Guidebook for Genève
Food Scene
This place is about 5 minutes walk from the apartment, it has a well rounded menu so you can generally find something for everyone, the cuisine is fusion mediterranean/asian. I highly recommend the Tagliatelle a la Feta, it is delicious if you like a hearty bowl of pasta. Prices are decent and the wine is good. Also it is a Brocante - all the furniture there is for sale, although I have yet to purchase a piece!
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Sixième Heure
6 Pl. des PhilosophesThis place is about 5 minutes walk from the apartment, it has a well rounded menu so you can generally find something for everyone, the cuisine is fusion mediterranean/asian. I highly recommend the Tagliatelle a la Feta, it is delicious if you like a hearty bowl of pasta. Prices are decent and the wine is good. Also it is a Brocante - all the furniture there is for sale, although I have yet to purchase a piece!
Aux Merveilleux de Fred Genève
9 Rdpt de PlainpalaisThey make the best brioche's in town!
This is the other bakery very close to the apartment that has the usual range of fresh bread, patisserie and now fresh pressed juices. It is also open all day on a Sunday AND on national holidays, so great when you realize everything else around is closed!
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Pouly
72 Rue des Eaux-VivesThis is the other bakery very close to the apartment that has the usual range of fresh bread, patisserie and now fresh pressed juices. It is also open all day on a Sunday AND on national holidays, so great when you realize everything else around is closed!
Hardcore hipster ville but good decent brunch food and excellent coffee. Worth checking ahead if you want to eat, its always packed!
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Birdie Food & Coffee
40 Rue des BainsHardcore hipster ville but good decent brunch food and excellent coffee. Worth checking ahead if you want to eat, its always packed!
Delicious Korean BBQ food, usual Geneva prices but its damn tasty! Also walking distance from the apartment.
Kimchi
85 Rue de CarougeDelicious Korean BBQ food, usual Geneva prices but its damn tasty! Also walking distance from the apartment.
Lotus d'Or
36 Route des AcaciasYummy Vietnamese food, delicious summer rolls and walking distance
Twins
101 Bd Carl-VogtHuge menu of main course salads, you can find everything and mix and match or make your own
Ponte Vecchio
63 Bd du Pont-d'ArveGood, local Pizzeria
Next level pizza place, with a buzzing and bouncing atmosphere. They dont take reservations, but the wait is not usually more than 15-20 minutes on a busy night
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Luigia
24a Rue Adrien-LachenalNext level pizza place, with a buzzing and bouncing atmosphere. They dont take reservations, but the wait is not usually more than 15-20 minutes on a busy night
Tasty tasty gelato! But watch out, it closes over the winter.
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Gelato Mania
61 Rue des Eaux-VivesTasty tasty gelato! But watch out, it closes over the winter.
Manu Gelato Carouge
65 Rue de CarougeEven tastier Gelato! Sadly closes over the winter.
Sushi Shop
6 Bd Georges-FavonDecent sushi, to eat in or for home delivery
Sources
8 Rue des SourcesOn the pricier side but always delicious food
Best coffee in Geneva, hands down. Classic coffee and chilling place, open late ish in the evenings
Boréal Coffee Shop
5 Rue de JargonnantBest coffee in Geneva, hands down. Classic coffee and chilling place, open late ish in the evenings
Best steak in town. And you get seconds! No reservations, be ready for a line, but it moves fast
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Le Relais de l'Entrecôte
6 Rue Pierre-FatioBest steak in town. And you get seconds! No reservations, be ready for a line, but it moves fast
This place does specialities from the Fribourg region of Switzerland and also does a range of home made croissants and pain au chocolat. You can also get relatively cheap light bites for lunch here. There is a menu in the apartement. Opening hours are not always great so check ahead before going!
Gremion
6 Bd du Pont d'ArveThis place does specialities from the Fribourg region of Switzerland and also does a range of home made croissants and pain au chocolat. You can also get relatively cheap light bites for lunch here. There is a menu in the apartement. Opening hours are not always great so check ahead before going!
A wonderful little Italian Delicatessen - you can get sandwiches made from anything you want in their counter, or you can stop for a bite of their home made pasta and meatballs during lunch time and sit amongst their extensive wine collection. You can also get fresh fruit and veggies here as well as other basics. Not as cheap as Migros but very tasty! (beware the jars of delicious antipasti and pesto can be upwards of 10 CHF a jar..!).
Saveurs d'Italie
11 Bd du Pont-d'ArveA wonderful little Italian Delicatessen - you can get sandwiches made from anything you want in their counter, or you can stop for a bite of their home made pasta and meatballs during lunch time and sit amongst their extensive wine collection. You can also get fresh fruit and veggies here as well as other basics. Not as cheap as Migros but very tasty! (beware the jars of delicious antipasti and pesto can be upwards of 10 CHF a jar..!).
Recently remodelled, bakery with Portuguese influences which does light bites as well as baked goods during the day.
L'Épi Doré
3 Av. Henri-DunantRecently remodelled, bakery with Portuguese influences which does light bites as well as baked goods during the day.
The well known bakery/breakfast chain, directly across from the Plainpalais tram stop where the 15 stops.
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Le Pain Quotidien
32 Bd Georges-FavonThe well known bakery/breakfast chain, directly across from the Plainpalais tram stop where the 15 stops.
Best market in town on a Sunday and as many places are closed on Sundays, a great place to get groceries, other food items and there are a number of food trucks with different specialities all over the world. My favourite is the Uruguayan food truck, best Chivito and Choripan in town!
In the autumn and winter months, there is also a mushroom guy selling delicious mushrooms as well as things like home made mushroom sauce and soup.
You can also taste local wine and get coffee here, as well as rottisserie chickens, fruit and veg, fresh juice, bread, cheeses - everything you can think of.
Also, Saturday there is flea market here, a haven for lovers of bric a brac and general junk, some dec
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Marché de Plainpalais
27 Av. du MailBest market in town on a Sunday and as many places are closed on Sundays, a great place to get groceries, other food items and there are a number of food trucks with different specialities all over the world. My favourite is the Uruguayan food truck, best Chivito and Choripan in town!
In the autumn and winter months, there is also a mushroom guy selling delicious mushrooms as well as things like home made mushroom sauce and soup.
You can also taste local wine and get coffee here, as well as rottisserie chickens, fruit and veg, fresh juice, bread, cheeses - everything you can think of.
Also, Saturday there is flea market here, a haven for lovers of bric a brac and general junk, some dec
DELICIOUS home made chocolates, also scones and other tasty treats. Worth a visit!
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Berger – De Faletans
16 Av. Henri-DunantDELICIOUS home made chocolates, also scones and other tasty treats. Worth a visit!
It is the best fondue in town. You need to book ahead, just call them and you can speak english, most people there will understand. It is more of a communal feel type restaurant, long tables with benches either side or small 2 person tables here and there. The little buvette there also does other small dishes like salads, soup, oysters etc.
CASH ONLY
It is part of the Geneva baths, so this is the setting. You can also go and use the baths which include Turkish bath, Hammam and Sauna. It is 22 CHF for entry per person, ladies night on Tuesdays. I highly recommend it in the winter months for getting a good scrub or steam or sauna and jumping into the lake in between if you are brave enough!
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Bains des Paquis
30 Quai du Mont-BlancIt is the best fondue in town. You need to book ahead, just call them and you can speak english, most people there will understand. It is more of a communal feel type restaurant, long tables with benches either side or small 2 person tables here and there. The little buvette there also does other small dishes like salads, soup, oysters etc.
CASH ONLY
It is part of the Geneva baths, so this is the setting. You can also go and use the baths which include Turkish bath, Hammam and Sauna. It is 22 CHF for entry per person, ladies night on Tuesdays. I highly recommend it in the winter months for getting a good scrub or steam or sauna and jumping into the lake in between if you are brave enough!
The other best Italian deli in town. If you want to sit down and eat, you need to reserve, as it is very popular. At lunch you can get their delicious piadine's, usually there is a line but it moves quickly. Also has a well stocked deli counter and good wines.
Tavolone
41 Rue des BainsThe other best Italian deli in town. If you want to sit down and eat, you need to reserve, as it is very popular. At lunch you can get their delicious piadine's, usually there is a line but it moves quickly. Also has a well stocked deli counter and good wines.
Muller's Factory
4 Pl. du CirqueFor chocolate crepes and other tasty treats! Kids will love it.
Nearest fondue and raclette and general swiss/local specialities. Can be quite touristy!
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Cave Valaisanne - Chalet Suisse
23 Bd Georges-FavonNearest fondue and raclette and general swiss/local specialities. Can be quite touristy!
Drinks & Nightlife
This place is a few paces down from La Sixieme Heure and opposite the Hamburger Foundation, so walking distance from the apartment. Expect Geneva prices for cocktails (around CHF 16 per cocktail), but they're very tasty and well made. If its nice weather they have a nice terrace for alfresco drinks.
Mr Barber
5 Rue LeschotThis place is a few paces down from La Sixieme Heure and opposite the Hamburger Foundation, so walking distance from the apartment. Expect Geneva prices for cocktails (around CHF 16 per cocktail), but they're very tasty and well made. If its nice weather they have a nice terrace for alfresco drinks.
Crazy decor (the bathrooms might shock some), but decent cocktails and a good vibe. More space upstairs too, which is quite rare in Geneva!
Lucky Bastard
6 Av. Henri-DunantCrazy decor (the bathrooms might shock some), but decent cocktails and a good vibe. More space upstairs too, which is quite rare in Geneva!
Best rum in town, yummy cocktails and tapas for sharing. A little gem in the Eaux Vives part of town
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Little Barrel
15 Rue du LacBest rum in town, yummy cocktails and tapas for sharing. A little gem in the Eaux Vives part of town
On a busy street with lots of bar options, they do good burgers and excellent cocktails
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Bottle Brothers - Grand Bottle
12 Rue Henri-BlanvaletOn a busy street with lots of bar options, they do good burgers and excellent cocktails
Café de la Bourse
56 Rue du StandYum wine and yummier tapas, great for Apéro
A record store as well as a bar, worth stopping for a drink or two and/or some vintage vinyls.
Bongo Joe Records
A record store as well as a bar, worth stopping for a drink or two and/or some vintage vinyls.
Co working cafe that also has a bar attached to it that is usually lively and packed towards the end of the week.
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Voisins de Plainpalais – Coworking Café
8 Rue des VoisinsCo working cafe that also has a bar attached to it that is usually lively and packed towards the end of the week.
Manhattan Café
5 Bd Georges-FavonGreat for after work or late night drinks/cocktails. Decent bar and comfy seats.
This street is lined both sides with bars, mostly frequented by the student crowd so its nice and lively. Also local Genevois go here more often than other parts of town. My favourite bars are Cafe du Lys and La Ferblanterie (delicious quiche and inexpensive beer).
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Rue de l'Ecole-de-Médecine
Rue de l'Ecole-de-MédecineThis street is lined both sides with bars, mostly frequented by the student crowd so its nice and lively. Also local Genevois go here more often than other parts of town. My favourite bars are Cafe du Lys and La Ferblanterie (delicious quiche and inexpensive beer).
Sightseeing
A must for first timers to Geneva, climb the old Medieval Cathedral in the old town for views across the city and lake. It is very afforable at less than CHF 15 for the entry (it used to be CHF 5, I beleive it is now CHF 12). The crypt below can also be accessed for those interested in the history behind the cathedral and old town.
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Sankt Pierre-katedralen
Cour de Saint-PierreA must for first timers to Geneva, climb the old Medieval Cathedral in the old town for views across the city and lake. It is very afforable at less than CHF 15 for the entry (it used to be CHF 5, I beleive it is now CHF 12). The crypt below can also be accessed for those interested in the history behind the cathedral and old town.
For amazing views of Geneva and the Alps/Mont Blanc, head up the Saleve! You can either hike up the steep pathway (about 2h30 if you are in good shape) or you can take the cable car. Both can be accessed by the number 8 bus, direction Veyrier Douane and you can take this bus from Gare Cornavin or Rive. There are some great hikes to be done on top of the Saleve as well, also a couple of restaurants.
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Mont Saleve
For amazing views of Geneva and the Alps/Mont Blanc, head up the Saleve! You can either hike up the steep pathway (about 2h30 if you are in good shape) or you can take the cable car. Both can be accessed by the number 8 bus, direction Veyrier Douane and you can take this bus from Gare Cornavin or Rive. There are some great hikes to be done on top of the Saleve as well, also a couple of restaurants.
The famous particle accelerator is housed here. Take the 18 tram from the tram stop Pont D'arve, it is about a 30 minute ride. Check online for opening hours and information for visitors.
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CERN
1 Espl. des ParticulesThe famous particle accelerator is housed here. Take the 18 tram from the tram stop Pont D'arve, it is about a 30 minute ride. Check online for opening hours and information for visitors.
Shopping
For girls who love vintage and retro looking pieces. Be warned, its not cheap! But oh so pretty.
Boutique Pourquoi Pas
27 Bd du Pont-d'ArveFor girls who love vintage and retro looking pieces. Be warned, its not cheap! But oh so pretty.
Great for women's clothes, something different (earthy/basic style) and decent prices. Lots of nice bags too.
Etat Brut
4 Pass. de Saint-FrançoisGreat for women's clothes, something different (earthy/basic style) and decent prices. Lots of nice bags too.
This shop sells all kinds of stuff - household, clothing, souvenirs... kids and babies stuff. Worth a visit but watch out for your wallet, its not cheap!
Les 3 Pinces
19 Bd du Pont-d'ArveThis shop sells all kinds of stuff - household, clothing, souvenirs... kids and babies stuff. Worth a visit but watch out for your wallet, its not cheap!
A library and also a cafe, selling cheap coffee and small bites. Most of the literature is in French though, however worth a browse nonetheless!
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Les Recyclables
53 Rue de CarougeA library and also a cafe, selling cheap coffee and small bites. Most of the literature is in French though, however worth a browse nonetheless!
In case you need to visit an Apple store, there is one on the 'main shopping street'. Open Mon - Saturday, until 6 or 7 PM.
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Apple Rue de Rive
4 Rue de RiveIn case you need to visit an Apple store, there is one on the 'main shopping street'. Open Mon - Saturday, until 6 or 7 PM.
Huge kids toy shop - be warned, you wont come out empty handed if you take your kids :)
Franz Carl Weber Geneva
12 Rue de la Croix-d'OrHuge kids toy shop - be warned, you wont come out empty handed if you take your kids :)
Known as the shopping street in Geneva, it starts at Bel-Air where the street is called Rue du Marché, then turns into Rue de la Croix D'or. You will find all the classic high street stores here.
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Rue de la Croix-d'Or
Rue de la Croix-d'OrKnown as the shopping street in Geneva, it starts at Bel-Air where the street is called Rue du Marché, then turns into Rue de la Croix D'or. You will find all the classic high street stores here.
Essentials
Migros
17-19 Rue des Eaux-VivesCoop Supermarché City Genève Plainpalais Food
12 Rue de CarougeNearest Pharmacy to the apartment, however there are many others dotted around - look for the neon green plus sign, almost all pharmcies in Switzerland have these.
Pharmacie Populaire Plainpalais
55 Rue de CarougeNearest Pharmacy to the apartment, however there are many others dotted around - look for the neon green plus sign, almost all pharmcies in Switzerland have these.
Geneva Cantonal Hospital, in case of any emergencies - it is a few minutes walking distance from the apartment.
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Hôpital
Geneva Cantonal Hospital, in case of any emergencies - it is a few minutes walking distance from the apartment.
Rue Pictet-de-Bock
Rue Pictet-de-BockLocal post office is here
UBS Switzerland AG
39 Bd du Pont-d'ArveATM/cash point
Agence BCGE Plainpalais
22 Rue de CarougeATM/cash point
Pressing 5àsec Rue de Carouge
57 Rue de CarougeNearest dry cleaners
This is the closest budget grocery store, literally a few 100 meters down the same road the apartment is on
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Lidl
61 Rue Prévost-MartinThis is the closest budget grocery store, literally a few 100 meters down the same road the apartment is on
Budget supermarket chain, you will find all over town but this is the closest one.
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Denner Discount
10 Rue du LacBudget supermarket chain, you will find all over town but this is the closest one.
Everything Else
Head down here to see the meeting of the two rivers, Le Rhone and L'Arve. Its also a nice spot to have a few drinks, picnic and sit by the river on a nice day. The area around, Jonction, is well worth exploring on foot
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Pointe de la Jonction
3 Sent. des SaulesHead down here to see the meeting of the two rivers, Le Rhone and L'Arve. Its also a nice spot to have a few drinks, picnic and sit by the river on a nice day. The area around, Jonction, is well worth exploring on foot
Getting Around
Nearest tram stop is on this street, take the 18 tram to the station or the 12 downtown
Boulevard du Pont-d'Arve
Boulevard du Pont-d'ArveNearest tram stop is on this street, take the 18 tram to the station or the 12 downtown
Come here to take a boat across or down the lake to Nyon, Lausanne, Vevey or to Yvoire, Evian and beyond. Check https://www.cgn.ch/en/ for more information and timetables.
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Quai du Mont-Blanc
Quai du Mont-BlancCome here to take a boat across or down the lake to Nyon, Lausanne, Vevey or to Yvoire, Evian and beyond. Check https://www.cgn.ch/en/ for more information and timetables.
You can take one of the small yellow boats - les mouettes - from the lakeside, to hop across to the otherside of the lake and remain in town. Check http://www.mouettesgenevoises.ch/pw/ for all the routes and timetables. The best thing about these little boats is they count the same as a bus or tram, so you can use your ticket for any trip on one of these boats, assuming it is still valid or a day/week pass.
Quai Gustave-Ador
Quai Gustave-AdorYou can take one of the small yellow boats - les mouettes - from the lakeside, to hop across to the otherside of the lake and remain in town. Check http://www.mouettesgenevoises.ch/pw/ for all the routes and timetables. The best thing about these little boats is they count the same as a bus or tram, so you can use your ticket for any trip on one of these boats, assuming it is still valid or a day/week pass.
Closest public transport hub - there are two tram stops here, one in the roundabout and one just over the road. Trams 18 and 15 stop here, both go to the train station. Also bus number 1 stops here as well as tram 12, for heading downtown.
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Rond-Point de Plainpalais
Rond-Point de PlainpalaisClosest public transport hub - there are two tram stops here, one in the roundabout and one just over the road. Trams 18 and 15 stop here, both go to the train station. Also bus number 1 stops here as well as tram 12, for heading downtown.
Literally the middle of town - a number of buses and trams stop here going all directions. Also a nice spot to walk by the river towards the lake or in the other direction towards La Jonction
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Genève, Bel-Air
Literally the middle of town - a number of buses and trams stop here going all directions. Also a nice spot to walk by the river towards the lake or in the other direction towards La Jonction
Geneva's main train station. If you took the train from the airport you have already passed through here. This is where you can take trains from Geneva to the rest of Switzerland. If you are able to plan ahead, you can purchase discounted 'supersaver' tickets online or at the station, for up to 75% off for trips all over Switzerland, from Lausanne to Zurich and beyond. I can vouch for this as me and my boyfriend do this all the time! You may need to set up an account with SBB/CFF but its worth it.
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Gare Cornavin CFF
1201 Pl. de CornavinGeneva's main train station. If you took the train from the airport you have already passed through here. This is where you can take trains from Geneva to the rest of Switzerland. If you are able to plan ahead, you can purchase discounted 'supersaver' tickets online or at the station, for up to 75% off for trips all over Switzerland, from Lausanne to Zurich and beyond. I can vouch for this as me and my boyfriend do this all the time! You may need to set up an account with SBB/CFF but its worth it.