Bindella — Restaurant in Zurich

I went to Bindella for the first time since the pandemic. Before this troubled period, my family and special friends were regular patrons. Usually the atmosphere was warm, though always fast paced, we usually felt relaxed, happy even and comfortable from the charm of the Italian setting.

Last night was 60% of that usual feel. We had reservations, we were late but still accommodated. The service was slower, rushed and we felt strange in usual friendly surroundings. The waiter smiled but it seemed forced, he was fast in every single way, often in a rush, he seemed more keen to be kinder to the men around us, constantly re-pouring wine and water for each but our table left untouched. Nevertheless he asked after each meal, very quickly if we enjoyed.

The first course was good, a favorite Linguine Scampi served in a small portion, my main the specialty Calves Liver w Risotto was a little too salty but the flavor still matched the memory. After two courses, we expected the usual query for dessert; we actually thought this would never happen. Our waiter played tag with every other table again, except ours. We finally got the question and happily said yes to Tiramisu and Crème Brûlée. The Tiramisu came but the Crème Brûlée was replaced with Panna Cotta; another wait to receive the correct order. Never mind; both were satisfactory and paired with short espressos.

The final bang I guess would be the end of the meal; naturally it is our incline to tip and generously. There’s a usual request as per all restaurants especially in recent times; we observed the gentlemen beside us had this tip request yet we never received it; maybe we thought this is an Italian restaurant and we are two women, it’s probably impolite to assume that we would tip. Us being hopeful.

In general, we had a good time; a social occasion my...

Bindella Ristorante in Zurich is one of those places that nails the first impression: tucked into In Gassen, with a warm and classy outdoor setup, candlelight on the tables, and a lively yet refined atmosphere, it feels instantly special. Service was exactly what you’d expect from a high-end Italian restaurant—our waitress was attentive without hovering, handled a small request for the evening with ease, and overall made us feel genuinely taken care of. Unfortunately, the food was nowhere near on the same level. The mozzarella in the starter was unusually tough and bland, which already raised eyebrows. The lamb cutlets, while fine, were forgettable—more the kind of dish you’d expect from an average brasserie than from Bindella’s kitchen. And the broccoli side was the real letdown: at a restaurant of this caliber, simple vegetables should be an opportunity to show off restraint and precision, but instead it arrived overcooked, watery, and flavorless, like something served in bulk rather than crafted with care. The only bright spots were the pasta, which was well-cooked and balanced, and the bread, which had that fresh, rustic quality you want at an Italian table. In the end, the night was saved by the beautiful setting and excellent staff, but the food didn’t come close to justifying the restaurant’s reputation or prices.

Service: 10/10 Food:...

The recent dining experience was a disappointment, and fell short of the standards I expected when choosing Bindella for a special family evening.

I visited with my family, including my two young children, and decided to order two adult main dishes to share among the three of us. Unfortunately, several issues occurred during our visit: Incorrect order change – Without my request or consent, the waiter replaced one of the adult dishes with a child’s portion. This left the portions insufficient for sharing as planned. Missing side dish – One of the adult main dishes was supposed to include rice, but the rice was never brought. When I asked, the waiter simply replied, “I seem to have forgotten,” without offering an apology. Despite this, I was still charged the full price. Delayed side dishes – For the rest of my family, the side dishes that accompanied their mains were served only after they had nearly finished eating.

Overall, the experience was disappointing, especially since Bindella was chosen as a special and classy place for our family meal. The service mistakes and lack of attentiveness diminished what should have been an...