
Schwarzenbach Kolonialwaren (Schwarzenbach Colonial Goods Shop), Zurich
If your legs are protesting and your eyes are glazed from all the churches, towers, and charming cobblestones of Zurich’s Old Town—fear not. Schwarzenbach Colonial Goods Shop is your elegant excuse to hit pause. This isn’t just any pit stop. It’s a gourmet time machine disguised as a shop, roasting beans and tempting tastebuds since 1864. It was back then that Heini Schwarzenbach decided Zurich needed less boredom and more spice. Quite literally...
Step inside, and you're instantly wrapped in the old-world charm and the sweet, seductive smell of freshly roasted coffee. The wooden shelves groan (happily) under the weight of dried fruits, artisan jams, wild honey, and enough chocolate to make your dentist nervous. Also, there’s wine. There are syrups. There’s rice that probably has a better passport than you. And yes, the teas and coffee beans come from just about every corner of the globe that knows how to grow something aromatic.
But what's more. Next door, you’ll find their cozy little café. Just grab a seat, order a cup of their lovingly roasted coffee or fragrant tea, and pair it with a baked good that whispers sweet nothings to your soul. It’s the perfect break—part history lesson, part foodie fantasy.
So, if you're strolling through the Old Town of Zurich and feel the need for a snack with a story, Schwarzenbach is ready to serve.
Step inside, and you're instantly wrapped in the old-world charm and the sweet, seductive smell of freshly roasted coffee. The wooden shelves groan (happily) under the weight of dried fruits, artisan jams, wild honey, and enough chocolate to make your dentist nervous. Also, there’s wine. There are syrups. There’s rice that probably has a better passport than you. And yes, the teas and coffee beans come from just about every corner of the globe that knows how to grow something aromatic.
But what's more. Next door, you’ll find their cozy little café. Just grab a seat, order a cup of their lovingly roasted coffee or fragrant tea, and pair it with a baked good that whispers sweet nothings to your soul. It’s the perfect break—part history lesson, part foodie fantasy.
So, if you're strolling through the Old Town of Zurich and feel the need for a snack with a story, Schwarzenbach is ready to serve.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Zurich. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Schwarzenbach Kolonialwaren (Schwarzenbach Colonial Goods Shop) on Map
Sight Name: Schwarzenbach Kolonialwaren (Schwarzenbach Colonial Goods Shop)
Sight Location: Zurich, Switzerland (See walking tours in Zurich)
Sight Type: Shopping
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Zurich, Switzerland (See walking tours in Zurich)
Sight Type: Shopping
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Zurich, Switzerland
Create Your Own Walk in Zurich
Creating your own self-guided walk in Zurich is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Zurich's Historical Churches Tour
The history of Christianity in Zurich is duly reflected in the local churches, found here in abundance. Indeed, Christianity has been the dominant religion of Zurich for many centuries. And while, historically, the city was a center of the Protestant Reformation, today it is home to both Catholic and Protestant communities.
The Swiss Reformed Church is the largest Protestant denomination, but... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
The Swiss Reformed Church is the largest Protestant denomination, but... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Old Town Walk
Zurich’s Old Town—the city’s historical core—is where the past shakes hands with charm and refuses to be boring. Spread on both sides of the Limmat River, this part of town still remembers when cobblestones were cutting-edge tech. They say “Zurich is a city, but Old Town is a village”—and yes, that pretty much nails it. A sort of medieval postcard with a side of espresso...
Old... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Old... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Zurich Souvenir Shopping
Zurich has no shortage of tourists, and when it comes to souvenirs, there are plenty of options available.
A popular saying goes, "When in Zurich, shop on Bahnhofstrasse." True, in terms of souvenir shopping, this thoroughfare is second to none. Another saying is that “When in Switzerland, buy Swiss-made products.”
Alongside many other things, Bahnhofstrasse is home to... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
A popular saying goes, "When in Zurich, shop on Bahnhofstrasse." True, in terms of souvenir shopping, this thoroughfare is second to none. Another saying is that “When in Switzerland, buy Swiss-made products.”
Alongside many other things, Bahnhofstrasse is home to... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Zurich Gourmet Tour
Apart from its high-quality watches, Switzerland is famous for its unique delicacies. The secrets of their making have been preserved for centuries and passed on from father to son. In this respect, it is not at all surprising that a global banking and financial center such as Zurich can be also a haven for food enthusiasts seeking gourmet delights. On this self-guided walk, we invite you to... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Zurich Introduction Walking Tour
Zurich—Switzerland’s largest city and possibly the classiest time machine you’ll ever stroll through. Beneath its polished surface of banks, trams, and world-class chocolate lies a city with roots older than most empires. Humans have been hanging out here for over 6,000 years, and in 15 BC the Romans finally gave it a name: Turicum—meaning “the place of Turos”, likely stemming from a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
15 Distinctively Swiss Things to Buy in Zurich
Zurich is Switzerland’s largest city, and although it may feel like a bustling metropolis, the tranquil essence of the Alps flows fervently through the lively cobblestone streets, the buzzing train station, and the frenzied designer boutiques. Most shops in downtown Zurich open at 9 am and close...