Restaurants in Geneva
Eating out in Geneva is a gratifying affair. With more
restaurants per capita than New York City, Geneva offers a
fantastic selection of traditional and local fare, as well as
excellent international and ethnic cuisine.
Local Geneva specialities include fresh fish from the lake and a
variety of pork dishes, including
petit salé (salt
pork) and
longeole (pork sausage). While Swiss cheese is
enjoyed worldwide, Geneva has copious amounts of Raclette,
Emmenthal and Gruyere, among other well-known cheeses on offer.
These can be tasted in the quintessential Swiss fondue. Traditional
Swiss restaurants can be found throughout the city but Place du
Cirque and Quay Turrettini host some of the best.
Diners eating out in Geneva will find a variety of international
restaurants offering modern, traditional, ethnic or fusion menus.
There are good French restaurants in the hotels on Quai Du Mont
Blanc and Chemin du Petit Saconnex and on Rue de Lausanne. For
Italian eateries try Rue de Fribourg, while Spanish food is best on
Rue de Coutance. Rue du Prieuré has a delightful Indian
restaurant, and there are great cafés on Boulevard
Helvetique.
While the prices at top restaurants can be astronomical the
standards are just as high. There are also fixed-price menus
available to lighten the load. A 7% service charge is included in
all restaurant bills. Many Geneva restaurants close on weekends so
call ahead to enquire; reservations are recommended.
| Les Armures |
$$$$$ | Local |
Those in search of authentic Swiss cuisine prepared to
perfection need look no further than the Les Armures. This renowned
eatery located in the 5-star Hotel Les Armures features three
dining rooms for patrons to choose between, namely the Terrace,
Salle des Artistes and Carnozet and serves Swiss favourites with a
French flair and elegance. Try the wild mushroom soup, sliced
breaded veal or the roasted duck breast served in a raspberry
vinegar sauce. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations
recommended.
Address: 1 Rue Puits-St-Pierre
E-mail: restaurant@hotel-les-armures.ch
Telephone: 022 310 3442
| Café des Bains |
$$$$$ | Café |
A warm and friendly bistro situated opposite the Museum of
Modern and Contemporary Art in the trendy Plainpalais district,
Café des Bains serves fresh innovative dishes from all over
the world. With a varying daily lunch menu, patrons can expect
mouth-watering quality dishes, prepared with only the finest
ingredients, which are creatively presented. Take lunch at the new
bar area where you can access free wifi or just sit back and enjoy
a freshly brewed coffee. In the evenings patrons can choose from an
attractive a la carte menu that is accompanied by a good winelist.
For a relaxed dining experience in Geneva head to Café de
Bains. Open Tuesday to Saturday for lunch and dinner.
Address: Rue des Bains 26
Telephone: (0)22 321 5798
| La Perle du Lac |
$$$$$ | French |
Popular with tourists and locals alike, La Perle du Lac is the
only restaurant in Geneva that is situated directly on Lac Leman.
Known for its large flowered terrace overlooking the Alps mountain
range and the tranquil lake, guests at La Perle du Lac easily
unwind whilst relishing the flavours of their pan fried escalope of
duck liver with apple or the much loved slow-cooked lamb shanks.
Situated in pretty Mon Repos Park, La Perle du Lac has been serving
five star French cuisine to diplomats and businessmen for over 30
years. Open Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner.
Address: Rue de Lausanne 126
Telephone: (0)22 909 1020
| Café du Soleil |
$$$$$ | Local |
Situated about three miles (five kilometres) outside of central
Geneva, city slickers and tourists alike cannot help but gravitate
towards Café du Soleil. With a leafy outside sitting area
dotted with blood red tables and a simple interior with antique
wooden chairs and elaborate framed mirrors adorning the bare white
walls, the frank décor of Café du Soleil only
highlights the scrumptious cuisine. Regarded as one of the oldest
restaurants in Geneva and one of the best fondue restaurants to
boot, there is no uncertainty over what to order. For a light lunch
try their brochettes or freshly prepared salads otherwise the
sirloin and rump steaks are a good bet. Open daily for breakfast,
lunch and dinner.
Address: Place du Petit-Saconnex 6, Petit-Saconnex
Telephone: (0)22 733 3417
| Auberge de Floris |
$$$$$ | French |
Ideal for a business lunch or gastronomic night out, Auberge de
Floris is a sophisticated terrace restaurant overlooking the lake
in the picturesque village of Anières, 15 minutes southwest
of the city. Claude and Inès Legras warmly welcome patrons
to this Michelin star restaurant known for its delectable seafood.
Try the tuna carpaccio starter drizzled with orange zest and olive
oil and follow with pecorino-stuffed calamari in octopus ink sauce
with chorizo potatoes and steam courgette flowers. Next door is the
bistro, offering less complex but still inventive dishes at
slightly cheaper prices. Open Tuesday to Saturday for lunch and
dinner.
Address: Route d'Hermance 287
Telephone: (0)22 751 2020
| Les Papilles de Lavinia |
$$$$$ | Spanish |
A haven for wine lovers, Les Papilles de Lavinia is a new wine
and tapas bar that combines the sweet and savoury dishes created by
chef Stephan Sanial with a wonderful selection of wines from
leading producers around the world. Sit intimately at a table for
two or join a larger group around the heavy wooden tables. With
tasteful décor and a trendy wine bar atmosphere, Les
Papilles de Lavinia is ideal for a sophisticated lunch or
after-work drink. Open for lunch and early dinner from Monday to
Saturday.
Address: Rue de Coutance 3bis
Telephone: (0)22 732 2222
| Parc des Eaux-Vives |
$$$$$ | French |
The elegant Restaurant du Parc des Eaux-Vives is situated in a
historic mansion dating back to the 18th century in the picturesque
Parc des Eaux-Vives along the lake. The gourmet restaurant,
decorated with two Michelin stars, is overseen by talented chef de
cuisine Olivier Samson whose refined menu is composed according to
the produce of the season. The art deco dining room is complimented
with world-class wines and outstanding service. In summer, the Parc
des Eaux-Vives terrace is one of the most beautiful settings in
Geneva. Ideal for business or leisure, the Parc des Eaux-Vives is
open daily for lunch and dinner.
Address: Quai Gustave-Ador 82
Telephone: (0)22 849 7575
| Heaven Lounge |
$$$$$ | Modern Eclectic |
A non-smoking bar and restaurant, Heaven Lounge serves up
provincial Mediterranean and French fusion dishes in an ubercool
and trendy environment. Owned by Australian chef of Italian
parentage, Chef Yvette ensures that what's on your plate emanates
the chic standard set by your surroundings. With modern furnishings
and carefully considered lighting, patrons will never want to
leave. A great place to kickstart a night out in Geneva, Heaven
Lounge also hosts performances by musicians and DJ's. Open Monday
to Saturday for dinner.
Address: Rue Phillippe-Plantamour 25
Telephone: (0)22 732 1022
| La Mamounia |
$$$$$ | Moroccan |
Met by an ornate fountain in the entrance way and draped in rich
ochre, red and orange décor, this cosy Moroccan restaurant
features rugs, cushions, tapestries and belly dancers on Friday and
Saturday nights. A popular eatery with locals and almost always
bustling, La Mamounia serves traditional Moroccan dishes and
delicious tagines. Rooms with different colours and décor
can be booked for private parties and large tables. The flagship
dish, the chicken 'Mamounia' with toasted almond sauce is not to be
missed. Reservations accepted. Open daily.
Address: 10 boulevard George-Favon
Telephone: 022 329 5561
| Le Chat Botte |
$$$$$ | French |
Serving some of Geneva's finest French cuisine, Le Chat Botte
boasts renowned chef, Dominique Gauthier, who prepares innovative
and delicious gourmet food night after night. Located in the Hotel
Beau Rivage, this stylish and sophisticated restaurant is
tastefully decorated and boasts one of Switzerland's finest
selections of wines. Try the tartar of slipper lobster with lime
and ginger, coco milk and citronella gaspacho, or the Pyrenean
spring lamb and polenta fries served with a delicious light cream.
Whatever you choose to eat, Le Chat Botte does not disappoint. Open
daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations recommended.
Address: Quai du Mont-Blanc 13
E-mail: info@beaurivage.ch
Telephone: 022 716 6666
| Locanda Ticinese |
$$$$$ | Italian |
A popular Italian eatery with locals and tourists, Locanda
Ticinese offers guests a flawless evening of casual, yet elegant
dining. The attentive and helpful staff will make your dining
experience a memorable one, and delicately prepared dishes will
linger on the tastebuds bringing visitors back time and time again.
Open Monday to Friday for lunch and dinner. Saturday dinner only.
Sunday closed.
Address: 13 Rue Rousseau
Telephone: 022 732 31 70
| L'Ange des Dix Vins |
$$$$$ | French |
Located in the leafy green suburbs of Carouge, this bustling
classic restaurant has fast become one of Geneva's favourites. The
ever-changing art adorning the walls and wine list allows patrons
to sample some exciting new additions while dining on traditional
French fare. Open Monday to Friday from January through August and
Monday to Saturday September through December. Reservations
accepted.
Address: 29 Rue Jacques-Dalphin
Telephone: 022 342 40 10
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