12 Best Specialty Coffee Shops in Zürich (2025)

The Zürich coffee scene is bustling, with specialty coffee shops popping up all over the city. Our list includes passionate coffee purveyors that not only serve excellent coffee, but also carefully source their beans from ethical sources, with many roasting the beans themselves or with local roasters.

Below are the best specialty coffee shops in Zürich, with a wide variety of flavors and styles. If your favorite isn’t on the list, let us know in the comments.

Map of Zurich Specialty Coffee Shops

This list focuses on coffee shops, rather than cafes, many of which also serve excellent coffee. For an interactive map, see my Summer in Switzerland Guide (apply the filter “Coffee”).

Since our last update, we’ve added four new coffee shops (Café Lalere, slurp., Commerical – the Project, and Draft) and sadly dropped two that have closed their doors (Echo Park and About Coffee). It’s a tough business, so opening times and locations may change without notice.

During our research, we tried a cappuccino at each one for a fair comparison and ended up with a few clear favorites. Your experience may vary depending on your preferences, the selected beans, and coffee drink of choice. So we encourage you to visit all of the shops to try new flavors and find the one you like the best.

Tip: Some of these coffee shops have multiple bean varieties but don’t list it on the menu. So if you want a particular flavor profile (fruity, nutty, etc), make sure to ask before ordering.

1. MAME

MAME was started by award winning baristas, who won the World Brewers Cup Champion 2018. True to their motto “The best coffee is the coffee you love,” the staff are great at helping you find a flavor you’ll love or something new to try.

They offer an espresso trio, where you try three different espressos. Or a coffee trio, where you have the same beans as espresso, cappuccino and filter coffee. 

Beside the coffee, our favorite part about MAME is the “Flavor Wheel” on the wall that displays different flavor profiles matched with currently available coffees. 

We usually go to their Seefeld location, which is a short walk from Stadelhofen. They have another location near the Markthalle am Viadukt. At both locations, the modern interior is welcoming and roomy, so you feel like your conversations are your own. They offer sweet and savory snacks, including croissants from John Baker.

MAME Seefeld:
Seefeldstrasse 19, 8008 Zürich
Mon – Fri 8:00 – 17:30  Sat – Sun 9:00 – 18:00

MAME Josef:
Josefstrasse 160, 8005 Zürich
Mon – Fri 8:30 – 18:00  Sat – Sun 9:00 – 18:00

Website: mame.coffee

2. Ombak (previously Omnia)

Ombak is my current favorite on this list. The owner of this little coffee shop comes from Indonesia, one of the biggest coffee producing countries. They source their single origin beans and have them roasted locally by Henauer to their specifications. 

They serve excellent coffee with a personal touch, a real neighborhood feel. We like to stop there before visiting the farmer’s market at Helvetiaplatz one block away.

It’s mostly a takeaway business with a few pastries and treats to go along with your drink. But they have a small counter inside, if you prefer to drink out of a ceramic cup instead of disposable (I do!). They also offer barista classes for home enthusiasts and professionals. 

Ombak
Location: Stauffacherstrasse 105, 8004 Zürich
Open: Mon-Fri 7:30 – 16:00 / Sat 9:00 – 16:00 / closed Sundays
Website: www.omniacoffee.ch

3. miró manufactura de café

The Swiss founder of miró was inspired by his time in Australia and wanted to offer Melbourne-style coffee here. He started with a coffee truck back in 2013.

Now miró has a coffee shop in the Aussersihl neighborhood and a takeaway counter in the Zürich HB main train station. A few cafes around Zürich use miró beans including Nude Café and Monocle and also by SWISS airlines.

If I’m catching an early morning train at the Zürich HB, miró coffee is my first choice, delicious and conveniently located near the upper level tracks. If I need an excuse for a stroll, their Aussersihl cafe is a good excuse to explore a neighborhood you haven’t visited before. 

We primarily come here for coffee, but they often have tempting treats that we can’t resist. Last time we had their lemon tart and pistachio cake, both delicous! They also serve Garçoa hot chocolate, which gives them extra points in my book.

You can purchase their beans in their shops and online. They also offer a subscription service, sending you their featured espresso or filter coffee on a bi-weekly or monthly basis.

miró Roastery, Café & Shop
Location: Brauerstrasse 58, 8004 Zürich • See coffee truck locations
Open: weekdays 8:00 – 18:00 • Sat 9:00 – 18:00 • Sun 9:00 – 17:00
Website: mirocoffee.co

4. Café Lalere

This stylish coffee shop opened in July 2024 to great fanfare in the Wiedikon neighborhood. The interior is gorgeous, with luscious curves along the bar and lighting. It’s a small space, appropriate for a Cappuccino chat but not a work meeting.

Their coffee is excellent but the Matcha and Hojicha latte are my reason to visit. They are made with a bit of white chocolate, giving them a slight sweetness and wonderful mouthfeel. I tried replicating this at home, very unsuccessfully. So I’ll just have to keep going back.

Their baker specializes in Shokupan (Japanese milk bread, popular in Zurich at the moment), which are preciously packaged in cute little bags for takeaway. They also have banana bread and surprise specials.

Café Lalere
Location: Zurlindenstrasse 57, 8003 Zürich
Open: weekdays 7:00 – 16:00 • weekends 7:00 – 16:00
Website: www.lalere.ch • www.instagram.com/cafe.lalere

5. slurp.

We’re delighted that slurp., after a successful popup in 2023, has taken over the old Echo Park space in Kreis 4. Happily, they’ve livened up the interior, with more color and local art, plus a chill playlist that makes us want stick around awhile.

The coffee is excellent, with a rotating selection of delicious beans. We love their ceramic coffee cups, made locally by Studio Roka.

They have a small selection of pastries and snacks to accompany your drinks, but not a full cafe menu. In the evenings, they are open for cocktails and wine.

We’d definitely walk a few extra blocks to drink their coffee and enjoy the chill vibe.

slurp. Zürich
Location: Kanzleistrasse 129, 8004 Zürich
Open: Tues – Sun
Website: www.slurpzurich.ch

6. COFFEE

COFFEE was started by the Stoll coffee company, whose beans are featured here. The menu board says which bean variety is being used as filter coffee and espresso drinks that day. They also have pour over coffee, which is meticulously done with a scale and timer. 

During the week, they have croissants, a few cakes, and usually banana bread. According to their Instagram page, they do brunch on Saturdays – “all sides no meat.” They have indoor and outdoor seating, never crowded when I’ve been there. 

Stoll beans are used and sold at many several cafes and bakeries around Zürich, including Babu’s Bakery, Bank, John Baker, Globus, and Buchmann.

COFFEE
Location: Grüngasse 4, Zürich (tram stop Werd)
Open: Mon-Fri 8:00 – 18:00, Sat 9:00 – 17:00, closed Sundays
Website: www.coffeezurich.com • Facebook

7. Café Noir

Their primary business is their gourmet coffee roastery, near Binz in Zürich (next door to MAME’s roastery). The beans are sold online and in their tiny café, of the same name, near Langstrasse. Other cafes in the city service their coffee, including Kafi für Dich. 

Their café is a low-key, relaxed place that surprises you with excellent coffee, if you didn’t know where you were going. The barista was super friendly and told us lots about their coffee and process.

They usually have a featured bean, in addition to the “easy drinking” house blend, but it’s not listed on the menu. So ask if you’re interested (it was our favorite of that round!). They have assorted pastries and cakes and also serve Garçoa hot chocolate.

They also offer barista and roasting workshops. 

Cafe Noir
Location: Neugasse 33, 8005 Zürich (short walk from Limmatplatz tram stop)
Open: closed Sundays
Website: cafe-noir.ch

8. Commercial – The Project

This little coffee shop delivers big on flavor, with excellent coffee served with a friendly welcome. They have their own cafe in the Langstrasse district, a little close quarters inside on a busy day and a couple sidewalk tables.

Their award shelf proudly displays multiple barista awards, including 2nd place in Swiss Barista Championship 2024. While the coffee has always been well prepared on our visits, the latte art varies widely depending on who happens to be behind the counter.

For a bit of fun, try their coffee “tasting menu,” which includes a filter coffee, cappuccino, and espresso from the same beans. They have a few pastries on offer, but no meals.

Locations:

Feldstrasse 61, 8004 Zürich
Open: daily 8:00 – 18:00, weekends from 9:00

Bahnhofstrasse 75/79, 8001 Zürich
Open: Mon to Sat 9:00 – 18:00, weekends from 9:00

Website: www.instagram.com/commercialtheproject

9. Bean Bank Coffee & Co

This coffee shop prides themselves on curating a wise selection of specialty roasters worldwide and in Switzerland. In their café, you can try their house blend and a rotating guest espresso.

While my general policy is to start with the house blend, the friendly barista was so convincing that I tried the guest beans for my cappuccino and really enjoyed it.

It’s takeaway at both locations. But at Europaallee, they have benches outside the shop. If you plan to stay, let them know so they can give you a ceramic cup instead of disposable.

If you want to shop for beans and equipment, best to visit the Europaallee location, which has more stock. They also offer workshops.

Europaallee address: Lagerstrasse 18c, 8004 Zürich
Mon-Fri 7.30 – 18:00 | Sat 9.30 – 17.30 | closed Sundays

Paradeplatz address: Bärengasse 29, 8001 Zürich
Mon-Fri 8:00 – 15:00 | closed Sat & Sun

Website: beanbank.coffee

10. Draft. Coffee

Draft opened in August 2024, one of the newest additions to the Zurich coffee scene. It’s located at the southern end of the quiet Seefeld neighborhood.

Their concept includes Coffee & Co, Functional (health-promoting drinks like matcha and turmeric lattes), and Buzzy (creative cocktails). At the moment, they serve pastries and sweet treats from Juliette and White Rabbit (the cardamon bun is our favorite).

They also serve lunch, with a small menu made with fresh, seasonal ingredients. On the weekends, they offer brunch, no reservations.

The décor is shiny and modern, a stark contrast to the cozy living room feel of other Swiss cafés.  They have indoor and outdoor seating, but it’s a small place, often with all the tables occupied with one person and a laptop (sigh).

We visited shortly after they opened and didn’t have the best experience. My friend lives in the neighborhood and visits frequently, so I gave it a second chance and it was definitely improved. I liked my Kurkuma latte but the coffee wasn’t my favorite flavor profile. I’d say it’s a good option if you happen to be in the area, but I wouldn’t specifically travel for their coffee.

Draft. Coffee
Location: Wildbachstrasse 68, 8008 Zürich
Open: weekdays 7:30 – 16:30 • weekends 8:30 – 16:00 (brunch until 14:30)
Website: www.shopdraft.ch • www.instagram.com/draft.thecoffee

11. ViCAFÉ

ViCAFÉ is the most accessible specialty coffee roaster in Zürich, with many takeaway espresso bars around the city. Their house blend is a crowd pleaser, but we like trying their other beans on occasion.

If you want to sit with your coffee, we suggest their Europaallee location at the Bridge food court, with lots of indoor and outdoor seating. We suggest pairing it with a SERI croissant from the bakery counter.

The prettiest location is at the Münsterhof, overlooking the Fraumünster cathedral, a nice place to enjoy an affogato in summer.

ViCafe Münsterhof
Münsterhof 20, 8001, Zürich
Mon-Fri 7:00 – 18:00 / Sat – Sun 9:00 – 18:00

ViCafe Europaallee
Eisgasse 20, 8004, Zürich
Mon-Fri 7:00 – 18:00 / Sat 8:00 – 18:00 / closed Sundays

See all locations

Website: vicafe.ch

12. Boreal

This coffee shop was born in Geneva in 2009 and now has two shops in Zürich. They work directly with coffee bean farmers to ensure both high quality product and ethical, sustainable practices.

Unlike the others on this list, their beans are roasted near Geneva and delivered regularly to their Zürich locations. Of course, you can also order their beans online.

We go their comfy cafe at Talacker near Paradeplatz, just a couple mins off the busy Bahnhofstrasse shopping street. The baristas are always friendly and chatty (in English). 

Zürich center
Talacker 41, 8001 Zürich
Mon-Fri 7:30 – 17:00 / Sat 9:00 – 18:00 / Sun 9:00 – 17:00

Oerlikon cafe
Thurgauerstrasse 34, 8050 Zürich
Mon-Fri 7:30 – 14:30 / Sat-Sun closed

Website: www.borealcoffee.ch

Honorable Mention

Rent-a-barista

Per the name, this business is focused on good equipment and excellent barista skills, renting out both for events. They have a small selection of specialty coffee beans sold online and in their shop. Per request, they offer workshops in barista basics, latte art and filter coffee.

You can enjoy their coffee at two Zürich cafés: Chez Nous in Wipkingen and Helvi Kafi near Stauffacher. We went to the later, which has a charming view of St Jacobs church from the outdoor tables (no indoor seating here).

It has a friendly, relaxed vibe but definitely more of a takeaway place with steady stream of customers filing in and out. They don’t list the beans on the menu, which is a shame because they actually do have multiple beans on offer for espresso drinks if you know to ask.

Helvti Kafi at Stauffacher
Kasernenstrasse 1, 8004 Zürich
Daily 7:00 – 17:00

Ladencafé Chez Nous in Wipkingen
Rotbuchstrasse 66, 8037 Zürich
Mo & Tu 7:30 – 15:00 / Wed-Fri 7:30 – 17:00 / Sat 9:00 – 17:00 / Sun 10:00 – 17:00

Website: rentabarista.ch

Collective Bakery

Although their main business is fantastic baking, they bring that same passion to coffee, roasting their own beans in house. So you get the best of both worlds here. We like that their menu has a few creative coffee creations and delicious non-coffee drinks like their spicy latte. 

I could talk more about the coffee, but the real reason to come here is all the yummy pastries that are coming out of the oven all day long. If you go on weekends, you have a chance to eat one of their seasonal treats like this cruffin filled with lemon cheesecake. 

The only downside is their location, which is far outside the city center in a somewhat deserted commercial area. We make the trek out there every few weeks and are always glad we did. Since they don’t take reservations, come early for their popular weekend brunch.

Collective Bakery
Förrlibuckstrasse 160, 8005 Zürich (tram stop: Fischerweg)
collectivebakery.ch

Note: If you drive, there’s no street parking but a parking garage right under the shop.

Did your favorite specialty coffee shop not make the list? Tell me all about it in the comments.