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

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.