Hello all:

A good friend is feeling down-in-the-dumps, and I'd like to cheer her up.

I would particularly like to take her on some evenings out or to breakfast to interesting places in the Zurich area, but I don't really know what is out there.

Today I failed... I took her to Cafe Felix at Bellevue; it was expensive, the food wasn't great, and the staff were snooty.

I would really like to know about any cool/different/quaint places I could take her. For example, getting yodelled at during dinner, Irish dancing, learning how to play the banjo, ice skating to a coffee bar, dining amongst the fish at an aquarium...

I'm making these up, but you get the idea. I don't mind expensive-ish, as long as it's good.

Any suggestions would be very much appreciated! Thanks.

The International Comedy Club has regular English comedy shows in Zürich.

Try:

Miyuko
Beckenhofstrasse 7
8006 Zurich, Switzerland

It's a cute little cafe which is owned by a Swiss lady but is Japanese themed.
For chf 18, my friends and I had prosecco, 1 macaroon, piece of cake and coffee. They try and incorporate tea into the cakes which is really interesting and quite tasty.

They also have themed afternoon tea and brunch I think.

What about the Blinde Kuh? The restaurant where you eat in the dark

http://www.blindekuh.ch/

Or the observatory? http://www.urania-sternwarte.ch/

Thanks a lot everyone... These are some great suggestions so far. I never would have known about these places!

For iceskating to a cafe, there is Dolder Sports, has a nice atmosphere and skate hire is available. Think it is open from 18.00 to 22.00 but not hundred percent sure.

Dolder Sports, Adlisbergstrasse 36 , Zürich (map)

If you are feeling flush, try www.thermalbad-zuerich.ch. nice spa in an old brewery. Might even get to see a nice bum or two....

Sometimes all you want is a long talk over a lovely cup of Kenyan tea with scones in a warm and cosy cafe. Don't tell the internet but my place of choice is Kafi Dihei on Zurlindenstrasse. British-Swiss owners and an Irish cook help with the sense of familiar. Ask for the clotted cream, as well as home made lemon curd.

Why would anyone want to eat in the dark - or is there something I am not getting here?

Well, Merrylegs, it does sound a bit risky for those of us who are picky eaters... But it definitely sounds like a fun novelty. I bet my friend won't be thinking about her problems while she is trying to navigate around her plate in the dark!

There's something you're not getting; it takes you out of yourself for a few hours.

Sometimes a remove is all that's necessary.

How far out do you want to go? Was at the Rheinfalls in Schaffhausen today (largest waterfalls in Europe, an hour by train from ZH). Magnificent, if chilly.

Alternately, a trip up the Uetliberg and a wander along the path (to Adilswil if you are hearty) on a clear blue sky days will do wonders for your & your friend. Or just have a coffee at the top if that is all you really want!

Visit concerts , for example the dropkick murphys next saturday at the komplex 457 or three doors down in winterthur , Mar 04, Eulachhalle.
Or travel to other european cities, like london, stay at an awesome hotel, go shopping or to a huge party

Thanks Breezy; I had not heard of the Rheinfalls. My friend likes hiking.

Where can I find out about scheduled concerts? London is probably a bit far.

Switzerland Gigs "Heads Up"

Have some ideas not sure how much any may fit.

- Possibly grapping a coffee or a sandwich and walking on the side of the river.

- Or meeting on the weekend and cooking lunch together, why not especially if it is a strange (but tasty) dish for her.

- Or getting involved in an activity or sport that gets out some of the negative energy stored inside her due to depression, like biking when the weather gets better.

- Planning for a spring or summer vacation from now, so she gets a bit distracted from the reason of her depression, not sure how good is this idea because she may not be able to think about vacations or such stuff, but maybe you try..

- Do charity, for example in Bern the Inselspital accepts volunteers, for sure there is something similar in Zurich, you can volunteer only 4 hours a month, seeing others in bigger troubles makes you feel lucky and forget about your problems.

Not sure if any of this may help - if you find it is useful to share the reason for depression, maybe we can suggest solutions or fixes if we can.

All the best

Weekend at Bernies.

Yes, the place is mostly run by blind people. So you get a feeling how it is to be blind. You have to reserve places as the restaurant is running quite well. But you can also visit the bar in the evening as there is no reservation needed.

Concerts (or tickets) : ticketcorner or starticket
A flight to london takes only around 1,5 hours, tickets are currently cheap
(around 200 sfr return), very good hotels in london are cheap over the weekend
in February (I pay at the andaz 90 GBP per Night from Feb 17 to Feb 19).

Or go for sports (wintersports right now), hiking, running or cycling in the spring/summer/autum

Fasnacht in Luzern.

Fasnacht Parades.

Day spa: Morschach Thermal Bads or Bad Ragaz

Buy her a massage

Find her a man.