My Five Restaurant Tips For That Summer Feeling

Je suis l’été
📍 Where: Restaurant Markthalle
🍴 What: Fresh oysters
🥂 With: A bottle of Franciacorta
✨ Feels like: Balmy summer nights by the harbour

Every time I sit outside at Markthalle under the viaduct arches with their rainbow lights, it feels a little bit magical. The vibe transports me straight to a tiny coastal town in France. Add a plate of freshly shucked oysters and suddenly the sea is literally on my tongue – with dry Franciacorta sealing the deal perfectly.

Soy verano
📍 Where: Piccolo Giardino
🍴 What: Juan’s croquetas
🍷 With: A Magali Rouge or lavender spritzer
✨ Feels like: Tapas, temperature & temperament

Beware: once you bite into Juan’s croquetas, you’ll never look back. The Madrid-born chef makes them from a family recipe, always with seasonal fillings. Pair that with a Magali Rouge or a lavender spritz and you’ve got yourself the ultimate summer combo.

Sono l’estate
📍 Where: Italia
🍴 What: Linguine nere with prawns, cream & tomatoes or trofie al pesto
🍷 With: A bottle of Rosso Piceno – Il Maschio da Monte
✨ Feels like: Dolce vita at Nonna’s in summer

Italia is, hands down, one of the city’s top addresses for Italian food. Few places capture the essence of this cuisine so perfectly on a plate. Throw in good company in their lovely summer garden and a glass of Tuscan red, and there’s only one thing left to say: la vita è bella.

Ana alsayf
📍 Where: Dar
🍴 What: Summer tomato salad with grilled apricots, red olives, fresh herbs & pita chips
🍹 With: Chefchaouen (Moroccan-inspired cocktail)
✨ Feels like: A light summer breeze in the garden of an oriental palace

Vegan food meets Moroccan and Spanish influences here – light, fresh, and a proper explosion of flavour. Sharing is caring: the whole menu is designed to be split. Heads up: They're back from their summer break which ran until 12 August.

I am the Summer

📍 Where: Schnupf
🍴 What: Artichoke with vinaigrette, plus chips
🥂 With: A glass of Crémant
✨ Feels like: The very heartbeat of a Zurich summer.

What more is there to say?

Ich bin de Summer (secret tip)
📍 Where: Your favourite park or swimming spot
🍴 What: Alvalle gazpacho & crisps
🍹 With: Canned rosé and/or Smirnoff Ice
✨ Feels like: Zurich summer straight to the heart ♥

I can’t recommend this gazpacho in a carton often enough. Honestly. But in the end, it’s less about the soup itself and more about the package deal: grab a speaker, snacks, a cool box and enjoy the summer outside with your crew.