We Welcome Claudia from Zürich

We are very proud of welcoming Claudia, our new insider parent for Zürich. Claudia is a very creative film producer, shop owner and passionated mum to 11/2 year old Mina. Claudia has just recently opened a fantastic pop up shop with vintage clothing and toys for young children in a cool little shop in the center of Zürich. So she knows better than anyone else, what's interesting to see and do with your children in Zürich. Get here her very best recommendations for a city break in Zürich full of great shopping, cool, cozy and child-friendly restaurants as well as in - and outdoor activities for the whole family. 

1. What do you like best about living in Zürich with children?

Living in Zurich with children is very versatile. Especially in summer. There are numerous parks to play and places to swim. I really like our wonderful large zoo where there is always something new to discover. In Zurich everything is very close.

Zoo Zürich, Zürichbergstrasse 221, CH-8044 Zürich, www.zoo.ch

2. What is a typical day like in Zürich with your daughter?

In summer I walk to the Lower Letten (Wasserwerkstrasse 141) Public Swimming Baths www.badi-info.ch/Unterer_letten.html (free entry), they have lovely coffee with homemade food. We’re splashing around in the pool and enjoy the atmosphere. Then it goes to a small shopping trip to the viaducts (Tramstop Dammweg Nr. 4 and Nr. 13). Swimming makes one hungry. Therefore you can enjoy a snack or a freshly squeezed vitamin boost in the market hall before the big shopping tour or even find a gourmet gift for your loved ones left at home (toilet and changing facilities available). Strolling along the arcs, everyone can find something to have fun with. It can be something to wear, a nice accessory or a beautiful book. I would recommend lunch at Kiosk Josefswiese at Josefstrasse. There are plenty of high chairs and changing facilities. The food is nice and the children can play undisturbed in the adjacent pool or in the playground.

For rainy days, I recommend a leisurely stroll along the main street called Bahnhofstrasse. There you’ll find Globus (Schweizergasse 11) it’s worth to go inside and have a look, Franz Carl Weber (Bahnhofstrasse 62) is the oldest kids department store of Switzerland. Along the Bahnhofstrasse you will also find the usual suspects like Mango, H & M and Zara. Close to Bahnhofstrasse is Zero7 Store (Uraniastrasse 35) for Kids Cloths and Toys. If you and your daughter like to get a pedicure ask for Princess Pedi at Footlounge by LABO Spa (Nüschelerstrasse 35). It’s a one minute walk from Zero7 Store.
Just around the corner you could have coffee and cake at Babus Bakery (Löwenstrasse 1).

 

 

Don’t miss bobo l’escargot Shop, which has high street fashion for toddlers. (Talacker 24)

For lunch together with your kids I recommend the spacious and stylish restaurant at Jelmoli, House of Brands (you won’t miss it). You can sit on the roof terrace from where you can experience the city from the bird’s eye view or you can sit inside. You will have difficulties to decide what you wanna eat. There’s a wide range of all kinds of food. Of course there are highchairs and changing facilities.

At Jelmoli you’ll mainly find commercial stuff. For those who like food, check the fantastic gourmet Factory (basement floor).

Shops Bahnhofstrasse:
http://www.globus.ch/de/kinder/aktuell/index.html
http://www.fcw.ch/filialen/zuerich/
http://www.zero-7.ch/web/
http://www.labospa.ch/her/spezielles.html
http://www.bobo-l-escargot.ch/De/CafeBabu
http://www.jelmoli.ch/de-ch/abteilungen/restaurant.aspx


3. What is your favourite area in the city and why?

My favourite area is the third district around Idaplatz. The best way to get there, is to take tram No. 2 or 3 to Lochergut and then walk along the Bertastrasse towards Idaplatz. This area is very charming, the square is situated very nicely among numerous trees. There’s always a feel of holiday, especially during the summer months. The following should not be missed under any circumstances: Amorelegno, the ancient Swiss toyshop by sculptor Monica Hintermann. The shop opens at noon (Closed Mondays). Her store concept is unique. She lovingly restores old antique Swiss toys and sells them at reasonable prices. An absolute must for a Swiss souvenir with original retro touch. At Idaplatz you’ll find the Piazza where you can have lunch (they have three menus). There is also a changing table and highchairs.

Strolling through the neighbourhood you should not miss the following spots: Bits and Bobs (Shop) Zurlindenstrasse 230, www.bits-and-bobs.ch

Fritschiwiese (Playground and little pool), Fritschi flea market (July and August 10.00 -18.00), Z am Park (Coffeeshop) Zurlindenstrasse 275, Chez Babette (Restaurant) Bertastrasse 16. If you walk back toward Langstrasse you’ll find an appealing store called Glam. www.glamshoes.ch You shouldn’t miss to go in there. Ask your husband to take care of your kids and dive into the pinky world of shoes and dresses. At Langstrasse you’ll find a charming caffee called „Dini Mueter“. They serve brunch, salads, soups and do have 2 daily menus. www.dinimueter-bar.ch/flashsite.html

4. Where do you like to go for lunch or dinner?

My favourite place to meet with friends is the Bistro by NZZ Tibits. It’s very family-friendly. There is plenty of room for strollers, they have a children's corner with toys, high chairs and changing facilities. You have an innumerable choice of vegetarian food at the buffet. If you want to heat baby food (the one you buy in the glass), make sure it doesn’t contain meet.
For leisurely weekend brunch, I recommend the Hiltl. Here, however, a reservation is recommended. www.hiltl.ch. You can find an extensive buffet with everything your heart desires, but everything is strict vegetarian food. They have a kids corner where they can paint on windows. Ask fort the popular children’s play cart.
During the week I really like to have brunch or lunch at Cake and Friends www.cakefriends.ch. It’s very Swiss and very stylish and the food is like heaven.

5. What kind of public transport do you use getting around in the city with your family?

The trams or buses are ideal. Watch out for the scoreboards (wheelchair symbol) the wheelchair announces a lower floor tram or bus, so you won’t need any help to get into the bus. Follow the yellow wheelchair sign, so you know where to get on the vehicle (there’s extra space for strollers). Good to know: You’ll find changing facilities at busy public transport points. They charge you one Swiss franc, but it’s always clean.
www.stadt-zuerich.ch/vbz/en/index.html

6. Your favourite shops for your self and for your child/children?

My favourite shopping street is in the fifth district. Most of the shops are at Josefstrasse. I always find a gift for myself or my loved ones. I begin my tour at the main station, Sihlquai tramstop Nr.4 and Nr.13). If I have to change Mina, I do so at Starbucks.
Here are my favourite stores: Dings (clothes, shoes and jewelry) www.dings.ch
Melvins, Kings and Queens (fashion for the grown ups) www.melvins.ch
Little Company (Kids fashion) www.littlecompany.ch
Lilli Tulipan (colourful things from all around the world) www.lilli-tulipan.ch
Einzigart (stylish design, toys and books for kids) www.einzigart.ch

Shuala Concept Store (Trends à gogo)www.shuala.com
You can have a 15 minutes sightseeing break while taking Tram Nr. 4 at Limmatplatz to the Seefeld area. Make sure you sit on the right side of the tram so you can enjoy the beautiful view of the old part of Zurich along the river Limmat. Get of at Kreuzstrasse and visit Tigerfink Family Shop (Kreuzstrasse 36). Ladies shouldn’t miss Nr.2 Multibrandstore (Brotgasse 3) for fashion, accessoires, gifts and more. You have access to Nr.2 from Tigerfink Familystore. www.tiger-fink.ch and www.numbertwo.ch

7. The best play ground in the city?

It’s difficult to say because Mina is a little to young to go to the playgrounds. My friend’s kids like the numerous playgrounds at the Zoo, at Josefswiese or behind Nooba at Kreuzplatz.

8. If you have a little diaper incident where do you go?

Follow Zurich's toilet. There you can find a clean changing table. You have to pay one Swiss Franc. But it’s worth it. Otherwise, I recommend going to a Migros restaurant. There you will always find a changing table. Good to know: If you want to breastfeed you can watch out for pharmacies with a smiley on their front door. It means they have a calm room for you and your baby to breastfeed. (You can of course ask in any pharmacy to breastfeed).

A Little Extra Tip or Two

If the weather is nice, it’s worth visiting a market. I recommend the all-round flea market at Bürkliplatz (every Saturday from 06:00 to 16:00) and the flower and vegetable market (Tuesday and Friday at Bürkliplatz from 06:00 to 11:00). If it rains you can always go on a shopping tour or visit a museum, for example, the Kunsthaus (Heimplatz 1). There is a special Workshop for children over 5 years, the events are held on Wednesday afternoons, on Saturdays or Sundays (where possible in tandem with open guided tours for adults).
Market www.flohmarktbuerkliplatz.ch
Kunsthaus: www.kunsthaus.ch

You can find and visit Claudia's shop on Rindermarkt 14 and follow on her blog: http://rindermarkt14.blogspot.com/