Commercial: The Project is a small coffee bar on Feldstrasse in Kreis 4, west of Zurich's old town and main station. Large windows, exposed brick, a timber bar and terrazzo tables define the room. A few close seats keep customers near the grinders and the changing bean selection.
Coffee
Owner Nick Spanoudakis opened the original in 2024 after working at MAME and Collective Bakery. Commercial serves several roasters, with Swiss names such as MAME, Rose and Balloon alongside guests from farther afield.
Ask which bean suits the drink you want. Espresso, cappuccino and flat white offer different ways to try the selection, while freddo espresso, cold coffee, decaf, matcha and plant milk broaden the menu.
Filter
Hand brews change with the guest coffees. V60, Origami and AeroPress have all featured, so ask what the bar is brewing that day.
An occasional tasting menu compares filter, cappuccino and espresso made from the same beans. It is a good way to see how the brew method and milk change the flavour. If it is not available, a single hand brew still gives you plenty to discuss before choosing a retail bag.
Food
Expect a small selection of croissants, cookies, banana bread, cakes or buns. Local bakery collaborations have brought cinnamon, cardamom and espresso buns to the counter, particularly at weekends and events. The selection changes, and it is best treated as a snack rather than a substantial breakfast or lunch.
Service & Room
Window seats and a few pavement tables extend the compact room. During quieter weekdays there may be space to read or work, but weekend laptop restrictions protect the limited tables.
Service centres on helping you choose a coffee. The original Feldstrasse bar suits that close conversation; the larger counter inside the Cadillac showroom on Bahnhofstrasse, Zurich's central shopping street, offers a calmer alternative during a shopping trip.
Why Filter Notes shortlisted Commercial: The Project
Commercial earns a visit for its changing roasters and equal attention to espresso and hand brew. Try the tasting menu comparing the same beans across drinks when available, or ask for one coffee that suits your taste. Expect limited seating and pastry rather than a meal.