What is the history of Hiltl, the world's oldest vegetarian restaurant?

Hiltl, the world's oldest continuously running vegetarian restaurant, was founded in 1897 in Zurich, Switzerland. It found success in 1903 when Bavarian tailor Ambrosius Hiltl took over the restaurant after a health scare led him to embrace vegetarianism.

How has Hiltl influenced the vegetarian movement in Switzerland?

Hiltl's success has inspired a broader movement towards plant-based cuisine in Switzerland. Michelin-star chefs are now embracing vegetarian and vegan offerings, and vegetarian restaurants are popping up in ski resorts and city centers across the country, reflecting the growing popularity of a plant-based lifestyle.

Home / Lifestyle / Zurich's Vegetarian Oasis: How a Tailor's Love for Greens Birthed the World's Oldest Plant-Based Restaurant

Zurich's Vegetarian Oasis: How a Tailor's Love for Greens Birthed the World's Oldest Plant-Based Restaurant

Q: How did Indian cuisine become part of the Hiltl menu?

In the 1950s, Margarith Hiltl, the daughter-in-law of Ambrosius and Martha Hiltl, traveled to India and brought back a wealth of spices and knowledge about Indian cuisine. She began introducing Indian dishes to the Hiltl menu, attracting a growing Indian clientele, including former Indian Prime Minister Morarji Desai.

28 Oct

•

Summary

Hiltl, the world's oldest continuously running vegetarian restaurant, is located in Zurich, Switzerland
Ambrosius Hiltl, a Bavarian tailor, fell in love with vegetarianism after a health scare and took over the restaurant in 1903
Hiltl's wife, Martha, introduced Indian cuisine to the menu in the 1950s, attracting a growing Indian clientele

As of October 2025, Hiltl, the world's oldest continuously running vegetarian restaurant, continues to thrive in Zurich, Switzerland. The restaurant's origins date back to 1897 when it first opened as the 'Vegetarierheim and Abstinence-Cafe', but it wasn't until 1903 that it found true success.

That year, Bavarian tailor Ambrosius Hiltl, who had frequently traveled to Switzerland for work, fell ill with rheumatism. His doctor prescribed a plant-based diet, leading Hiltl to discover the 'root bunker', as the restaurant was then known. Hiltl made a full recovery and, two years later, took over the management of the restaurant, turning it into a roaring success.

Under Hiltl's leadership, the restaurant continued to grow, despite initial skepticism towards vegetarianism. In the 1950s, Hiltl's daughter-in-law, Margarith, traveled to India and brought back a wealth of spices and knowledge about Indian cuisine. She began introducing Indian dishes to the Hiltl menu, attracting a growing Indian clientele, including former Indian Prime Minister Morarji Desai.

Today, Hiltl remains a beloved institution in Zurich, catering to a diverse range of customers, from college students to the wealthy elite. The restaurant's innovative vegetarian and vegan offerings have also inspired a broader movement in Switzerland, with Michelin-star chefs embracing plant-based cuisine and vegetarian restaurants popping up in ski resorts and city centers across the country.

Disclaimer: This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.