As International Earth Day approaches on 22 April, Zurich, Switzerland remains a top green city, a reputation reinforced by its EarthCheck 2025 certification. This commitment to sustainability is evident across all aspects of daily life, perhaps most notably on the plate. From pioneering vegetarian spots to zero-waste dining, plant-based innovation and conscious food experiences, the city champions a thoughtful, forward-looking approach to gastronomy.
Read on to discover sustainable culinary highlights of Zurich from across the city.
Top Dining Spots
Experience the oldest vegetarian restaurant in the world
Officially recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest continuously run vegetarian restaurant, Haus Hiltl has been serving guests for over 125 years. The origins go back to when Ambrosius Hiltl first visited the ‘Vegetarian Home’ to treat rheumatism and recovered quickly. There, he met Martha Gneupel, the cook, and they fell in love, married, and soon took over the restaurant. Martha was a pioneer of vegetarian cuisine in a male-dominated culinary world whose legacy endures to this day. Today, Hiltl has expanded beyond its original Sihlstrasse location to several sites across Zurich, offering a buffet of more than 100 vegetarian and vegan dishes.
Discover sustainable dining with a social mission at Schipfe 16
Located in Zurich’s picturesque Old Town beside the river Limmat, Schipfe 16 combines a focus on sustainability with a strong social purpose. The restaurant is city-owned and part of a work integration programme which provides employment and support for people re-entering the workforce, including young jobseekers and those with disabilities. In the kitchen, regional and seasonal ingredients take centre stage, Swiss-sourced meat, locally caught fish, and organic dairy products are complemented by Fairtrade-certified rice, coffee and juices. Even the drinks reflect this ethos, with Swiss-made soft drinks and locally sourced ‘Züri water’ served in place of bottled mineral water.
Tuck into Green Michelin dining across the city
Zurich is home to seven Michelin Green Star restaurants which include DAR, EquiTable, KLE, Marktküche, Rechberg 1837, Silex and Wirtschaft im FRANZ which firmly place the city among Europe’s leading capitals for sustainable dining. Among them, KLE made history as Switzerland’s first vegan restaurant to earn a Michelin star, while Rechberg 1837 offers a truly unique approach, cooking as it was done 200 years ago using only ingredients available in the region. This means no imported products, coffee included, but inventive alternatives such as locally made lupine coffee which is made from lupin beans. Together, these restaurants showcase Zurich’s diverse and deeply rooted commitment to sustainability.
Learn how Zurich is tackling food waste
The city Zurich is taking active steps to reduce food waste through innovative, community-led initiatives. At Äss-Bar, visitors can buy ‘yesterday’s leftovers’ from local bakeries at reduced prices, giving high-quality food a second life rather than letting it go to waste. Meanwhile, the Madame Frigo network provides publicly accessible fridges across the city, where residents can share surplus items such as fruit, vegetables and bread. Maintained by local volunteers, these fridges run on trust and community spirit, helping ensure good food reaches those who need it most.
Incredible Experiences
Embark on an Herbal-Walk tour of the city
With plenty of green spaces across the city, Zurich is a natural environment for a range of native herbs to thrive. Gruner Hut – Green Hat in English – offers English tours with its expert Ulrike, to explore and try the natural herbs flourishing across the city. The guided herb walk tour lasts two hours and helps guests to understand the basics of foraging touring across the city from the Botanical Garden to the forests.
Explore the local markets across the city
Weekly markets are plentiful across Zurich, forming a long-standing tradition and a vital part of the city’s food culture. These vibrant markets offer an abundance of fresh, regional produce and are scattered across neighbourhoods. From Bürkliplatz by Lake Zurich offering fresh vegetable produce weekly to the permanent Market Hall in the viaduct arches of Zurich West, each market has its own character. Known for their exceptional quality, the markets are not only popular with locals but also serve as a source of inspiration for Zurich’s chefs, who shop them regularly.
Taste bean-to-bar chocolate in Zurich
Zurich’s craft chocolate scene is thriving and one brand to keep on the radar is female-founded Garçoa. The brand works with just two ingredients, pure cacao and organic cane sugar, and sources the beans directly from farms they have personally visited in Peru, Ghana and India to ensure both quality and transparency. This approach has earned international recognition. Visitors can delve deeper into the process through Garçoa’s ‘Chocolate Safari’, an immersive tasting experience at the small-scale factory that offers a behind-the-scenes look at bean-to-bar production and the craftsmanship behind each bar.
About Zurich
Nicknamed the “Little Big City,” Zurich is still a hidden gem for travellers from the UK. This cosmopolitan city surprises with its modern vibe and diverse attractions: stunning natural surroundings, a rich cultural scene, a charming old town, vibrant alternative neighbourhoods, and excellent food spots. Just a few hours by train from London, Zurich combines a relaxed lifestyle with a lively cultural energy.
For more information: zuerich.com/en
Follow @visitzurich on Instagram #VisitZurich
About the Zurich Card
In addition to unlimited travel on all public transport (2nd class on trams, buses, trains, boats, and funiculars) within the city of Zurich and its surrounding areas, the Zurich Card also offers numerous other benefits, such as free entry to museums, clubs, and more. Available for 24h or 72h. see more under zuerich.com/zuerich-card
Images supplied. Feature image courtesy of unsplash.com
