Geneva Restaurants and Dining

(Geneva, Switzerland)

Regarded as the dining capital of Switzerland, Geneva offers an exceptional choice of places to eat, where you can enjoy many tasty Swiss specialities. The restaurants and bistros in Geneva are extremely varied and if Swiss food is not necessarily your thing, then plenty of eateries specialise in international cuisine, ranging from African to Japanese.

Many cheap Asian-style restaurants are dotted around the area lying directly north of the Rue des Alpes, while for Brazilian and Portuguese dining, head to the Rue de Montchoisy. Good food is also available either side of the Rhône River and at many of Geneva's hotel restaurants. These are great places for an affordable evening meal with a Swiss theme, where seasonal specials, such as zürigschnätzletsa (veal strips with a mushroom sauce) are often the highlight.

Where to Eat

Central Geneva is usually the first place where tourists look for restaurants and streets such as the Rue de Cornavin, Rue de la Rotisserie and the Rue du Rhône are good places to start.

The Rue Neuve-du-Molard is also worth a look and this narrow pedestrianised street features a number of good eateries, where spit-roasted chicken is often served. For cheap eats and good views across Geneva city centre, the Bon Génie department store along the Rue du Marché features a good cafe on its fourth floor.

The dining scene around Geneva's Plainpalais is also booming along the Boulevard du Théâtre, which is a good place for pre-performance meals, with a number of restaurants being little more than a stone's throw from the Grand Theatre and the Victoria Hall. Located off the bustling Plaine de Plainpalais and along the Rue des Bains, cafes and bars offer relaxed, intimate dining and plenty of regional wines.

For the absolute best in Swiss dining in Geneva, pay a visit to the Cave Valaisanne et Chalet Suisse along the Boulevard Georges Favon, where authentic cheese fondues can be enjoyed in mountain chalet-style surroundings. Exceptional views of the Old Town area, Lake Geneva and even the Alps can all be enjoyed from the aptly named Le Panoramic Restaurant on the Quai du Seujet, an informal eatery with many Swiss-inspired dishes.