“Bunzai” Zurich: GaultMillau “POP of the Year 2027”
Smashburger & more: Zurich’s “Bunzai” impresses the restaurant guide with its trendy cuisine.
Key Points at a Glance
The “Bunzai” in Zurich was named “POP of the Year 2027” by GaultMillau. The Smashburger restaurant, run by career-changer Mao Heng, impressed with precisely prepared patties, creative burgers like the Bibim-Chi, and a trend-conscious concept tailored to a lifestyle-oriented crowd.
Since April 2026, “Bunzai” has been located in the former premises of “Rosi” on Lochergut, where it offers more space, a terrace, and a modern interior. With this award, the restaurant joins the growing POP community of GaultMillau and American Express, which encompasses over 260 trendy dining destinations across Switzerland.
GaultMillau POP: Restaurants for a Lifestyle-Conscious Audience
Many restaurants can jump on a trend, but only a few succeed in setting one. Among these exceptions is “Bunzai” at Zurich’s Lochergut, run by career-changer Mao Heng—the restaurant was already serving smash burgers when most guests still had to Google the term.
And since the thin, browned patties with crispy edges are prepared to perfection and feature in some creative burger combinations, GaultMillau has named the restaurant “POP of the Year 2027.”
Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside
“Bunzai” on Müllerstrasse near Stauffacher in Zurich has quickly made a name for itself. After relocating in April 2026, Heng and his team are now serving their burgers in the former “Rosi” space on Lochergut. The new location has room for more guests, and the patio invites visitors to linger in the summer. The interior has also changed: dark green, curved fixtures, light wooden tables, and anime figurines on the shelves.
The burgers, however, remain true to their roots and authentic, and the kitchen crew’s craftsmanship— , precise, and —is as it’s always been: they smash the patties harder on the outside than in the middle—creating a crust without drying out the meat.
Signature burgers include the Bunzai Classic, the Caramelized Onion, and The Triple Double. For something more unusual, try the Bibim-Chi with Korean bacon, kimchi, and gochujang mayonnaise.
Which American Express Card will accompany you on your culinary journeys?
“Bunzai” Joins the Ranks of the “POP” Scene
With its “POP of the Year 2027” award, “Bunzai” joins the ranks of trendy Swiss restaurants that have been honored with this award in the past. These include “Metzg” in Zurich (2020), “Easy Lunch” in Bern (2021), “Jazzkantine” in Lucerne (2022), “Lupo” in Zurich (2023), “Glou Glou” in Lucerne (2024), “Alba” in Zurich (2025), and “Olympia” in Bern (2026).
GaultMillau, also known as the “Travel Guide for Gourmets,” is an expert on the Swiss culinary scene—the perfect foundation for the partnership between American Express and GaultMillau, which has been in place since 2019. With its dining benefits, the Platinum Card is the ideal companion for gourmets. With the “Platinum Dining” program, you gain access to over 60 restaurant perks throughout Switzerland, as well as specials at select GaultMillau establishments.
Interesting fact: The “POP Special Award” was presented for the first time in 2027. The award went to “Mamie” in Lucerne. Behind this small café are Jonathan Pichler and Nadine Reitinger. Fans line up for English muffins, tarte au citron, pâte à choux, madeleines with brown butter, and macarons. In the late afternoon, it’s time for aperitif hour.
More than 260 POP recommendations in Switzerland
“Bunzai” took first place in 2027: But the GaultMillau and American Express POP community extends far beyond the annual winners. It is growing steadily and currently includes over 260 establishments. The recommendations for foodies know no bounds—even particularly good gelaterias, pizzerias, food trucks, sandwich takeaways, and kebab shops make it onto the list.
No matter where you’re traveling in Switzerland, it’s best to always have your American Express Gold Card or Platinum Card with you—it lets you pay conveniently at numerous participating locations and enjoy benefits such as car rental perks and insurance coverage.
Frequently asked questions and answers
GaultMillau POP is the name of the restaurant guide’s lifestyle list. It features pubs, bistros, brasseries, bars, and cafés that, while not scoring points in the GaultMillau guide, delight diners with their fresh, uncomplicated concepts, passion, and high quality.
In 2026, the “Olympia” in Bern won the award for its laid-back, Michelin-star-level bistro concept.
Foodies can look forward to dining credits, allowing them to earn money toward future meals through their restaurant visits: As a Platinum Cardholder, you can receive up to CHF 160 per year as a “ ” credit; with the Gold Card, up to CHF 100 per year. The Platinum Card also offers special perks at select restaurants.
