food

When it comes to eating out, I am as picky about the place as I am about the food.
I don’t like dark, gloomy places, no matter how good the food might be.
I don’t like places with really uncomfortable seats, or where the atmosphere is stiff and formal – both things prevent me from relaxing, and that makes my meal/coffee break a lot less enjoyable.

Truth be told, when I am in Zurich during the day – weather permitting – I grab a salad or a gourmet sandwich and eat it outdoors, sitting by the lake or at the park.

On rainy days, I end up at Starbucks, the only place I know that seems to fit the bill – though of course, much as I may love my Soy Caramel Macchiato, chains tend to be a bit… impersonal.

Ah, if only there was a charming coffee shop with a friendly and relaxed atmosphere that I could use as my new landing base!

Ah, but there is – on June 7th a new place opened up in midtown Zurich: Babu’s Bakery and Coffee House.

As you can guess from the name, behind its doors you can find freshly baked bread (which my discerning Italian palate found irresistibly delicious) and great cappuccinos, but there’s so much you won’t know until you visit this lovely new Zurich spot: for starters, sandwiches made with the fabulous bread they bake fresh daily on the premises, several salads, made with fresh ingredients and also accompanied by a basket filled with a variety of breads to sample (my favorite? the veggie one with fleur de sel) and if you just fancy a nibble, lots of desserts and baked goods to accompany your tea or coffee.

So far, so good – but not so exciting, right? (Yeah, wait until you have sampled that amazing bread.)

Except when you enter Babu’s, the food won’t be the only thing charming you.

There’s the carved wood shelves filled with candles, pottery, burlap totes and so forth, that will no doubt lure you in for at least a few minutes…

there’s the décor, with the antique cabinets and mismatched chairs around tables topped with vases of hydrangeas and roses…

there’s the fireplace in the corner, with two antique armchairs pulled up to it, an intimate corner that’s just calling for a good book and a cup of tea…

and when your grumbling stomach finally reminds you that despite all the lovely things distracting you, it’s food you actually came here for, there’s the vintage china on which your sandwich, salad or scone will be served, that will just make you pause and wonder if you were catapulted in a little family restaurant in the heart of the French Provence or something of the sort.

And if that wasn’t enough, there’s the fact that I was always welcomed with a smile and a friendly attitude, which is especially appreciated in these parts. (Shhhh, that was a subtle dig at the local grumpiness.)

So, is it any surprise that I’ve already been here 4 times since they opened? Or that I am waxing enthusiastic about the place? Or that I am planning on going there again tomorrow?

In fact, if we meet up for lunch, or for a coffee and a chat, there’s a good chance I’ll end up bringing you here. And when I do, I bet you’ll be every bit as charmed as I am.

 

Babu’s Bakery & Coffeehouse
Löwenstrasse 1, Zurich
Map

 

 

 

All images property of  yours truly. My annoying perkiness is all my own and wasn’t due to any sponsoring or payment of any sort by the owners of Babu’s. Though if they like the post and they want to say thank you, I’ll graciously accept some of those gorgeous candles or mugs, or the pink burlap -and-leather tote, thank you very much

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