Kauz
Oberstrass, Zürich
Restaurant in Zürich, Switzerland
Book with PearlThe Read
Price
$10–20per person
Dress
Casual
Why go
Kauz is worth considering for an easy Zürich evening in Kreis 5, especially if timing flexibility matters more than a defined cuisine or formal tasting-menu format. Go for dinner or late-weekend plans; cross-shop White Elephant for Thai or Sham – Café for a more café-led option.
About Kauz
Consider Kauz if the goal is a low-friction Zürich night rather than a heavily specified dining plan. Kauz has casual dress and a schedule that runs from Wednesday night into the weekend's late-night windows.
Go for timing flexibility, not a scripted meal
The smart move is to plan around the opening times rather than around a specific menu format. Kauz is closed Monday and Tuesday; it opens Wednesday from 8–11 PM, Thursday from 6–11 PM, Friday from 6 PM–12 AM, Saturday from 12–7 AM and 6 PM–12 AM, and Sunday from 12–7 AM.
For a repeat visitor, the reason to return is practical rather than ceremonial. It is the sort of choice to use when the group wants Zürich without a formal dress code, or when a later slot matters more than a long advance plan. Kauz is a casual venue in Zürich with evening and late-night hours on select days.
Who should pick it, and who should cross-shop
Solo diners, pairs, and groups should make the decision based on the current hours and any visit details confirmed directly by the venue. Because there is no seat count or phone number, larger parties should confirm availability rather than assuming space will be simple.
If the priority is a clearly defined alternative, cross-shop first. White Elephant is another option to consider, while Sham – Café may suit a different kind of stop. Kauz makes more sense when the plan is anchored by timing, Zürich, and ease rather than a specific dish list.
Planning details
- Location
- Ausstellungsstrasse 21, 8005 Zürich, Switzerland
- Website
- kauzig.ch
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Kauz sits squarely in Zurich’s transformed Kreis 5, where former warehouse bones meet considered interior choices. The room leans into stripped-back industrial aesthetics softened by warm lighting, creating an intentional, low-key atmosphere. Evenings draw a mix of gallery-goers, after-work professionals and diners who have made a plan to be there, so the place has an alert, urban energy without courting spectacle. The overall tone reads as modern and warm: ambitious mid-to-upper-tier dining set against a neighborhood that still wears its industrial past on the sleeve.
Best For
This is an evening destination for guests who prioritize the meal itself. Kauz suits intentional dinners: after-work groups stopping in before or after nearby arts events, committed diners seeking a thoughtful night out, and professionals sharing a business meal. Because the neighborhood draws gallery-goers and theatre traffic, it also works well for pre-theatre plans. It is not positioned as a casual drop-in; rather, it caters to people who plan their nights around dining and expect a measured, well-paced experience.
Ordering Tips
Expect a measured, controlled dining cadence typical of Swiss fine dining: courses arrive with space for conversation and wine service follows the food. The approach privileges pacing over theatrical presentation, so allow time between courses and lean on the staff for wine sequencing rather than ordering everything at once. Given the neighbourhood draw of arts and after-work crowds, reservations are a sensible precaution for evening service. Beyond that, come prepared for a thoughtful, intentional meal rather than a rushed or buzzy late-night snack.
Venue details
Ambiance
Retro 70s aesthetic with crystal lamps and wall projections creating a smooth, sophisticated underground club atmosphere; DJ positioned on a cozy sofa; basement location with no exterior signage.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Accessibility
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Quick Bite
- Capacity
- Small
- Drinks Focus
- Cocktails, Beer, Wine, Whiskey
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- Ausstellungsstrasse 21, 8005 Zürich, Switzerland
Planning details
Location
Ausstellungsstrasse 21, 8005 Zürich, Switzerland · Directions
Also consider
If Kauz Does Not Fit
Try White Elephant if the group wants Thai with a clearer price signal. Try Sham – Café if the plan is lighter, more casual, or café-led.
Restaurant context
How Kauz Compares in Zürich
Kauz is the flexible pick in this Zürich set: easier to frame around timing and neighborhood than around a specific cuisine or price tier. White Elephant is the clearer choice when the group wants Thai and a known €€ spend, while Kauz is better when the plan is looser and the evening may run later.
Sham – Café is the more natural cross-shop for a café-leaning stop, while Püente, Chiang Mai, and Primitivo are better treated as alternatives to check when cuisine, room style, or group fit matters more than Kauz's evening flexibility. For a low-commitment Zürich dinner, Kauz is the easier call; for a clearly defined meal type, pick the peer with the stronger category signal.
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Kauz guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Kauz
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Price | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kauz | Zürich | , | , | No published awards |
| Sham – Café | Zürich | , | , | No published awards |
| Püente | Zürich | , | , | No published awards |
| White Elephant | Zürich | Thai | €€ | 2025 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence2025 Michelin Plate2024 Michelin Plate |
| Chiang Mai | Zürich | , | , | No published awards |
| Primitivo | Zürich | , | , | Michelin Guide Mexico 20262025 Michelin Plate2024 Michelin Plate |
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How Kauz Zürich compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kauz good for solo dining?
Kauz can fit a solo evening in Zürich if the timing works for you. It offers casual dress and Wednesday-to-Sunday late-week hours, but no specific seating format is available.
Is lunch or dinner better at Kauz?
Dinner or late-night planning is the safer fit. Kauz is closed Monday and Tuesday, opens Wednesday and Thursday in the evening, and has late-night weekend hours. It does not offer regular lunch service.
What should I wear to Kauz?
Casual dress is appropriate for Kauz. Keep it relaxed and neat rather than formal, especially if you are planning around its evening or late-night hours.
What should a first-timer know about Kauz?
Plan around the schedule: Kauz is closed Monday and Tuesday, opens Wednesday from 8–11 PM, Thursday from 6–11 PM, Friday from 6 PM–12 AM, Saturday from 12–7 AM and 6 PM–12 AM, and Sunday from 12–7 AM. Kauz offers Zürich, casual dress, and timing flexibility.
