Drinking and Dining in Geneva, Le Café Rafael, The Neptune, Cave Valaisanne et Chalet Suisse

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Eating Out
Guide to Drinking and Dining in Geneva

Geneva is an international city with many multinational organisations and companies and this is reflected in the culinary scene with a wide choice of places to eat.

Local specialities include fondue, raclette and fish, caught fresh from the lake. Swiss cheese is well known and excellent choices are available all around Geneva, including world famous names like Emmenthal and Gruyere, as well as some more interesting varieties from small local producers.

Tipping: By law, a service charge of 7% is included in all restaurant and bar bills.

PRICE GUIDE: (average cost of a main course):
= less than CHF18, = CHF18 - CHF24, = CHF24+

Traditional

Le Café Rafael Traditional
Hotel du Rhone, 1 Quai Turrettini
Tel: +41 (0)22-909-0005

Despite its 1950s décor this restaurant is one of the new brand of Swiss restaurants offering creative interpretations of traditional cuisine. The menu changes with the seasons.
You are advised to book ahead.

Le Neptune
Hôtel Mandarin Oriental du Rhône Quai Turrettini 1
Tel: +41 (0)22-909-0006
One of Geneva's finest, Michelin starred restaurant, with a menu comprised of fish and seafood specialities. Swoon over the lobster cannelloni steamed with lobster bisque and sweet pepper or seabass fillet with breadcrumbs and almonds on a bed of mashed potato and olive oil, but leave room for the equally delicious desserts, warm praline tarts with banana and passion fruit. Enjoy the original décor from intimate tables, and the striking fresco which depicts the underwater world. The extraordinary food and attentive waiters ensure an exceptional evening.

Café du Soleil
6 Place du Petit-Saconnex
Tel: +41 (0)22-733-3417
For a taste of real Genevan food at a very reasonable price, Café du Soleil, the oldest bistro in the city, is certainly the place to go. Simplicity is employed here to charm the customers, with understated wood furniture, and paintings to soften the room. The food too is uncomplicated. Casual, but good, with reputedly the best fondue in the world.

Cave Valaisanne et Chalet Suisse
Place du Cirque
Tel: +41 (0)22-328-1236
Excellent fondue. The essential mix is Emmenthal, Gruyere and lashings of white wine, but here there are a number of interesting twists on offer. Reservations required.

Le Domaine de Chateauvieux
Chateaux de Peney, Peney-Dessus, Satigny
Tel: +41 (0)22-753-1511
This traditional restaurant in a vineyard outside Geneva offers an escape from big city life. The centuries are stripped back, with the décor more 14th-century than new millennium.

Chez Ma Cousine
6 Place du Bourg-de-Four
Do not expect a long, complicated menu here - in fact don't expect a menu at all. The only dish they offer is a half chicken, served with potatoes and a green salad. Lots of practice means it's perfect.

French

Le Chat Botté
Hotel Beau Rivage, 13 Quai Du Mont Blanc
Tel: +41 (0)22-716-6666.
Right in the heart of the city in the Hotel Beau Rivage. A quality eatery attracting businessmen and well-heeled international tourists. Advised to book ahead.

Les Continents
Hotel Intercontinental, 7-9 Chemin du Petit Saconnex
Tel: +41 (0)22-919-3350.
A first class restaurant in Geneva's Intercontinental Hotel. Impeccable service accompanies the excellent seafood with fresh perch caught from Lake Geneva a particular speciality. Closed weekends. Bookings advised. Jacket and tie.

Bars

Geneva is not renowned for its madcap nightlife, mainly because it hasn't got one. The city tends to be rather staid, although during the bigger conventions (notably March's Motor Show) the city's bars won't close until the early hours.
The discerning tourist will do as the locals do and head for the Carouge. Not a bar but an area. The 18th-century suburb is an excellent place to find the distinctively Genevan bars, and the local populace of a Friday night. Often described as Geneva's Greenwich village the Carouge has plenty of entertainment on offer.

Boulevard Helvetique
Geneva's main drag is replete with stylish café bars offering drinks and food. Choose one at random or head for Le Francis (Tel: +41 (0)22-346-3252), La Bohême (Tel: +41 (0)22-700-4600) or L'Orangerie (Tel: +41 (0)22-736-6767).

Alhambar
10 Rue de la Rotisserie
Tel: +41 (0)22-312-1313
Stylishly modern café bar offering jazz entertainment some nights to accompany the drinks and snacks.

Mulligans
14 Rue de Grenus
Tel: +41 (0)22-732-8576
Themed Irish pub near to the train station. Does a good line in Guinness and robust bar snacks.

Mr Pickwick
80 Rue de Lausanne
Tel: +41 (0)22-731-6797
An English pub serving the expat and English speaking community of Geneva. Offers various entertainment in addition to its wide array of drink.

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