Restaurant & Bar Ö: hotel dining with a cigar lounge in Oerlikon

What it is

Restaurant & Bar Ö is the dining and drinking venue inside Hotel Sternen Oerlikon, in Zürich Nord’s busy Oerlikon district. It functions as a hotel restaurant, bar, and cigar lounge rather than a destination attraction, and that is part of its appeal: you come here to eat well, meet someone for a drink, or settle in for a straightforward business lunch without fuss.The kitchen serves hot dishes continuously from late morning into the evening on weekdays, which makes the place useful when many city restaurants are between service periods. The menu leans toward regional and classic European cooking, with a bar list built around wine, cocktails, gin, and aperitifs.

Atmosphere and setting

The setting is indoor and urban, on Schaffhauserstrasse in a transit-heavy part of the district. Expect a hotel-restaurant room with table service, a bar area that softens into evening, and a separate fumoir for cigar smokers. The mood is polished but not stiff, with the kind of calm efficiency that suits business travellers and local regulars.There is no scenic backdrop here, no terrace overlooking water or hills, and no sense of being far from the city. Instead, the experience is shaped by convenience, comfort, and a long-established hospitality role in Oerlikon. The hotel says it has been part of the district’s history since 1897, which gives the venue a sense of continuity even though the look and use are contemporary.

How a visit unfolds

Most visitors arrive for one of three reasons: lunch, an evening meal, or a drink before heading elsewhere in Zürich Nord. A typical visit is simple. You walk in from the tram stop or nearby station, take a table, and choose between a full meal, a quick aperitif, or a longer bar stop. Reservations are sensible for the restaurant, especially at weekday lunch and during event periods nearby.The cigar lounge is a separate space and changes the tone of the visit for smokers, but it is not the main draw for everyone. For non-smokers, the restaurant and bar are the core experience: warm service, an orderly pace, and a room that works well for conversation.

Who it suits and when to go

This is a strong fit for business travellers, couples, solo diners, and hotel guests who want a reliable meal without crossing the city. It is also practical for anyone attending events in Oerlikon, since Messe Zürich and Hallenstadion are close enough to influence demand. Weekday lunch and early evening are the busiest periods; weekends can feel quieter unless there is a concert, fair, or match nearby.Because the venue is indoors, weather has little effect beyond the short walk from transport. That makes it a dependable year-round stop in a district where speed, access, and a proper sit-down meal matter more than atmosphere built for sightseeing.