Spaghetti Factory — Restaurant in Zurich

My colleague and I entered the Spaghetti Factory, excited to try the seasonal mushroom spaghetti. Our evening began with a simple starter: bread served with balsamic vinegar and olive oil. When I politely requested a second bowl of balsamic, little did we know what was about to happen. The waiter brought the bowl but had an unfortunate accident – the bowl slipped from his hands and spilled directly on both of us, right onto our white shirts.

Visibly surprised and now dealing with unsightly stains, we remained calm. Accidents can happen in any restaurant, but what followed was simply unacceptable. Instead of offering an immediate apology or any form of assistance, there was no reaction. The service staff remained silent and distanced, as if nothing had happened. The man at the neighboring table, who received only a fraction of the spill, reacted far more dramatically – ironically, the staff only react to him.

After rushing to the restroom to clean the stains, we returned to our table, only to find that our main course had already been placed on the table – in our absence. This was absolutely shocking. It showed a complete disregard for the guests, serving food without their presence, as if we were unimportant.

Despite the situation, we decided to continue the evening and ordered dessert on our own. Up to that point, there had been no apology or any gesture to acknowledge the mishap. It wasn’t until much later, when the waiter casually passed by while I was folding my dirty shirt, that he offered a half-hearted apology – almost as though it was a minor issue.

The peak of disappointment came when we were presented with the bill. To our surprise, the man at the neighboring table had been offered complimentary spaghetti as compensation – even though he had barely been affected by the incident. Meanwhile, we, whose clothes had been completely ruined, were expected to pay the full amount. Upon our first inquiry, only the dessert was removed from the bill. Ridiculous. It was only after a second round of questioning that we were finally offered one complimentary spaghetti dish – but only for one of us. The other person was still expected to pay. This made absolutely no sense – why compensate only one of us and not the other?

Frustrated and not wanting to prolong the discussion, we asked for the bill. Instead of an explanation or a courteous gesture, the “manager” silently placed the bill on the table. As we tried to process the situation, he handed me the card reader over my shoulder from behind, with the amount already entered – without uttering a single word of apology or offering any kind of explanation.

Appalled by this miserable display of hospitality, we left the restaurant without feeling valued or acknowledged. While the Spaghetti Factory might not be a fine dining restaurant, one would still expect basic customer service, especially in the face of such a clear mishap. Accidents can happen, but how a restaurant handles them is key to customer satisfaction – and in this case, that care was...

We were recommended this restaurant by our tour guide during a day trip in the mountains, and we were really looking forward to trying their pasta dishes. Unfortunately, the experience was deeply disappointing from the start.

The pasta dishes arrived at our table in less than two minutes, which immediately felt suspicious. They were cold, completely unseasoned, and tasteless. We called the waiter to ask whether the dishes were supposed to look and taste the way they did. The waiter called the manager, who apologised and admitted that the chefs were very busy, so “sometimes they cut the ingredients and quality the customer should get.” He promised to personally cook us new pasta dishes to ensure proper quality.

By then we were very hungry, so I ordered the simplest dish on the menu, All’Arrabbiata, while my husband chose a similar option with prawns. Sadly, the second round was no better. The pasta tasted like dried supermarket spaghetti — certainly not fresh — and the sauce was gluey, acidic, and gave me heartburn after just a few bites. There was no flavour, no care, and no understanding of how to prepare a proper Italian dish.

When the manager asked again what was wrong, we explained that good pasta is not just boiled noodles — it’s about balance, freshness, and flavour. Instead of listening, he dismissed us and told us not to come back to the restaurant for food again — only for drinks if we liked. We were shocked — rather than taking feedback and trying to improve, we were made to feel unwelcome and disrespected.

As someone who cooks well myself, I know the pride and satisfaction that comes from serving quality food. This restaurant shows no pride in its cooking and no respect for its customers. The speed of service, lack of flavour, and the manager’s attitude made us feel like cattle being rushed through a system: food on the table in under two minutes, and the bill presented the moment you finish, just to prepare the table for the next victims.

No restaurant should operate like this, let alone be supported...

Tucked away near the bustling streets surrounding the Adler Hotel, the Spaghetti Factory in Zurich is a delightful surprise, a true hidden gem amidst the city's vibrant dining scene. This charming restaurant offers a cozy and inviting atmosphere, enhanced by the soft glow of lights and the occasional live guitar performances in the evening, creating a perfect backdrop for a memorable meal.

Our dining experience at the Spaghetti Factory was thoroughly enjoyable, with dishes that were both comforting and delicious. The Caesar salad was fresh and well-seasoned, a great starter that set a high standard for the meal to follow. The spaghetti with tomato sauce, a seemingly simple dish, was executed with a depth of flavor that can only come from the use of quality ingredients and careful preparation.

The Spaghetti Factory's ability to provide a serene escape from the more crowded tourist locations, along with its excellent cuisine, makes it an ideal spot for anyone looking to enjoy a good meal in a more intimate setting. Whether you're a local or a visitor, stopping by this restaurant feels like discovering a special part of Zurich's culinary offerings.

Overall, the Spaghetti Factory proves that sometimes the best dining experiences come from the places you least expect. It’s certainly worth a visit if you find yourself craving Italian fare in the...