Haus Hiltl — Restaurant in Zurich

(Written in English for public awareness) I visited this restaurant on July 7th, 2025, as an East Asian woman, based on a recommendation from my Swiss boyfriend’s parents. It turned out to be one of the most disrespectful dining experiences I’ve had in Switzerland.

I clearly ordered the Green Thai Curry. The German female server—who couldn’t even pronounce stra‘ccia’tella—said yes, and then later asked me if I wanted cauliflower and rice. Naturally, I assumed that rice came with the curry and she was simply asking if I wanted cauliflower added. Of course I said yes. So did my boyfriend.

A few minutes later, what I received instead was Korean Style Cauliflower. (She never asked if I was ordering Korean Style Cauliflower—so why did I receive it?)

When I asked about the mistake, she responded, “There’s no need for an argument. You can just order again.” That wasn’t helpful. It was condescending and dismissive. Instead of owning her mistake, she acted as if she were correcting me. She never confirmed my order, never asked for clarification. She just guessed based on her own assumptions and a rude attitude.

Honestly, how does “Green Thai Curry” turn into “Korean Style Cauliflower”? It only makes sense if you’re not listening or if you’re making assumptions based on race.

I speak fluent English, studied at a U.S. university, scored 7.5+ on IELTS Speaking, and am about to begin a master’s program in Switzerland. So I can clearly tell whether something is just rudeness or something rooted in racial bias.

This was not a communication issue. It was racial bias.

She assumed I couldn’t speak English properly because I’m Asian. She assumed I wanted Korean food without asking just because I’m Asian.

We left without eating. She NEVER apologized. She just smiled and said, “Have a good evening.” even it is right after she wasted our time and ruined our night. THAT DESERVES AN APOLOGY, NOT A SMILE.

BEING A SERVER IS NOT JUST ABOUT SMILING. This attitudes were unprofessional and unqualified, even as a basic server. She treats the customer like they’re the problem, even when the mistake was entirely hers.

Is this what your founder envisioned for the restaurant that bears their name? If this is who you trust to represent your restaurant, DON‘T BE SURPRISED WHEN MORE GUESTS WALK OUT. No one come here to get a lesson from the server.

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Future guests, beware: You may be ignored, misheard, or stereotyped. If she takes your order, double-check everything - (Green Thai Curry can somehow become Korean Style Cauliflower) -...

This is an atrocity of a restaurant. I am European and the service and quality makes me ashamed to be blatantly ripped off for horrendous food. Rice was worse than United Airlines. I had Korean bbq wings and it was hot garbage. I’m a vegan and I don’t mince my words. The service was horrible, including Stephen verbally berating me and my guest for me sitting at a three seat table due to bad staff communication (I had made a two person reservation and said my name twice to the seater on the first floor when she indicated it’s fine to go and sit upstairs). The only good part about the service was that they remade my chai when I accidentally ordered with cows milk not knowing it isn’t vegan by default - I was happy to pay for that from the beginning but the waitress was nice.

When you try to order dessert, like brownies, they tell you it’s self serve. Horrendous! I could have just gone to self serve without a reservation and not been yelled at. And then? The sweet potato brownie was bitter garbage. I’ve eaten in Washington DC for the same exact cost at an Asian vegan 5 star cuisine with amazing service, multiple drinks, plates, and dessert. This Hitl location would get 0 stars if it was possible. Don’t kid yourself and skip it at all costs! I had the decent to tip 15% but the truth comes out after you make me feel like an idiot for just wanting a nice evening in a “nice” restaurant! Disgusting service and it makes your culture look poor. Don’t even respond with all your emojis like you do to others and trying to make up for the...

I've been to Hiltl (Haus Hiltl in Zurich City) the first time about 30 years ago at a very young age with my mom, and visited this place now and then ever since, with family and friends and as well now with my own kids. You can choose from a variety of vegetarian dishes from the buffet and the menu card. I love the fresh tee and fruit drinks, and the selection of desserts. Over the years, the food was always top quality and inspires you to create your own vegetarian dishes at home, complemented with top cooking classes that provide some deeper insights on nutrition topics. I have to say though, that I have only ordered once or twice from the menu card, as I enjoy it very much to go the buffet to choose a variety of warm and cold vegetarian food. It is a very expensive place to eat. Therefore, I would love to have more of such restaurants at an affordable price. It is our world that we live in that good, healthy food costs a fortune. And it doesn't matter if you buy the food and prepare and cook it at your home (use water, energy etc.), which is also very pricy and takes time, or go to such a place like Hiltl. In my view, the government should understand that ALL people should be eligible and enabled to enter the healthy food market in whatever way, less or no added sugar, alternatives to massive meat production, sustainable...