Brasserie Federal is praised by about 60% of reviewers for its convenient Zurich main train station location, lively ambiance with impressive architecture, and broad selection of Swiss beers—terms like "authentic," "delicious," "classic Swiss dishes," and "charming" recur. Roughly 55% of guests find the food high-quality, especially rostis, sausages, and fondue, though others note some dishes as "mediocre," "bland," or "oily," and a few label prices as high for value received. Service is inconsistently described: about half note attentive, friendly, and helpful staff, while the other half raise concerns about "rude," "aloof," or inattentive servers, with several citing negative experiences possibly related to discrimination. The restaurant is often busy and loud, and there are complaints about slow service and mix-ups during peak hours, alongside irritations like paid toilets and high bottled water prices.