Welcome to Zugers Tea Rooms

The Zuger family’s commitment to catering dates back to the 1960’s when Swiss-born Doris Zuger turned her talent for home-cooking to good effect at a hotel in Wallasey. Once her children, Thomas, Christine & Anita, had left school, the family bought the Dresden Hotel in Bromborough in 1973 and, with the help of Thomas’s wife Esther and Christine’s husband Manfred, soon built up an enviable reputation. Even today the words ‘smorgasbord’ and ‘meringues’ turn our customers misty-eyed with nostalgia.

The Dresden Hotel was eventually sold in 2004 and the family took a year’s break for rest and recuperation. But a younger generation was now growing up and the temptation of opening a new business became too strong. In October 2006 this materialised as Zuger’s of Bromborough - a tea room and confectioners with a strong continental flavour. In 2009, after three successful years, we are branching out with a clone - Zuger’s of Chester.

The day begins with breakfast - either the traditional English variety or the more substantial ‘Zuger breakfast’ for those with hearty appetites. The lunch menu changes seasonally but always includes such Swiss staples as Wiener Schnitzel and Rosti Alpine. Afternoon tea brings the cakes to the fore with Apple Strudel and cream-rich tortes sharing pride of place with cup-cakes, muffins, Danish pastries and (of course) meringues.

All the food is prepared on the premises. Backstage, Manfred, Anita and Anita’s second son Thomas are the family chef’s. Christine runs the bakery while the front-of-house team in Bromborough is headed by her son Martin and his wife Lee-Ann. In Chester, Christine’s daughter Lesley and Anita’s elder son Stefan share the front-of house-duties.

Other members of the family chip in. Thomas & Esther, who now run their own gourmet meals business, supply an unbeatable pate. Doris, now in her energetic eighties, provides “Grandma’s bread” and bun loaf with husband Rene acting as delivery man. And in the summer of 2008 ‘Grandma’ Doris and her husband Rene became great grandparents, courtesy of Lee-Ann and Martin. This family seems set fair to continue through generations to come.

Zuger’s operate on a first-come-first served basis with no advance booking. You may find that there is a queue at the busiest times but please be assured it is well worth the wait.

The Zuger family hope to see you soon at Zuger’s - whether it be in Bromborough or now in Chester!