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$$ | Plainpalais |
Sunlight streaming through large windows, impeccable service, and seasonal Italian fare make this corner bistro a bright addition to the Genevois dining scene. Diners of all stripes choose between dark maroon banquettes and cherry-color chairs for plates of homemade pastas and hearty Italian classics. The Italian-heavy cellar includes nearly 30 wines by the glass every season. There's a wraparound sidewalk terrace surrounded by large shrubs for added privacy on the busy street.
8 rue Hornung, Geneva, Geneva, 1204, Switzerland
Known For
- Homemade pasta
- Extensive list of wines by the glass
- Attentive, friendly service
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No lunch Sat., Reservations essential
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$$ | 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
Known For
- Regional dishes
- People-watching on the terrace
- Ongoing service from noon to 10 pm
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$$$ | Centre Ville Rive Gauche | Coffee
The "Années Folles" decor—green-and-white tiles, mustard-yellow ceilings, warm wood—and busy waiters in ankle-length aprons channel Paris. Local diners of all stripes come to tuck into hearty portions of choucroute (sauerkraut) with pork and potatoes, vegetable couscous, tartares of beef or fish, and heaping platters of seafood. The dining room expands onto a delightful summer terrace at the foot of the Vieille Ville, and, unusually for Geneva, this place serves late: the kitchen stays open until 11 pm.
8 rue de la Confédération, Geneva, Geneva, 1204, Switzerland
Known For
- Lively atmosphere
- French bistro fare
- Charming outdoor terrace and gardens
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations necessary
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$ | Vieille Ville |
There are four of these appealingly decorated restaurants around town: this one in Vieille Ville, as well as one on Rue Lissignol in Centre Ville Rive Droite, one in Plainpalais, and one in the International Area. The idea is basic: lunch and dinner, you get half a roast chicken, Provençal-style potatoes, and green salad for SF16.90. Sauce for the chicken is optional (and a bit extra); there are a few additional salads as mains in the same price range. Chez Ma Cousine is understandably popular, not only because the food's cheap and good, but also because sitting outside in the Vieille Ville and International Area is great for people-watching.
6 pl. du Bourg-de-Four, Geneva, Geneva, 1204, Switzerland
Known For
- Inexpensive, good, quick fare
- Rotisserie chicken and simple sides
- People-watching on the terrace of two of the locations
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$$$ | 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
Known For
- Modern, lively vibe
- Terrace seating
- Steak-house fare
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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$ | 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
Known For
- Wide selection of flavors
- Creative flavors like basil and ginger-lime
- Location near waterfront park and Jet d'Eau
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$$ | Vieille Ville |
It's hard to get more Genevois than this: diners reflect the city's mix of locals, tourists, expats, and politicians. The menu specializes in local favorites like filets de perches, longeole sausage, and game in season. The dining room transfers to the sidewalk in summer, and the kitchen closes late for Geneva—at 10 pm.
39 Grand-Rue, Geneva, Geneva, 1204, Switzerland
Known For
- Local specialties and wines
- A late-for-Geneva kitchen
- People-watching on the terrace
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$$ | 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
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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$$ | Plainpalais |
Closed Permanently
Right across from MAMCO (Geneva's museum of contemporary art), in an arty neighborhood that has come to be known as QuARTier des Bains, this trendy-chic eatery-cum-bar that spills out onto a sidewalk terrace during the summer months mixes a classic-French-café look with contemporary touches and regularly changing artwork. World flavors are injected into a basically French seasonal repertoire, although one thing that's always on the dessert menu is American-style cheesecake. Good wines are on offer, many sold by the glass.
26 rue des Bains, Geneva, Geneva, 1205, Switzerland
Known For
- Traditional French bistro with a creative, worldly twist
- Beautiful garden and sidewalk terrace
- American-style cheesecake for dessert
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun., Reservations essential
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$$$ | Plainpalais |
Closed Permanently
This rustic Italian restaurant is simply dressed with recycled materials made from brick, wood, and iron, which lend a relaxed atmosphere unusual for a Michelin-starred, fine-dining restaurant. The seasonal and regularly changing menu reinvents Italian classics in an unusual way. A particularly interesting wine list that includes several orange wines and friendly, down-to-earth servers complement the entire experience perfectly.
21 rue de la Corraterie, Geneva, Geneva, 1204, Switzerland
Known For
- Creative takes on classic Italian dishes
- A particularly interesting wine list
- A relaxed atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
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$$ | Plainpalais |
Closed Permanently
This sleek, contemporary restaurant illuminated by sculptural chandeliers and dressed in white, chocolate, and taupe serves a mix of traditional and modern Franco-Italian seasonal dishes to a chic crowd. The menu, including the wine list that concentrates on Swiss, French, and Italian wines, changes regularly.
6 rue de Hesse, Geneva, Geneva, 1204, Switzerland
Known For
- Seasonal menu of classical French and Italian dishes
- Busy lunch scene
- Chic, modern atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed weekends, Reservations essential
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$ | Centre Ville Rive Gauche |
Closed Permanently
This petite café dishes up guilt-free fare in a minimalist, earthy environment. Specializing in healthy food, I Feel Bio offers vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free, and raw-food options. Everything is organic and defies the healthy-means-tasteless stereotype. Although the menu changes monthly, favorites like the creamy vegetable tartare, made with avocado, carrots, and zucchini, are staples. Breakfast features smoothies and sweet treats like the gluten-free green-tea cake and indulgences include a gluten-free brownie and lactose-free chocolate mousse.
12 rue de la Corraterie, Geneva, Geneva, 1204, Switzerland
Known For
- Healthy, organic fare
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and lactose options
- Takeaway and delivery options
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed weekends. No dinner
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$$ | Eaux-Vives |
Closed Permanently
The mood at L'Opéra Bouffe is casual-chic and friendly, with rows of wine bottles on floor-to-ceiling shelving, large framed mirrors, opera posters on the walls, and classical music in the background. For a menu that changes monthly, the chef rolls out subtle updates of traditional French and Mediterranean fare imbued with world accents. How about dessert? Hot apple pie with a scoop of ice cream is the perennial favorite.
5 av. de Frontenex, Geneva, Geneva, 1207, Switzerland
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No lunch Sat., Credit cards accepted