Pâquis boasts a number of worthwhile lunch spots, with many eateries offering thoughtfully prepared and (relatively) good value plats du jour; each restaurant normally features just one such daily special. Café des Arts is a prime example, and well worth a visit (check the Café des Arts article); wander round the corner, meanwhile, and you’ll soon stumble across Les Cinq Portes, which offers similarly tasty treats.

I enjoy coming here in search of down-to-earth but reliable food and a quiet chat: the layout is airy and leaves room between tables for privacy, the service hovers gently in the background, affording all the required breathing space, and the food is consistently tasty and well presented without venturing into the fussy. When I come here I tend to let the chef make the decision for me, but if the daily special doesn’t grab your attention, the salads are interesting too-in a good way. There is a large terrace in warmer months.

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Les Cinq Portes | Coffee & tea, Restaurants (European) | Daily special CHF 18
Rue de Zurich 8 | Les Pâquis | +41227318438
Mon 18:00 – 02:00, Tue – Fri 09:00 – 02:00, Sat 17:00 – 02:00, Sun 11:00 – 02:00

Summer is here! The ‘Geneva boat’ has just re-opened after some renovation. This is the best place to relax on the lake in a very laid-back atmosphere. The boat is located just off the Jardin Anglais (English Garden park), it is definitely one of my favorite hangouts. You can see the Jet d’Eau from it. You really feel like you are on holiday when you are there.

They offer main dishes at lunch time and tapas in the evening. Chilling out with just a drink is also an option.

They often organize some special events and parties. Dancing on there or listening to some live music is simply great. 

The ‘boat’ is an association that helps people in need by providing breakfast to them and assisting them in building some projects of their own. So going there you would be doing a good deed as well

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Bateau Genève | Bars, Music, Snacks, Restaurants | Main dish CHF 18.00
Quai Gustave-Ador | Eaux-Vives | +41227864345
Tue – Fri 11:30 – 14:30 & 17:00 – 00:00, Sat 17:00 – 00:00

There is a large South American community in Geneva. You’ll probably hear Spanish as much as you hear French in the street. Amongst the advantages of having so many Spanish speakers around, apart from practicing your Spanish, is that they have settled some small, homelike restaurants around the city.

These places are hard to find as they are not very visible, and usually only people from South America go there. That, to me is a sign that the food is authentic and good. Los Incas II is a typical example. The place is very simply decorated, it’s nothing like the typical Geneva restaurant. It’s one of these places where you wonder whether you should go in or not, and you definitely should, as the food is amazing.

They make all sort of Peruvian goodies. Be careful as the quantities are huge! I usually go for the “ceviche” (raw fish in spicy sauce) as there aren’t many places where you can find it but they also have “biftek de lomo” (beef steak, with rice, potatoes and egg…)

Service is a bit slow, but we are in Peru after all so the rhythm has to be different and I am pretty sure it is a family business, so everything is like at home.

The website below is for their other restaurant, located at Bld de La Cluse 105, to which I have never been, but it is the same owner and the same menu.

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Los Incas II | Restaurants (Peruvian) | Main meal from CHF 20
rue des Eaux-Vives 94 | Eaux-Vives | +41227369828
11:00 – 02:00 daily

The first time I went to Le Chic I was a little put off as it is located in the basement of a dodgy pool bar (L’America) in Geneva’s Red district. However, once I had made it downstairs I knew I would be coming back on a regular basis.

Each time I go there my ears get a real treat! From jazz to hip-hop and rock, the lounge has some fantastic bands playing live, every evening from Wednesday to Saturday. It reminds me of the best New York City jazz bars, hidden and mysterious from outside, warm and funky once inside. Last night there was a wonderful Cuban concert! 

Drinks are a little expensive but all the concerts are only CHF 5.00 so I go there quite often. I usually get a Corona but I hear the cocktails are decent. They also have jello shots for CHF 2.00!

It’s a nice change from all the bars in Geneva that are either alternative or posh. Bridge Bria and her team know how to create a nice atmosphere and have always made me feel welcome while keeping it simple. It’s a very cozy little bar.

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Le Chic | Bars, Music | Cover charge CHF 5
Rue de Fribourg 3 | Les Pâquis | +41227320430
Tue – Thu 18:00 – 01:00, Fri – Sat 18:00 – 02:00

As I was looking for a bottle of water, I decided to enter Zeste Juice bar and bought a juice instead. My prejudices had kept me from entering this place until yesterday when I was really thirsty. Indeed I thought it would be one of these chain tacky cafes with overpriced and not so good smoothies that claim to give you your shot of vitamins for the day.

Well guess what? I’ve been back quite often since! On that day I ended up having a hot juice, the Grape Glow (a mix of grape and raspberry juice with a touch of cinnamon and cloves) and I loved it! It was so cold outside that the only thing I had been drinking for a month was hot tea or mulled wine. So hot juice was definitely something new. And it’s delicious!

So yes it is a chain but there aren’t so many in Geneva yet (too bad) and compared to Starbucks or other cafés, prices are actually decent! And they also make regular smoothies, juices and teas. Try some juice with a bit of Ginger, it will give you a real kick for the day! The other advantage of this place is that it’s right next to Manor (check out the article), so if you like shopping, you can take a break there.

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Zeste Juice Bar | Coffee & tea | Hot juice CHF 5
Rue Cornavin 2 | City center | +41227310256
Mon – Fri 07:30 -19:00, Sat 08:30 – 18:00

I end up in that shop almost each time I need a present and I don’t know what to buy. They have the most original objects and they also have very nice toys for kids.

If you are looking for something different to decorate your house, then this is the place to go. They have everything for the kitchen, bathroom, living-room and bedroom! They also have a great variety of spices and teas and items for the garden.

I love the Pylones brand and I usually also end up buying something for myself when I go there, which might be the dangerous part! I also often come back home with a bunch of postcards as they have some that you won’t be able to find anywhere else.

They have three shops, two opposite each other in Carouge and one in Eaux-Vives. They are all great to visit as they often renew or exchange their items, so all three will have something different to offer if you go on the same day. (In Carouge: Rue Saint-Joseph 2 – in Eaux-Vives: Rue de la Terrassière 13)

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L’Envie de | Shopping
Rue St- Joseph 2 | Carouge | +41223016858
Mon 12:00 – 18:30, Tue – Fri 10:00 – 18:30, Sat 10:00 – 17:30

Les Recyclables is a café/restaurant, a bookstore and place for concerts.

I usually go there for dinner when there is a concert going on as it’s mostly Central or South American musicians, which I love. They have a set menu for CHF 28 on these special nights.

The lunch menu is usually simple, with not too many options as they use fresh products from the season. But it’s always deliciously healthy and there is always a vegetarian option.

I don’t really use the bookstore but I find the concept great, I think we should have more places like this in Geneva: enjoy a coffee while choosing a book! They have quite a large amount of second-hand books to choose from.

They are all about fair-trade and sustainable development, which is another reason to hang out there and support them. They also exchange your old books for others, or for a coffee/cake at the café. It’s what they call ‘cultural recycling’, which I personally find fantastic.

The only downside is their opening hours, they close quite early in the evening, except when they have concerts on.

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Les Recyclables | Coffee & tea, Music, Shopping, Restaurants (Intern.)
53, rue de Carouge | Plainpalais | +41223282373
Book store Mon – Sat 10:00 – 18:30, Sat 11:00 – 17:00 | Café Mon – Sat 10:00 – 18:30

If you are looking for a place to relax after a day of work or shopping, I can definitely recommend this place. It’s also great for a quick lunch.

I love this terrace mainly because of its perfect location: it’s right on the Rhône. It’s a bit hidden but when you are crossing the lake on your way to or from Bel-Air make sure to take a small detour and stop by. It’s really worth it. It’s in front of Mandarin hotel, just opposite from Brasserie des Halles de l’Ile.

The name is the right fit: it’s paradise on earth. If you need a break, you can chill out on their deck chairs. Be careful as you will quickly get a suntan!

I usually have the ‘orangeade’, the best in town, it’s really refreshing. Otherwise they make very good mint tea. And if you are hungry they have some decent sandwiches and paninis.

It’s open everyday, but only when the weather is good, as they don’t have an indoor room. 

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La Terrasse du Paradis | Bars, Coffee & tea, Snacks | Sandwich CHF 10
Quai Turrettini | City center
09:00 – 21:00 daily

I usually go to L’Auberge du Cheval for their Sunday brunch, which consists of a buffet with a wide variety of yummy things. And it’s all you can eat. It’s better to make a reservation, as it’s quite popular. They now have it on Saturday as well! 

I also go there from time to time for a drink and some tapas. They have good quality wine and there is a wide range of tapas. They always serve fresh food and products from the season.

L’Auberge du Cheval Blanc means the Inn of the White Horse. It’s a real tavern full of treasures. The place is a bit hidden in Carouge. It’s not only a cozy place to have a drink or a meal, but they also organize concerts in their downstairs room (Le Box) on Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays.

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L’Auberge du Cheval Blanc | Bars, Music, Restaurants | Brunch CHF 30
Place de l’octroi 15 | Carouge | +41223436161
Tue – Wed 11:30 – 01:00, Thu – Fri 11:30 – 02:00, Sat 12:00 – 02:00, Sun 11:00 – 01:00

I first visited this bar for a quick drink with friends between work and the airport, and it has since become my venue of choice when time is of the essence: situated as it is directly behind the station, it is certainly one of the best options if you are changing trains in Geneva or want to relax just before you set off for your next destination, and by far outstrips some of the more visible but decidedly less enticing establishments which the station area has to offer.

When the weather allows, early-evening visitors enjoy the outdoor terrace, often spreading out along the path which leads to the bar itself-testament to the favor which this seemingly makeshift watering hole has curried among Geneva’s more adventurous after-work crowd. The empanadas, available with a number of different fillings, meaty and otherwise, will transport you to the Southern Cone and keep you chatting happily until dinnertime, while the interesting range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic thirst-quenchers is a welcome boon at the end of long week.

Keep an eye on your watch, but fear not: in two and a half minutes (suitcase time not included), you’ll be on the platform.

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La Petite Reine | Bars, Snacks
Place de Montbrillant | City center
Mon – Thu 07:00 – 11:00 & 17:00 – 01:00, Fri 07:00 – 11:00 & 17:00 – 02:00, Sat 17:00 – 02:00