

This was surprising considering how close Switzerland is to neighbouring Italy but for a long time, the Swiss stuck to their button-operated machines and their ‘cafe creme’.

Luckily in recent years this has changed for the better and now there are many different cafes in Zurich and it’s even possible to find a good flat white!

With the plethora of cafes that have recently sprung up, there is a cafe to suit every occasion. Read on to discover the best cafes in Zurich for any mood.

1.    Sprüngli Café at Paradeplatz

The delicious Luxemburgli at Sprüngli. Photo ©Zürich Tourism

Perfectly located for a sweet pause after a shopping session along Bahnhofstrasse is the Sprüngli Restaurant & Café.

Walk into the Sprüngli store at Paradeplatz and go up the stairs to find this special spot. The coffee is served on a lovely silver tray with a glass of water and a small chocolate.

Service is excellent and if you snag a spot near the window you have a view over Paradeplatz.

This café is perfect if you are craving a sweet treat in a beautiful location.

Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday: 8.30am – 6.30pm
Saturday: 9am – 6.30pm
Sunday: 9am – 5pm

Location:
Bahnhofstrasse 21, 8001 Zürich

2.    Café 1842 & Confiserie Schober

Photo ©Café & Confiserie 1842

An alternative to Sprüngli and much less well-known (by tourists at least) is the Confiserie Schober.

Cross the Limmat and you enter the other side of Zurich’s old town, the Niedörfli. Here you will find Schober, which first opened as a patisserie in 1842.

It is an institution in Zurich and Schober stands out with the special traditional Patisserie’s that they serve. If you want to try something new and a bit daring, try a Swiss coffee with a shot of alcohol! The infamous Kafi Lutz is a coffee with a shot of plum brandy.

Opening Hours
Monday to Sunday: 9am – 7pm

Location:
Napfgasse 4, 8001 Zürich

3.   Grab a take-away coffee at Le Café Ensoie

The best view in the city at the Lindenhof

Ideal for those times when you would rather explore the city rather than sit in a cafe is Le Cafe Ensoie.

You can find this tiny cafe, halfway up the steps to the Lindenhof. Grab a coffee to go, walk up the rest of the stairs and enjoy your drink with a view over the whole city from the Lindenhof.

Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday: 8.30am – 4pm
Saturday: 10am – 4pm
Sunday: Closed

Location:
Strehlgasse 26, 8001 Zurich

4.   Discover the cat café Casa del Gato

Can you spot the cat?

The stars of this cafe are undoubtedly the cats. Five cats live in this cafe and they make it pretty clear that you are visiting their home from the moment you first enter.

The cats sleep, play, and prowl around the cafe while guests enjoy the small but satisfying menu.

Due to the nature of the cafe, it is self-service only, minimising the risk of waiters tripping over cats underfoot. This place is perfect if you are looking for something different.

Opening Hours:
Monday – Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday – Sunday: 10am – 8pm

Location:
Kehlhofstrasse 4, 8003 Zürich

5.    Visit MAME for the best coffee in town

For true coffee connoisseurs MAME is the place to go.

MAME has two locations one in Seefeld and one in Josefstrasse. The cafe has won multiple Swiss and International awards for its coffee.

The name of the cafe comes from the name for ‘bean’ in Japanese and the owners demonstrate their dedication to good coffee with the brews that they serve.

While you’re there, try the delicious cheesecake at MAME’s, it’s unrivalled anywhere else in Zurich.

Opening Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8am – 5.30pm
Saturday – Sunday: 9am – 6pm

Location:
Seefeldstrasse 19, 8008 Zurich & Josefstrasse 160, 8005 Zurich

6.   Embrace your inner bookworm at Monocle Café

The Monocle Cafe is one of only three locations that the business and lifestyle magazine has around the world. Inside the cafe, you can also find the Monocle shop.

This cafe is perfect for reading your favourite magazine or newspaper on the weekend while enjoying the calm ambience of the Seefeld district in Zurich.

Opening Hours:
Monday – Friday: 7.30am – 8pm
Saturday: 8am – 8pm
Sunday: 8am – 7pm

Location:
Seefeldstrasse 19, 8008 Zürich

7.   Drink coffee and work at Kraftwerk

Looking for somewhere where you and your laptop are welcome? Well, then Kraftwerk is the perfect place for you.

Kraftwerk has designated coworking areas, as well as meeting rooms and a cafe. You can comfortably sit in the cafe and work on your laptop guilt-free here.

Opening Hours:
Monday – Wednesday: 8am – 10pm
Thursday – Friday: 8am – Midnight
Saturday – Sunday: Closed

Location:
Selnaustrasse 25, 8001 Zürich