Travel often lets you know it’s time to slow down when you least expect it. Maybe you’ve taken more steps than you imagined and your feet start to scream for a break. Or maybe it’s the way your fully charged camera no longer has battery power. However it needs to let you know, at some point, you’ll know.
For me, Zurich was filled with movement. Long walks through the city, wandering down streets I didn’t know, crossing bridges simply because they looked interesting, and spending hours exploring without much of a plan beyond following my curiosity. It was wonderful, but after a while it was also exhausting.
By the time dinner rolled around one evening, I was ready for (not only) for something different, but to also simply slow down. That’s how I found the Old Inn. Walking inside, the restaurant immediately felt like the decrease in speed that I needed. The kind of place where you can put your things down, sink into the seat, casually scan the menu, and patiently wait for the food to arrive. So I did exactly that.
I started with the Slow & Steady ($14), a zero-proof cocktail made with 0% gin, strawberry shrub, and tonic. It was a breath of fresh air in a glass after a long day. Refreshing, lightly sweet, and holding just enough brightness from the shrub. It was just right from the first sip to the last and reiterated that sometimes a cocktail isn’t about alcohol at all. Sometimes it’s about having something thoughtfully made in your hand while you take a moment to enjoy where you are.
Alongside it came the Grilled Bread & Butter ($5). Was it simple? Absolutely, but at the same time some of the best things often are. The bread arrived warm with a beautiful char from the grill and paired perfectly with the butter. It wasn’t trying to reinvent anything. It was simply good bread done well with a delicious butter, and that was so good.
For my main course, I ordered the Beef Short Rib ($46). Served with a roasted corn purée and a leek salad, the plate struck a nice balance between being hearty and refined. The short rib was tender and full of flavor making it the kind of dish that rewards patience in cooking. Each bite felt rich and the corn purée added a delightful level of sweetness that complemented the beef beautifully. The leek salad also helped bring freshness to the plate, creating balance against the meat.
What I appreciated most about the meal was that it invited me to slow down. In a day where so much took place, it was nice to take a seat and ease into the rest of the evening with such a good meal. As I sat there savouring the last moments of the meal, I thought about how much of travel is often spent chasing the next thing to see.
The next museum, landmark, and viewpoint, but every now and then the moments we remember most aren’t found on an itinerary. They’re found around a dinner table and a good meal. Whether alone or with friends, the slow paced moments matter too. The Old Inn was that place for me in Zurich. And if you find yourself needing a break from exploring the city, it just might be that place for you too.
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Address: Bleicherweg 47, 8002 Zürich, Switzerland
Phone: +41 44 241 08 08
Hours: Monday through Friday – 11:30 am to 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm to 12:00 am, Saturday – 6:00 pm to 12:00 am, and Closed on Sunday
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