The Call Of The Wild

The best thing about autumn? The food! Fresh apples, mushrooms, pumpkin and chestnuts. But Autumn also heralds the start of the hunting season and with it tons of fresh game becomes available. But as game dishes dissapear from Zurich’s plates faster than you can say «Hirschpfeffer» you have to be quick. With that in mind i have come ups with a list of 13 great restaurants that all serve venison and other game treats. All you have to do is decide: traditional in the Schönau, glamorous in the Kronenhalle or rather rustic in the Weissen Kreuz?

1.Gartenhof

From the 5th of November the Gartenhof will be offering all the Autumn classics. From «Nüsslisalat» to spätzle, red cabbage, wild boar entrecôte (always from Switzerland), saddle of venison and venison carpaccio.

8004 Zürich

2.Hermanseck

Take a few steps towards Wiedikon station and you’ll find Hermanseck, another restaurant that is wild about wild. The first thing that caught my eye was the «Hirschkopfbäggli» but if you  prefer something a bit more traditional try the venison stew, venison fillet or escalope.

8004 Zürich

3. Reithalle

Autumn specialities are also served at the Reithalle. The venison carpaccio is fresh and modern, but the venison terrine is also very tasty. And, a big plus: Zurich «Rehpfeffer» is also available.

Gessnerallee 8
8001 Zürich

4.Wirtschaft zur Au

If you are in Sihlcity during autumn a post shop stop at the Wirtschaft zur Au is part of the game season. You'll find classic dishes of venison, deer, wild boar and chamois with a modern interpretation. There is also a daily changing "Lucky Shot" - and there is plenty of vegetarian stuff too. 

Manessestrasse 208
8045 Zürich

7. Wirtschaft Ziegelhütte

The Ziegelhütte has dedicated itself entirely to game from Graubunden. They serve venison tartare, venison skewers, wild boar cordon bleu and much more.

Hüttenkopfstrasse 70
8051 Zürich

8. Tobelhof

The Tobelhof is a little further away, but the journey is worth it. The kitchen of the listed farm serves selected venison specialities. The Tobelhof venison escalope with mushrooms, spiced grapes and wild cream sauce is highly recommended. The secret highlight, however, is the vegetarian autumn symphony with buttered spaetzli, red cabbage and Brussels sprouts.

8044 Zürich

8. Zum Alten Löwen

The regular menu at the Alte Löwen is fantastic, but the wild menu? Wow. All dishes are traditional yet creative, and served in small bowls. A wonderfully wild culinary experience.

Universitätsstrasse 111
8006 Zürich

9. Kronenhalle


It's like immersing yourself in a bygone era. The Kronenhalle has been an institution in Zurich for 100 years. In addition to the (perhaps best) Züri Geschnetzeltes, you can enjoy game meatloaf with potato purée, Hitsch chops on sausage or venison fillets with grapes and Piedmont hazelnuts. But that’s not all. Feed your soul by admiring original works by Chagall, Picasso and Miro.

Rämistrasse 4
8001 Zürich

10. Artisan

The Artisan also offers game specialities until December. For example, the hand-cut venison carpaccio with leek «ash» and wild herbs or the venison entrecote with bacon-maroni dumplings (Wow!)

Nordbrücke 4
8037 Zürich

11. Das Blau

Although Das Blau is much better suited to the urban wilderness of Kreis 4 than to a forest, the well-designed Hotel Greulich serves exquisite game specialities. For example, venison pepper with red cabbage, venison sausage with cranberry jus, juicy wild boar chops and much more.

Herman-Greulich-Strasse 56
8004 Zürich

12. Hardhof


There is only one game dish on the menu at Hardhof, but it is a hit: the «Rehpfeffer» from Poschiavo satisfies all game cravings, while vegis can fill their bellies with homemade spaetzli with oven-baked pumpkin.
Badenerstrasse 344
8004 Zürich

13. Gasthof Falken

One of my favourite neighbourhood pubs is the Falken at Schmiede Wiedikon. The food is reliable and down-to-earth and the hosts are warm and welcoming. In autumn, the game menu is another great reason to visit the restaurant.

Birmensdorferstrasse 150
8003 Zürich

14. Restaurant Weisses Kreuz

The Weisse Kreuz is properly old school - including Maggi spices and Aromat on the table. The design of game menu also reminds me of pubs I used to go to with my grandparents. And, as you know, grandma knows best so i like to come here for the game because the venison sausage, the venison schnitzel and the venison pepper are top-notch.

Falkenstrasse 27
8008 Zürich

Have I missed somewhere out? What is your favourite place for game. Please leave a note in the comments.