Restaurants
Sonne am See The beer garden on the Golden Coast
Monday to Sunday from 11:30am
(In pleasant weather and at least 15°C)
Biergarten Sonne
Seestrasse 120
8700 Küsnacht am Zürichsee
.How to get there
Under shady plane trees and directly on the water, the famous beer garden of the traditional Romantikhotel Sonne is one of the most beautiful places on Lake Zurich.
The new menu, in particular, invites you to linger a while. This summer, the Culinary Director of The Dolder Grand, Heiko Nieder, developed a new food concept. Alongside tried-and-tested classics, the menu now includes dishes that the chef, who has two Michelin stars and 19 Gault Millau points, likes to prepare himself for his family and friends.
The focus is on vegan and family-friendly dishes - uncomplicated but highly refined. "The challenge of developing new recipes for this traditional beer garden was very appealing to me. Because this task is fundamentally different from my current area of responsibility at the Dolder Grand," explains Heiko Nieder. "The recipe of the dishes and the conditions on site are completely different, and thus the approach and preparation are also totally different from what I am used to."
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On a sunny day and with a magnificent view of the gently glittering Lake Zurich, we were allowed to try out the varied and carefully selected menu. It consists exclusively of fresh and regional ingredients, as well as basic artisanal products. This quality can be tasted in every single dish.
For the aperitif, we are served thinly shaved carrot and beetroot chips, which are perfect for this, as they are served together with jalapeños and a slightly spicy nacho cream.
We also understand why the vegan tarte flambée is particularly popular at Sonne am See. It comes across as fresh and light. No wonder because the delicate, crispy dough spread with a creamy pesto has an unusual topping of courgette and garlic chips, pepperoncini and red onions, seasoned with lots of greenery: subtly spicy parsley and sweet chervil intensely accompany the crispiness of the tarte flambée.
The homemade salads, meanwhile, are skilfully prepared. Whether it's a couscous salad with lemon and pomegranate seeds or a colourful bean salad with corn - it's the combination of the individual ingredients with the herbs and spices selected for the dressing that brings out the unique aroma.
This can be perfectly combined with a warm pretzel, lavishly sprinkled with sunflower seeds, or an aromatic sourdough roll, all freshly baked by the self-made man from Wauwil.
The legendary signature dishes to take away from the Dolder Grand are also not missing from the menu, and their recipe is adapted to the garden restaurant of the Sonne am See. Whether it's the crispy fried chicken with potato and cucumber salad or the sticky Asian spare ribs, elaborately cooked in a special marinade and gently caressed by a sweet chilli mayonnaise.
Or how about the beer garden hot dog powered by Dr. Dog, the fruity and spicy curry sausage and the baked potato with smoked tofu, spinach salad, corn and tomatoes? Here the term 'beer garden' takes on a wholly rethought dimension.
In addition to the newly designed menu, an exciting selection of regional craft beers and soft drinks or, for example, a refreshing rosé provides pleasant cooling. And those looking for even more cooling will find an impressive range of fresh and locally produced glacés and sorbets at the glacé stand.
Sonne am See is open daily from 11:30am when the weather is fine, and the temperature is at least 15° Celsius. So you can enjoy the autumnal evening sun by the lake and the relaxed ambience until a golden October when the beer garden will open again in 'winter magic' and welcomes its guests. We can hardly wait to be so warmly looked after again.
