Seeking delicious takeaway or delivery food options during the lockdown in Zurich and ideas on how to spend valuable time at home?

Find inspiration & creativity in this blog post for food, sports or love! We will be affected by this situation for several months, it is important to be well prepared!

Now that all restaurants in Zurich are closed due to the coronavirus, it is essential to support Zurich Gastronomy and order delicious meals for home. From street food to gourmet restaurants, there is a variety of options for vegan, vegetarian and meat lovers.

Discover here my lockdown food suggestions, most of them available through uber eats

• Try the website lockdown-gourmet with plenty of international food such as Asian, Italian, Local Swiss or Mexican for example. Some of the food is delivered by UberEats, some directly through the restaurant.
• My top Asian so far for Sushi: Hato Restaurant, get your order directly on UberEats or Smood.ch and for traditional Japanese dishes absolutely try Gaijin Izakaya. For super healthy fresh bowls or more sushi try: Barfuesser! Find more on the restaurant in my food guide, here!
• A light and healthy poke bowl? Kaisin was my choice for a light dinner! Get them on uber eats, too!
• Greek Food lovers, go for Oh My Greek,
• In the mood for some sweets for your romantic dinner or brunch family? Sweet pastry creations from Dolder Hotel, Star Patissier Christian Hümbs wait for you. They deliver for free if you live in Zurich Kreis 7! Otherwise, you can go for a pick up at the hotel.
• Pizza lovers know: Ristorante Luigia is one of the best addresses for Neapolitan Pizza, so don’t miss that one, too.
• Pizza al Taglio if you are around the Old City in Niederdorf! Ritù Pizza makes the best Pizza slices in town! Natural ingredients and seasonal toppings such as artichokes, salame calabrese bit spicy and much more!

Fresh Bread and chocolate croissants!

A bike ride in the fresh air will be good for your brain cells! Visit John Baker at Helvetia Platz or Stadelhofen for your fresh bread or croissant early in the morning. There are allowed only 2 people at a time in the shop, so no worries about nervous customers standing around you. Read my detailed blog post on their tasty chocolate croissant, here!

Specialty Coffee for takeaway or a Gelato to go!

• My favourite coffee shop Grande close to Central offers Coffee & Negroni’s to take away! Open Monday – Friday!
• Just Coffee is my new entry! Coffee is good, their Vegan Donuts are awesome! Try it out! Open Monday – Sunday!
• Don’t forget to stop by Gelateria di Berna for your ice cream! Be aware of the long line, so go early!

In the mood of a Negroni during lockdown made by your local Barkeeper?

The company Mikks supports Zurich bars and makes it possible to continue enjoying cocktails during the lockdown. Visit the site cheerstosupport and find the drink of your choice from your dearest Cocktail Bar in Zurich!

Among the bars that deliver from now on are, for example, the “Bar Sacchi“, which offers various Negronis, and the “Acid Bar“, which among other things mixes a Ginger Lemon Kick. The “Barista Corado” offers espresso martini and the “Kasheme” bar offers light my fire and purple haze. We love this initiative very much!

Cooking at home during quarantine or mixing your own cocktail

I’ve always been a fan of easy recipes, especially now when I don’t go out shopping every day I try to plan my shopping list as accurate as possible and go for recipes that are easy to prepare. There are plenty of recipes such as risotto or oven recipes, where few ingredients are needed. I try to vary with veggies and fruits! Bake your own bread, pancakes or nutrition bars with nuts and honey.

And if you like to mix your own very simple drink at home, absolutely recommend checking the online shop of agoimports for some artisan fruity soda drinks in from the brand Three Cents. They come in different flavours and taste supernatural! They are created with natural spring water from Rododafni (Greece). You can find also a selection of spirits such as Gin, Vermouth or Tequila. My choice is the 100% handmade pink grapefruit soda mixed with some vermouth!

Online shopping is still possible so if you love fresh juices I absolutely recommend a cold press where you can create fast and easy vitamin bombs to start your day! The drink I love most is carrots, ginger & apples!

Follow Laz uns Kochen for Mediterranean inspiration in your kitchen, anaundnina for fresh and creative recipes or my friend Alma for some yummy baking ideas!

How to emotionally survive quarantine if you are single or a family!

These apps are much more fun and allow you to interact with the people you know or B with random people around the globe!

• Houseparty
  As the name suggests, it offers a way to hang out and party with friends while couped up at home.
• Words With Friends 2
  Essentially a Scrabble clone built for phones, it comes with an interface designed for interacting online.
• comehome
  Meet new friends, participating in house events organized in your city. It’s focused on Italy, Spain & UK – Check it out 🙂
• Smule App to get your karaoke career started!

Zero cost travelling for mind and soul to Europe, Africa or Asia?

We all know, that one day we will travel again, get some virtual travel suggestions for Europe, Africa or Asia on my travel blog section!

In the mood for some virtual Museum visits around the globe?

Are you bored of Netflix and the endless browsing on the internet? Here comes your virtual museum visit without leaving your couch!

• British Museum, London
  This iconic museum located in the heart of London allows virtual visitors to tour the Great Court and discover the ancient Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies.
• Guggenheim Museum, New York
  Get ready with Google’s Street View for a tour through the Guggenheim’s famous spiral staircase. Discover incredible works of art from the Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, Modern and Contemporary eras!
• Musée d’Orsay, Paris
  Walk virtually through this popular gallery that houses dozens of famous works from French artists who worked and lived between 1848 and 1914. Get a peek at artworks from Monet, Cézanne, and Gauguin, among others.
• Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam
  Are you a fan of this tragic, ingenious painter then see his works up close by virtually visiting this museum – the largest collection of artworks by Vincent van Gogh?
• Uffizi Gallery, Florence
  This less well-known gallery houses the art collection of one of Florence, Italy’s most famous families, the de Medicis. The building was designed by Giorgio Vasari in 1560 specifically for Cosimo I de Medici.

To see more of Google Arts & Culture’s collection of museums, visit the collection’s website. There are thousands of museum Street Views on Google as well. Google Arts & Culture also has an online experience for exploring famous historic and cultural heritage sites.

Single and in the mood to flirt online –  Spread  Love not Corona!

In Zurich, a group of single boys & girls launched a flirting platform called: be-my-quarantine. The website is in German but once you’re logged in you can chat in any language! Get more directly on their site!

Why not have a coffee talk with Swiss celebrities or random people living in Switzerland?

The platform that makes this possible is called “binenand“. The platform connects generations in Switzerland, makes projects visible and networks actors and interested parties. Get a better picture on Instagram. The website seems to be in maintenance right now.

Ever tried Breakletics ? Looking for some fun and creative online sports instructors?

I personally was attending some classes in the studio Balboa in Zurich before lockdown, this is where I discovered the workout “Breakletics” and Leo. Check his classes to sweat and have fun! On Instagram, he goes live daily!

Yoga & fitness go perfectly along together!
My preferred online yoga studio is called: Alo Yoga Give it a try and let me know how you like it! There is a wide mix of instructors you can choose of. They are running a 14 day free trial right now!

In the best case, we can even integrate some of these new habits into our routine and make them last also after this covid-19 pandemic.

Stay safe and healthy!

Marina

My personal highlight: Sitting 3 hours at the counter at Yu-An Zurich observing the owner Ken creating finger licking inside out rolls

Being a food blogger doesn’t mean you have to try every place in town. In my case I try to focus on selected quality food only and on the authenticity of a place. A further criteria for me is the experience which includes the kindness of the staff and a comfortable surrounding. My good nose brought me to Stauffacher this month at the Japanese Restaurant Yu-An located at Werdstrasse 66, Zurich.

Feel the Izakaya Style at Yu-An

In the 1600ies Japanese sake shops started to serve customers skewers and other light bites. This was the beginning of izakayas – literally meaning “sitting in a sake shop”. Nowadays you find these places all over Japan as after-work watering holes that offer an inexpensive and kind of informal dining. This is a philosophy that I guess you truly feel at Yu-An and Kokoro in Zurich.

I knew about the very successfully, Gault-Milliau awarded Japanese Restaurant Kokoro, located in a side street of Langstrasse (since 2015) managed by the same owner Ken Groh and his partner Mioh Suguro. Why not discovering the second project Yu-An run through my mind.

The traditional Izakaya Food Philosophy is a main component of both restaurants. That is what I understand and feel there. You share different warm and cold dishes from seafood to beef and sushi rolls or sashimi.

What to point out at Yu-An ?

The ambience

Dining here throws you back to Japan not only because of the traditional food but also because of the originality of the interior. Some of the picture that hang at the wall contain original rarities of Japanese magazines that belonged to Ken’s grandfather. Sitting at the counter observing the inside out rolls being prepared is something you have to experience. Hearing a Japanese conversation and the pleasant sound of the language makes my ears happy. ( I do no understand a word though).

The food

You have a great selection of warm and cold dishes, all prepared fresh with premium quality products by Chef Tatsunori and the staff. I suggest to try a degustation menu and share plates. You find weekly specials for meat lovers and vegetarians.

My absolute favorites: Their inside out rolls! Choose the Tiger roll that comes with a tempura fried tender shrimp, cucumber inside and outside a spicy tuna avocado. The Salmon Aburi roll has some salmon, ginger, cucumber and shiso, outside a salmon flambé and home made sauce. If you like beef, absolutely choose the Entrecôte Teriyaki roll or the Beef roll flambé! Food porn included.

Guess what makes Yu-An special in town is the really superb choice of rolls!

What else to try beside inside out rolls? Pork and Soft Shell Crab Karage, please!

Go for some seafood! The Soft Shell Karage is a crab marinated and fried. Its taste is very light and spicy.
Add a meat plate: The Buta Kakuni is a slow-coked piece of pork breast with a creamy fat layer melting as butter on the palate. It is spiced up just perfect with a Japanese mustard.

For lunch: Try their Poké bowls, the menu comes with a soup or salad. The one with the onsen egg is a must try! Otherwise get a gourmet lunch menu for CHF 46.5o. It comes with a miso soup, a small salad, sushi & sashimi, beef, salmon or shrimps in a hot pan and Japanese rice.

Opening hours: Tue – Fri  11:30 – 14:30, Tue – Sa  18:30 – 22:30

Address: Werdstrasse 66, 8004 Zürich, Kreis 4

www.yu-an.ch

My personal highlight: Food blogging in Zurich at Sushi Shop Zurich – watching Chef Pierre Boudy live preparing a ceviche sushi wrapped in a super thin pineapple skin

While food blogging in Zurich I found out that behind Sushi Shop stands a team of passionate food lovers. The passion for traditional Japanese cuisine combined with a fresh and creative French attitude make this sushi place unique in Zurich and around the world. The Chefs at Sushi Shop Zurich get regular coaching to fulfill highest sushi preparation skills. Sushi Shop is a company with shops in over 13 countries. Find Shushi Shop at Uraniastrasse 4o.

The variety of sushi is real food porn for eyes and stomach. Get seasonal sushi combination that are fresh, spicy and tasty. The actual limited edition is the fresh Pineapple Samba California roll. They are an explosion of delicate flavors. They come with a tender sea bream, pineapple, pomegranate and are spiced up with soja salée sauce and olive oil.

Find various lunch boxes as of Chf 24.90 containing:

• 3 california salmon avocado rolls
• 3 maki cucumber rolls
• 3 maki salmon rolls
• 3 spring rolls salmon avocado
• edamame
• salad

The must try is the summer box containing 36 exquisite pieces as California rolls, nigiri, maki, veggie and fruit salad. Order the summer box here. This box is perfect to take away for a picnic at the lake.

Good to know

• Use their practical sushi order app
• Find out about your delivery time online (max 45 Min)
• Delivery by e-bike

Their sushi offer is outstanding, only fresh fish and ingredients are used. Try any kind of sushi, nigiri, maki, poke bowls or tartar for take away or home/office delivery.

Did you check the Lovefoodish Mediterranean Food guide? Get inspired with some Italian, Spanish or Lebanese Food here!

www.mysushishop.ch/Zurich

My personal highlight: Watching Chef Ben creating my miso ramen in the kitchen and explaining to me every detail about what is relevant to get elastic handmade ramen noodles and telling me that I need to slurp my soup to get the best taste

Food rumors are spreading so fast in our tiny city. It makes it very easy t to hear about the new places in town. Yume Ramen is now offering Ramen soups at Reitergasse 6, Zürich.

Behind Yume Ramen stands a heritage of Japanese Cuisine. Lorenz Muster, the Manager of Sala of Tokyo brought this concept to the city with the goal to introduce to Zurich People the authentic Japanese gastro pub lifestyle called Izakaya. In Japan people to stop by at this easy food bar for lunch or after work. The ambience at Yume Ramen is completely like that, easy and homy. The fact that a traditional Swiss “beiz” was here before having a bit of a 80’s and retro interior, makes that place even more authentic.

Chef Ben introduces me to the uniqueness of Yume Ramen. It’s the soup stock that is made fresh from scratch every day and cooked for hours either with pork bones or a veggie stock. The selection of ramen is variegated, guests appreciate that. Pork, Beef, Chicken or Veggie, all available on the menu.

The noodles are from Swiss natural flour (no transgenic crops!). They rest for a few days to mature the perfect taste and get knead by hand carefully. They serve up to 150 ramen soups per day, that is obviously the favorite dish of the guests.

Feeling the passion of Chef Ben and his staff is viral. You understand fast that people here love what they do. The result in your bowl is the prove.

The Yume Ramen menu

Enjoy a Japanese beer and fresh Ramen, Donburi or Otsumami appetizers. Take a Bento Boxes to go if you are in a hurry, meat or veggie. They make fresh home made lemonade with pure fruit pulp. I love the fact that it is not too sweet. Products are from best gastro suppliers.

In the evening the best choice are Otsumami. The variety of the appetizers is fantastic and perfect to share with friends. Get some advises from the lovely staff, they are happy to help you.

The quality/price ratio is absolutely okay. Ramen soups start with 19 CHF.

The selection of Japanese Whisky is the biggest available in Zurich. I am fascinated by the labels of the bottles! Ben recommends the brand Habiki or Nikea. Guests love the label Karuizawa.

www.yume-ramen.ch

My personal highlight: Good quality for a good price. Crispy fried tempura, also for take away.

Japanese food

When it comes to a good Japanese takeway or a simple dinner before going to the cinema I do really like this place. Sieben Samurai is at Badenerstrasse and Kanzleistrasse. You find sushi, sashimi, delicious bento boxes and crispy fried tempura. I absolutely recommend their Yuzu mochi, they are super refreshing!

Check it out!

www.siebensamurai.com

My personal highlight: Small authentic location with good obanzai selection close to Bellevue

Japanese food: Ramen, Obanzai course, Bento Box

If you live or work in the Seefeld area of Zurich, this is a place to go for Japanese food. Get some ramen soup or obanzai which are an authentic Japanese appetizer.

It’s located at Seehofstrasse 11. The bento box is delicious and is my favorite meal on the menu for lunch. The food is fresh. It’s busy for lunch time, so get your reservation first. I love it.

www.sakusaku.ch

My personal highlight: Delicious Japanese Ramen Ikoo style

Stop by at this place for their noodle soups. Ikoo is located at Bäckerstrasse. It’s small and cozy but has a good selection of different ramen.
You need a reservation or just a bit of luck to gather a place there. I love their Ramen soups, they’re tasty and fresh made. Start with some gyoza as an appetizer.

www.ikoo.ch

My personal highlights: Authentic Japanese cuisine prepared from Japanese Chefs. A 4 course dinner with Wagyu-Beef or a sushi variation for lunch

Japanese delicacies since 1981

Sala of Tokyo exists since 1981 and is one of the most authentic and traditional Japanese restaurants in Switzerland. It’s located at Limmatstrasse 29. It’s famous for offering quality and fresh dishes created by only Japanese Chefs.
Getting these Chefs to Switzerland is a big administrative challenge says Manager Lorenz Muster, but considering the aim of offering a memorable Japanese food experience, having such a setup is essential. Once at the restaurant you immediately feel the authenticity of sala of tokyo.

What to choose

Start with an appetizer as the Tempura. Experience an artful plate of sushi or the excellent Japanese Kobe Wagyu Beef prepared on charcoal grill. The Tokubatsu-Kaiseki Dinner or the classical shabu shabu dinner invite to be explored, too.

Lunch-Bento boxes to go or special Sushi-Lunch offers

The ambiance at Sala of Tokyo is ideal to spend a tranquil dinner. Watch the Chef preparing the sushi and get fascinated by their knife skills!
A sake after dinner will round your meal off, they have a great selection!

www.salaoftokyo.ch