Cuisine and Restaurant in Geneva, Switzerland
With a constantly evolving gastronomic scene, Geneva is bubbling over and never ceases to surprise the taste buds of its visitors. New concepts, new chefs and new influences… The city is full of gourmet, unusual and atypical gems.
Among the traditional Geneva dishes, we can mention longeole, whose Geneva recipe includes rinds. Chocolate specialties also exist: Geneva garbage cans, paving stones, the Escalade pot filled with marzipan vegetables. The cardoon is a typical local vegetable that was the subject of an AOC.
A specialty of the lakeside is “perch fillet”, but less than “5% of the perch consumed around Lake Geneva has actually been fished in its waters”, says journalist Pierre-Brice Lebrun in his book La perche du Léman. Cardoons (vegetables) and longeole (sausage) are typical Geneva gastronomic specialties. Geneva also offers very international cuisine.
Na Village: an idyllic setting with a thousand flavors
Guaranteed escape in the Saint-Jean district, near the Cornavin train station and a stone’s throw from the Rhône. The Na Village restaurant invites you on a journey around Thai culinary art. A real exotic and traditional garden, its river and its small pools or its wooden cabins for balmy summer evenings. An enchanting decor and a timeless break for a tasty tasting. Let yourself be surprised by the aromas and elegance of the typical dishes of the “Land of Smiles”. Succumb to the famous Pad Thai with prawns, grilled duck with red curry or even the homemade spring rolls with chicken and Thai basil.
Eat in the water at the Bateau-Lavoir
Moored along the Rhône, on the Quai des Lavandières, not far from the Banking district and Place de Bel-Air, this floating café-restaurant boasts a unique architecture and a truly exceptional location. The Bateau-Lavoir has become a true Geneva institution where three seasonal daily specials are served every noon, made with fresh, local products. In the evening, make way for tapas and traditional Swiss dishes: rösti, fondues or Valais charcuterie. A little corner of paradise with a breathtaking view on the roof terrace and inventive and gourmet recipes that change with the seasons and the chef’s mood.
A gourmet and starred cruise at La Table du Chef
Embark on a gastronomic cruise aboard the Belle Epoque ship and enjoy fresh and refined cuisine, signed by Jean-Sébastien Pouch, Executive Chef of Eldora Prestige. An ode to the Geneva terroir and to the elegance of the most noble products. A seasonal menu made from exclusive and premium freshly prepared products. From April to October, La Table du Chef will delight your taste buds with a 3-course menu for lunch, and 4 courses in the evening. In the unique and exceptional setting of a real steamboat of yesteryear, admire the wonders of the shores of Lake Geneva, and in the evening enjoy a unique atmosphere in the light of the sunset. Romanticism and gluttony at the rendezvous.
The Chef’s Table
Take a seat around the 12-seat counter and watch Chef Walter El Nagar prepare your meal. A behind-the-scenes immersion in cooking and culinary techniques in an intimate and warm atmosphere. Your taste buds will thrill to the sound of innovative, healthy and local cuisine. The Fifth Day is the first chef’s counter in Switzerland. Unique in its concept, it is also unique in its frame, both minimalist and elegant. A cozy atmosphere in which you can enjoy creative and original proposals: cheesecake with truffles and boletus sorbet, coffee risotto or even pigeon with barley and elderberry. A unique 3-course menu for lunch and 6 courses for the evening, evolving according to market and seasonal products.
The fifth day restaurant
A unique and original concept in this establishment located in the lively Eaux-Vives district. A real invitation to travel across the four corners of the world based on sharing and gustatory pleasure. We go there for lunch, dinner, but also to sip a cocktail. Eat Me offers an assortment of dishes inspired by international specialties in the form of small plates. World on small plates to discover in the best possible way revisited recipes from Asia, the Middle East, Africa or even all of Europe. A culinary experience between conviviality and haute cuisine. Don’t miss the “Electric Sashimiviche”, ceviche-style red tuna sashimi, or the “Shrimp Lollipops”, shrimp lollipops with a yogurt sauce with squid ink.
Duchessa: a restaurant and more.
4 spaces in 1. This is what Duchessa offers you, on the Place de Neuve, a stone’s throw from the Parc des Bastions. A made in Italy “Food concept store” which brings together a restaurant, a delicatessen but also a bakery and a cheese-delicatessen in one place. Something to satisfy all gourmets, on the spot, or to take away. Taste the best Italian products in an elegant and modern setting where the scent of homemade pasta and pizzas will transport you to the other side of the Alps. All dishes are made with products sold on site. An invitation to La Dolce Vita all in finesse and pleasure.
Chocoholic
“The best way to get rid of temptation is to give in to it”. Nothing sums up the content of this chocolate section better. Discover, test and let yourself be seduced by the many quality chocolate makers, in a cocoa atmosphere.
Coffee Time
The Restaurant du Parc des Eaux-Vives, located in the park of the same name, offers you an authentic moment of relaxation by tasting coffee creations made with a Nespresso chef barista. To accompany caffeinated delicacies such as the Viennois Chocolate Cookie or the Pink Cappuccino and White Chocolate, you can enjoy a delicious homemade pastry. The breathtaking view of this flowery and green park as well as of Lake Geneva completes this moment of well-being.
Michelin-starred restaurants
Caroline and patrick laporte welcome you to their warm establishment where the best products are served. Whether inside the modern style restaurant or on the shaded terrace, you will simply feel good at café de la réunion. Seasonal products, thematic menus and a selection of the best wines will satisfy the most discerning gourmets.
Auberge du lion d’or
Long popular with epicureans, this large table brings together two chefs who combine the art of generosity and discovery. At the origin of this cuisine which draws its scents and flavors from the four corners of the world, there is the meeting of two chefs, one french and the other irish. Gilles dupont and tommy byrne play together with a palette of tastes and colors to create masterpieces of culinary art. Their menu will delight gourmets in the restaurant and all their know-how can be found in the bistro at very affordable prices. An essential address, where you also take the time to appreciate the time.
The cigalon
At the end of a country lane, a charming restaurant where connoisseurs can feast on the most exquisite products from the sea and the ocean. Jean-marc bessire is a lover of the sea, and he declares his passion to it in each of his specialties of fish, shellfish and crustaceans. À la carte or through one of its many menus, the tide is celebrated with immense talent. Another cause for celebration: here, geneva wines are in the spotlight and the best local vintages blend perfectly with the tastes of the shores of the atlantic, the mediterranean and lake geneva, of course.
The duo – restaurant side
A stone’s throw from cornavin station, the duo côté resto offers refined and inventive cuisine in a sober and elegant decor. To spend a delicious moment in the evening or at noon, let yourself be seduced by the creativity of chef armel bedouet, who revisits french and international cuisine in his own way. The “carte blanche” menu, according to the inspiration of the chef and with the products of the moment, promises delicious discoveries. Each dish is accompanied by a grand cru served by the glass and chosen for a perfect match. The last good surprise is a very reasonable addition for a table of this quality.
Il lago
The chef’s specialties will delight your taste buds on an exquisite culinary journey. Chef saverio sbaragli offers exceptional italian cuisine in a light atmosphere. Whether for lunch or dinner, get ready to taste authentic and refined specialties.
The duo – restaurant side
A stone’s throw from cornavin station, the duo côté resto offers refined and inventive cuisine in a sober and elegant decor. To spend a delicious moment in the evening or at noon, let yourself be seduced by the creativity of chef armel bedouet, who revisits french and international cuisine in his own way. The “carte blanche” menu, according to the inspiration of the chef and with the products of the moment, promises delicious discoveries. Each dish is accompanied by a grand cru served by the glass and chosen for a perfect match. The last good surprise is a very reasonable addition for a table of this quality.
Cafe de la place
French cuisine with southern accents. Vincenzo de rosa and domingos ribeiro create tasty dishes using seasonal products. A warm welcome completes your gastronomic experience. At the table and enjoy your meal.
Puss in boots
The restaurant of the prestigious hôtel beau-rivage satisfies its guests, with a cuisine with delicious southern accents that enchants the palate. We cannot resist the temptations of french and contemporary cuisine, artfully orchestrated by chef dominique gauthier. The gourmet restaurant le chat botté, one of the most beautiful restaurants in the city, seduces the finest gourmets with its mediterranean colors and scents. And wine enthusiasts will be delighted by the suggestions of sommelier vincent debergé. Those who wish to treat themselves to a moment of grace will appreciate a menu specially designed for them, at the chef’s table.
Domaine de châteauvieux
This mecca of gastronomy is the culmination of a quest for perfection. The domaine de châteauvieux is quite a story. First that of its walls, the oldest of which date back to the 13th century. It is also the story of a young gifted chef who started here at only 27 years old, to become today the equal of the greatest. Finally, it is the wonderful story that you will live at philippe chevrier’s table, always different with the seasons but whose common point is the quality of the products and preparations that touches the exceptional.
Bayview
In a palace by the lake, the bayview stands out as much for its refinement as for its originality. Cooking is a luxury here.
Discover the incredible culinary creations of michel roth, world famous and international reference in terms of creative and sophisticated french gastronomy. The famous chef and his team will satisfy the most refined palates. An impressive wine cellar completes this authentic culinary experience and provides an absolute pleasure for the senses.
La bottega
Italian tradition in the heart of old geneva. Chefs paulo airaudo and francesco gasbarro welcome you in a warm, welcoming and relaxed atmosphere. It is with a contemporary approach that the italian tradition is revisited to dazzle your eyes and your taste buds. A culinary and visual experience not to be missed. And for the aperitif, let yourself be seduced by one of the delicious cocktails…
Rasoi by vineet
One of the best indian cuisine restaurant in the world is in geneva. Treat yourself to a wonderful exotic escape. The famous chef vineet bhatia draws his inspiration from the countless varieties of flavors of india. Composed only of the finest ingredients, the rasoi menu offers dishes inspired by indian culinary tradition, but executed with a decidedly modern approach. When you have tasted the different styles and techniques, as well as the astonishing tastes and textures of rasoi, your vision of indian cuisine will no doubt be overwhelmed.
Auberge le floris
A few minutes from geneva, the auberge de floris awaits you for an unforgettable experience, between the pleasure of the eyes and that of taste. After having enjoyed the good and beautiful days of the best restaurants in geneva, this multi-starred chef is now in the kitchen of a reference in terms of french haute cuisine. Its contemporary and creative cuisine gives pride of place to seasonal regional products and from the market, as well as fish from the lake, prepared with the greatest refinement. The breathtaking view of lake geneva will prevent you from closing your eyes with pleasure.
Café des négociants
In a superb mediterranean-style environment, the café des négociants is a real institution of french cuisine embellished by chef sullivan breton. A woody decoration from another time, cuisine made with fresh market produce, impeccable service and presentation, the establishment does justice to its owner, philippe chevrier. One of the best addresses in geneva, this restaurant notably won a 14 out of 20 from the gault & millau guide. Let yourself be tempted by its frog legs or its ribs and lamb fillets. A delight. The icing on the cake, the privileged of one evening will be able to share a moment of taste escape in the middle of selected wines in an atypical and intimate cellar.
Bank cafe
The café des banques, a must-see in the city center and its shopping streets, amazes all those who dare to venture there once or a hundred times. With a decoration a bit retro, a cozy atmosphere and its subdued lights on a background of jazz, you can only have an exceptional moment. News and habits reign in these places. You will always be entitled to the succulent pesto as an appetizer. But expect to be surprised because the chef also makes a point of changing his menu over the seasons. When coffee arrives, a note of nostalgia: jars filled with tagada strawberries and other sweets will take you back to childhood.
At philippe
Located in passage des lions, a good address for a “carnivorous” restaurant, chez philippe could be compared to a new york micro enclave in the heart of geneva. A sort of meatpacking on the rhône. An authentic grill house with its raw materials, its subdued atmosphere and this characteristic enveloping heat of which we do not know if it is made of charcoal or friendship. Loft proportions, the space consists of two levels, two atmospheres.
Vial
Opened in 2012 in the charming setting of carouge, geneva’s greenwich village, le flacon is already playing in the big leagues. An open kitchen to admire the work of artists in the stoves, stone walls, beautiful and good bottles lined up on shelves… The decor is set to feast. The imagination is on the menu, with dishes made from simple and raw products like bib gourmand-style cuisine, the selection of the best tables at the best prices in the michelin guide. The wine list is also distinguished by the number of very accessible vintages. To discover absolutely.
The café de certoux
Bernard livron, a chef at the helm of the restaurant since 1983. Café de certoux is a charming country inn. Yes, it is also a family affair, but above all, we taste dishes to die for in a warm atmosphere. The chef’s italian and asian influences will surprise you throughout the dishes. In addition, the vegetables come from the establishment’s vegetable garden.
Tosca
In the heart of the city of calvin, the tosca restaurant pays a unique culinary and artistic tribute to a wonderful italian region, tuscany and to the beaux-arts. The chef welcomes you to his starred restaurant in the heart of the lively eaux-vives district, a stone’s throw from the city center. Let yourself be enchanted by the tuscan culinary delights… Soak up the renaissance atmosphere and its masterpieces, while tasting the delicious pheasant ravioli, the beef carpaccio in brine or the canette des domes with its caramelized apples.
Restaurant le jardin
Located opposite the brunswick garden, in a peaceful oasis of greenery, le jardin is the ideal place to enjoy a meal far from the hustle and bustle of the city. In the garden, chef philippe bourrel shares light and fresh french cuisine, interpreted with style using the best of local products. Recognized as ambassador of the genevan terroir and acclaimed in the prestigious gault & millau guide (16/20), le jardin is an essential address in geneva. Our sommelier has created a menu that highlights the richness and diversity of the geneva and swiss vineyards.
The parte
Chef armel bedouet will make you succumb to the pleasures of french gastronomy in an intimate and refined setting. Through the menu, the talented chef offers his favorites, exchanges and dialogue with the guests of the room in order to advise them in their choices. More than a first-rate taste experience, it is an encounter with a passionate about flavors and quality products that he selects with care.
Food trucks
Five itinerant restaurants offer fresh meals to take away on the public domain of the City of Geneva. A system of rotation between operators guarantees culinary diversity for the population on each of the five selected sites. Five food trucks plying the high traffic locations and serve meals from noon to prevail. Original concept, fresh, local and seasonal products are among the criteria which made it possible to select the catering trucks located in the public space for a period of four years.
The 5 Geneva food trucks are located at the following locations:
place Bel Air;
Chaumettes park (near the HUG);
place of Holland;
rue de Varembé;
Kazem-Rajavi street (international organizations sector).
A rotation system has been put in place to guarantee a diversified offer to the population.
Food
By eating regional and seasonal products, you reduce your impact on the environment and support sustainable agriculture on a human scale. This page presents a selection of places to eat locally in Geneva.
Several points of sale offer you something to eat local Geneva products. Among the multitude of formats, production methods and possible delivery methods, you will surely find the option that suits you best!
Baskets of Local Contract Farming (Acp)
Proximity contract farming offers the public high -quality, diverse products with the flavors of the region. It minimizes intermediaries and distances between producers and consumers, while supporting sustainable agriculture and realizing the principles of food sovereignty.
Online Grocery Stores
Web platforms offering a distribution of local products, fresh or processed, and collaborations with craftsmen. Occasional or regular orders; Production methods: conventional, integrated, organic or biodynamic. The vegetables are mainly open ground.
Markets and Grocery Stores
Ferme de Budé market (chemin Moïse Duboule 2): the farm’s own production and distribution of products from regional suppliers mainly. Priority is given to organic products.
Nature en Vrac (place des Grottes 1): bulk sale of organic and local products.
La Ritournelle (boulevard Carl-Vogt 49): café-grocery store of local, organic or conventional products.
Le Fix (avenue de France 17): café-grocery store of local and artisanal products.
Le Nid (chemin du 23 Aug 5): cooperative grocery store of local, sustainable and bulk products.
Le Bocal Local (rue Lissignol 10): associative grocery store offering local products, without packaging and healthy;
L’Arcade (rue des Eaux-Vives 80): neighborhood grocery store offering local and organic products.
Bakeries
Offer bread made in Geneva from Geneva flour.
Caterers Favoring Regional Products
Mu Food (59 rue de Lausanne, 1201 Geneva): local, organic and, on request, vegetarian food;
Revolution Food: caterer specializing in responsible food;
Catering service at La Ritournelle (boulevard Carl-Vogt 49, 1205 Genève): quality products from the region;
Catering service for a family R (rue Goetz-Monin 10, 1205 Geneva);
Caterer André Vidonne (rue Blavignac 5, 1227 Carouge): regional products labeled GRTA;
Traiteur de Châtelaine (chemin Pré de la Fontaine, 1217 Meyrin): regional products labeled GRTA;
Catering service of the Red Cross (rue Eugène-Marziano 33, 1227 Les Acacias);
Genecand traiteur (avenue de la Praille 55, 1227 Carouge): regional products labeled GRTA;
Or even: local, organic and vegan food;
The butterfly effect (c / o Impact Hub, Rue Fendt 1, 1201 Geneva): home cooking based on local and seasonal products and financing of solidarity projects;
Tonic (Boulevard Carl-Vogt 30): caterer specializing in local and vegetarian food, partly organic.
Local Artisanal Drinks
With its 14,000 hectares of vines, Geneva is the third wine-growing canton in Switzerland.
Craft breweries
There are a multitude of new small breweries in Geneva, including:
Brasserie des Murailles (Meinier);
Brasserie du Père Jakob (Soral);
Brasserie de la Piece (Meyrin);
Brasserie du Virage (Plan-les-Ouates).
Find other Geneva craft breweries on the website of the Association Les Brasseurs Artisans de Genève (ABAG)
Distributors
La Genevoise du Terroir: distributor of wines, beers, syrups, Geneva and artisanal fruit juices;
Le Reservoir: distributor of independent and regional brands.
Urban vegetable gardens
Urban gardens, also called shared gardens or crashes, are usually installed on unused plots of about 5 m2 up to a few hundred m2. Lawns and wasteland in the heart of residential neighborhoods are thus transformed into places of exchange and sharing. Having a piece of land, passing on your horticultural knowledge to your neighbors, cooking freshly picked vegetables with the family or discovering forgotten varieties are some of the joys of gardening in the city.
In recent years, around forty collective projects have seen the light of day in the city of Geneva and urban agriculture is booming in the City of Calvin. Whether in the open ground (for example in Beaulieu, André Chavanne, Geisendorf or Franchises parks), in bins (notably at the Seujet, the Vélodrome or the Monthoux square), or even in school yards, the projects affect various audiences and take very diverse forms.
Urban vegetables
The supply of commercially available seeds is often limited. The Pro Specie Rara Foundation, in particular with the support of the City of Geneva, wishes to encourage the diversity of our diet by inviting city dwellers to make a concrete commitment – by growing delicious products on their balconies. Thus, the “Urban vegetables” project gives access to a wide range of old varieties and encourages the development of a community of people who like to garden in the city.
To grow tomatoes, lettuce or peppers, you don’t need a garden – a sunny balcony is enough. And you don’t have to be a gardener to grow tasty, multi-variety tomatoes. Indeed, ProSpecieRara is committed to ensuring that traditional tomatoes do not disappear. Their seeds are carefully stored and preserved, as are 1,600 other varieties of vegetables and plants.
Seeds and seedlings
There are several initiatives in the city of Geneva allowing city dwellers to reconnect with nature and agriculture while promoting biodiversity. Gardeners and planters growing on their balconies or at the bottom of their building as well as small producers who want to experiment with new varieties can, in the city, provide themselves with local seeds or organic seedlings – for the most part.
Supported by the City through the G’Innove program, Semences de pays selects and multiplies seeds of market garden varieties in the city center, mainly from local farmers’ selections. It has a catalog of seeds that are grown and sold in greenhouses located in Parc Beaulieu and Belle-Idée.
Also benefiting from financial support from the Agenda 21 – Sustainable City service, the Artichauts prepare organic seed pieces, grown and sold as part of the agricultural activities of Parc Beaulieu.
The two associations mentioned above collaborate with the Pro Specie Rara Foundation in order to maintain and update old and traditional varieties of vegetables, particularly suitable for our climate.
The Les Jardins des Délices association manages an urban vegetable garden and in the first half of 2017 is launching a “grainothèque” in collaboration with the Saint-Jean library. It is a seed exchange system where everyone can deposit, take or exchange seeds, freely and for free.