Est. 1898. The first and oldest vegetarian restaurant in the world! A large & popular facility with modern decor. The menu is 90% vegan. Has a buffet, self-service and takeaway, a la carte menu, a bar-lounge, a cooking studio, and a shop. View vegan options on the website 'food and drinks' section by clicking the vegan box at the bottom of the page. A five-minute walk south of the main train station. Open Mon-Thu 7:00am-10:00pm, Fri 7:00am-11:00pm, Sat 8:00am-11:00pm, Sun 10:00am-10:00pm.
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Sihlstrasse 28 (at St Annagasse), Zurich, Switzerland, 8001
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- Outdoor seating
- Accepts credit cards
- Free Wi-Fi
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Last update on 20 Oct 2023 by mdzmr
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238 Reviews
First Review by Stevie
jacqui2
Points +146
Nice buffet - Edit
I planned to eat here during my business trip, but it was so busy at lunch/dinner times it was quite intimidating for a non-local (who can only speak English). I ended up there in the mid-afternoon on my last day when it was a bit quieter, spoke to someone who spoke who explained how to do the buffet/pay by weight and I enjoyed trying a little bit of everything. For a cafeteria eatery, the food was interesting, good variety and was hot.
Read morePros: Variety, Interesting, Hot food
Guest
veg.dan
Points +124
Great buffet (albeit Swiss expensive) - Edit
The choice in this place for vegans and vegos is fantastic. My body felt better after getting a good dose of tasty variety from the dishes on offer. Went back twice more and I was only in Zurich a day and a half. Sure a good hardy meal at 25-40CHF is expensive but Zurich is expensive so get over it and treat yourself to a good feed.
Read morePros: Quality, Variety
Cons: Expensive
Guest
tapiocawong
Points +37
Wonderful Experience! - Edit
It was a wonderful experience in Hiltl. Wonderful food, atmosphere. Cannot miss that!
Read morePros: Food, Atmosphere, Marketing (why not?)
Guest
Tara HD
Points +963
Food was mediocre - Edit
I was very much looking forward to going to this place because of it's reputation and also the good reviews here. I was very disappointed.
Read moreThe atmosphere is, well, crowded. The food wasn't good. I was there about 6 weeks ago, so I don't remember everything in detail but I had a vegan paella as a main dish. It looked like a paella but that was the only ressemblance it had with a paella. It just tasted weird. My friends who ordered other dishes weren't delighted with their food either.
Needless to say that it was very expensive - I don't think there is anything inexpensive in Zurich.
On the positive side I can only mention that Hilti is one of the very few places I know with professional waiters/waitresses. They actually know how to serve food and how to interact with customers. In general a very professionally organized place.
Pros: very professional service
Cons: mediocre food, crowded, expensive
Guest
psiphi75
Points +270
Great place - Edit
I have been there tons of times and just love the place. Good vegan selection, although it seems the vegan options are dwindling over time. It is always busy. Yes, it is a bit pricey, greater than average Swiss price. Lots of the buffet options are Indian food. I always go for the buffet because you can always see what you get.
Read morePros: Lots to choose from
Cons: Pricey
Guest
iwanttofu
Points +45
Loved it - Edit
Best restaurant of a 2 week trip round europe by 2 picky vegetarians. By far. Amazed at the size of the place! Decided not to get involved with the buffet at all and ordered from the menu. We had the Hiltl tartar to start with- absolutely delicious- and the Geschnetzltes with Rosti. made two people constantly craving austrian specialities very happy indeed. No room for left for dessert but took a brownie (great) and vegan cookie (meh) to go. beer was good and service too. sure, it was expensive, but everything in Switzerland is. wish it was in my town so I could eat there every day.
Read morePros: huge, fancy, great food
Guest
biodynamicgal
Points +32
ONe of my favorite places to eat in the world - Edit
The buffet clearly tells you about ingredients. Great for people who are gluten intolerant or don't eat eggs- or other special dietary needs. Friendly, great food.
Read morePros: Great selection, fresh rosti is fantastic, nice fruit drinks
Cons: can be noisy, find a quiet place
Guest
Eloi
Points +74
good but had better - Edit
There were some good vegan choices in the hot food section but the food all tasted more or less the same and lacked some creativity and love. The prices were very high for a canteen style restaurant which doesn't serve meat
Read morePros: convenient location, nice staff
Cons: food could be better, very pricy
Guest
Chrige D
Points +84
BEST of everything! - Edit
I am practically tethered to this place when I'm in Zurich. gorgeous buffet with so many amazing vegan choices. lots of fusion dishes, lovely salads and juice bar to live for. i love the history of the place too: first veg resto in europe! the interior design is done by U.K. designer Tricia Guild and feels super stylish, fresh, contemporary and comfortable. easy to relax, eat, drink a chai, do some work or chill with friends. the formal service restaurant is really great too. delicious menu options with nice airy, light filled views. you can also check out the kitchen through glass windows. make a reservation, it gets booked especially on weekends. it's a bit pricey but totally worth it.
Read morePros: Excellent creative vegan food, healthy and fresh, stylish design
Cons: gets crowded
Guest
AmericanPhil
Points +279
If you're vegan... - Edit
As the title says, go to tibits. It's cheaper and the same food. However, If you wanna go somewhere for a nice date, this is your place...the menu offers nearly nothing for vegans which is why id say to just go to tibits instead
Read morePros: Upscale
Guest
Aziraphale
Points +105
Good food, but cramped space - Edit
The food is very good - there are good reasons why this restaurant is so popular.
Read moreI used to go there a lot, but nowadays I prefer other vegetarian restaurants for a nice family night out or when meeting with friends, as they have crammed as much tables as possible into the restaurant - it is difficult to navigate your way to the table, to the buffet, to the toilets ... and it is very noisy. Not the sort of athmosphere I prefer when I want to have a relaxing evening.
Pros: Good food
Cons: cramped space
Guest
mucefali
Points +26
very better then other buffet - Edit
It's very better than other buffet restaurant in Zurich. We didn't try the a la carte menu becouse the buffet was very interesting. Very very good.
Read morePros: veriety for vegan too, location
Guest
Hanna Louise
Points +92
Delicious - Edit
Wide selection of flavorful food, with plenty of vegan options. It was a very nice change from traditional Swiss food, where veganism is a ridiculous concept. It's also nice that you pay by the weight of your food, so you don't feel obliged to pile up your plate like in all-you-can-eat buffets.
Read morePros: tasty food, nice atmosphere
Cons: often crowded
Guest
veggieyogini
Points +61
good food but pricey - Edit
a huge place with outdoor and indoor seating right in the heart of Zuerich. excellent food (asian and european), friendly staff, but pricey. the modern design makes it quite classy. we ordered from the menu but saw lots of people having a quick bite from the buffet after work.
Read morePros: good food , modern design and atmosphere
Cons: pricey , noisy
Guest
gr8vegan
Points +2357
Really COOL! amazing food! - Edit
This place is HUGE & expensive! You can sit outside and order al la cart if you've got kids or too unhip to eat at an amazing buffet inside a happening newly redesigned trendy spot. When you get to the buffet grab a plate and just start anywhere you want, there is no real line or direction. What is important is to quickly memorize the translation key to animal products on yellow signs above the buffet. Once you've got that mastered its go time. Pile on 20 bucks worth of vegan goodness in no time and head to the bar and put your plate on the scale and insert your credit card! I highly suggest the local beer, its AMAZING!
Read morePros: tons of vegan, great food, beer!
Cons: adds up quick, smokers
Guest
sherill
Points +128
Amazing food and atmosphere - Edit
This place was amazing. Really great food. Lots of vegan options. We thoroughly enjoyed eating at Hiltl. The atmosphere was really nice too. Modern, clean and attractive. Would definitely return.
Read morePros: Food was amazing, large selection of items, Nice decor
Guest
pradipd
Points +347
Excellent - Edit
I was returning to Hilti after a gap of over 10 years. The last time I was a trifle disappointed with the taste, flavors and choices. This time I was overwhelmed! It is much bigger and better! The choices and the quality are excellent. There was not a single item I tried in the buffet that was disppointing. This was combined with excellent service and attitude. Also, I did not find the meal on an empty stomach very expensive by Zurich standards and for the quality. Do not miss it>
Read morePros: Quality, Flavors, Value
Guest
Kiran
Points +55
Super Food, High Price - Edit
I used to go here very often when living in Zurich and was never disappointed by the food. The entire place has a great, lively feel and the menu stays creative and tasty. The only drawback is that the menu prices are pretty steep, even for Zurich. I attribute this to Hitli's immense popularity (supply/demand) but its still not ideal.
Read morePros: Great food, Great location
Cons: High Prices
Guest
Erwin Lengauer
Points +174
Outstanding again! - Edit
Since more than 20 years I spend my money for travelling and visiting vegetarian and wine places all over the world.
Read moreYou will enjou the HILTL if you like a professional modern vegetarian restaurant which offers one of the best wine list I haver seen in an vegetarian restaurant - look http://www.hiltl.ch/en/restaurant.php?id=103.
More than 150 people work at Hiltl to over the best, friendly and very profesionell service I have seen in years.
My only!! critic is that the vegan option are quiet limited.
Besides that its one of the best veg restaurant on continental europe only comparaple with one of my absolute 5 Star Veg Restaurant IL Margutta Vegetariano (Vegetarian Restaurant) in Rom http://www.happycow.net/reviews.php?id=1002
Pros: wonderfull modern atmosphere, the largest and best wine list, fryiendly staff
Cons: could be expensive, should make areservation
Guest
millennialsnowbird
Points +369
Not what I was expecting - Edit
I had imagined that the oldest veggie restaurant in Europe would exude old world charm, serving classic recipes in a cozy timber construct or something. I wanted it to feel like it was so awesome 100 years ago that it hasn't needed to modernize. But the Hiltl I ate at in May 2007 was huge (two levels) and ultra modern with gleaming stainless steel, sleek banquettes, and well-coiffed waitstaff. It was chock full of people, hard to get a table, and difficult to navigate the path to the buffet in such a hectic environment. The food wasn't very memorable. I can only recall creamy scalloped potatoes, the best item on my plate. I was disappointed overall and kind of horrified by the bill. I'm now pinning my hopes on Gasthaus Schillinger near Vienna to give me a proper old world veggie dining experience.
Read morePros: I guess veg food is popular in Zurich?!
Cons: Hectic, Lacks charm, Expensive
Guest
Marco
Points +196
A classic - Edit
Hiltl exists for more than a century, and it shows: very well balanced dishes and a wonderful 'grand cafe' atmosphere. They keep renewing; in March 2007 they will reopen at their old spot. When we go to Zurich again, you'll find us there.
Read morePros: terrific food, classic atmosphere
Guest
Stevie
Points +11765
Hiltl, Zurich - Edit
Eating in this place is quite an experience. It's the biggest vegetarian restaurant I have ever seen by some way (it's huge). The place was still packed though. Huge buffet with an enormous amount of choice. I had to ask staff what was vegan and was accommodated pleasantly enough. Not the cheapest but where in Switzerland is?
Read morePros: Huge choice, Vegan offerings
Cons: Not the cheapest
Guest
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