Café des Amis

Cafe des Amis - Zürich

As almost always I chose this cafe, from their Google listing. Their reviews were mostly very positive but also many complaints usually around service. I wanted to see if I felt comfortable bringing my bike with me as well as how it was to work from.

I visit places as part of my #workFromAnywhere project. I almost always arrive by bike with a laptop. I want to see if I can get work done and feel my bike is safe. These reviews are more for those “working from home” who want a break or “bike tourists”. This is not food review.

Bike rack/#: No/-
Bike safety: 3/5
work Comfort: 4/5
Outdoor Seating: Yes
Ports: None visible
wifi: Yes, ask for code
Coffee: Yes, good
Biking Clothes: Fine
Water Bottle Refill: Yes*
EC/Credit Cards: Yes
Mobile NFC Pay: Not visible

Another #workFromAnywhere excursion and this time I took went to Zurich for a meeting. Along the way I looked for a place to get a coffee and get this review done. Typical for me I open Google Maps and click on the “cafe” option. I was arriving by train and didn’t want to go too far from the main station and Cafe des Amis was within range. It is a 20 minute walk to get here but what is nice is it seems off the tourist circuit. Parking around here is limited but there is public transportation all over the city.

I preface my review of eating and working from the cafe by saying I arrived at 3pm and there were very few patrons. The lunch crowd had gone and the apéro fans were not here yet. I spent over an hour in the cafe. My order was taken quickly after I sat near the large windows. The coffee, americano, with glass of water came soon after and the quiche loraine (it was big) within 15 minutes. The menu even says it can take up to 20 minutes. I dealt with 3 different waiters during my stay and all were attentive and polite. So no remarks on that from me.

I was not the only person working on their laptops so that made the #WfA part very positive. Bring your own power as you may want to sit outdoors under one of the many umbrellas. There is no power sockets available indoors as well. wifi is locked and you will need to ask for the password. I could easily sit here for an hour or two and get work done. Only drawback is the hard wooden seats. Most of the seating has hard seats so just keep that in mind.

There are many bicycles in Zurich but parking for them is usually on the street. Most of the area for locking a bike around the cafe would be unseen from the cafe. There are a few spots next to the bus stop. It is a busy street so probably not a big deal but bring an extra lock to make sure all your parts are still there when you return. Water bottle you can refill in the restrooms.

The Café des Amis is more than a coffee shop, it is a bistro and bar as printed on the windows. The coffee was great, the food too.

As a #workFromAnywhere spot the Café des Amis gets 4 out of 5 since there is no power available and bike parking is not idea. During the day when there are fewer guests this is a great escape for those #homeoffice workers needing a change of scenery. Again, my criteria may not be yours. #youdoyou

The Café des Amis is a comfortable place to spend some time working even with a few items lacking.

A cozy and relaxed spot in Zurich's Niederdorf district, serving up delicious breakfasts and brunches. A great place to meet up with friends or work on your laptop.

This is an amazing place to work. Staff are super nice, coffee is great, location is great. Keep it up Cafés de Amis!

I am sitting here for 1 hour and the only thing that is served is the cappuccino. The place is not even full. Good work, thanks 👍