The month of May has been mainly dedicated to networking, restructuring, realigning and working on administrative and “behind the scenes” tasks 🚀

During this time, I wasn’t staying in any Hotels but rather housesitting and staying with relatives in their homes in Zurich.

Thus, this post will have a slightly different approach. Instead of talking about a Hotel experience, I will share my five favourite spots in Zurich to work.

Even though I do not have an apartment, Zurich has been a type of base for me in the past few years. It is where my company is registered, where my storage is located and where most of my friends currently live.

Whenever I need time off from living in Hotels and live a “normal” life for a few days or weeks, this is where I usually come back to.

To make the best out of my time in the city, I enjoy working in coffee shops, where I can focus entirely while still being surrounded by people.

So here to the list of the locations I choose to frequent when in Zurich. Perhaps it inspires you when looking for a place to focus 🤓

(the images are not mine, I have retrieved them online. Please click on the picture to view the source)

1. Bridge

It took me a while to get myself acquainted with Bridge. But now I can say it is one of my favourite places to work. With the motto of "food connects people", the place is a hub for everyone, with food at the centre - connecting producers and consumers.

I do believe they've reached its goal of being an urban hotspot. Be it for breakfast, lunch, afternoon coffee, dinner or evening drinks; there's a little bit of everything for everyone. Even the option of buying groceries and either taking them home or consuming them in-house exists under the same roof.

It gets busy during peak times - lunch and happy hour - but it is a haven for people looking to work in the in-between slots. Unlike most of the spots in the city, here, there is no pressure for consumption. You can also sit and focus without necessarily ordering anything.

However, as per my experience, I spend hours there and naturally consume (the order system is also quite clever, with QR codes on the tables, you order and pay, and they bring you your food or beverage). Be it from one of the food stands for a proper meal, a coffee in the afternoon, or buying a snack at the little market for that afternoon energy boost.

A clever move by Migros (Switzerland's largest retail company) 💪

Another plus point is its strategic location - close to the central train station, at the Europaallee - a relatively newly developed neighbourhood in Zurich designed for people.

It became my go-to whenever in Zurich.

2. Beetnut

Heartwarming (and mainly plant-based 🌱) food is guaranteed throughout the day. Whichever time you go, they serve breakfast, lunch or different kinds of snack opportunities (from a regular coffee to açai and bliss balls) all day long. It gets busy during lunchtime (as in any location in Zurich, to be honest), but you’ll always find a spot. In the afternoon, a great place to work since not many people are around.

As sometimes I only get to have lunch towards the mid of the afternoon, I can combine a proper, well-served meal with working time.

Like Bridge, Beetnut is also located in the Europaalle. Thus, it comes in handy when in transit.

3. Kraftwerk

As part of the Impact Hub (" a global network of locally-founded/-operated impact innovation incubators, accelerators, coworking spaces, and nonprofit organizations"), no wonder that the Kraftwerk Café is designed for remote workers. Located in an industrial building, it is a popular place for entrepreneurs.

Delicious lunch menus (served until 1.30 pm only) and great coffee are guaranteed. Impact Hub members get a 10% discount - a plus for me 😉

Here you won't be shy to take your pc and start working since you will find more people with their laptops open and focusing on work than not (actually, you might feel weird if you don't 😅)

For me, the location is also quite strategic - walking distance from my storage and neighbour of the Hallenbad City - my favourite spot for swimming in the city. The combo "focused work & sports" makes it worth it.

For happy hour lovers, it is also a place to drink & meet after 5 pm.

4. Auer Café

Auer & Co . is another co-working like coffee place by Impact Hub in Zurich.

It is located at the Limmatplatz. In my opinion, also in a strategical location - easy access with various trams, relatively close to the train station and walking distance from the Limmat - the river in the city where everyone hangs out during summertime. Be it for swimming, picnicking, socializing or drinks & food at the little bars by the shore.

Now back to the Auer Café. A hipster atmosphere, with brick walls, filtered coffee and young creative minds is what you will find—a cosy environment where you will see open laptops on the majority of the occupied tables.

As in Kraftwerk, Impact Hub members can also get 10% off the consumed delicacies. Above the coffee shop is where members can get a spot in the co-working space. Here is also where I have my mailbox. Thus, a stop by is always a must when I'm in Zurich.

5. Kosmos

Another concept that I love - Kosmos is a culture house “situated on the corner of Langstrasse/Europaallee, unites stage, movie theatre, book salon, bistro, and bar under one roof.”

There are places to open the laptop at the book salon or the forum (a type of wooden stair with little tables and cushions) and get that work flowing.

Somehow, I always end up coming here on Sundays. Besides Beetnut, all the other spots are closed this weekday, and Kosmos became my favourite go-to. Not as being the “last option”, but I enjoy the Sunday atmosphere there - a certain calmness in the air allows one to focus on what must be done.

It is also a place to get inspired by the stimulating selection of books, postcards and local goods available for purchase.

All of the options mentioned above follow a Zurich price range - not cheap, but the quality is guaranteed.

What is your take on my top 5? Do you have any other spots that you would add to the list? I’m always open to trying out new locations, so please share your Zurich insider tips 👇

My 5 favourite working spots in Zurich

1. Bridge

2. Beetnut

3. Kraftwerk

4. Auer Café

5. Kosmos