For once, I'm not writing about a trip today. Well, actually I do! A culinary journey. Since we can't get enough of travelling, we have set ourselves a new challenge: We eat ourselves once around the world. Our "A-Z Dinner Challenge" works like this: We look for restaurants with different country cuisines from A-Z in Zurich and surroundings. I will report on these culinary journeys here. I'm sure there will be some good new discoveries and I'm curious to see where the journey will take me!
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Yesterday we started with the letter A. Armenia? Azerbaijan? No, today the Challenge took us culinarily to Afgahnistan, namely to the "Afghan Anar" in Zurich.
The "Afghan Anar" may be known by its streetfood past. But the restaurant who is located very central at Limmatplatz is also worth a visit! A modern restaurant with traditional influences. For example, there are niches where you sit on beautiful carpets on the floor. On the walls there are pictures of times when the women didn't veil and walked through the streets in short skirts.
Anar means "pomegranate" in Persian. This is very characteristic of the restaurant - it is not only included in the logo but is also to be found in almost every dish.
The menu at Afghan Anar is small, which helps a lot to make a decision. One would like to eat everything: The mezze plate with various delicacies, the mantu - stuffed dumplings, similar to the Nepalese momos - marinated eggplants, stuffed flat breads, tender lamb knuckles... It is best to order many things and then divide them. We even shared our food with our neighbours. That's how you get into conversation, which probably explains the good, relaxed atmosphere in the crowded restaurant.
The food was so delicious that we also had a dessert. We had the choice of Baklava and "Firni", a rose water pudding with pistachios that reminded us a bit of panna cotta. Yummy!
Oh, and not to forget one of the highlights: The toilets! Quite special to say that the toilets probably were the most beautiful area of the restaurant! :-) I was amazed by countless coloured lanterns and felt like in an oriental Hamam.
Summary: "Afghan Anar" is a very nice restaurant - beautiful interior, friendly staff, great food. I definitely have to come back to try the rest of the menu! :-)
Afghan Anar - Authentic Afghan Soul and Streetfood
Address: Fierzgasse 22, 8005 Zürich, Switzerland
Phone: (+41) 44 223 17 87
Opening hours: Mon–Fri 11:30-14, 18–23, Sat 18–23:30, Sun closed