Bodega Espanola - Muenstergasse 15, 8001 Zurich
044 251 23 10 (no website)
This well-established Spanish restaurant in Zurich's Niederdorf area offers traditional Spanish food on two levels. The ZIWA Dining Around the World lunch group opted for the spacious first floor restaurant where 18 of us gathered round a long table to try dishes from the lunch menu suggestions or the a la carte list. We were offered a choice of two types of gazpacho, traditional or gazpacho blanco, a parrillada de pescado or fried fish platter with or without seafood, the zarzuela or seafood stew served in a large dish at our table, and a range of beef, pork and vegetarian dishes. We were not disappointed!
The food was freshly cooked, hot, and quickly served as long as we stuck to the set dishes, and we had the full attention of our waiter. To accompany our meal there was a good selection of Spanish house wines including a delicious white Rioja or a red Priorat. Price for a two course meal with wine at lunchtime was quite expensive at over CHF70, but there were cheaper options.We could also have tried the tortilla omelette, ordered a paella for two or chosen a meat dish.
Downstairs there is a tapas bar where they sometimes have live music in the evenings. There is also some outdoor seating for those pleasant sunny days and evenings. The restaurant is over 100 years old and also boasts its own wine cellar across the road, which is worth a tour.
For traditional Spanish dishes in the heart of Zurich's old town, make a booking at Bodega Espanola.
Other Spanish restaurants in and around the Zurich area:
La Fuente in Rapperswil, offers a superb range of tapas. Eat outside when it's fine. See this report: http://juliasswitzerland.blogspot.ch/2012/09/restaurant-of-month-september-2012.html
Casa Aurelia in Langstrasse Zurich has a homely atmosphere and serves well-cooked traditional dishes. http://www.casaaurelio.ch/
The Urania bar in Uraniastrasse serves a good range of tapas, but they are not cheap.
Buen proveche!
