ok, fair point and absolutely right! the politics and missionary tone put me off too before i was dating a vegan girl. on the other hand it seems to work, hiltl is a good example though they have a better marketing plan and money to communicate their brand etc that this place is often packed and seeked after for its veg food. i dunno if eg samses makes good profit or if it could make more the way you sketched out... i do understand (and that was the question) why restaurants "brand" themselfes as vegetarian.
I just went out for the first time with my husband to restaurant Mesa in Zurich. I found they have a great vegetarian menu, and although it's a bit on the pricey side (5 courses for 138 CHF), the food and service were excellent. Where we typically struggle in Switzerland is finding top notch vegetarian food since most of the gourmet restaurants are very meaty. We are now looking for more gourmet vegetarian options. Any suggestions?
Thanks a lot Chrisso. I know Hiltl well and it's fine for a typical evening out in Zurich, but what I am looking to find are gourmet places with either at least 14 Gault Millau points or 1 Michelin star. This is more difficult to do.
Okaaaay so 138 chuffs is pricey for 5 courses but yet you're looking for a Michelin star restaurant......
I'm not sure I like your chances. But let me know what you find. I was brought up 17 years vego and my dad owned vegetarian restaurants in Oz for 30 years.
Hi Chrisso, my only point was that I don't mind paying more money for a gourmet vegetarian dinner even though most people would consider this a relatively expensive meal. Considering that Mesa is a 2 star Michelin restaurant, I think the value for money was still excellent. I am now just hoping to find some other similar places either in Switzerland or just over the border.
Consider Kaiser's Reblaube - more specifically the small restaurant upstairs called Goethestübli which always has a full 6-course vegetarian menu available. You can order off the either menu in the downstairs bistro-like Reblaube restaurant.
I think this a good choice for you to try and I do know the restaurant well (I worked in the kitchen twice in my career)...
It's meant to be the oldest in Europe or something. It's great, you can have a meal or they also have a buffet, with details of vegan, nut free, gluten free etc etc.
I am also a big fan of Hiltl, even though I am a meat-eater (from South of Brazil - cowboy country and all).
I like the buffett. Of course I always go there with the intention of eating a little bit, but take a bit of this and that and always end up with a huge plate of food!
Try the new Vegetarian Restaurant - Global Fusion, Giswil @ Hotel Landhaus / Grand Swiss Hotel. Superb Vegetarian food. Italian, Chinese, Indian and many more mouth watering cuisines.