This beautiful country has the world's oldest vegetarian restaurant

World First Vegetarian Restaurant : The number of vegetarian people is increasing continuously all over the world. Vegetarian people find their food wherever they go in the world. Although vegetarianism was not so popular in European countries earlier and it was very difficult to find a vegetarian restaurant, then the world's first vegetarian restaurant was started in Switzerland. Let us tell you that in 1898, a restaurant called  Vegetarian Home and Abstinence Cafe  was opened on Sihlstrasse in Zurich. You must be surprised to know how old this restaurant is. When this restaurant was opened, it was not so popular because at that time vegetarians were considered crazy in Europe. Because very few people were vegetarian. Therefore, the start of this restaurant was not very good commercially. If some customers used to come, they too used to come hiding. But in the last 124 years, this restaurant has progressed rapidly. As vegetarianism became popular in the world and people started adopting vegetarianism, this restaurant also became increasingly popular and now whoever comes to Switzerland definitely wants to visit this restaurant. However, now the name of this restaurant has been changed and it has been renamed as Hiltel Hotel.

How did Hiltal  get its name?

The Abstinence Café, renamed Hiltl, is now run by its fourth generation. It is one of Zurich's most luxurious restaurants. Guinness World Records recognizes Hiltl as the world's oldest vegetarian restaurant. In 1901, when an ailing Ambrosius Hiltl was told by his doctor that he should not eat meat, he began visiting the Abstinence Café, then became its manager and – in 1904 – took it over. The Abstinence Café was then renamed Hiltl.

In 1931, Hiltl installed the city's first all-electric kitchen

Gradually, Hiltl became popular and locals began to appreciate vegetarianism. The restaurant flourished, especially under the influence of Dr. Max Bircher-Benner, the creator of muesli, and in 1931, Hiltl installed the city's first all-electric kitchen. Hiltl also introduced Switzerland to many spices from India. In the 1950s, when Margrethe Hiltl attended the World Vegetarian Congress in Delhi as Switzerland's official representative, the restaurant introduced exotic spices and flavours of Indian cuisine. Hiltl is still known for the Indian touch in its food. You can taste tikka masala with soy yogurt and broccoli, or palak paneer with ginger and date chutney. Rolf Hiltl, the fourth-generation restaurant owner, brings a new perspective from restaurants in San Francisco, Acapulco and Paris that vegetarian food can be not only healthy but also fun.

Hiltal is also committed to social responsibility

Hiltl has 300 employees. Another restaurant has opened on Langstrasse, as well as fast-food outlets Tibbits in Zurich, Winterthur, Bern, Basel and Lucerne. Hiltl is also committed to social responsibility. Hiltl uses organic food , reusable takeaway bowls, biodegradable cups and biogas power, and places an emphasis on reducing food waste.

There are two options for dining at Hiltl: buffet or à la carte. The buffet is very popular and offers more than 100 dishes, from mushroom stroganoff to Thai red curry, with labeling for those looking for vegetarian or allergy-free options. The restaurant's cuisine includes dishes such as cordon bleu made from traditional local recipes such as organic smoked tofu, eggplant tartare, and Zurich Gschnitzeltes, which is typically made with thinly sliced ​​veal in a creamy mushroom sauce.

Zurich now has over 30 vegetarian restaurants

There are now more than 30 vegetarian restaurants in Zurich. Not only has Hiltl changed since it opened in 1898, things have moved on in Switzerland too. Around five percent of Swiss are vegetarian – a number that grows every year – and the Swiss eat more organic produce than any other country. There are around 30 vegetarian or vegan restaurants in Zurich alone. The demand for organic, vegetarian food is also growing, and many restaurants now have a weekly vegetarian day. A study by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology found that if everyone in Switzerland went vegetarian for just one day a week it would save the equivalent of car emissions from 3.7 billion kilometres of driving.