Emma’s Truffles Truffle Hunt – Urban Foraging in Zurich with Thierry Garzotto

Last updated: 10 October 2026

Overview

Thierry Garzotto leads truffle hunts across Zurich’s city parks with his Lagotto Romagnolo dog Emma. Emma’s Truffles Zurich covers parks and green corridors in search of local black and gold truffles. An architect by training, Garzotto now dedicates around 20 hours each week to hunting truffles across the city. The tour visits six discovery points, covering ground from inner-city parks to tree-lined streets. Over years of weekly hunts, Garzotto has mapped which Zurich parks support each truffle variety.

Emma works ahead of the group, stopping at tree roots and grass margins where she detects scent through the earth. When she finds a truffle, she scratches the surface and Garzotto digs it free by hand. Black truffles in Zurich’s parks carry a dry, earthy scent close to hazelnut and damp forest floor. Gold truffles develop a stronger, more pungent profile and can announce themselves from several centimetres below the surface. Across each stop, the group follows the sequence from Emma’s first indication through to extraction.

Practical Information

Emma’s Truffles Zurich tours take place year-round by arrangement with Thierry Garzotto. Garzotto quotes pricing on request — call +41 79 401 66 09 or visit emmas-trueffel.ch to arrange a tour. For English speakers, Garzotto leads tours in either language — specify your preference when you book. Each Saturday, Garzotto also sells truffles from Switzerland, France, and Italy at the Markthalle Im Viadukt. Enquire about dog training sessions when you contact him — he trains aspiring truffle hunters and their dogs.

The tour meets at a café in Kreis 4, a short tram ride from Zurich main station. Several tram lines serve Kreis 4 from the main station — lines 2, 3, and 4 all stop nearby. From Zurich Airport, take the S-Bahn to the main station and continue by tram. By car, street parking exists around Kreis 4, though the tram offers the easier approach. Garzotto confirms the specific meeting point when you book.