Zermatt Kitchen® by Marián Podola, The Private Chef ® — Restaurant in Zermatt

An average experience at best. When we arrived on Thursday afternoon, just before 2pm (for a late lunch) we were met by a bit of a grumpy server who didn't want to put together 2 tables for our party of four - in an empty restaurant. After a colleague chatted to them, they then pushed the two tables together and assisted us.

First we were told that the crispy pork sando wasn't available, so our party then ordered the ox tongue. About 20 mins after ordering the ox tongue (and seeing a few similar orders going out) we were then informed that the ox tongue was no longer available, but the crispy pork was. Thus, our party needed to change our order, after waiting for 20 mins already.

When our food arrived it was at about 3pm, an hour after arriving in the restaurant. Now, I would not consider our order to be extremely complicated (2 sous vide chickens which can be prepped, a crispy pork sando and avo on toast). Not quite sure why it took nearly 40 mins - especially after the first 20 mins debacle.

Secondly, and this is a personal foodie point from someone who has dined at some of the best resturants all over the world (expensive and cheap), I cannot believe the meal we received emerged from a team which has been awarded a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand Award. This food was neither very tasty nor value for money. I have never in my life received such bland food.

The avo wasn't seasoned at all (i.e. no salt, no pepper, no lemon juice) and the milk bread was so soft that the poached eggs collapsed through the middle of the bread making it difficult to eat. The chicken was tasty and moist, but it was just 3 chicken thighs with some almonds accompanying it - nothing else came with the dish which was supposedly a meal. The cripsy pork belly sando also wasn't great and I can't say I was impressed with the breading across the pork which was then sandwiched between more bread.

For all of this, plus 4 coffees and a grumpy server we paid 150 Euros!!!!! I have been to Swtizerland and Zermatt before, but this wasn't just expensive - it felt like a complete rip off.I am deeply disappointed and I will not be coming back to this restaurant or any of the others which are associated with...

Zermatt Kitchen’s Dinner Tasting Menu is available Friday-Monday. Our lovely fine dining experience was elevated by having a seat at the Chef’s Table for the evening. We were mesmerized by young Chef Sergio’s laser focus on details, remaining calm under pressure during service, as well as, taking time out to greet guests and interact during service. The food was delicious, beautiful to look at and the flavor combinations blended perfectly. An option for 6- course or 3-course is available. My personal favorites were: 1st- Pork Belly with Japanese Radish served along with a warm Pork Belly Sauce. Excellent flavor combination that will keep you wanting more. 2nd- the mouth watering, tender cut of Venison Entrecôte served alongside Celery Purée (with a subtle hint of white chocolate) a Confit Blackberry and crispy Kale Chips. 3rd- Warm Goat Cheese and Fig Ravioli served with delicious fermented Beetroot Juice and a Parmesan foam. The house made Sourdough bread with flavored butter, oil and salt was a great way to start our dining experience. An Amuse Bouche of warm Pea Soup and tasty bites just wet our appetite for more. An A La Cart Menu is available for those craving the popular Arolied Restaurant popular dishes: Malakoff, Chickpea Fritters, Ham Croquettes, Chicken & Potato, Sweet Potato Fries and Burrata & Figs. Lastly, let’s talk about desserts. These desserts aren’t just your standard, these desserts could win awards for their beauty alone. Such complex flavor combinations, skillfully and artistically are showcased in beautiful cakes or smaller doughnut shaped desserts. To name a few: Milk Chocolate Cake, White Chocolate Cake, or Red Velvet Cake. Doughnut delights like Tiramisu, Citrus, Salted Caramel with Dark Chocolate. Kids are welcome, vegetarian options available and always dietary restrictions are accompanied. Lucky are we to have this new favorite fine dining option in the center of town. I highly recommend it! It will become your...

Overall: Zermatt Kitchen offers a fantastic breakfast with high-quality ingredients and delicious dishes. However, prepare for a potentially long wait, especially during peak times.

Atmosphere: The restaurant boasts a very clean and modern interior, perfect for a stylish start to your day.

Service: While we were promptly seated on a busy Friday morning, the service wasn't as efficient as we'd hoped. Getting the bill and finally paying took a significant amount of time, extending our breakfast to over 1.5 hours. This was frustrating, especially since it seemed like other tables were served and paid out quickly.

Food: Despite the service wait, the food was definitely worth it. Their coffee deserves special mention - the double espresso was the best I've had in Switzerland! It was beautifully smooth, with no bitterness or over-extraction.

The sourdough and salmon breakfast was divine. The poached eggs were cooked to perfection, boasting incredible softness. The smoked salmon was bursting with flavor, and the generous, untoasted slice of sourdough was a delightful surprise.

My girlfriend's leek and potato dish was also very good, with well-cooked vegetables that retained a nice crunch. The onion flavor was a bit stronger than expected, but overall, it was a flavorful dish.

Price: Considering the quality and portion sizes, the price was quite reasonable for Zermatt and Switzerland in general. We paid 62CHF for two breakfasts, a bottle of water, and a double espresso.

Recommendation: If you prioritize delicious food and a modern atmosphere for breakfast, Zermatt Kitchen is a great choice. Just be mindful of potentially long wait times, especially if you're on a...