Walter Ponce
Studio Bellerive is the restaurant on the ground floor of the AMERON Zürich Bellerive au Lac hotel, on the Utoquai lakeside promenade in Zurich’s Riesbach district (Seefeld). It is a modern brasserie with the grill at its heart, serving shared starters, seafood and meat from regional and seasonal suppliers.
The restaurant is easy to overlook from the outside. Hardly anything on the street side hints at the beauty hidden behind the grey facade.
The dining room
Inside, the colours are pleasant pastel tones with lots of green. Banana trees give the spacious room a garden-like character, and a long, airy, metal-framed arcade creates the illusion of an orangery. According to the Michelin Guide, the restaurant is named after a famous Swiss television studio.
Studio Bellerive menu: what to order
The grill plays a major role at Studio Bellerive. Around it are modern starters, many of them designed to share, and reinterpreted brasserie classics.
On the starter menu at the time of my visit you could find pork belly à la chinoise, Nobu-style ceviche, oysters, tartare and a classic langoustine bisque. From the grill there was pulpo (octopus), Irish Angus entrecôte and marinated beef short ribs.
What we ate: the pork belly with miso cream and radish was a real hit. The Angus entrecôte was super tender, and every bite was exceptional. The dessert selection is not very extensive, but the cheesecake and chocolate mousse were really good.
The concept follows a regional and seasonal product philosophy. At the time of my visit, the team around Chef de Cuisine Marcus Langer and Restaurant Manager Matthias von Maltzan served meat, fish and vegetable specialities from local suppliers, either à la carte or “family style” to share, with side dishes, sauces and desserts. The wine list brings wines from all over the world, and the Bellerive Bar is a good spot for an after-work drink or an aperitif before dinner.
Dishes change with the seasons, so check the current menu on the Studio Bellerive website.
Is Studio Bellerive worth it?
For the food, yes: it gets four stars from me, as does the lakeside location. Service gets two stars and price and portions three, which gives an overall rating of three stars. At the time of my visit, dinner averaged around 80-90 euros per person, which is typical for a hotel restaurant on the lake in Zurich. The family-style format and spacious room make it a good choice for groups and celebrations.
What is a brasserie in Zurich?
A brasserie is traditionally a relaxed French-style restaurant serving classics like steak, seafood and tartare. Modern brasseries in Zurich often add international influences and a stronger focus on sharing plates. “Family style” means dishes are placed in the middle for everyone to try.
Zurich is one of the most expensive cities in Europe for eating out, and a dinner with starters, mains, dessert and wine at a lakeside hotel restaurant sits in the higher price range. Summer is the most beautiful time on the lakeside, with long evenings and a lively promenade. In winter, a warm, garden-style room like this one is a nice contrast to the cold outside.
Where is Studio Bellerive? Address and getting there
Address: Utoquai 47, 8008 Zürich (ground floor of AMERON Zürich Bellerive au Lac) Website: https://ameroncollection.com/en/zuerich-bellerive-au-lac/studio-bellerive Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studiobellerive/
The hotel was long known simply as Hotel Bellerive au Lac and now runs under the Ameron brand, with Art Deco-inspired interiors. It sits on the eastern shore of Lake Zurich, about a five-minute walk from the Opera House.
- Tram: several lines run along Utoquai and Seefeldstrasse. Kreuzstrasse and Feldeggstrasse stops are close.
- On foot: from Bellevueplatz it is a pleasant walk along the lake.
- From the main station: take a tram towards Bellevue, or walk through the old town in around 20-25 minutes.
What to do nearby
- The Utoquai promenade: a lakeside walk with views of the water and, on clear days, the Alps
- Opera House and Sechseläutenplatz: one of the largest squares in the city
- Zürichhorn park: lawns and sculptures further along the shore, with the Chinese Garden nearby
- The Old Town (Niederdorf): narrow lanes, bars and small shops across from Bellevue
For more Zurich restaurants, see my reviews of Co Chin Chin and Haus am Fluss on the Limmat.
Tips for your visit
- Book ahead, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings.
- Start at the bar with an aperitif before dinner.
- Share starters, since the menu is built for sharing.
- Tipping is optional in Switzerland, since service is included. Rounding up is common.
- Check current opening hours and menus before you go.
More photos
FAQ
Where is Studio Bellerive in Zurich? On the ground floor of AMERON Zürich Bellerive au Lac, Utoquai 47, 8008 Zürich, on the lakeside promenade in Riesbach.
Is Studio Bellerive part of Hotel Bellerive au Lac? Yes. It is the hotel’s restaurant, next to the Bellerive Bar. The hotel now operates as AMERON Zürich Bellerive au Lac.
What is on the Studio Bellerive menu? A grill-focused brasserie menu: shared starters like pork belly, ceviche, oysters and tartare, grilled pulpo, Angus entrecôte and short ribs, plus desserts. It changes with the seasons.
What do Studio Bellerive reviews say? If you are looking for reviews (Rezensionen für Studio Bellerive), mine is above: three stars overall, with four stars for the food and the location.
Is it good for groups and celebrations? Yes. The family-style sharing format and spacious room work well for groups. Book in advance.
