"A Locals-Only Cafe in Zurich West Strictly locals convene at this shoebox-sized café with herringbone floors, a vintage sofa, and seven tiny tables steps from Josefstrasse’s funky boutiques. Coffee geeks will feel right at home—beans are roasted just two doors down, there’s a Dalla Corte espresso machine in the corner, and all sorts of intriguing paraphernalia are for sale (think Japanese siphons and mills). Still, the quirky non-caffeinated beverage selection shouldn’t be missed; there are Traktor smoothies, Thomas Henry sodas and mini bottles of Prosecco."

"Serious Brews in the Lively Niederdorf Overlooking a fountain in the busy, cobblestoned Niederdorf, Café Henrici could have coasted on its location alone. Yet, it stays true to its namesake—Christian Friedrich Henrici, the librettist behind Bach’s Coffee Cantata—and pays serious attention to its brews. Smooth, full-bodied espressos are made from Brazilian single origin beans, the drip coffee is pour-over style, and—a rarity in Zurich—there are even cold brews. The sprawling café has about a dozen large tables—and even more outside—but if a quick pick-me-up is the thing, there are a handful of stools around a stainless steel counter overlooking the Dalla Corte espresso machine."

"Zurich's Best Coffee Plus a River View This trendy apero spot with outdoor tables overlooking the Limmat River also doubles as a serious coffeehouse (inside, the gleaming La Marzocco provides a hint). Friendly baristas in bowties and newsboy caps pull what many consider to be Zurich’s best espresso from seasonally changing single origin beans. On a recent visit, a Sumatran variety yielded a rich, full-bodied brew with a fine layer of golden crema. A charmingly scuffed wooden bar, schoolhouse chairs, flowers in green beer bottles, and distressed walls add to the appeal."

"Excellent Espresso Near Paradeplatz Come morning, this uber-popular bar among the banker set near Paradeplatz transforms into what just might be my Platonic ideal of what a café should be: sharply-dressed baristas in grey vests and narrow ties pulling lively, fruity espressos from a La Marzocco; a multi-tiered stand of take-as-you-please cream-filled cornetti on the grand marble-topped bar; German- and English-language newspapers hanging from wooden racks; plenty of natural light streaming in from three glass walls; and on a recent Saturday morning, the Rolling Stones playing at perhaps just a few decibels too loud."

"Single Origin Coffee Near the Opera House Über restaurateur Michel Péclard made waves in Zurich when he took over the iconic Café Schober in the Niederdorf a few years ago. In 2012, Péclard set his eyes on another classic establishment, Milchbar, which had sat tucked away in a quiet square off of Paradeplatz for over three decades. Now in its new incarnation near the Zurich Opera House, the café is as alluring as ever with Edison bulbs hung from the ceiling, long wooden communal tables, single origin coffee and super smooth espresso made with an exclusive blend by Fresh Coffee in Rüschlikon."

"Lush Drinking Oasis in Zurich West By day, this café and bookshop is a lovely place to enjoy an espresso prepared with beans purchased and roasted by H. Schwarzenbach, the Altstadt coffee institution. Come evening, it transforms into a popular bar among the creative types in the neighborhood. The best place to enjoy a beer or two from the nearby TurbinenBräu brewery is under the glass-roofed annex—full of lush plants, tables and chairs in faded primary colors, and a view of the Limmat River."

"A Coffee Institution in the Altstadt This tiny café with just four plush red velvet booths and a stand-up espresso counter is a natural extension to H. Schwarzenbach, the Altstadt institution known for its specialty coffee beans, teas and spices. The best time to come is on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, when you can watch beans being roasted on a Probat machine through an open window."