Best Indian Restaurants in Zurich: Top Places for Authentic Indian Food in Switzerland

Finding authentic Indian food in Switzerland is much easier than most travellers expect, especially in Zurich. As Switzerland’s largest city and a major stop in many Switzerland tour packages, Zurich has a vibrant Indian dining scene featuring everything from North Indian curries and butter chicken to South Indian dosas, biryanis, and vegetarian specialities. Today, Indian restaurants in Zurich are a popular choice among travellers looking for familiar flavours and comforting meals while exploring Switzerland.

From casual eateries near Zurich HB to upscale restaurants serving regional Indian cuisine, the city offers plenty of excellent dining options for every budget and preference. Whether you are craving comfort food after days of Swiss meals or searching for the best places to eat in Zurich, there are several great spots worth trying.

This guide covers the best Indian restaurants in Zurich, including popular dishes, locations, and where to find authentic Indian food during your Switzerland trip.

What to Expect from Indian Restaurants in Zurich

Indian restaurants in Zurich are known for their quality, authentic flavours, and diverse menus, but like most dining experiences in Switzerland, they can be relatively expensive. A typical main course, such as butter chicken, biryani, or a vegetarian thali, usually costs between CHF 22–38(~₹2,200–₹3,800), which is standard for dining in Zurich and comparable to other major European cities.

Travellers will also find excellent vegetarian and Jain-friendly options across many restaurants, making Zurich a comfortable destination for Indian food lovers exploring Switzerland. One important thing to note is that spice levels in Switzerland are generally milder than in India. If you prefer authentic Indian-style spice, it is always best to request your preferred spice level while ordering.

8 Best Indian Restaurants in Zurich (2026)

1. Kormasutra 

If someone asked me to name one Indian restaurant to try in Zurich, it would be Kormasutra. Located just five minutes from Zurich Main Station and the Bahnhofstrasse shopping area, it’s conveniently located for visitors based in the city centre. The menu covers a wide range: North Indian curries, tandoori dishes, biryanis, and an extensive vegetarian section. The buffet option, which is available at lunch, is one of the best-value meals in central Zurich for Indian food lovers.

The atmosphere is warm rather than formal, the service is friendly and attentive, and the naan and paratha have been called the best in Zurich by multiple reviewers. The Chana Masala and Butter Chicken are reliably excellent. Booking a table for dinner is advisable, as it fills up, especially on weekends.

• Best for: North Indian, tandoori, buffet lunch, families
• Location: Mühlegasse 5, 8001 Zürich (5 Min from Hauptbahnhof)
• Must try: Butter naan, Chana masala, Chicken Tikka
• Avg cost: CHF 30–45 (₹3,000–₹4,500) per person

2. Saravanaa Bhavan 

Saravanaa Bhavan is a legendary South Indian vegetarian chain with branches across 27 countries, and the Zurich outpost in the Oerlikon district is one of the best-reviewed Indian restaurants in Zurich among the Indian expat community, which is generally a more reliable indicator than tourist reviews.

The menu is entirely vegetarian and entirely South Indian: crispy dosas (paper-thin or set, with coconut chutney and sambar), idlis, vadas, pongal, uthappams, and full South Indian thali meals.  No reservations for smaller groups (groups of 15+ can book in advance), so expect a possible wait during peak hours. It’s worth it.

• Best for: South Indian, pure vegetarian, dosas, thali
• Location: Oerlikon district (tram accessible from the city centre)
• Must try: Masala dosa, paper dosa, South Indian thali
• Avg cost: CHF 20–35 (₹2,000–₹3,500) per person

3. Tamarind Hill 

Tamarind Hill is one of Zurich’s highest-rated Indian restaurants by local reviewers, consistently praised for the quality of its spicing and the warmth of its atmosphere. Located in the Seefeld neighbourhood, one of Zurich’s more pleasant lakeside areas, it’s a good option if you’re already spending time by Lake Zurich or walking the eastern lakeshore.

The menu uses home-grown herbs and fresh, seasonal ingredients in its sauces. The Chicken Tikka Masala is specifically called out by regulars. The spice range is broader than that of many Zurich Indian restaurants, and the kitchen will genuinely adjust to your preference. Booking in advance is recommended.

• Best for: Ambience, quality spicing, couples and small groups
• Location: Seefeld neighbourhood, east of the city centre
• Must try: Chicken Tikka Masala, Lamb Roganjosh, Garlic Naan
• Avg cost: CHF 35–50 (₹3,500–₹5,000) per person

4. Thali House — Schaffhauserstrasse (Best Authentic North Indian)

Thali House is the restaurant that Zurich’s Indian community itself tends to recommend to visiting family. A family-run, modest-looking place on Schaffhauserstrasse in northern Zurich, it’s built around age-old family recipes and a genuine commitment to authenticity over presentation. The hospitality is warm in the way that only family restaurants can manage.

The menu covers North Indian and Punjabi specialities, like Korma, Madras, Vindaloo, proper Punjabi Samosas, and Shahi Paneer. The Mutton Biryani and Vegetarian Thali are the most consistently praised dishes. Price-wise, it runs slightly more affordable than the city-centre options, making it the best value pick for authentic North Indian food in Zurich.

• Best for: Authentic North Indian, families, value
• Location: Schaffhauserstrasse 32, 8006 Zürich
• Must try: Mutton Biryani, Vegetarian Thali, Butter Chicken
• Avg cost: CHF 22–35 (₹2,200–₹3,500) per person

5. New Bombay 

New Bombay is one of those restaurants that earns its reputation not on buzz but on consistency. A family-owned restaurant in the Niederdorf neighbourhood, the historic old town area near the Predigerkirche, it offers an extensive menu of North Indian dishes from regional recipes using homemade spices. The location is ideal if you’re already exploring Zurich’s old town, Grossmünster, or the Limmat riverside.

Indoor seating for 60 and a terrace of equal size make it one of the larger Indian restaurants in Zurich’s centre. The vegetarian selection is notably strong. Booking ahead is recommended; it’s consistently busy despite (or because of) its central location.

• Best for: Central location, old town sightseeing combination, vegetarian options
• Location: Niederdorf / Predigerkirche area, Old Town
• Must try: Dal Makhani, Palak Paneer, Vegetable Biryani
• Avg cost: CHF 30–45 (₹3,000–₹4,500) per person

6. Tadka 

Tadka, in West Zurich’s vibrant District 5 (the city’s creative quarter, also home to some of the best cafes in Zurich), is a casual, unpretentious North Indian restaurant focused squarely on well-executed curries and tandoori dishes. The main restaurant is called The Dining Crown; there’s also a Beer Garden for warmer days.

The food is authentic to the northern regions of India, such as Dal Makhani, Lamb Curry, and Butter Chicken, prepared with fresh ingredients and house spices. It has been described as feeling noticeably closer to what you’d actually eat in Delhi or Punjab than many Zurich Indian restaurants. 

• Best for: North Indian curries, casual dining, District 5 exploration
• Location: Quellenstrasse 49, 8005 Zürich (District 5/West Zurich)
• Must try: Dal Makhani, Lamb Curry, Butter Chicken
• Avg cost: CHF 25–40 (₹2,500–₹4,000) per person

7. Malabar

Malabar focuses specifically on the cuisine of India’s Malabar Coast, Kerala and the southern coastal region, using authentic spices including tamarind and ginger. The menu covers both vegetarian and meat dishes and is one of the few Zurich restaurants to do genuine Kerala-style curries, fish preparations, and Thali meals. The Chicken Biryani here is Malabar-style rather than generic, which will matter a lot to those from South India.

The restaurant is in Oerlikon (easily reached by tram from the city centre) and has both indoor seating and outdoor space. The hosts are warm, the portions are generous, and the pricing is slightly more accessible than city-centre restaurants.

• Best for: Kerala/South Indian cuisine, fish dishes, vegetarian/vegan
• Location: Oerlikon district (tram from Zurich HB)
• Must try: Kerala fish curry, Chicken Biryani, Vegetarian Thali
• Avg cost: CHF 25–38 (₹2,500–₹3,800) per person

8. Bombay Karachi 

Bombay Karachi brings together the best of Indian and Pakistani cuisine in a simple, charming setting, a short walk from Zurich’s central station. If you’re craving halal options, or specifically want biryani with the depth that Karachi-style cooking gives it, this is the most reliable choice in central Zurich. The Mango Lassi is consistently praised. Modest interior, warm service, excellent value relative to the location.

• Best for: Halal options, Indian-Pakistani dishes, budget-conscious visitors
• Location: Stampfenbachstrasse 32, 8006 Zürich (near Hauptbahnhof)
• Must try: Halal curry, Vegetarian Thali, Mango Lassi
• Avg cost: CHF 20–35 (₹2,000–₹3,500) per person

Quick Reference: Which Restaurant for Which Occasion

Occasion	Best Pick
Quick lunch near the station	Kormasutra (buffet)
South Indian / dosa craving	Saravanaa Bhavan
Dinner with a group	Tamarind Hill or Kormasutra
Pure vegetarian / Jain options	Saravanaa Bhavan
Old town sightseeing combination	New Bombay
Authentic home-style North Indian	Thali House
Kerala / coastal South Indian	Malabar
Halal / Pakistani-Indian	Bombay Karachi

Tips for Finding Good Indian Food in Zurich

• Ask the Indian expat community first: Zurich has a substantial Indian professional and student population. The restaurant recommendations that circulate within this community are significantly more reliable than tourist review platforms for authenticity. Thali House and Saravanaa Bhavan both get high marks from this group.
• Go at lunch for value: Most Indian restaurants in Zurich offer lunch menus or buffets at considerably lower prices than dinner. Kormasutra’s lunch buffet is widely regarded as the best value for Indian food in the city centre.
• Be explicit about spice levels. Swiss kitchens often default to mild. Ask for “medium Indian spice level” or “restaurant-level spice” rather than “spicy”, which can mean something very different to Swiss and Indian palates.
• Combine with a city day: Zurich has excellent sightseeing beyond just Indian restaurants, the old town, Lake Zurich, the Museum of Art, and the Bahnhofstrasse, all of which deserve time. See our places to visit in Zurich guide for a full city programme.
• Beyond Zurich: If you’re travelling across Switzerland and want Indian food in other cities, explore the top Indian restaurants in Switzerland.

Bottom Line: Enjoying Indian Food in Zurich

Whether you are craving comforting North Indian curries, authentic South Indian dosas, vegetarian thalis, or halal-friendly meals, these Indian restaurants in Zurich prove that finding familiar flavours in Switzerland is easier than ever. From quick lunches near Zurich HB to relaxed family dinners by Lake Zurich, the city offers excellent options for every kind of traveller and budget.

For families travelling with kids or elderly parents, having access to authentic Indian food can make the overall travel experience far more comfortable and enjoyable family trip to Switzerland!

FAQs

Q: Is Indian food in Zurich authentic? 

A: The best restaurants, particularly Saravanaa Bhavan, Thali House, and Kormasutra, use genuine recipes and house-made spice preparations. Quality varies; the restaurants in this list are the consistent performers.

Q: Are there vegetarian Indian restaurants in Zurich? 

A: Yes. Saravanaa Bhavan is entirely vegetarian (South Indian). Most other Indian restaurants have extensive vegetarian sections. Zurich has a strong vegetarian food culture generally.

Q: Which area of Zurich has the most Indian restaurants? 

A: The Oerlikon district has a concentration of South Indian options (Saravanaa Bhavan, Malabar). The city centre/Bahnhofstrasse area has the most accessible options for visitors (Kormasutra, Bombay Karachi, New Bombay).

Q: Can I find Jain food in Zurich? A: With advance notice, several restaurants will modify dishes for Jain requirements. See our dedicated Jain food in Switzerland guide for specific advice.