Where to eat when visiting the group
(all very reasonably priced by Zurich standards)
Dinner (though good for lunch too). You will need to reserve at all these places.
Indonesian
external page Dapur - This place is one of the great places in Zurich. The fried vegetable ball appetizer and satay are really great. For main courses, the eggplant, duck, and beef are favorites, as is the whole fried fish. Probably the most formal of the places on the list (great for a visiting speaker).
Japanese Noodles
external page Ikoo - This is a tiny restaurant with great Japanese ramen meals. Tantanmen Ramen is excellent and spicy too. The dumpling appetizer (potstickers) is also great.
Lebanese
external page Le Cedre - Most things here are great, but everyone likes the Fattoush salad, Babaganoush, Hummus with lamb bits on top, fried eggplant in yogurt sauce, and the Lamb shish kabob (Lamb Chischass or something like that). Order these things a la carte and not their set meals with lots of little plates. There are two locations, I go to the one at Schifflände 5.
Thai
external page Ah Hua - Highly recommended are the whole fried fish in red curry sauce (#15), Panang curry chicken (#56), fried fish cake appetizer, and the Papaya salad. Other items can be disappointing so order with care. The one at Hevetiaplatz is recommended.
Italian (no pizza)
external page Italia - Most appetizers here are really good, but the fennel "carpaccio", Polpo alla ligure, Carne cruda alla piemontese (raw meat), Polpette di pane (these fried dumpling things) are all outstanding. The pasta with beans, and Gnocchi with gorgonzola, are very good and many (other) people seem to love the linguine with shrimp. For meaty things, the "Battuta di manzo all’aglio e peperoncini" (a thin steak) and the "Luganigha" (a sausage served with mustard and great lentils) are excellent.
Italian (pizza)
external page Restaurant Rosso - This place requires a reservation unless you show up right at 6:00. The pizzas are by far the best in Zurich. It is in a former industrial plant so is a bit trendy.
Hamburgers
external page The Bite - This is one of the best hamburgers you will have anywhere, including Los Angeles, the epicenter of hamburgers in the U.S. (and where the chef is from).
Lunch (would not recommend for dinner, though they are open)
Greek
Mythos - Their gyros are outstanding. Ask them to hold the mustard (a strange Germanic addition) but add extra tzaziki, and you will be very happy. Stauffacherstrasse 35, 8004 Zurich, 044 372 29 54 (no website).
Take-away Lebanese Kebab
external page Palestine Grill - Amazing chicken shish kebab in pita, as well as falafel (hold the pickles). Gritty part of town but lots of character as you eat outside in the square. Order french fries as a side item - they are amazing.