#1 apoTHEKE, Zurich

Where medicines were once handed out, the air now fills with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries. This cheerful café-bar in Zurich’s university district on the Zürichberg opened ten years ago in a former pharmacy. Managing director Nadine Dejung founded it alongside three kindred spirits, driven by passion and a love for every detail. Today, it’s a beloved spot for students, pupils from nearby schools, professors, and locals alike. The atmosphere is relaxed and inviting: guests help themselves to latte macchiato, Birchermüesli, cake, panini, or freshly pressed juice at the counter or from the refrigerated shelves. Many linger longer than planned, savoring the unhurried vibe, while the outdoor seating along the sidewalk offers the perfect spot for people-watching.

#2 Mill’Feuille, Lucerne

Old-town charm, a winter garden right by the River Reuss and coffee culture – plus a large selection of newspapers, a friendly team, and weekend breakfasts served until 2 p.m. „Mill’Feuille“ offers pastries, bread for self-slicing at the counter, Birchermüesli, quark with raspberry-mango compote, chia pudding – as well as savory options like a salmon bagel with horseradish foam or Bavarian veal sausages with pretzel rolls. The house specialty (besides homemade lemonade): onsen egg on toast with spinach and hollandaise sauce. On warm days, the sun shines longer than at most cafés in Lucerne on the terrace next to the large fountain at Mühlenplatz.

#3 Grand Café Al Porto, Lugano

The „Grand Café Al Porto“ on Via Pessina is to Lugano what Café Sprüngli is to Zurich: a glamorous meeting place that stays pleasantly lively all day long. Elegant ladies indulge in the tempting pastries and cakes, while sleepy bankers order their third espresso. See and be seen – and yet you can still enjoy your own space. While Sprüngli at Paradeplatz is barely recognizable after its complete renovation, this traditional Ticino café still enchants with its unique blend of Viennese coffeehouse charm and Italian grand café elegance. The partly frescoed rooms – including the former 16th-century monastery dining hall – are listed as historic landmarks. In the adjoining confectionery, the legendary Amaretti Bianchi and classic panettone tempt visitors alike.

#4 Coffee Page, Lausanne

On the ground floor of an Art Nouveau building, between Place Saint-François and the train station, sits „Coffee Page“ – for some locals, it feels like an extension of their living room. Half café, half bookstore, it’s minimally furnished yet incredibly cozy thanks to the historic architecture, high ceilings, and large windows. Once you’re here, you won’t want to leave – and you don’t have to: a wealth of art and photography books invite leisurely browsing, and alongside coffee and pastries, high-quality savory snacks are also served. By evening, the café transforms into a bar, equally stylish and popular.

#5 Kafisatz, Winterthur

The most beautiful old towns in winter? Winterthur definitely makes the list. The city, home to Switzerland’s largest continuous pedestrian zone, is especially inviting for long strolls during the colder months – whether along the central Marktgasse, stretching straight from the train station to the Obertor, or through the cobbled lanes and medieval squares off the main axis. Turn from Metzgasse into Spitalgasse, and you’ll find „Kafisatz“.. This all-day café-bar serves matcha lattes, lemon cake, or freshly baked focaccia with grilled vegetables – perfect for couples, solo visitors, or anyone simply looking for a little break. On sunny days, the cozy courtyard terrace is a wonderful place to linger.

#6 Nostalgiecafé Praliné Scherrer, St. Gallen

Just across from the baroque cathedral lies „Praliné Scherrer“ – the sweet heart of the monastery district. Since 2008, Vittoria Kreis and her daughter Romina Hengartner have been crafting their success story here. With courage, drive, and a true passion for chocolate, they continually create new truffles and pralines. Their vegan pralines, made from 100% organic, plant-based ingredients, are a particular highlight. A hidden gem that even many locals don’t know about is the small „Nostalgiecafé“ above the shop. In its cozy wood-paneled interior, you can lose yourself in a book, warm up with a hot chocolate or cappuccino, or treat yourself to a slice of cake.

#7 Länggass Tea Room, Bern

At the "Lange family’s tea shop", tea is a way of life – and for connoisseurs, it’s considered the best in the country. From the shop, which offers 400 high-quality varieties, a creaking wooden spiral staircase leads up to the tea room on the first floor. There, you can enjoy a «High Tea» in the traditional British style. On a three-tiered stand, savory treats such as cucumber sandwiches and salmon bites are served on the bottom, airy scones with clotted cream and jam in the middle, and sweet delicacies stacked on top. You can pair it all with your favorite tea. Price per person: 45 Swiss francs. Spontaneously securing one of the few tables can be tricky, so an online reservation is recommended.

#8 Einstein Café & bel étage, Bern

Under the arcades, tucked in alleyways, or hidden in a vaulted cellar – in Bern’s old town, cafés abound. Whether for a morning Birchermüesli, a light lunch, coffee and cake in the afternoon, or an aperitif after work, „Einstein“ is always a reliable choice. It’s especially cozy in the colder months, with the crackling fireplace adding to the charm. Spread over two floors, the café blends modern flair with warm comfort and is located in the historic building on Kramgasse where Albert Einstein developed his theory of relativity over 100 years ago. Friendly service and a carefully curated drink menu complete the experience.

#9 Kaffeehaus Unternehmen Mitte, Basel

Since 1999, the café „Unternehmen Mitte“ has occupied the former banking hall of a bank. From its in-house bakery come baguettes, croissants, cakes, vegan ice cream, and the Portuguese specialty pastel de nata – all organic. The coffee, too, is organic, carefully sourced, and precisely brewed. With its own plantation in Brazil supplying five tons of beans annually, the café maintains a close connection. "Unternehmen Mitte" sees itself as an open space for dialogue and encounters – with no obligation to consume. The café is complemented by the “Vorne” bar area with terrace.

#10 Kaffee Klatsch, Chur

In this atmospheric café in the old post office building on Gäuggelistrasse, you can start the day at a relaxed pace – or take a break while strolling through the streets of the Graubünden capital. The tall, spacious room, with chandeliers, Art Nouveau details, and mismatched bistro chairs, is deliberately styled in shabby-chic, yet everything harmonizes beautifully. True to a café that takes its guests seriously, the coffee impresses as well – thanks to baristas who master their craft. Orders and payment are made at the counter with your table number, and drinks are served courteously at your seat. On rainy afternoons, finding a free table can be tricky. On Sundays, brunch is served from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (45 Swiss francs per person) – including the latest Kaffe Klatsch (gossip).

#11 Monocle Shop & Café, Zurich

The „Monocle“ on Dufourstrasse in Seefeld is a stylish spot for a flat white and croissant – half café, half concept store. Among hand-picked lifestyle accessories, from Japanese backpacks to elegant writing tools, you can browse trendy books, magazines, and the full range of Monocle publications (the publisher has an office on-site). Guests appreciate the international flair, Scandinavian design, and hearty sandwiches – as well as the chance to use the space as a temporary office and work comfortably on a laptop, provided you find a seat. Many creative types are at their most productive when surrounded by a low buzz of activity.