The cuisine and food scene in Geneva

Local eating habits

For something more traditional, fondue - a traditional Swiss dish consisting of a pot of melted Gruyere cheese which you dip bread into - is a very popular choice among locals and tourists in winter. Bains du Paquis, a restaurant with an open-plan room filled with benches which sits on a jetty on the lake, is a favourite among locals and international employees, so be sure to reserve a table. But beware, your clothes will smell like cheese at the end of the night.

The best restaurants in Geneva

One of Geneva's best-loved institutions is the Lebanese restaurant, Parfums de Beyrouth. The restaurant expanded its premises two years ago to accommodate for the influx of customers who would queue outside. Their falafels, kofta, hummus and shawarma are legendary across the city, and the value for money is unbeatable - a large meat platter costs under CHF20!

You are spoiled for choice of burger restaurants in Geneva, but Holy Cow is a unanimous favourite. The meat, cheese and potatoes for the chips are all locally sourced from Switzerland, too! Other popular places include Ingelwood and The Hamburger Foundation.

Street food in Geneva

Food trucks are also very popular in Geneva, especially for office workers. They can be found in set locations throughout the city during weekday lunchtimes, running on a weekly rotation. A full list and route map can be found on the Ville Geneve website.

Swiss chocolate

Of course, you cannot go to Geneva without discovering your favourite chocolate shop. Favarger, a beloved and exclusive local chocolatier, has been produced in Geneva since 1826. Another famous Swiss chocolatier, Läderach, has three stores throughout the city and should not be missed! Ice cream is another popular treat. Crowds of locals and tourists head to Manu, an artisanal Swiss gelato that is the perfect accompaniment to for a walk along the lake on a warm summer day.

The coffee culture in Geneva

A mid-afternoon coffee is a very common activity in Geneva. There are lots of cosy independent cafes across the city, including Birdie, Les Recyclables (a cafe and used bookstore in one), and Café Remor, which is busy from open to close. You can also head to Boréal, which is Geneva's very own chain coffee store. It started in the centre of the city but quickly grew to three stores throughout the city.

Sunday brunch in Geneva

You must not miss Sunday brunch at the restaurant Parc du Bastions. You can choose from a wide buffet of pastries, warm dishes, and salads. There is even a candy bar and a pancake station as well as a hearty selection of wines and hot drinks - all available for just CHF48 per person for adults or CHF24 per child.

Good to know:

Eating in restaurants in Geneva can be quite expensive and you can easily spend CHF100 on a meal without trying, so it is a good idea to keep an eye out for discounts on new restaurants on BuyClub.