Geneva Restaurants

For years Geneva's restaurants dished up menus heavily reliant on French, German, and northern Italian fare. Increasingly, there's a more international spin to the city's dining scene with Japanese, Peruvian, Indian, and Nordic cuisine popping up with fanfare. Tapas-style grazing menus have become as common as those offering five-course meals, and signature restaurants run by well-known chefs as prevalent as casual burger joints.

Although dress-code days are gone, casual elegance is the rule of thumb. Hours for meals generally remain noon to 2 pm and 7 to 9:30 or 10 pm; pubs, bars, and clubs satisfy hungry night owls. And yes, after the stores close on Saturday afternoon, Geneva's city center is virtually dormant—and most, but by no means all, restaurants close. That's because the Genevois spend their weekends eating at country inns and village cafés.

Geneva restaurants (and bars and clubs) are all nonsmoking. Some are now charging for the carafe d'eau (tap water). Since it is not local custom to take small children to better restaurants, amenities (and welcome) may be poor if you arrive with babies in tow. Tipping? Local diners may leave the change as a gesture when they leave, but tipping for exceptional service is up to the customer and is still the exception, not the rule.

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  • 1. Fiskebar

    $$$$ | Les Pâquis

    Overlooking the lake, this Nordic-inspired restaurant has a minimalist look reliant on natural materials like wood, leather, and glass. Four connected spaces include a stunning emerald-green banquette and a fresh-fish counter with communal seating in front of a shimmering glass wall. The menu specializes in fresh seafood and locally sourced, organic ingredients. There's an extensive wine list and a bar that offers a full menu of creative craft cocktails.

    11 quai du Mont-Blanc, Geneva, Geneva, 1211, Switzerland
    022-9096071

    Known For

    • Creative Nordic cuisine
    • Seafood-centric menu
    • Relaxed atmosphere

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.--Tues., Reservations are recommended.
  • 2. Le Chat Botté

    $$$$ | Les Pâquis

    The elegant dining room of the Beau-Rivage is dressed in rich creams and browns with the occasional pop of apple green, but with majestic views of the Jet d'Eau and Mont Blanc the terrace steals the show. The menu evolves with the seasons: Michelin-starred chef Dominique Gauthier tweaks the details of his lineup every few months, and dishes may include such delights as frog legs from Vallorbe or langoustines in kadaïf, a crispy, thin Turkish noodle. The vast wine cellar features 40,000 handpicked bottles, including many rare vintages.

    13 quai du Mont-Blanc, Geneva, Geneva, 1201, Switzerland
    022-7166920

    Known For

    • Stunning terrace views
    • Elegant, seasonal French fare
    • Vast wine list

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon., Reservations essential
  • 3. Les Trois Verres

    $$ | Plainpalais

    Sunlight streaming through large windows, impeccable service, and seasonal Italian fare make this corner bistro a bright addition to the Genevois dining scene. Diners of all stripes choose between dark maroon banquettes and cherry-color chairs for plates of homemade pastas and hearty Italian classics. The Italian-heavy cellar includes nearly 30 wines by the glass every season. There's a wraparound sidewalk terrace surrounded by large shrubs for added privacy on the busy street.

    8 rue Hornung, Geneva, Geneva, 1204, Switzerland
    022-3208462

    Known For

    • Homemade pasta
    • Extensive list of wines by the glass
    • Attentive, friendly service

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No lunch Sat., Reservations essential
  • 4. The Hamburger Foundation

    $ | Les Pâquis

    Launched as a food truck, the Hamburger Foundation expanded to a classic, American-style burger joint decorated with simple black-and-white tile and red-umbrella-shaded picnic tables on the patio. The menu features three items—a burger, cheeseburger, and bacon cheeseburger, all made from locally sourced Swiss ingredients, including beef that is ground each morning by the in-house butcher. Burgers are served with a green salad, crispy fries, and lightly dressed coleslaw, and a full bar pours cocktails, beer, wine, homemade lemonade, sodas, and milk shakes.

    37 rue Philippe-Plantamour, Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
    022-3100044

    Known For

    • Local meat, buns, produce, and beer
    • American-style burgers
    • Fun, laid-back environment and staff
  • 5. Au Pied-de-Cochon

    $$ | Vieille Ville

    Low ceilings, whitewashed beams, and a worn zinc bar give context to simple regional dishes like cassoulet, émincé de veau (veal strips in a cream sauce), filets de perches, and the namesake pigs' feet (served grilled or stuffed)—the selection varies. The crowd can be noisy, and table service can occasionally be a tad gruff, but locals and tourists keep streaming in, not least because it's one of the few places in town that serves meals straight through from noon to 10 pm. The terrace is great for people-watching.

    4 pl. du Bourg-de-Four, Geneva, Geneva, 1204, Switzerland
    022-3104797

    Known For

    • Regional dishes
    • People-watching on the terrace
    • Ongoing service from noon to 10 pm
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  • 6. Brasserie Lipp

    $$$ | Centre Ville Rive Gauche

    The "Années Folles" decor—green-and-white tiles, mustard-yellow ceilings, warm wood—and busy waiters in ankle-length aprons channel Paris. Local diners of all stripes come to tuck into hearty portions of choucroute (sauerkraut) with pork and potatoes, vegetable couscous, tartares of beef or fish, and heaping platters of seafood. The dining room expands onto a delightful summer terrace at the foot of the Vieille Ville, and, unusually for Geneva, this place serves late: the kitchen stays open until 11 pm.

    8 rue de la Confédération, Geneva, Geneva, 1204, Switzerland
    022-3188030

    Known For

    • Lively atmosphere
    • French bistro fare
    • Charming outdoor terrace and gardens

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Reservations necessary
  • 7. Chez Ma Cousine

    $ | Vieille Ville

    There are four of these appealingly decorated restaurants around town: this one in Vieille Ville, as well as one on Rue Lissignol in Centre Ville Rive Droite, one in Plainpalais, and one in the International Area. The idea is basic: lunch and dinner, you get half a roast chicken, Provençal-style potatoes, and green salad for SF16.90. Sauce for the chicken is optional (and a bit extra); there are a few additional salads as mains in the same price range. Chez Ma Cousine is understandably popular, not only because the food's cheap and good, but also because sitting outside in the Vieille Ville and International Area is great for people-watching.

    6 pl. du Bourg-de-Four, Geneva, Geneva, 1204, Switzerland
    022-3109696

    Known For

    • Inexpensive, good, quick fare
    • Rotisserie chicken and simple sides
    • People-watching on the terrace of two of the locations
  • 8. Chez Philippe

    $$$ | Centre Ville Rive Gauche

    Inspired by New York steak houses, local powerhouse Philippe Chevrier created this modern restaurant with exposed brick and sleek black leather banquettes in the heart of downtown. The meat-centric menu features top-quality beef from Switzerland, Ireland, and Japan as well as an extensive wine list.

    8 rue du Rhône, Geneva, Geneva, 1204, Switzerland
    022-3161616

    Known For

    • Modern, lively vibe
    • Terrace seating
    • Steak-house fare

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Reservations essential
  • 9. Gelateria Arlecchino

    $ | Eaux-Vives

    The ice-cream maestros at Gelateria Arlecchino, across the street from the Jet d'Eau, crank out some 50 homemade flavors, including ginger-lime, tiramisu, pineapple mint, green tea, licorice, and several sugar-free options.

    1 rue du 31-Décembre, Geneva, Geneva, 1207, Switzerland
    022-7367060

    Known For

    • Wide selection of flavors
    • Creative flavors like basil and ginger-lime
    • Location near waterfront park and Jet d'Eau
  • 10. Il Lago

    $$$$ | Centre Ville Rive Droite

    Decorated with rich brocades, glittering chandeliers, and bright frescoes, this robin's-egg-blue dining room has plenty of light streaming through a wall of windows. Diners enjoy classic dishes from northern Italy and a menu of Italian, French, and Swiss wines. If roasted scampi and sea asparagus were served at Versailles (instead of the Four Seasons, where Il Lago is located), this is what it might be like. In season, there's a gorgeous sidewalk terrace complete with olive trees and aromatic herbs.

    33 quai des Bergues, Geneva, Geneva, 1201, Switzerland
    022-9087110

    Known For

    • Elegant decor and service
    • Classic Italian dishes
    • Expense account prices

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Reservations essential
  • 11. Izumi

    $$$ | Centre Ville Rive Droite

    This rooftop restaurant serves up panoramic views of the city and Japanese-fusion fare. Nestled on top of the Four Seasons, the simple, modern decor lets the natural beauty of the nearby Alps take center stage while dishes like black cod miso and shrimp with coriander rice tempt the taste buds.

    33 quai des Bergues, Geneva, Geneva, 1201, Switzerland
    022-9087522

    Known For

    • Stunning panoramic views
    • Well-prepared Japanese-fusion food
    • Relaxed, lounge atmosphere
  • 12. L'Aparté

    $$$$ | Centre Ville Rive Droite

    Chef Armel Bedouet creates Michelin-starred fine dining with the freshest local ingredients at this bright, crisp restaurant in Hôtel Royal. Only 15 people can be seated at once, making the experience truly intimate and special.

    Rue de Lausanne 41--43, Geneva, Geneva, 1201, Switzerland
    022-9061460

    Known For

    • Sensational multicourse meals
    • Wine selection
    • Beautiful presentation

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed weekends, Reservations essential
  • 13. L'Hôtel-de-Ville

    $$ | Vieille Ville

    It's hard to get more Genevois than this: diners reflect the city's mix of locals, tourists, expats, and politicians. The menu specializes in local favorites like filets de perches, longeole sausage, and game in season. The dining room transfers to the sidewalk in summer, and the kitchen closes late for Geneva—at 10 pm.

    39 Grand-Rue, Geneva, Geneva, 1204, Switzerland
    022-3117030

    Known For

    • Local specialties and wines
    • A late-for-Geneva kitchen
    • People-watching on the terrace
  • 14. Restaurant Les Armures

    $$ | Vieille Ville

    A robust Swiss menu has made this Vieille Ville institution a magnet for local street sweepers, foreign heads of state, and everyone in between. Before tucking into a fondue or raclette (melted cheese served with small potatoes in their skins, pickled pearl onions, and gherkins), order a starter of air-dried meat cut paper thin—a specialty of the canton of Grisons. Other choices include Schübling (sausage) or veal strips in cream sauce: both come with sinfully delicious Rösti, a buttery cake of grated potatoes. The kitchen serves until 11:30 pm (11 on Sunday), and in season you can sit outdoors and soak up the Old Town's historic vibe.

    1 rue du Puits-St-Pierre, Geneva, Geneva, 1204, Switzerland
    022-3103442

    Known For

    • Swiss specialties like fondue and raclette
    • Cozy, convivial atmosphere
    • Celebrity diners like former President Clinton

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Reservations essential

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