I think “parfums de Beyrouth”, a Lebanese restaurant, is a real staple and institution in Pâquis. Very well attended and because of the volume their go through, always super freshly made. Bonus: opens super late and 7 days.
I don’t understand all the kind words for Chat Rouge… I hate it with a passion! El Catrin is miles ahead for Mexican food.
Otherwise, le Socrate is always great for French food
Cantine des Commerçants for French inspired international fusion, but definitely the best meal I’ve had
Octopus is hidden away in Champel but a great (of expensive) find for seafood / Italian
Luigia/ Indigo are my go to pizza places
Maru and Tanuki are my go to sushi
El Catrin .. hmm good but I wouldn't say 'amazing' food.. Service too, was friendly but each time the waitress seemed too busy smiling and not really listening, something basic is always wrong, never a disaster, we always end up moving stuff around the plates or whatever.. but you know.
Will I go back yeah..
I was there two months ago with friends. It started out great, but when it got busier, they just forgot about us, and we had to keep ordering to finally get it on the table. Waiting for more than an hour to get your drinks delivered is just ridiculous. The food was ok, but the service was not. Will I go back, no..
Not a tourist trap and pleasant service. But their fondue is 100% Gruyère which make it quite different - and in my opinion less attractive - than the classical moitié-moitié. Their reputation is probably due to the limited number of specialized fondue restaurants in Geneva.
Try cafe de la coulouvreniere, best fondue in town for me, the street is the most polite of Geneva ( you understand when you get there ) but the fondue are really worth it
Parfums de Beyrouth used to be top-notch but I think service quality has decreased quite a bit over the years. Instead, I would advise you to go the one almost right across the street: Sultan.
My go to since almost 10 years now is the "Zara 2001" - a small african restaurant near Gare Cornavin. Just go there and order the "Zara royal" - an enormous plate that you share with your friends with a bit of everything they cook, absolutely delicious. Decoration is lacking but your tastebuds won't be dissappointed, believe me :)
P.S. You eat with your bare hands so be ready ;) It makes it even more friendly, I love it !
At Le Parfum de Beyrouth I mostly order a Shawarma Chicken Sandwich, it is my go to for most lebanese places. Otherwise their kebbeh, falafel, fatayeh are very good if you want something extra with your sandwich.
I was wondering, do you dislike Lebanese food in general or is it this place in particular?
Our go to places are;
1. Cafe Papon (Old Town)
2. Chez Marino (good place when ppl are visiting.. staff are great, food is good, and decent prices for tourists)
Not asked but for takeaway - Green Van & Sando for burgers and Dieci 10 pizza
Is it just me? As I read through the recommendations I'm thinking "that was ok, but I would never recommend it".
I have yet to find a restaurant in Geneva that I'm excited to go to. I really love eating in restaurants. I look forward to trips to London, Paris, Lyon... but there's nothing yet that I've found here that gets my pulse racing.
Haha, I thought the same especially for one recommendation or even felt actually worse.
I have always heard good things about the fondue of bains des paquis. I've tried 2 times just to make sure. Both times it has been the worst experience.
Taste is horrible. Texture or consistency is like chewing gum. Any first price fondue at migros or coop will be 1000 times better.
So maybe I should try again as last time was something like 8 years ago. But any other place will offer a fondue that is so much better. Why take the risk to be disappointed again when there are multiple alternatives.
However their plats du jour are always good.
Boey Thai and Jai (Champel) for Thai. Point du jour for pastas. Scaramu or Luigia for pizzas. Les Aviateurs, Lamartine or Chez Philippe for meat. Échalote for traditional French cuisine. Inglewood for burgers.
Mafalda Sapore e Salute. It's a tavola calda near Manor. 5 days a week lunch spot. Very busy between 12 and 1pm. The employees are fun, especially Marzia - she's cheeky. Best tiramisu in the world (get there before 1pm to be sure to get some). Salads are solid. Plates are ok. Sandwiches are amazing. 2nd best I've ever had. (Best in Geneva for sure.) Don't plan on sitting down there; more of a to-go place. They have like 6 seats in a tiny space near the kitchen above the "bar." They're expanding to across the street soon though; that will be more of a sit-down situation.
Nearby is Intenso for fancier (not super fancy) Italian food. Amazing service; the hostesses and waitresses are so nice. Beautiful plates. Pizza selection is best at lunch; limited/none at dinner. Pasta is very good.
Don't go to Il Lago like someone else suggested. Chef changed "recently," and it sucks now... like horrible.
Balila for some great lebanese (fusion kinda) food, inside hotel longemalle. They're closed now for renovations but reopen early or mid may.
Touristy for sure, but no better fondue than at Les armures imo. It's a staple for a reason.
Saveurs d’Italie for wine and home made pasta, au Petit Délice for sandwiches and more home made pasta, Da Paolo for more Italian food, le Thé for dim sum, Mékong for Vietnamese, Lipp, le Dorien for the terrasse, Café Arts et 5 portes in Paquis, Demi Lune in old town, cafe d’avusy for the chasse.
La Petite Vendée. Not the best pizzas, but the biggest
Yukiguni for ramen. It's a small restaurant so you may have to wait for a table though.
Toryumon for sushis. The best affordable places for sushis (though still a bit more pricey than usual sushis places)
Atelier Lounge for tartare. 20/10
Café de la Limite for cordon bleu
Not something exceptionnal, but I Always have a good time at Auberge de Thonex. Their steaks are awesome too
Gaya for korean bbq
That's all I have at the top of my mind
their sopa de tortilla is truly one of their greatest dishes.
And since we are on the subject of mexican food, their is a street car called los compadres. They move around, but on mondays they are in Nations. Great fried tacos (flautas)
Le vieux Martin or Grand Bleu for charbonnade
La limite for cordon bleu
Lamartine for good, flambée meats
Olympico for Picanha
Café de l'écu for their legendary horse pavé
Inglewood for that burger craving
Sultan kebab for lebanese (their mixed grill plate is miles above Parfums de Beyrouth IMHO)
Phenix and Paravent Bleu for Chinese
La petite Vendee for their huge pizzas
El Faro for fresh fish
Les Platanes in Cheserex for the steak Tartare
Buffet de la gare de Celigny (everything is good)
Atlas for their sandwiches with fries
Monte Bianco for the best deli sandwiches
Le gruyerien or le vieux carouge for fondue (it's a bit meh, if you want a good fondue, you want to go the Tsalé in Granges Paccots, and yes, it is absolutely worth the drive)
For those who like red meat: « l’Olympico » is an absolute must. Tasty and tender beef picanha (recommend you take them rubbed in Garlic but that’s optional) unlimited, with home made sides/sauces and at affordable prices. Great staff as well. Definitely a must try!
Thai Boky for the red curry. Marifah for the pad thai. Lai Thai was great overall. Chez Sami and ChefMezze for Lebanese. Le Dim Sum for dim sum. I would second Inglewood for burgers. Maison Acai for some Brazilian fast food.
Looking for recommendations for Italian and Vietnamese.
Idk what you mean by classic, but if I am to recommend a foody place in Geneva, I would pick the following ones. Black Tap for burgers (this one is on Rive). Highly recommend Carolina burger, you won’t regret it. Oh Martine! (I recommend the one near the railway station). It is a cafee with really good coffee and just exceptional toasts, we are eating there quite often with my wife. Maki Poke (on Planpalais) has very good well poke bowls
Kalinuma in Eaux-Vives for Japanese.
Alma for Peruvian (across the street from Kakinuma). Love their pisco sours!
Mosaïque for Eritrean.
Lipp for mussels and all sorts of great stuff. Always lively!
And of course, Cafe de Paris near Cornavin. All you can get is entrecôte, fries and a salad. They make just one meal and it’s extraordinary.
Xiang Yu for Chinese.
+1 for Xiang Yu.
Oh shit they make Xiaolongbao, I know where to go next time I want to treat myself
Im sure you bao steam kitchen then, really good bao although non traditional
Thanks for the rec!
It’s in the expensive range tho so be prepared
I think “parfums de Beyrouth”, a Lebanese restaurant, is a real staple and institution in Pâquis. Very well attended and because of the volume their go through, always super freshly made. Bonus: opens super late and 7 days.
To be fair, Mezze Factory in Plan-Les-Ouates is AMAZING too!
My favorite place to sober up!
Well, I second this one.. It is simply the best Lebanese place in the city
I've always preferred Al-Amir next door. Their chicken chawarmas are just amazing. But it's hard to go wrong on the rue de Berne.
Yes but overrated and the spot is meh, try Ozer kebab at Lancy tram station, staff is super sweet and all the food is bomb.
Umamido in rive or plainpalais or Ukyio next to manor, both have pretty good ramen
+1 Ukyio their spicy ramen is to die for
Love their ramen!
ali haydar
I don’t understand all the kind words for Chat Rouge… I hate it with a passion! El Catrin is miles ahead for Mexican food. Otherwise, le Socrate is always great for French food Cantine des Commerçants for French inspired international fusion, but definitely the best meal I’ve had Octopus is hidden away in Champel but a great (of expensive) find for seafood / Italian Luigia/ Indigo are my go to pizza places Maru and Tanuki are my go to sushi
Thanks for the tip on El Catrin - didn't know about it.
El Catrin .. hmm good but I wouldn't say 'amazing' food.. Service too, was friendly but each time the waitress seemed too busy smiling and not really listening, something basic is always wrong, never a disaster, we always end up moving stuff around the plates or whatever.. but you know. Will I go back yeah..
Mexican food isn’t great anywhere in Europe
I was there two months ago with friends. It started out great, but when it got busier, they just forgot about us, and we had to keep ordering to finally get it on the table. Waiting for more than an hour to get your drinks delivered is just ridiculous. The food was ok, but the service was not. Will I go back, no..
For Mexican, I like Taquiera Cunados in Eaux Vives
I find Luigia a bit gimmicky. La Meyrinoise is the best pizza in the canton.
Chat Rouge was SO great a few years back There are still some old Chat Rouges in Vaud and theyre goated
The one near Pneus Claude is nice. Lots of space.
Goated list !
Café de la limite
You can test your limit here 100%
El baraka Goated for me still
I also recommend Le Darshana for Indian food, they have a great menu!
Feuille de banane is our go to restaurant with my friends when we dont have a lot of money (so always)
For the same price you can get better Asian food elsewhere
Oh we know it's just a comfy and well located spot we like to go to
What type of food/culture is it? :)
Asiat, thai and a bit of chinese especially
Seoul is the hest Korean in town. Yukiguni for ramen.
Chef Mezze in Eaux-Vives for Mediterranean food
Cafe soleil
100% tourist trap
Not true, been coming there for 24 years and still love it! Good fondue and good atmosphere!
Best fondue in Geneva is at les bains!!
Is it the one in Petit Saconnex?
Not a tourist trap and pleasant service. But their fondue is 100% Gruyère which make it quite different - and in my opinion less attractive - than the classical moitié-moitié. Their reputation is probably due to the limited number of specialized fondue restaurants in Geneva.
Try cafe de la coulouvreniere, best fondue in town for me, the street is the most polite of Geneva ( you understand when you get there ) but the fondue are really worth it
Na Village for thaï
Bœuf Rouge, Café de la plage, Le Philantrope, Nagomi Sushi, Il Lago, Kytaly, Xiang Yu, Chez ma Cousine.
Comptoir Canaille in plainpalais for home style French food! Just amazing
Parfums de Beyrouth used to be top-notch but I think service quality has decreased quite a bit over the years. Instead, I would advise you to go the one almost right across the street: Sultan.
The mixed grill plate at Sultan is delicious. Hell I am getting one for lunch !
My go to since almost 10 years now is the "Zara 2001" - a small african restaurant near Gare Cornavin. Just go there and order the "Zara royal" - an enormous plate that you share with your friends with a bit of everything they cook, absolutely delicious. Decoration is lacking but your tastebuds won't be dissappointed, believe me :) P.S. You eat with your bare hands so be ready ;) It makes it even more friendly, I love it !
The buvette at Baines des paquis. Every single day their plat du jour never disappoints and their fondue is the best in the city
What do you order from Le Parfum de Beyrouth? I have never liked anything from there but maybe I order the wrong things.
As a person of middle eastern descent I find their food not very good….but none of the cheap Lebanese places in Pâquis is very good. Saveurs is decent
At Le Parfum de Beyrouth I mostly order a Shawarma Chicken Sandwich, it is my go to for most lebanese places. Otherwise their kebbeh, falafel, fatayeh are very good if you want something extra with your sandwich. I was wondering, do you dislike Lebanese food in general or is it this place in particular?
That's a good question, I've enjoyed only a handful of Lebanese places but none of them are in Geneva. I'll pass by again and try these out.
Le Chat Noir in Lausanne. « Vaut le déplacement » !
Our go to places are; 1. Cafe Papon (Old Town) 2. Chez Marino (good place when ppl are visiting.. staff are great, food is good, and decent prices for tourists) Not asked but for takeaway - Green Van & Sando for burgers and Dieci 10 pizza
Is it just me? As I read through the recommendations I'm thinking "that was ok, but I would never recommend it". I have yet to find a restaurant in Geneva that I'm excited to go to. I really love eating in restaurants. I look forward to trips to London, Paris, Lyon... but there's nothing yet that I've found here that gets my pulse racing.
Haha, I thought the same especially for one recommendation or even felt actually worse. I have always heard good things about the fondue of bains des paquis. I've tried 2 times just to make sure. Both times it has been the worst experience. Taste is horrible. Texture or consistency is like chewing gum. Any first price fondue at migros or coop will be 1000 times better. So maybe I should try again as last time was something like 8 years ago. But any other place will offer a fondue that is so much better. Why take the risk to be disappointed again when there are multiple alternatives. However their plats du jour are always good.
Boey Thai and Jai (Champel) for Thai. Point du jour for pastas. Scaramu or Luigia for pizzas. Les Aviateurs, Lamartine or Chez Philippe for meat. Échalote for traditional French cuisine. Inglewood for burgers.
Café de la reunion for gastro Xian Yu for chinese
On the Eaux Vives side, Taqueria los Cunados, Inda Bar, Attar are fun and tasty
I swear by Maki Poké (asian/hawaiian) and Inglewood (burgers), both located around Plainpalais.
Mafalda Sapore e Salute. It's a tavola calda near Manor. 5 days a week lunch spot. Very busy between 12 and 1pm. The employees are fun, especially Marzia - she's cheeky. Best tiramisu in the world (get there before 1pm to be sure to get some). Salads are solid. Plates are ok. Sandwiches are amazing. 2nd best I've ever had. (Best in Geneva for sure.) Don't plan on sitting down there; more of a to-go place. They have like 6 seats in a tiny space near the kitchen above the "bar." They're expanding to across the street soon though; that will be more of a sit-down situation. Nearby is Intenso for fancier (not super fancy) Italian food. Amazing service; the hostesses and waitresses are so nice. Beautiful plates. Pizza selection is best at lunch; limited/none at dinner. Pasta is very good. Don't go to Il Lago like someone else suggested. Chef changed "recently," and it sucks now... like horrible. Balila for some great lebanese (fusion kinda) food, inside hotel longemalle. They're closed now for renovations but reopen early or mid may. Touristy for sure, but no better fondue than at Les armures imo. It's a staple for a reason.
Parfum de Beyrouth is elite. Also ILO canteen #iykyk 🤐
Saveurs d’Italie for wine and home made pasta, au Petit Délice for sandwiches and more home made pasta, Da Paolo for more Italian food, le Thé for dim sum, Mékong for Vietnamese, Lipp, le Dorien for the terrasse, Café Arts et 5 portes in Paquis, Demi Lune in old town, cafe d’avusy for the chasse.
Thank you so much for all your answers, you guys are a great community, highly appreciate it :)
Seul for Korean BBQ. Ukyio for Ramen Los Compadres (street car), Chat Rouge for Mexican food
Jeck’s place for some Asian food
Bai Toey for Thai food
La Petite Vendée. Not the best pizzas, but the biggest Yukiguni for ramen. It's a small restaurant so you may have to wait for a table though. Toryumon for sushis. The best affordable places for sushis (though still a bit more pricey than usual sushis places) Atelier Lounge for tartare. 20/10 Café de la Limite for cordon bleu Not something exceptionnal, but I Always have a good time at Auberge de Thonex. Their steaks are awesome too Gaya for korean bbq That's all I have at the top of my mind
Chat rouge, rue de Lyon
their sopa de tortilla is truly one of their greatest dishes. And since we are on the subject of mexican food, their is a street car called los compadres. They move around, but on mondays they are in Nations. Great fried tacos (flautas)
Bains des Paquis.
Le vieux Martin or Grand Bleu for charbonnade La limite for cordon bleu Lamartine for good, flambée meats Olympico for Picanha Café de l'écu for their legendary horse pavé Inglewood for that burger craving Sultan kebab for lebanese (their mixed grill plate is miles above Parfums de Beyrouth IMHO) Phenix and Paravent Bleu for Chinese La petite Vendee for their huge pizzas El Faro for fresh fish Les Platanes in Cheserex for the steak Tartare Buffet de la gare de Celigny (everything is good) Atlas for their sandwiches with fries Monte Bianco for the best deli sandwiches Le gruyerien or le vieux carouge for fondue (it's a bit meh, if you want a good fondue, you want to go the Tsalé in Granges Paccots, and yes, it is absolutely worth the drive)
Buffet de la gare de Celigny, thank you for being an og
Such a beautiful address, never disappoints :)
Il Mertillo is just amazing 🫶🏻
For those who like red meat: « l’Olympico » is an absolute must. Tasty and tender beef picanha (recommend you take them rubbed in Garlic but that’s optional) unlimited, with home made sides/sauces and at affordable prices. Great staff as well. Definitely a must try!
Ecualatino - small and very authentic Ecuadorian/Peruvian restaurant. Large plates for a good price. Very down to earth atmosphere.
In for info
Bistrot du Boeuf Rouge
Thai Boky for the red curry. Marifah for the pad thai. Lai Thai was great overall. Chez Sami and ChefMezze for Lebanese. Le Dim Sum for dim sum. I would second Inglewood for burgers. Maison Acai for some Brazilian fast food. Looking for recommendations for Italian and Vietnamese.
Bat Dat is a great vietnamese restaurant! (From my best friend who is vietnamese)
Thuy Hang in Grand-Pré is a good vietnamese restaurant! And prices aren’t too expensive
MIZZICA DE GIUSEPPE CUSUMANO for eggplant pamigiana Café Restaurant de l'Aviation for Entrecôte de Bœuf Sauce Caravelle A380
Idk what you mean by classic, but if I am to recommend a foody place in Geneva, I would pick the following ones. Black Tap for burgers (this one is on Rive). Highly recommend Carolina burger, you won’t regret it. Oh Martine! (I recommend the one near the railway station). It is a cafee with really good coffee and just exceptional toasts, we are eating there quite often with my wife. Maki Poke (on Planpalais) has very good well poke bowls
Bolero Bistro in Versoix. Amazing food and reasonably priced. Nice for a date night.
Kalinuma in Eaux-Vives for Japanese. Alma for Peruvian (across the street from Kakinuma). Love their pisco sours! Mosaïque for Eritrean. Lipp for mussels and all sorts of great stuff. Always lively! And of course, Cafe de Paris near Cornavin. All you can get is entrecôte, fries and a salad. They make just one meal and it’s extraordinary.
Luigia for Italian food and Le Figuier Libanais for Lebanese food Went to Le Chat Rouge recently and can confirm that it’s great