They've Got Game

As the dark clouds gather and the cold winds blow it’s the time to break out your thick jumpers and winter coats. But it’s not all bad news. Autumn is the hunting season and the fine game finds its way back to the city, direct from the forest. Let me whet your appetite…venison schnitzel or Wildjus with Spätzl. (mmmmmm) Or how about wild boar entrecôte or pacceri with game sausage ragout from the Poschiavo valley. Where is the best game in town? Here are my top 10 choices. 

1. Gartenhof

All the autumn classics are served up in the Gartenhof. Spätzli, red cabbage, wild boar entrecôte, venison carpaccio as well as saddle of venison. The latter is flambeed directly at the table. Watch those eyebrows. 

Gartenhofstrasse 1
8004 Zürich


3. Hermanseck

Just a few steps up the street lies Hermanseck where they are also going wild for game. Besides the delicious meat dishes, the homemade Spätzli with chanterelle cream sauce gets my taste buds humming. 

Birmensdorferstrasse 58
8004 Zürich


4. Reithalle

Autumn specialities also find their way onto the table at the Reithalle at Gesneralle. The wild boar is really tasty and their Venison…er…meatloaf (for want of a better word) is great. They also do an excellent vegetarian platter which can be washed down with their wine of the month, currently the Montecucco Riserva from Tuscany.

Gessnerallee 8
8001 Zürich


5. Wirtschaft zur Au

If you are visiting Sihlcity take the opportunity to visit Wirtschaft zur Au. The restaurant sits on the opposite side of the the road to the north entrance and they serve all sorts of game with a modern twist. In addition there is a daily changing  «Lucky Shot» although i suspect the animal being served may not feel quite so lucky.

Manessestrasse 208
8045 Zürich


6. Wirtschaft Ziegelhütte

After it’s brief time serving Turkish cuisine Wirtschaft Ziegelhutte in Schwamendingen returns to more traditional autumn fare. Chamois, deer and with a little luck even rabbits, marmots or ibex are served, all coming from the hunters of the Poschaivo valley in the Graubunden.

Hüttenkopfstrasse 70
8051 Zürich

7. Tobelhof

The Tobelhof is a bit further away from town but the trip is well worth it. This old, listed building is home to a kitchen that serves a variety of deer specialties. The venison schnitzel «Tobelhof» with mushrooms, spiced grapes and wild cream sauce is highly recommended. Vegetarian? Try their amazing «Herbstsymphonie» which i’m sure even Beethoven would have been proud of.

Tobelhofstrasse 236
8044 Zürich


8. Hiltl

A vegetarian restaurant in the game list? No, i haven’t gone mad. Hiltl's autumn plate with spätzli, red cabbage, mushrooms and chestnuts is so good that it deserves a mention.

Bahnhofstrasse 88
8001 Zürich


9. Kronenhalle

It’s like taking a journey back in time. The Kronenhalle has been a Zurich institution for the past 100 years and boasts perhaps the best Züri Geschnetzeltes. But in addition to this you can try venison meat loaf, venison cutlets and other delicious game treats. You can also feed your soul with original works by Chagall, Picasso and Miro adorning the walls.

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Rämistrasse 4
8001 Zürich


10. Artisan

The Artisan also offers game specialties until December. Try the venison tartare with tarragon and pickled nuts or the venison entrecôte with caramelized sauerkraut and bacon crumble (wow!).

Nordbrücke 4
8037 Zürich

11. Das Blau

Although Das Blau fits much better into the urban wilderness of District 4, rather than into a forest, the Design Hotel Greulich serves excellent wild game specialties. From the 2nd to the 31st of  October, the restaurant serves deer gulasch with red cabbage, game bratwurst with cranberry jus, juicy wild boar chops and much more.

Herman-Greulich-Strasse 56
8004 Zürich