With a view: Lakeside Restaurants in Zurich
We’ll show you five spots in and around Zurich where you can enjoy fantastic dining with a view of the lake.
Everything you need to know at a glance
Several restaurants in Zurich offer culinary diversity and stunning views of Lake Zurich. From Peruvian-Japanese cuisine at the rooftop bar of “La Muña” to Italian specialties at “Alex Restaurant” right on the waterfront, to casual fine dining at “Wöschi,” guests will find excellent venues for a variety of occasions.
“Studio Bellerive” on Utoquai and “Restaurant zum Pflugstein” in Erlenbach, with their fantastic views of the lake from above, also impress with their scenery, stylish ambiance, and excellent cuisine. All of the featured restaurants are listed in GaultMillau and are perfect for a special lunch, dinner, or brunch.
Best view from the rooftop bar at “La Muña”
For a great view of Lake Zurich, the city center, and the mountains, the best place to sit is at the rooftop bar of “La Muña.” Under spacious awnings that provide shade and thanks to comfortable sofas, the landscaped rooftop terrace offers a pleasant lounge atmosphere. Here, you can enjoy Peruvian-Japanese cuisine.
The menu features cold and hot dishes with flavorful combinations of tastes – ranging from sweet to sour, sometimes crispy, sometimes marinated. The menu features, for example, various ceviche variations, fresh sushi and sashimi, gyozas, and bao buns. “La Muña” has been awarded 16 points by GaultMillau, making it one of Zurich’s top restaurants.
Your dining experience gets even better with American Express: As a Platinum Card member, you can redeem your dining credit at “La Muña” and all other restaurants mentioned in this article. Once per quarter, you’ll receive a credit worth CHF 40 – when you spend CHF 250 – or more at a GaultMillau-listed restaurant that accepts American Express.
Right on the water at the stylish “Alex Restaurant”
The “Alex Restaurant,” part of the chic “Alex Lake Zürich” hotel and one of the best restaurants on the lake in Zurich, has also been awarded 15 points by GaultMillau. For the most beautiful view of the water, be sure to secure a seat by the large picture window or on the sun terrace.
In a stylish setting, Executive Chef Luigi De Gregorio and his team serve authentic Italian cuisine that takes you on a culinary journey from Lake Zurich straight to the Amalfi Coast. The restaurant is open daily; you can stop by for breakfast or dinner. A business lunch is also available.
The evening menu features Italian classics ranging from vitello tonnato to pasta specialties, as well as fish, meat, and vegetable dishes. To finish your meal, you can order panna cotta or the homemade tiramisu, for example. The restaurant sources many of its ingredients from a farm in Ascona, its own Schlattgut farm in Herrliberg, or other local producers.
The “Alex Lake Zürich” hotel is part of The Hotel Collection by American Express. Why not combine your visit to “Alex Restaurant” with an overnight stay? With your Platinum Card, you’ll enjoy attractive benefits, such as room upgrades (depending on availability) or a hotel credit worth USD 100.
Casual fine dining with a lake view at “Wöschi”
Among the most beautiful lakeside restaurants in the canton of Zurich is the “Wöschi” in Wollishofen, about a ten-minute drive from the city center. In the spacious and bright dining room, you can enjoy the lake view and savor a variety of culinary delights. When the weather is nice, a seat on the lush terrace is highly recommended.
The concept at “Wöschi” is clearly casual fine dining: relaxed, accessible to everyone, yet still sophisticated. For this, the lakeside restaurant has been awarded 16 points in GaultMillau and one star in the Michelin Guide. You can choose between a four- or five-course meal; the menu is designed to feature regional and seasonal ingredients. Exactly what ends up on your plate, however, remains a surprise.
An exceptional atmosphere at the “Studio Bellerive”
You can also enjoy excellent dining with a view in Zurich at the “Studio Bellerive” restaurant, located on Utoquai in the luxurious “AMERON Zürich Bellerive au Lac.” The restaurant, situated right on the lake and featuring stylish Art Deco elements, captivates guests with its unique design. It boasts a 13-point rating from GaultMillau.
For lunch, the “Studio Lunch” features two outstanding courses, while dinner offers delicious brasserie classics. In a relaxed atmosphere, you can order à la carte dishes such as savory beef tartare, lobster cocktail, ossobuco, or pan-seared sea bass fillet. You can also round out your dinner at the chic bar with a glass of wine or a signature cocktail.
At “Studio Bellerive,” you can redeem your dining credit with the Platinum Card. But you’ll also receive a credit with the Gold Card: Once a quarter, you’ll receive a dining credit worth CHF 25 – if you spend over CHF 80 – at a restaurant or on a delivery service of your choice.
Interesting fact: On Sundays, “Studio Bellerive” invites you to brunch – the perfect way to start your day in Zurich with a view of the lake. From 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., a variety of breakfast options and hot dishes await you. Coffee, tea, water, and half a bottle of champagne are included in the brunch price.
Fantastic view of Lake Zurich from the “Restaurant zum Pflugstein”
“Restaurant zum Pflugstein” isn’t located directly on the lake in Zurich, but at the Pflugstein, the largest boulder in the canton of Zurich. From there, the view down to the lake is breathtakingly beautiful. It takes about 30 minutes by car from downtown Zurich to this restaurant in Erlenbach – and it’s well worth it for this lake view.
On the beautiful, lush terrace, where you can take a seat under plane trees, you can enjoy a delightful dinner during the warmer months. The menu is filled with creative dishes prepared with market-fresh ingredients – and, to top it off, the restaurant has been awarded 14 points in GaultMillau.
From Tuesday through Sunday, you can savor homemade specialties at “Restaurant zum Pflugstein.” For example, sea bass in a salt crust, Wiener schnitzel, or meat patties, also available in a vegetarian version.
With a view of Lake Zurich: Enjoy great food and special perks
Whether at a rooftop bar, right on the lake, or in the surrounding area with a view from above – Zurich’s dining scene is at its best when overlooking the lake. Each of the venues listed below offers exceptional cuisine in beautiful settings that make your dining experience truly special.
With the American Express Platinum Card or Gold Card, you can also combine select culinary experiences with attractive dining benefits. On top of that, you can use the cards at numerous participating merchants and enjoy additional practical benefits that make your everyday life and travel more convenient.
Frequently asked questions and answers
For a dining experience right on the lake in Zurich, we recommend “La Muña,” “Alex Restaurant,” “Wöschi,” and “Studio Bellerive.” They combine exceptional cuisine with beautiful views of Lake Zurich – some with a rooftop or lounge atmosphere.
For a particularly stunning panoramic view of the city center, Lake Zurich, and the mountains, we recommend the rooftop bar at “La Muña.” If you prefer to sit right by the water, be sure to secure a spot at the window or on the sun terrace at “Alex Restaurant.” And for a special view of the lake from above, a visit to “Restaurant zum Pflugstein” is well worth it.
With the Platinum Card, you’ll receive a dining credit of CHF 40.– once per quarter when you spend over CHF 250.– at a GaultMillau-listed restaurant that accepts American Express. With the Gold Card, you’ll receive a dining credit of CHF 25.– once per quarter when you spend at least CHF 80.– at a restaurant or with a delivery service of your choice.
