Do you celebrate Valentine’s day, or do you see it as an unnecessary pressure to behave in a certain way on a certain day? Although I see the marketing angle, I am pulled in by the alluring shape of love hearts. So when the town starts to fill with heart-shaped chocolates and fragrant roses, I cannot help but smile. Valentine’s day also happens to be my birthday, and my favourite way to celebrate is to go out for dinner. Switzerland is brimming with naturally romantic restaurants where the only cheese to be found is on your plate! Here are five memorable and charming establishments for your next special occasion. 

5 romantic restaurants in Switzerland

Kronenstübli – Pontresina (Graubünden)

The interior of this pine and crystal clad corner of the Kronenhof Hotel Pontresina is Alpine elegance at its best, exuding in an old fashioned but timeless glamour that would be impossible to recreate today. Awarded 16 Gault Millau points, the cuisine is a genius amalgamation of French and Mediterranean influences. Probably the most bewildering restaurant I have visited in the world, the Kronenstuebli is ridiculously romantic. 

The menu is littered with the rarest and most delicious morsels from around the world, such as lobster and bizarre mushrooms. However, the meticulous details in the cooking left the most lasting impression on me when I was lucky enough to visit on the evening I got engaged. There were various types of coloured and smoky salts and differently flavoured foams. We simply could not say ‘no’ each time the offer of bread rolls came again, all differently flavoured in classic but intriguing ways. 

The Kronenstuebli opens between December 16th and April 3rd when the charming Romansch region streets are caked in glittering snowflakes. Old fashioned lanterns blaze in the evening darkness, and the original embellished gold sign for the restaurant sets the scene of things to come. The Kronenhof is the sister hotel of the Kulm Hotel in Saint Moritz, where there is an equally mesmerising restaurant offering. 

Strozzi’s Strandhaus – Herrliberg (Zürich)

There was once a weekend when I was really feeling the contrast of my move from central London to the quiet outskirts of Zug. The fog had been intense and days mundane, filled with ‘middle-aged person’ errands. We drove to get spices from Zurich, and as soon as we entered Brunau, my mood started to lift. Feeling spontaneous, we got a last-minute lunch booking at Strozzi’s, slightly bravely with the kids in tow. Oh, how this place cheered me up and lifted me out of my ‘homesick’ rut. 

Folks celebrated birthdays. Fashionistas were posing for each other’s photos and catching up. And while a group of lads on the table next to us cheekily ordered bottles of bubbles, the staff warmly welcomed families with children like ours too (admittedly with a little Peppa Pig going on). There was seafood along with steak on the menu, and it was a day to forget it all and have some unapologetic fun. 

Tables are in a tent-like conservatory, and you feel like you can almost touch the lake of Zurich at Herrliberg. The music and atmosphere, upbeat and vibey, reminded me of London, but better, since it, of course, was way more Euro and hence exotic to me. I quickly listed all the people I wanted to return to Strozzi’s with. While my visit was in the spring, apparently there host a sought after lake-side fondue in Winter too! 

Ayverdis – Oerlikon, Affoltern & Wiedikon (Zürich)

This article was actually inspired by someone asking for a romantic restaurant recommendation on my local community forum. A jolly person had promptly replied, ‘two kebabs and the bench by the lake’! Indeed everyone has their own perceptions of romance, and I know my son would undoubtedly choose Ayverdis. With 3 locations around Zurich, the Ayverdis menu has now expanded to a level to please everyone: from the vegetarian to the ultimate kebab connoisseur game for trying out the truffle version. I am a lover of salads and have hence found the style of kebabs in Switzerland enjoyable vs. my native country, where relatively few vegetables are involved. I find the poster adverts for Ayverdis amusing and the interior edgy. I feel, in particular, a first date here would end up revealing a lot about someone’s personality! 

Alter Torkel – Jenins (Graubünden)

While some people love a kebab, my weakness is red wine. Alter Torkel in Jenins is set amongst acres of stunning vineyards and boasts an impressive wine list incorporating exciting local wines. The drive through Maienfeld to reach Alter Torkel is blissful, with a beautiful building or breath-taking view at every turn. Maienfeld is said to be the home of Heidi, and the region indeed feels earthy and quintessentially Swiss. The premises for the restaurant is also rather rustic and barn-like as you enter through a creaky wooden door. The menu is hearty, and inevitably one of us is compelled to order restaurant-style spätzli as our side dish. My ultimate favourite Swiss red wine of choice is Merlot Hocklistein Zurichsee. The only tough decision? Who will drive home? 

Sternen – Walchwill (Zug)

Saving the best till last, family-run Sternen is a gem of a restaurant not too far away from the cherry-filled city of Zug. Daughter and Father duo Noémie and Giorgio Bernard are talented and accomplished chefs who passionately source local and seasonal ingredients to develop an ever-changing tasting menu to surprise and delight their guests who arrive from near and far. The personal service, led by mother of Noémie and wife of Bernard, Anita, makes every guest feel special, and the dining room feels established and charismatic. Walchwill is an effortlessly idyllic area near Zug, where the lake almost glows deep blue like a sapphire during the summer months. The restaurant has outdoor tables by the lake when the weather permits; otherwise, your meal is set in a quaint inn like building with lots of wood and other much-loved Swiss touches. It is easy to reach by public transport and is open during selected lunchtimes too. The highlight of my last visit was the incredible caramel chocolates served in a crystal dish and the wonderful welcome by the staff and chefs alike. We visited for our 10th wedding anniversary, which wonderfully linked us to our evening at the similarly gourmet Kronenstübli mentioned at the start of this article. 

So here you have my round-up of romantic restaurant visits, although it was, of course, difficult to stick with just 5. I also love Zunfthaus Kreuz in Zug, and since cheese on your plate is a good thing in Switzerland- Walliserkanne in Basel is my all-time favourite.

Here at z’Nüni, we would love to hear any further recommendations for special occasion restaurants in the comments below!