Zeughauskeller: The Legendary Armory of Zurich
Location and Historical Context
Dominating the middle section of Zurich's Bahnhofstrasse (Address: Bahnhofstrasse 28a, 8001 Zürich), it stands on the original site of the ancient city's armory built in 1487. The building retains Renaissance stone arcades and Gothic wrought-iron chandeliers, with walls displaying a precious collection of 15th-century cold weapons. The dining tables are crafted from century-old oak ammunition crates, while arrays of cantonal coat-of-arms shields hanging overhead bear witness to Swiss Confederation's military history.
Guardian of Traditional Cuisine
Continuing the operational philosophy of "Quartermaster's Kitchen":
- Handmade sausage filling technique using the original 1897 recipe
- Persistently using pasture-raised pork fed with Alpine herbs
- Traditional farmer's bread baked daily at 4 AM using ancient methods
Classic dish system
- "Commander's Platter":
- Grilled veal liver with potato pancake and caramelized onions
- "Cavalry Saber":
- An array of six sausages grilled on 1.2-meter-long iron skewers
- "Fortress Stew Pot":
- Beer-braised beef cheek with Swiss cheese mashed potatoes
- "Federal Dessert":
- Honey ice cream with roasted hazelnuts and cherry liqueur
Immersive experience
- The attendants are dressed in replica Swiss Guard uniforms.
- The drink menu notes the military history behind each beer.
- The cellar preserves a private lounge converted from a 16th-century gunpowder storage room
Practical Guide
- Opening hours: 11:30 AM–11:00 PM (last order at 10:00 PM)
- Reservation Notice: Only group bookings for 8 or more people are accepted. Individual visitors must queue on-site.
- Special Activity: "Cold Weapon Appreciation" with traditional Alpine horn performance held on the first Sunday of every month