There are small several extended-hour grocery stores around the Altstetten train station, and this is easily my favorite. They've got much fresher produce, and a much larger selection, than the Coop Pronto across the courtyard or the Next Stop across the street. In fact, the overall experience here is good enough I'll probably hit this instead of the HB Migros on Sunday after-hike shopping detours. Yes, it's a little hectic on a Sunday, when most grocery stores are closed --- but an order of magnitude less than the HB Migros. Their bread isn't half bad either --- certainly at the fresher, crustier end of the Migros spectrum. (The Alnatura Migros in Höngg turns in a particularly lackluster bread selection, this Express easily surpasses that). I first stopped here for picnic supplies; I was impressed enough to do my weekend's shopping on the way back past. Definitely a big help on empty-fridge Sundays. read more

Migros Express - Department Stores Near Me - Zürich, ZH

Super duper convenient next to Altstetten bahnhof, but something wasn't right that got me ticked off: The card swiper wouldn't work- it was such a pain. It made me so late that I even missed my train! But all in all, it's been better before. It's almost always open (late night score!) They've got fruits n veggies- the normal grocery deal, but also fresh-made daily things for a to-go meal. It's cool that they have self-check out (but as I mentioned- it's really not so fun when the thing's demented!) I can't tell if it's bigger than the coop just 'round the corner... Buy your last minute dings with cash (don't say I didn't warn ya!) read more

The key word is: affordable! If you've spent any time in Switzerland, you've already discovered that eating at any restaurant here, whether it's a sit-down place or fast food, is insanely expensive. You can easily pay 10 CHF for a Döner that would cost 3 or 4 EUR in Germany, so grocery stores are always a better budget option. The big advantage of this place in particular is that even though it's right in the middle of an over-priced strip of tourist-oriented restaurants, you can get a salad or sandwich at grocery store prices -- a salad that costs 4 CHF here is probably as good as one you'd pay 10 CHF for in a café down the block. Since it's not a full-size grocery store, you don't have to wait in a long line to check out, and they have tables (both inside and outside in the summer), so you can actually eat there too. Granted, the food is nothing to get excited about, it's basically a convenience store, but the selection is decent (including fresh produce). For something quick & cheap (and even healthy), this is the best option I've found. read more