Zurich, Switzerland, consistently ranks as one of the most expensive cities in the world, and dining out as a family can quickly drain your travel budget. Fortunately, you can find affordable, family-friendly options right in the center of the city. One of the best spots is Coop City St. Annahof on Bahnhofstrasse. Coop is a Swiss grocery store chain found all over the country, ranging from small local markets to massive department stores. Located just a 10-minute walk from the Zurich Main Station (Zürich Hauptbahnhof), this specific multi-story location combines a large basement supermarket, retail shopping, and a top-floor restaurant.
The Coop City Self-Service Restaurant
On the top floor, the self-service restaurant offers a variety of hot and cold meals. The selection features Swiss classics like schnitzel and bratwurst, a large salad bar, and daily lunch specials. They also serve freshly made pizzas, with a classic Margherita pizza priced at just 12.95 CHF.
For families traveling with children, this restaurant is an absolute lifesaver:
- Affordable Kids’ Meals: The JaMaDu kids’ menu costs just 6.95 CHF and allows children (up to age nine) to pick a main meal, a juice, and a small toy.
- Family Amenities: The dining area is fully equipped with high chairs and diaper-changing tables.
- Indoor Play Area: There is a small indoor playground right inside the restaurant, giving kids a perfect place to burn off energy.
- Outdoor Seating: If the weather is nice, you can take your tray out to the rooftop terrace to enjoy some fresh air and city views.
Supermarket Picnic at Lindenhof Park
If you prefer an outdoor lunch, head down to the basement level to visit the Coop supermarket. This grocery store features a large selection of grab-and-go options that are perfect for a budget-friendly family lunch. You can easily assemble a custom picnic with prepackaged sandwiches, fresh sushi, prepared salads, cold drinks, local cheeses, and deli meats. Don’t skip the bakery section—the fresh pretzels and chocolate bread (Schoggi Brot) are always huge hits with our children.
Once you have gathered your food, take a short 5-minute walk to Lindenhof Park. This historic public square overlooks the Limmat River and offers public benches, shade trees, a playground, and beautiful panoramic views of Zurich’s Old Town. For more details, check out our full family guide to Lindenhof Park.
Tips for Budget Travel in Zurich
While exploring Switzerland with kids can be pricey, utilizing grocery store restaurants and enjoying picnics in public parks will significantly lower your food expenses. Coop and Migros are the two main Swiss grocery chains you will find throughout the country, and both are excellent budget-friendly options no matter where you travel. However, keep a major Swiss tradition in mind: most grocery stores are closed on Sundays. If you need to shop on a Sunday, head to the major train stations (like Zürich Hauptbahnhof), as those grocery store locations remain open 7 days a week.
For a complete list of free, family-friendly activities in Zurich, check out our travel guide!