What I miss in Zürich, is a nice grand café like they have lots of in Amsterdam. Hopefully, that's just because I haven't found one since I live here.

A place to have a good coffee (not from a push-the-button-machine, but for example from a proper Cimbali machine), where you can sit and relax on a Saturday on Sunday afternoon. Where they have international newspapers and magazines. Where a variety of people come, with a lively, colourful, informal atmopshere.
I asked in Odeon on Limmatquai, where the response was..."ah..a grand café like they have in Paris you mean??". I do not mean a packed Movenpick at Stadelhofen, nor a Lindt+Sprungli coffeeplace, or a Starbucks which seems to attract backpack tourists and teenagers in great numbers and the coffee really isn't good quality. What I'm frankly hoping to find is a Zürich-equivalent to De Jaren in Amsterdam.

My closest find so far, and recommend people to go, would be the Kafischnaps. Nice atmosphere, mix of people, good coffee machine and nice brunch/lunch menu.

Any better ideas for places like this or better in or around Zürich?

Maybe Cafe New Zaeland? I am also still looking to find a good cafe in Zurich. I haven't been there yet but heard it is a nice one!

Maybe check out Café Noir (not sure if they have food but the coffee is great) or Kafi Schofel - food is good here as well atmosphere. There is also a nice outdoor area when the weather permits.

Kafi Dihei on Zurlindenstrasse near Idaplatz isn't 'Gran' but the coffee, food, service & welcome are all top notch. Anglophile staff; slightly hip - due to location rather than design - and always busy. Closed Tuesdays.

For great coffee, cake and ambience try:

http://www.conditorei-cafe-schober.c...estaurant.html

Just across the road also for amazing coffee (even Blue Mountain by the cup) try:

http://www.schwarzenbach.ch/teecafe

I don't know much about Amsterdam Gran Cafes but these two have outstanding coffee, ambience, and little delicious things - sweet and savoury.

Hope it helps...

Im looking for a nice place to go for coffee/snack in Zürich. It has to be somewhat romantic. Any tips?

Try here

Romantic in spades

Homepage http://www.conditorei-cafe-schober.ch/

cakefriends.ch has very good cakes, at least.
But it's usually very crowded.

http://www.lastanza.ch/ in Bleicherweg

Possibly Babu's Coffeehouse, but their baking is much better than their coffee.

Henrici in Niederdorf - when it gets warm you can also sit outside

www.cafe-henrici.ch

Some more ideas, Milchbar - http://www.milchbar.ch/
or perhaps Cafe Grande- http://grande-zurich.ch/