Perk up at these 12 coffee shops worth visiting in Zurich
Zurich doesn’t just wake you up with Alpine views. It also brews some of the richest cups you’ll ever sip. Coffee here is a ritual, not just a caffeine fix.
Cafés range from hip spots with latte art to quiet corners perfect for a slow morning. Either way, your cup is never boring.
Next time you’re exploring coffee shops in Zurich, pair it with nearby things to do. A good cup deserves a good adventure.
1. MAME
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Website: https://mame.coffee/
Location: Josefstrasse 160, 8005
Contact: [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 7:30 AM – 6 PM
- Saturday and Sunday: 9 AM – 6 PM
Pricing: ₣
MAME is where Zurich’s coffee scene goes from good to world-class. Two award-winning baristas run the place, so every cup feels like it has been fine-tuned to showcase what coffee can taste like.
The cool part is their “competition coffee” menu, where you can try beans that have actually been used on the world stage. Suddenly, you’re sipping something with floral notes like jasmine or a juicy peach finish.
The cafe itself is small and calm, with baristas happy to share stories about the beans or the brewing process. It’s the kind of place where you don’t just drink coffee, you actually learn something about it without even realising it.
| Pro Tip: Ask for their “flavour wheel” tasting flight, where the same bean is brewed as espresso and filter. It’s the fastest way to see how brewing changes taste and discover which style suits you best. |
2. Zimkaffee
Media credit: zimkaffee
Website: https://www.zimkaffee.com/
Location: Torgasse 5, 8001
Contact: [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday and Tuesday: 9 AM – 8 PM
- Wednesday to Saturday: 9 AM – 10 PM
- Sunday: 11 AM – 8 PM
Pricing: ₣₣
Zimkaffee pulls off something unusual in Zurich: by day it’s a speciality coffee bar, by night it turns into a wine lounge. The shift feels natural, and the space has this modern but cosy vibe that works for both.
The coffee here gets the same treatment as wine—the whole story behind the beans. It’s nice because you don’t just get a drink, you get context that makes it taste even better.
They also run tastings and workshops, which completely change how you see what’s in the cup. We joined a cupping once, and suddenly, acidity and balance in coffee weren’t abstract terms anymore. They actually clicked.
| Pro Tip: Consider their coffee brewed with water from a multi-chamber filter also used for wine service. It ensures flavour consistency so the beans taste exactly as the roaster intended. |
3. Café Henrici
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Website: https://cafe-henrici.ch/
Location: Niederdorfstrasse 1, 8001
Contact: +41442515454
Hours:
- Monday: 8 AM – 10 PM
- Tuesday to Thursday: 8 AM – 11 PM
- Friday: 8 AM – 12 AM
- Saturday: 9 AM – 12 AM
- Sunday: 9 AM – 10 PM
Pricing: ₣₣
Café Henrici is right in the middle of Niederdorf and has one of the best terraces in the Old Town. It’s the kind of place where you sit down and instantly feel plugged into the neighbourhood’s buzz.
The menu is fun because it doesn’t stop at cappuccinos. You’ll find smoothies at brunch and coffee cocktails once evening hits. That flexibility makes it a spot that works at any time of day.
One evening, we sat outside with espresso martinis, and the whole square felt alive with chatter and laughter. It’s that mix of history and energy that makes Henrici such a classic.
| Pro Tip: Try one of their coffee cocktails, such as the espresso martini, in the evening. It blends the buzz of coffee with the fun of a night out, without needing multiple drinks. |
4. ROBIN’S Bar & Coffee
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Website: https://robins-coffee.ch/
Location: Zähringerstrasse 33, 8001
Contact: +41442536202
Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday: 4:30 PM – 12 AM
- Friday: 4:30 PM – 2 AM
- Saturday: 10 AM – 2 AM
- Sunday: 10 AM – 12 AM
Pricing: ₣
ROBIN’S on Zähringerstrasse isn’t just another coffee bar. It doubles as a small performance space. During the day, it’s mellow with espressos, but by night, it flips into comedy nights that pack the room.
The drinks lineup makes sense for both sides. Solid coffee early, cocktails later on. That mix draws in a wide range of people, so you never quite know who you’ll end up chatting with.
We went on a Thursday, and the place was buzzing, with laughter spilling into every corner. The room is small, so it feels more like being part of the show than just watching it from the sidelines.
| Pro Tip: Get a double-filtered espresso shot during comedy nights. It’s smoother to drink and easier on the stomach, especially if you’re also having cocktails. |
5. Grande Café & Bar
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Website: https://www.grande.bar/
Location: Limmatquai 118, 8001
Contact: [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday and Tuesday: 7:30 AM – 11 PM
- Wednesday and Thursday: 7:30 AM – 12 AM
- Friday: 7:30 AM- 1 AM
- Saturday: 9 AM – 1 AM
- Sunday: 9 AM – 8 PM
Pricing: ₣
Grande Café & Bar boasts one of the most dreamy terraces in Zurich, situated right above the Limmat. On a sunny day, it’s the kind of spot where you order one drink and end up staying for three.
The mood shifts throughout the day: mornings are all about croissants and cappuccinos, evenings lean toward cocktails and aperitifs. That flexibility makes it a go-to whether you’re starting the day or winding it down.
Inside, a mix of art prints and good music creates a laid-back yet stylish vibe. We’ve definitely lost track of time here more than once, caught up in the riverside setting.
| Pro Tip: Ask for brewed coffee in a thermal carafe if you plan to stay for a while. It keeps your coffee hot and fresh for half an hour without developing that burnt taste. |
6. Bros Beans & Beats
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Website: https://brosbeansbeats.ch/
Location: Gartenhofstrasse 24, 8004
Contact: +41445436580
Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8 AM – 7 PM
- Saturday and Sunday: 10 AM – 6 PM
Pricing: ₣₣
Bros Beans & Beats feels more like a cultural hangout than just a cafe. Hip-hop playlists and graffiti-covered walls set the tone the moment you walk in.
The brunch plates are generous, and the coffee menu rotates often, which keeps regulars excited. Seasonal specials, such as cold brew tonics, match the upbeat energy of the place.
Crowds are usually young and international, with people often sticking around well past their meal. It has that vibe where coffee blends seamlessly with music and conversation.
| Pro Tip: Order the same bean for both espresso and flat white. It turns your coffee into a mini-tasting session, showing how milk changes the flavour. |
7. COFFEE
Media credit: coffeezurich
Website: https://coffeezurich.ch/
Location: Grüngasse 4, 8004
Contact: [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8 AM – 6 PM
- Saturday: 9 AM – 5 PM
Pricing: ₣
COFFEE on Grüngasse takes minimalism to another level. Just a handful of stools and a bar lined with precise brewing gear. It’s all about keeping the spotlight on the cup.
The beans rotate weekly, which makes every visit feel like a discovery. Some brews come through bright and fruity, while others lean towards earthy or nutty notes.
Banana bread topped with Greek yoghurt has practically become a second signature here. It’s simple, but paired with a filter coffee, it’s the combo that regulars keep coming back for.
| Pro Tip: Ask the barista to adjust the brew ratio for your pour-over. You’ll receive a cup tailored to your exact taste, rather than a standard recipe. |
8. Babu’s
Media credit: babus_bakeryandcoffeehouse
Website: https://babus.ch/
Location: Löwenstrasse 1, 8001
Contact: +41443071010
Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 7 AM – 6 PM
- Saturday: 8 AM – 6 PM
- Sunday: 9 AM – 5 PM
Pricing: ₣
Babu’s is one of those brunch cafes that make Zurich feel indulgent. Spread across two floors, the place buzzes with the energy of families and freelancers.
The bakery counter alone is worth a stop, stacked with pastries and fresh breads. Bagels and pancakes round out a menu that feels almost endless.
What makes it stand out is how well the staff handles the constant flow of customers. Even when it’s busy, the atmosphere remains warm, making it a spot where people happily return.
| Pro Tip: Ask the staff which pastry matches best with the day’s roast. Pairing them makes both the coffee and dessert taste more vivid and balanced. |
9. Rathaus-Café
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Website: https://rathauscafe.ch/
Location: Limmatquai 61, 8001
Contact: +41442610770
Hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 8 AM – 10 PM
- Friday: 8 AM – 12 AM
- Saturday: 10:30 AM – 12 AM
- Sunday: 10:30 AM – 8 PM
Pricing: ₣
Rathaus-Café allows you to savour coffee in one of Zurich’s historic Rathaus, the Old Town Hall and a Late Renaissance building completed in 1698. Located right above the Limmat River, its terrace offers one of the most scenic spots in the city.
The menu sticks to classics: cakes and light plates that complement the location. It’s less about complexity and more about enjoying familiar flavours in a unique setting.
Inside, the vaulted ceilings add to the café’s charm, creating a quiet and elegant atmosphere. The effect is a cafe that feels timeless without trying too hard.
| Pro Tip: Grab a table near the terrace doors where plug-in charging outlets are available. It’s the safest option if you’re working remotely since you can power up while enjoying the riverside view. |
10. Ombak Coffee
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Website: https://www.ombakcoffee.ch/
Location: Stauffacherstrasse 105, 8004
Contact: +41798351970
Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday: 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM
- Saturday: 9 AM – 3:30 PM
Pricing: ₣
Ombak Coffee brings a slice of Bali to Zurich, right down to the surfboards leaning against the walls. The name means “wave,” and everything about the space leans into that breezy theme.
Beans are sourced straight from Indonesia, giving the drinks chocolatey profiles you don’t often find elsewhere in the city. Baristas here love to share the story behind each origin, adding a personal touch to every cup.
The interiors are filled with rattan chairs and warm lighting, creating a sense of escape. On weekends, latte art throwdowns bring extra energy and a fun sense of community.
| Pro Tip: Get one of their smaller “farm sample” bags, usually 100g. It’s budget-friendly and lets you try multiple Indonesian beans without committing to a large bag. |
11. Franzos Coffee Shop
Media credit: franzos_zurich
Website: https://franzos.ch/
Location: Limmatquai 138, 8001
Contact: +41445424633
Hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 8 AM – 11 PM
- Friday: 8 AM – 12 AM
- Saturday: 9 AM – 12 AM
- Sunday: 9 AM – 10 PM
Pricing: ₣₣
Franzos Coffee Shop feels like a little slice of Paris in Zurich. The moment you walk in, the scent of fresh croissants and quiche hits you before the coffee even does.
The food is what gives this spot its identity: baguette sandwiches and buttery pastries make it a go-to for lunch as much as for coffee. Pairing an espresso with a flaky croissant almost feels like a ritual here.
It’s also known for its occasional cultural evenings, such as French film screenings or small wine tastings. Those touches make it more than a cafe, giving it character and a sense of belonging.
| Pro Tip: Ask if the croissants were baked with their imported single-origin French butter. When available, it adds richness that pairs perfectly with espresso. |
12. Café Noir
Media credit: cafe_noir_zuerich
Website: https://cafe-noir.ch/
Location: Neugasse 33, 8005
Contact: +41445583410
Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 7 AM – 8 PM
- Saturday: 9 AM – 6 PM
Pricing: ₣
Café Noir has a reputation among purists as one of the most straightforward coffee spots in Zurich. Its minimalist black-and-white design makes it clear that the focus is all about the drink.
They roast their own beans nearby, leaning toward lighter profiles that bring out acidity and fruit notes. For anyone used to heavier roasts, it’s an eye-opening shift. Its location near Zurich HB makes it especially convenient, but what keeps people coming back is consistency.
| Pro Tip: Ask which beans were roasted yesterday before buying a bag. Brewing ultra-fresh beans brings out brightness and clarity that fade after a few days. |