New Delhi, Sept. 6 -- Dal, paneer, chole, naan, rice, samosa, raita, chutney, pickle, papad.the spread before me feels like home. For a moment, I forget I'm in Zurich.

The surprise is even greater when I learn this isn't just one of the city's most popular restaurants, but also the world's oldest continuously running vegetarian eatery. Founded in 1898, Haus Hiltl has been recognised by Guinness World Records, and today serves over 100 vegetarian and vegan dishes blending Indian, Asian, Mediterranean, and Swiss cuisines.

I pile varied items on my plate: salad and pasta, humus and greens, rice and curries, and, everyone's favourite, the lip-smacking jalapeno poppers. I make my way to the weighing scales before my table. For at Hiltl, one ...