In a world where plant-based dining has become a modern trend, one restaurant has been serving vegetarian meals for more than a century – long before “vegan” became a buzzword. Nestled in the heart of Zurich, Switzerland, Hiltl Restaurant holds the Guinness World Record as the world’s oldest continuously open vegetarian restaurant, delighting diners since 1898.
The story of Hiltl is as rich as its menu. It began when a German tailor named Ambrosius Hiltl took over a struggling vegetarian café at a time when meatless diets were mocked as “rabbit food.” Suffering from rheumatism, Hiltl adopted a vegetarian lifestyle on his doctor’s advice — and soon became a passionate advocate for it.
Under his care, the restaurant flourished. Over four generations, the Hiltl family expanded the humble café into a multi-story culinary destination that now includes a buffet with over 100 freshly prepared dishes, a bar, a bakery, and even a cooking academy.
What surprises many is the restaurant’s location — Switzerland, a country famous for cheese, chocolate, and fondue, not exactly the first place one associates with vegetarianism. Yet Hiltl has become a beloved Zurich landmark, proving that meat-free dining can be both traditional and trendsetting.
Today, Hiltl continues to innovate, blending global cuisines with sustainability. Whether it’s Indian curries, Mediterranean mezze, or Swiss rösti, every dish celebrates the restaurant’s 125-year legacy — a testament to how compassion and cuisine can coexist deliciously.
