It may be strange time to be asking this, but the sun shineth, and being someone that hates confined spaces, I am seeking recommendations for the best bar/cafe in Zürich. It should offer outside seating, a pleasant vista, a good range of drinks or nibbles and is open. Blankets are obviously a bonus...the Pump House on the promenade near the lake at Bellvue has always been a favourite, but cafes at which to watch the world go by are a major attraction in Zürich...

dave

The one around Sihlporte which during the day doubles as a swimming pool - can't remember the name tho.

I know it....but I cant remember the name of it either. It has table football, lots of cushions is built on top of the river and has a studenty feel to it.....

dave

Seerose used to offer blankets.

Excellent on a Sunday afternoon with a paper and cup of hot chocolate. View over the lake.

Hmmm.... I need to go back there.

Don't eat anything though, the food is lousy and overpriced.

You are thinking about Rimini... not open over the Winter.

I have eaten at Seerose several times, and the sea bass on the menu was reasonable though not outstanding. The wine was pretty poor though. Although it did make you drunk enough to want a hire on of the speedboats on offer down there.

An amazing location for a romantic dinner or G&T at dusk right on the lake watching - full of pretentious tossers a lot of the time though.

Never been there daytime though, maybe I should...

dave

Kaufleuten Bar? Last time I passed there (a couple of weeks ago) I saw they had the terrass open with blankets. Their bar menu card is also surprisingly good.

The question is - where do you park the Cayenne?

The Grieder store on the Bahnhofstrasse / Paradeplatz has a nice cafe terrace on the top floor where you can pick up middle aged+ women, no sweat. Wouldn't buy the clothes there, though. Is this what you were looking for?

The Hotel Züriberg, up near the Zoo, has a great terrace with city and mountain views.

Soon enough the Dolder Hotel will reopen (designed by M'Lord Foster, zzz) and they're sure to have something whizz-bang.

My favourite is the cafe El Greco at Limmatplatz, next to the Migros building. Sun, sandwiches and easy views. Champion.

If you like the Pump House (I don't), walk a little further to the Züri Horn and try the Kiosk - you'll know it, it's multi-coloured and next to a Henry Moore sculpture. Great place for morning coffee in the sun.

The Gran Caffe on Limmatquai is kinda old-fashioned but nice location.

For the price of a coffee and Schoggi-Gipfeli, I'd be happy to show you the sights!

I knew you would come through with a few suggestions. The Grieder store has an elegant range though its clientele are not preferred company...there must be quiet a few rooftop terraces with undiscovered bars in the area though...

Ill certainly check out the bar near the Zoo for more suitable company. I was up at the Dolder last week. Its still a mess. God know what they are doing adding such monstrosities to an elegant building.

Oh, on a slightly different topic there is a book out called Cool Restaurants Zürich or something, which is a pretty book but contains little hardcore facts...

dave