Zurich Zoo: Opening of Zoo Caffè & Ristorante

(eap) Zurich Zoo has taken over the former Dieci allo Zoo restaurant opposite the zoo entrance. The location, which will now be run under the new name Zoo Caffè & Ristorante, will continue to offer Italian cuisine and also house a café. The previous Zoo Café at Zurich Zoo has therefore been closed. According to the zoo, the gastronomic concept includes a large selection of vegetarian dishes and, as part of the non-vegetarian offer, two chicken dishes, for which meat from former organic laying hens is used.

Sustainability is an important concern for Zurich Zoo, which aims to transform itself into a world for animals and people as stated in its “Development Plan 2050”. The new zoo restaurant will therefore also use products from Switzerland wherever possible. As a specialty, the zoo highlights the two chicken dishes with meat from laying hens from organic egg production. The animals, which have an average life expectancy of 18 months (in Switzerland), are usually used for energy production in bio-gas plants afterwards. The laying hens are not suitable for traditional meat production, as they produce a small amount of meat. In collaboration with a specialised producer, the zoo has now developed two dishes in which the hens’ meat – and therefore a high-quality protein resource – can still be used. Guests in the catering trade can try the dishes for themselves.

The area of the former zoo café will now become part of the existing zoo shop in the same location. The area is currently being redesigned and will be opened as a new part of the shop this coming weekend. ■