Unfortunately for us, CHF 25-30 is average for a main course in Zürich at sit-down restaurants regardless of the type of cuisine. And I'm not talking gourmet, just casual dining.

A 'simple' bratwurst and rösti costs 20-25 francs, a cordon bleu mit pommes 25 francs, a SchniPo 25-40 francs or a burger & fries 23 francs. And none of these require an extensive list of ingredients, preparation, presentation or service. Furthermore in several restaurants a lot of the ingredients are bought pre-cut, pre-prepared and frozen.

You could compare restaurants belonging to Atul Kochhar, Paul Kerridge, Simon Hopkinson or a number of other critically acclaimed cooks in the UK to Zürich, it's generally the same thing pricewise.

I don't believe this applies only to Indian food, it applies to most cuisines that are prepared at home. What about the cost of making pizzas, pasta, roasts, stews, risotto, BBQ or stir fries at home? They are way cheaper to prepare at home yet have similar profit margins in restaurants.

Delicious, absolutely. My favorite from India is Punjabi cuisine, North Indian. Lots of butter and cream .

In restaurants it generally does not take long to cook any dish. If customers had to wait an hour or more for their food, I'm certain they would complain, unless of course they were aware of it beforehand.

This certainly does not apply only to Indian restaurants. In most restaurants, mis en place (prep of ingredients, sauces, stocks, etc...) is essential to producing and serving dishes within an acceptable time frame. Even with the beloved pizza, the tomato sauce is pre-prepared, as is the dough. The same applies to any continental dish served in/with a sauce that requires demi glace or stocks. Vegetables are pre-prepared, as are pastas (fresh), risottos, other starches and sauces.

In most Indian restaurants they make base sauces (makhani, jalfrezzi, vindaloo, etc...). When an order comes in, they add the prepped and portioned meat/fish/seafood/vegetable to the base sauce, add the required spices, herbs and finishing touches and serve.

One of the several cuisines I grew up on was Punjabi and I can assure you that none of the meats were of low quality. We only used prime cuts of lamb, mutton, pork, whole chickens, fresh fish, sweet fresh prawns, live lobsters, fresh crab, juicy pork chops, fresh seasonal veggies, butter, cream, yogurt, etc... Any restaurant serving lower quality food would not remain open too long.

If I was served substandard meat, I would send it back. I would never eat it and therefore would never have served it.


I would have to disagree you with you here Wolli. One of the primary costs in operating a restaurant is food cost, followed by labor cost.

Location and importation costs apply to most businesses, not just restaurants. Restaurateurs cannot influence their rent expense or the laws governing the importation of food and beverages, but they can control the food and labor costs which greatly influence the selling price. Controlling these 2 costs are major factors in contributing to the success of a restaurant.

With the Greek example, the owners should have been fully aware of the costs associated with opening and running a restaurant prior to opening, wherever the location. Unfortunately restaurant failures happen all over the world, even in locations that are inexpensive and where food and labour is plentiful and inexpensive. Feasibility studies are imperative but often not conducted. Running a restaurant is not a simple business, and this is why a majority fail.

I must add, having being disappointed by most Indian restaurants in Zürich owing to the lack of authenticity, I have resorted to only eating curries from the simple Sri Lankan places on or close to Langstrasse. Friend's Corner on Josefstrasse serves freshly made Sri Lankan curries for only CHF 14 a portion as does India Street food on Langstrasse.

Got me hungry now!

Unless a restaurant is particularly bad and has to rely on walk-ins to survive, location costs needn't be a big factor.

Some of the best restaurants I have been to (outside of Switzerland) have been ones I've heard about through word-of-mouth. They're invariably tucked away down some suburban back-street but they're always packed, every night.

I know it might seem bizarre for Wolli and others but there some restaurants in the rest of the world that really can survive on the quality of their cuisine and service alone.

Couldn't agree with you more mate!

Hi,

Monday morning and laready thinking about curry

As this thread was a while ago now & things change....looking for recommendations for a great indian restaurant in Zurich pls.

Have heard of Tamarind Hill, Oerlikon - which looked great, but is out of the city.

What would you say is currently the best indian in Zurich?
thx

There is anice little restaurant in Hufgasse near Bellevue

Same is true here. Just because you haven't found them, doesn't mean that they do not exist. Keep an open mind.

Hi, I know that this thread is related to Indian curry houses in Zürich, but for anyone in the Vaud/Geneva region looking for the best curry in the area (I'm talking UK standard here!) there is a fantastic family run one called Rajpoute located 15 minutes across the Ferney Voltaire border (Geneva airport) in Ornex. Full of ex-pat Brits and ex-pat other nationalities who work at the UN and other Geneva world organisations and banks. The great thing is that prices are in € and so your CHF goes so much further than in Geneva!

I really like the Indian Chalet in Horgen.
In particular the Lamb Curry, Laal Maanz.. ( literally Red Lamb) Its excellent. The best indian I've had in Switzerland actually , even compared to Rajpoute in Ornex near Geneva which I used to consider the best Indian around.
It is literally a Chalet, ( ornate carved wood the works ) , just across the street from the Upper Horgen Train Station.
Very very good, Imho. oh yeah in addition to the Laal Maanz I recommend the Mulligatanni Soup there.
Reserve cause space is limited specially on weekends. They even do a sunday buffet, haven't been for that yet but im sure its good too.

Thanks for the Horgen recommendation - will definitely give this a try very soon.

Ended up going to TAMARIND HILL in Oerlikon - yes, it is outside of the city - but one Uber and you are there - was it worth it - 4 of us thought so.
Food great. Staff were great AND they had a duet (?/band of 2?) playing & singing modern tunes. We loved it!

The best Indian food I've found here is at Jays in Basel (http://www.jaysindianfood.com/) Not quite in Zurich but might be worth checking out one day if you are around there.

I am from State of kerala , India. and have been to "Kerala" restaurant in Zurich. Believe me the Kerala Fish curry tasted same like the authentic one

Any such restaurant in St.Gallen, Winterthur or Wil?

It's actually in K5 but is closed now - there's scaffolding up all over the building and I'm not sure if they will open again. But opposite it there is another place (can't remember the name) it's more a Sri Lankan cafe. Tasty and cheap!

Samosa, St. Gallen. A tiny place. When I was there for lunch a couple of months ago, they had a buffet. I enjoyed it.

In what universe is Tamil not Indian?

When the Tamile is Sri Lankan?

The food is the same more or less.

Hi, There is a café in Zumikon which serves Indian home cooked food on every Fridays. It is close to Zumikon station in Dorfplatz or 10 min drive from stadelhofen. Very authentic home cooked Indian food. Very reasonably priced. It is called Fishvogel. They also do takeaway.


www.facebook.com/namastezumikon




Hope you can go and enjoy.


Thanks,

Recently ordered a take away from Tamarind Hill in Oerlikon which was tasty & good quality although a bit pricey.

Went their once. Its disgusting!