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The west side's foodie credentials have
swelled in recent years with the arrival of Il
Tavolo ('The Table'), a ve-day summer food
festival launched in 2012 that's reminiscent
of Taste of London. The festival's grand nale
is a colossal 200-metre-long table, dubbed
Il Mercato, around which the city's top hotel,
restaurant and street-food options are
presented for sampling. Housed at Zürcher
Engrosmarkt, it was a fun way to try out lots
of morsels in rapid succession.
By the time I left Il Mercato I was stu ed,
but luckily was soon lounging on the terrace
of the 25hours Hotel with a cold lager. The
hotel is colourful and modern, but its trump
card is the vast breakfast bu et (including
Prosecco) served in an open-plan dining
room that spills out onto the alfresco area.
For grander tastes in every sense of the word,
Zurich's ve-star Dolder Grand hotel sits on
the edge of the lake and hosts its own food
festival, The Epicure, every September. While
Il Tavolo invites the city's chefs to cook up a
storm, The Epicure brings in Michelin-starred
chefs from neighbouring countries.
View from the top
My own gastronomic quest ended with a trip
to the Uto Kulm restaurant atop Uetliberg, a
breathtaking spot, accessible only by rail. The
Italian-leaning food is packed with strong
avours and complemented by fabulously
elegant Swiss wines. The glass-walled dining
room overlooks rolling green hills and the
mountains beyond. It's proof that Zurich has
plenty more to o er for your money than
somewhere safe to deposit it.
If you're interested in � nding out more about
Swiss wine, visit squaremeal.co.uk/news/
make-time-for-swiss-wine
GETTING THERE
SWISS ies from London City
and Heathrow 10 times a day from
£129 return, including taxes and free ski
carriage. Flight time from London City is
1 hour 35 minutes. swiss.com
GETTING AROUND
ZürichCARD allows for unlimited
use of Zurich's public transport
network, as well as free entry and
discounts at selected museums, shops
and restaurants. zuerich.com/en/visit/
your-city-travel-pass
WHERE TO STAY
25hours Hotel Zürich West,
P ngstweidstrasse 102, double rooms
from £104 per night. 25hours-hotels.com
The Dolder Grand, Kurhausstrasse
65, double rooms from £418 per night.
The Epicure 2015 will take place 17-20
September from £1,275 per night for
two people. thedoldergrand.com
WHERE TO EAT
Clouds, Prime Tower,
Maagplatz. clouds.ch
Markthalle, Limmatstrasse 231.
Uto Kulm, Gratstrasse,
8143 Uetliberg. utokulm.ch
Zeughauskeller, Bahnhofstrasse 28.
WHERE TO GO
Il Tavolo/Zürich bei Tisch
('Zürich's Table'), June 2016, various
locations. il-tavolo.ch
FIND OUT MORE
Clockwise from far left: the view from the bank
of Zurich's River Limmat; sky-high views from
Clouds restaurant; a breath of fresh air on the
terrace at Uto Kulm; well-earned RR at 25hours
Hotel; canapés galore at Il Tavolo's table
CLOUDS PHOTO: ZÜRICH TOURISM AND ELISABETH REAL
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