Walter Ponce
Most people looking for dinner in the Zurich area stay inside the city limits, but some of the more relaxed spots sit just across the border. Visage Gastrobar, at Im Schörli 28 in Dübendorf, is one of them: a Balkan-influenced gastrobar that mixes grilled meat and sharing plates with a cocktail bar, and that turns into a party venue on some nights with DJs or live music.
It is a good option if you want a long evening with food and drinks in one place, without heading into the centre of Zurich.
What is a Balkan gastrobar?
Balkan cooking covers the food of countries such as Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro and North Macedonia. It is famous for grilled meat: ćevapi (small minced-meat sausages), pljeskavica (a large spiced patty) and mixed grill platters, usually served with flatbread, raw onion and creamy spreads.
A gastrobar takes that comfort food and serves it in a bar setting, with cocktails, a modern look and plates that are made for sharing. At Visage, the menu also includes Mediterranean starters, so Balkan grill dishes sit next to things like burrata.
What we ordered
- Burrata with cherry tomatoes, served on a patterned plate.
- Grilled Balkan-style meat with a creamy spread on flatbread.
- A sharing plate served in a boat-shaped bowl.
All of it arrived under the bar’s blue lighting, which sets the tone of the room.
A short guide to Balkan grill dishes
If the menu is new to you, these are the names worth knowing:
- Ćevapi: small, finger-shaped sausages of minced meat, grilled and served in flatbread with onions. The best-known Balkan dish.
- Pljeskavica: a large, flat, spiced meat patty, sometimes stuffed with cheese.
- Somun or lepinja: soft, slightly chewy flatbread, often warmed on the grill so it soaks up the meat juices.
- Kajmak: a rich, creamy dairy spread, close to clotted cream. A classic partner for grilled meat.
- Ajvar: a relish of roasted red peppers, sometimes with aubergine. Mild or spicy.
- Šopska salad: tomatoes, cucumber, onion and peppers topped with grated white cheese.
Ordering a mixed grill or a sharing plate is the easiest way to try several of these at once.
The place
Visage describes itself as a gastrobar, and the space is built for evenings out: a stylish room with a bar at its centre, coloured lighting and a cocktail list that gets as much attention as the food. On some nights it hosts party nights and live music, so the atmosphere can change from a restaurant dinner to a night out as the evening goes on.
Good to know
- Address: Im Schörli 28, 8600 Dübendorf.
- Tuesday offer: on Tuesdays, Visage has run a deal on two main courses. Check whether it is still on before you go.
- Events: party nights and live music happen on some dates. If you want a quieter dinner, check the programme first; if you want the party, plan around it.
- Currency: Switzerland uses Swiss francs (CHF). Cards are widely accepted.
- Booking: for weekend evenings and event nights, booking ahead is a good idea.
About Dübendorf
Dübendorf is a town that borders the city of Zurich to the east, in the Glatt Valley. It is known for its former military airfield and for research institutes such as Empa and Eawag. Large parts of the town, especially around Stettbach and the Hochbord quarter, have been developed into new residential and office districts, and that is part of why you find modern bars and restaurants here rather than only traditional village inns.
Getting there
- By train: S-Bahn trains connect Zurich main station (Zürich HB) and Stadelhofen with Dübendorf and Stettbach stations in a short ride.
- By tram: the Glattalbahn tram line 12 runs through Stettbach and the Dübendorf area towards Zurich Airport.
- Last stretch: use the SBB or ZVV app to plan the final walk or bus to Im Schörli, as the best stop depends on where you are coming from.
- By car: Dübendorf is a short drive from Zurich, useful if you are coming from elsewhere in the Glatt Valley.
Best time to visit
For a relaxed dinner, an early evening slot during the week works well. Tuesday is worth considering because of the two-mains offer it has run. For a livelier night with music, look at the weekend and event dates, and book a table so you are not left waiting at the bar.
What Google reviewers say
Google rating: 4.5 out of 5 from 915 reviews (October 2026).
Reviewers mostly praise the Balkan food, especially the ćevapi, and describe the portions as generous. The cocktails are rated very good, and many mention the live music and party atmosphere and the stylish space. On the critical side, some reviewers feel the traditional dishes are less authentic than what you would eat in the Balkans, and one found the burrata not creamy enough.
Verdict
Visage Gastrobar is a good pick if you want Balkan grill food, cocktails and a lively bar in one evening, just outside Zurich. Share a few plates, try the ćevapi and check the events calendar before you go.
FAQ
Where is Visage Gastrobar? At Im Schörli 28, 8600 Dübendorf, a town bordering the city of Zurich to the east.
What kind of food does Visage Gastrobar serve? Balkan-influenced food such as grilled meat and ćevapi, plus sharing plates and Mediterranean starters like burrata, alongside a cocktail menu.
Does Visage Gastrobar have live music? It hosts party nights and live music on some dates. Check its programme before you go.
Is there a Tuesday offer at Visage Gastrobar? On Tuesdays it has run an offer on two main courses. Confirm it is still running before you plan around it.
How do I get to Visage Gastrobar from Zurich? Take an S-Bahn from Zurich main station or Stadelhofen to Dübendorf or Stettbach, then plan the last stretch with the SBB or ZVV app.
Do I need to book Visage Gastrobar? It is a good idea on weekends and event nights.
