Where to eat AUSTRALIA 🇦🇺 Zürich: Outback Lodge

Outback Lodge

Stadelhoferstrasse 18, Zürich

What we ordered: For two persons: J’s Dream Platter consisting of crispy baked chicken wings, juicy spareribs with BBQ glaze, kangaroo entrecôte, grilled, plant-based fake crocodile filet marinated with chimichurri, homemade down under fries, onion rings, pilaf rice, oven vegetables, sour cream and tomato ginger chutney, and to drink, three Foster’s, which famously advertises itself as “Australian for beer” in America.

Cost: 131 CHF / €136 / $144

The Outback Lodge is the quintessential after work happy hours spot with strong Anglo-world vibes. Some of the décor includes pictures of convicts from the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, while large chandeliers in the main dining hall seem in stark contrast to the rustic surroundings. The outdoor patio with bright orange umbrellas and garlands of color feels like a summer spent on the beach.

We opted for something called “J’s Dream Platter” to sample a bit of everything and avoid typical Anglo fare found everywhere, like burgers and fish and chips. Kangaroo and plant-based (my vegetarian editor preferred this phrasing over “fake meat”) crocodile were likely the most Aussie items on the menu (besides Foster’s beer, of course).

I could not distinguish between the kangaroo and lamb in terms of taste, though my partner said it smelled distinct from lamb. I have had crocodile before in the Bayou region of the US state of Louisiana, just outside New Orleans, and found the plant substitute unlike the real deal. It was less chewy and well, it did not taste much of animals.

Our favorite item by far on J’s Dream Platter were the fall-off-the-bone perfect ribs. The accompaniments, including onion rings and “downunder fries” (seasoned potato wedges), along with baked vegetables and some fresh tomatoes, served the meal well. We were well fed yet not stuffed, despite downing a couple Foster’s with it all.

Outback Lodge is a theme pub and it does its part to take you there. For an after-work drink and some quality pub-style grub albeit at Swiss prices, one can feel comfortably Anglo world working class in the heart of the business district in Switzerland’s financial capital. That is no small achievement given the Swiss answer to Madison Avenue is just over the narrow foot bridge across a tapered section of the lake.

How to get to Australia from Switzerland:

From Zürich, Swiss Air has partnerships with Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines that keep travel times to Sydney or Melbourne just under 24 hours, with stops in either Hong Kong or Singapore. Thai also has a one-stop route between Zürich and Melbourne. ANA, Emirates, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Thai and United Airlines also fly this route or portions of it.

Emirates and Qantas run flights between Geneva and Sydney or Melbourne via Dubai with the fewest number of stops. On Qatar Airways, there is a stop in Doha for these routes. Depending on the layover, total travel times can fluctuate from between just under 22 hours to nearly 36 hours.

Some other airlines pick up portions of the route between Geneva and Sydney or Melbourne, including Air Canada, Air Dolomiti, Air France, Asiana, British Airlines, Cathay Pacific, China Eastern, Easy Jet, Ethiopian, Etihad, Finn Air, Garuda Indonesia, Jetstar, KLM, Lot Polish, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Singapore Airlines, Swiss Air, Thai, Turkish Airlines and Vietnam Airlines. Price and layover will affect route and travel times, as will airline codeshare arrangements.

How many people from Australia are in Switzerland: More than 3,000

Distance between Bern and Canberra: 16,584 km

Learn how to make Australia's national dish, meat pies, and about its origins.

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