Zürich
Looking for cheap restaurants in Zurich? This guide brings together practical choices across the city, from quick station meals at Shopville-Railcity and kebabs near Stampfenbachstrasse to relaxed dinners in 8004 and Langstrasse. Compare each option by cuisine, location, opening pattern and how well it suits a quick lunch, plant-based meal, group occasion or late-night craving.
We researched cheap restaurants in Zürich and narrowed them down to those with genuine expertise, strong reviews and complete contact details.
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#1Rashim’s Kitchen is an Indian restaurant on Badenerstrasse focused on fresh, traditional flavours and generous hospitality. The menu suits diners looking for a full, authentic meal rather than a quick generic takeaway, with careful preparation and warm service shaping the experience.
It opens for weekday lunch on most days, plus evening service throughout the week, while Saturday and Sunday evenings provide additional dinner options.
#2Züri Bistro is a fast, convenient stop inside Shopville-Railcity at Zurich main station, ideal when a tasty meal needs to fit around a train journey. Its freshly prepared food includes the Supreme PITA, with crisp toasted bread, Swiss meat sourced directly from a butcher and house-made sauces.
Friendly service and daily opening from 9am to 10pm make it a reliable option for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a quick bite.
#3Kebi gives Zurich’s fast-food scene a distinctive kebab focus, with chicken and vegan döner pita among its strongest choices. Warm, crisp bread, flavourful fillings, fresh vegetables and creamy garlic sauce create a satisfying combination, while generous portions make it well suited to a substantial lunch or late meal.
Open daily from 10am to 10pm, it is a convenient stop on Stampfenbachstrasse for both meat-eaters and plant-based diners.
#4Pizza Nation is a straightforward takeaway restaurant in Zurich’s old town, built around affordable pizza, a notably good crust and a friendly host. Its compact format suits a quick meal, with the option to eat at the bar across the alley when available.
Lunch and evening service varies by day, and the restaurant is closed on Mondays and Sundays, so it works best as a planned casual stop.
#5Restaurant Marktküche is a vegan destination in Zurich’s 8004 district, centred on inventive, seasonal cooking with market-fresh regional ingredients. The tasting format makes it particularly suited to diners seeking a considered evening rather than a quick meal, with four- to six-course options and wine pairing available.
Its focused schedule—four evenings a week plus a Saturday matinée—creates an intimate rhythm for special meals and planned visits.
#6Freshly prepared Japanese cuisine
ICHIZEN Japan Restaurant on Kanzleistrasse presents freshly prepared Japanese cuisine with a particularly useful lunch focus. Its bento boxes bring together varied traditional ingredients in a balanced, substantial format, while the menu also includes sushi and tempura.
The compact Zurich location suits a satisfying midday stop or a relaxed evening meal, with Japanese hospitality and a clear split between lunch and dinner service.
#7Thali House brings Indian cooking to Langstrasse 213 with a mellow setting and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The kitchen is well suited to flavourful vegetarian meals, chai and traditional Indian specialities, with carefully prepared dishes that work for both casual lunches and longer dinners.
Its broad daily opening schedule makes it one of the more flexible choices for enjoying Indian food in Zurich, including online ordering for meals at home.
#8Bebos is a beef-and-chicken restaurant on Hardstrasse specialising in filling burgers, wraps and late-night comfort food. The Bebos Burger is the natural starting point, with fresh, tasty preparation and quick service making it practical for an informal meal.
Kebab wraps and chicken dishes broaden the menu, while the late hours—until 5am on Fridays and Saturdays—make this a useful choice after concerts, nightlife or evening events.
#9Historic guild-house setting at Münsterhof
Zunfthaus zur Waag is a Swiss restaurant in a historic guild-house setting at Münsterhof , combining traditional hospitality with a polished, cosy atmosphere. The central location and distinctive rooms make it well suited to dinners, celebrations, private occasions and larger parties.
Its menu focuses on Swiss culinary character, while lunch and evening service cover most weekdays and Saturdays. Reserving ahead is a sensible part of planning for busier visits.
#10Veganitas on Brauerstrasse 30 focuses on fresh, fast plant-based food, with homemade pitas and a broad choice of vegan fillings. Seitan kebab is a filling pick, while the menu’s variety makes it easy to build a quick meal around different tastes.
Locally sourced ingredients and a functional, energetic approach suit lunch breaks, casual dinners and anyone seeking substantial vegan comfort food in Zurich.
#11Generously filled kebabs and döner boxes
Züri Bistro at Universitätstrasse 43 is a straightforward fast-food stop for generously filled kebabs and döner boxes . Its offer centers on Swiss butcher’s meat, house-made sauces and hearty portions; the döner box combines meat with French fries for a particularly filling format.
The spicy house sauce and chewy kebab bread add character, making it well suited to a quick, substantial meal.
#12Black pepper beef, Cantonese duck and fried rice
Jack’s Place Take Away on Klingenstrasse 21 focuses on flavorful Chinese dishes served in generous portions. Black pepper beef, Cantonese duck and fried rice are standout choices for a satisfying takeaway, with bold seasoning and plenty to share.
The warm, welcoming atmosphere adds a personal touch even when stopping in for a quick meal. It is especially practical for weekday lunch, with service from 11 am to 5 pm.
#13Kokoro brings Japanese gastronomy to Neufrankengasse 25 in a warm, welcoming setting. Sushi leads the way, joined by creative vegetarian choices and plates such as cauliflower karaage, spicy edamame and tori karaage.
The menu works well for diners who enjoy mixing cold and warm dishes, while the relaxed atmosphere makes it a fitting choice for a considered lunch or evening meal rather than a rushed stop.
#14Broad menu for uncomplicated everyday meals
DAD’S BISTRO is a welcoming neighbourhood bistro on Limmattalstrasse 177, offering a broad menu for uncomplicated everyday meals . The food is fresh, tasty and well presented, while the friendly team creates an easygoing atmosphere.
A kebab with a drink is a practical choice when you want something quick and satisfying, making the bistro well suited to casual lunches, early dinners and local stop-offs.
#15Alpenrose brings Swiss cooking to Fabrikstrasse 12 in a setting that balances rustic comfort with an elegant, cozy feel. Seasonal and local ingredients shape dishes such as the Alpenrose salad and venison, while the room works equally well for a relaxed dinner or an unhurried lunch.
The restaurant is compact and can require advance planning, particularly at popular times.
Summary
| # | Business | Rating | Reviews | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Rashim’s Kitchen | 5.0 | 664 | Authentic Indian meals and relaxed dinners |
| #2 | Züri Bistro | 4.8 | 5,548 | Quick station meals and convenient everyday dining |
| #3 | Kebi | 4.8 | 1,125 | Kebab lunches |
| #4 | Pizza Nation | 4.8 | 695 | Budget pizza |
| #5 | Restaurant Marktküche | 4.8 | 620 | Plant-based tasting dinners and food-led occasions |
| #6 | ICHIZEN Japan Restaurant | 4.8 | 595 | Bento lunches and generous Japanese comfort food |
| #7 | Thali House | 4.7 | 3,005 | Vegetarian Indian meals and chai |
| #8 | Bebos | 4.7 | 2,440 | Affordable burgers and late-night meals |
| #9 | Zunfthaus zur Waag | 4.7 | 1,164 | Swiss cuisine |
| #10 | Veganitas | 4.7 | 749 | Substantial vegan pitas and kebab-style meals |
| #11 | Züri Bistro | 4.7 | 730 | Hearty kebabs and filling quick meals |
| #12 | Jack’s Place Take Away | 4.9 | 242 | Weekday Chinese takeaway and generous portions |
| #13 | Kokoro | 4.7 | 705 | Japanese dining with strong vegetarian options |
| #14 | DAD‘S BISTRO | 4.8 | 373 | Casual neighbourhood meals and quick bites |
| #15 | Alpenrose | 4.7 | 672 | Seasonal Swiss dishes and relaxed dinners |
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Map and areas
Use the map to see which options fit your route through Zurich. Shopville-Railcity and the old town work well for meals between errands or trains, while 8004, Langstrasse and Hardstrasse offer more neighbourhood-focused choices. Check the location before setting out, especially when comparing a quick takeaway with a restaurant intended for a longer meal.
Züri Bistro is inside Shopville-Railcity and is suited to meals that need to fit around a train journey. It serves freshly prepared food and is open daily from 9am to 10pm, making it a practical choice for an early, midday or evening stop.
Thali House is a good fit for vegetarian Indian dishes and chai, while Kebi offers vegan döner alongside chicken. For a fully plant-based experience, Restaurant Marktküche specialises in seasonal tasting dinners rather than quick takeaway meals.
Bebos on Hardstrasse serves burgers, wraps, chicken dishes and kebab-style food, with particularly late hours on Fridays and Saturdays. Confirm the current closing time before travelling, as late service can vary by day.
For a fast lunch, consider Züri Bistro, Kebi, Pizza Nation or the bento boxes at ICHIZEN. The right choice depends on your route and preferred format: station food for convenience, kebab or pizza for speed, and bento for a more varied sit-down meal.
A reservation is more useful for a planned dinner, a tasting menu or a group occasion than for takeaway-focused places. Restaurant Marktküche has a structured evening format, and popular casual restaurants may also fill up, so contacting the venue in advance is sensible.
