The Monocle Shop and Cafe – Zurich

One of the things I loved most about Zürich was how easy it was to stumble across places that perfectly capture the city’s character. Just around the corner from Etre Patisserie, I found one of those places: Monocle Zürich.

Part café, part retail space and part magazine lover’s dream, it’s the kind of spot where you can easily lose track of time.

The café serves excellent coffee along with a small selection of food, making it an ideal place to pause for a break while exploring the city. But what makes Monocle special is that the experience doesn’t end when you’ve finished your coffee.The store is beautifully curated, with racks of well-made clothing, thoughtfully selected homewares and design objects, and plenty of books and travel-inspired products. Every corner feels intentional without being intimidating, reflecting the understated design sensibility that Zürich does so well.

Then there are the magazines. One entire wall is dedicated to publications from around the world, covering everything from design and architecture to travel, culture and fashion. Even if you arrive with no intention of buying anything, it’s hard not to spend time browsing.

Like many of my favourite places in Zürich, Monocle feels calm and considered. There’s no rush, no hard sell, just a space that invites you to slow down, have a coffee and explore at your own pace.

I originally planned to stop in for a quick look after visiting Etre Patisserie. An hour later, I was still there, coffee finished, magazine in hand, wondering where the afternoon had gone.

If you’re spending time in Zürich and enjoy good coffee, thoughtful design and a bit of retail inspiration, Monocle is well worth adding to your list. It’s a small stop that somehow manages to capture a lot of what makes the city so appealing.

The Monocle Shop & Café Zurich
Dufourstrasse 90, 8008 Zürich, Switzerland
https://monocle.com/monocle-shops-and-cafes/