Bains des Pâquis
Just after arriving at the train station, head for the quayside opposite Geneva’s famous Jet d’Eau fountain and take a seat at Bains des Pâquis – a favourite among locals working in the area. The on-site refreshment bar serves organic, seasonal and local cuisine. This is a modern canteen with a menu that changes every week and always has a vegetarian option. This establishment serves up simple yet comforting dishes that will fill you up and set you up for an afternoon of work. If all that weren’t already enough, the daily special costs just CHF 15 (about EUR 15). If you were worried about Geneva prices, hopefully that’s put your mind at ease! If you’re craving Switzerland’s national dish, you can enjoy a fabulous fondue with Crémant de Dardigny for CHF 27 from midday onwards. The best part of all is sharing this tantalising treat with your colleagues!
📍 Bains des Pâquis, Quai du Mont-Blanc 30, 1201 Geneva, Switzerland. Daily special from CHF 15.
Café La Réplique (Maison Saint-Gervais)
Looking out onto the River Rhône and situated behind the luxury Mandarin Orientale Hotel is a little-known gem that’s popular with local residents and workers alike. At Café La Réplique, your freshly prepared meal arrives in no time after you’ve placed your order. Maison Saint-Gervais is so named because, after nightfall, it plays host to a number of theatrical performances and other performing arts. As is the case at Bains des Pâquis, the menu changes from one week to the next, and there is always a vegetarian option with a wonderful blend of spices! From arrabiata pasta that’s as good as you’d get in Italy to Thai-inspired salads, all of these delightful dishes (with generous portion sizes, we might add!) cost between CHF 16 and CHF 21! This place is somewhere you should definitely bear in mind. It is also available for hire if you’d like to have your next corporate event there.
📍 Café La Réplique, Rue du Temple 5, 1201 Geneva, Switzerland.
Il Monte Bianco
You wouldn’t happen to fancy a snack once you arrive at the station, would you? Get off the train, walk across the station, and make a beeline to our next top spot! You’ll be at Il Monte Bianco in no time at all. As you might have already gathered, the establishment’s name is Italian for Mont Blanc. This Italian deli has been part of the neighbourhood for over 20 years, serving pasta dishes and hearty sandwiches that will be a terrific treat for your taste buds. Since this establishment is very popular with local workers, you might have to wait a little while. But – trust us – sinking your teeth into a real panini is definitely worth a few extra minutes in the queue. Grab a sandwich to go if you’re in a hurry, or sit down to a daily special with complimentary Prosecco as an aperitif. What a perfect way to celebrate your arrival in Geneva! If you’re an antipasti aficionado, be sure to try the artichokes, mortadella, meatballs and tomato and mozzarella salad to start with.
📍 Il Monte Bianco, Rue Chaponnière 9, 1201 Geneva, Switzerland.
Cottage Café
Situated in Brunswick Park, near Bains des Pâquis, this place is a real hidden gem that you’d never have found if we hadn’t told you about it. This somewhat secret spot that’s known only to locals looks like a cottage nestled in the heart of nature. With books lining the windows, wooden furniture, stone walls, a small staff and a magnificent green terrace, this restaurant is the very definition of a cottage. Cross the Square des Alpes before coming face to face with its sunny terrace. At this restaurant, the kitchen is in the capable hands of Nicole Boder – a chef of Israeli and Swiss nationality who serves up a wide range of inspired lunchtime dishes. The menu is somewhat surprising. It changes daily and gives diners the choice between three starters, three salads and four main courses. This is the perfect place to come for a short albeit indulgent break in natural surroundings before you head back to the office. Why not treat yourself to the pecan and honey tart before you leave? It’s always to die for!
📍 Cottage Café, Rue Adhémar-Fabri 7, 1201 Geneva, Switzerland. Lunch between EUR 14 and EUR 30.
MQ Eatery
In the Jonction district of Geneva, MQ Eatery is an establishment that serves mainly vegetarian dishes. But this superb little stall attached to a yoga studio serves vegetarian food with a street food twist. While the delightful dishes are inspired by South Asian cuisine, the produce is locally sourced in Geneva and is always fresh. Speaking of freshness, the menus change regularly, but you’ll always find the classics there. We love the tacos, made with fresh tortillas from another restaurant in Carouge. Take a seat at MQ Eatery and try the beer-battered banana flower tacos with sriracha sauce to add a spicy kick to your meal! Still hungry? You wouldn’t say no to sweet potato fries now, would you?
📍 MQ Eatery, Rue David-Dufour 8, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland. One course between EUR 16 and EUR 24.
We promised you our top tips for lunch on the go, and that’s exactly what we’ve given you, showing that even in Genevea, you can have a quick, affordable and hearty lunch. There is a wide range of places to eat at. From simple sandwiches, international cuisine and small sit-down meals to canteen food and specialities, you’ll find all the ideal ingredients to give you the energy boost you need before you head back to work. Are you reading this article right now? Then it’s high time you packed up your things and went out for lunch! Where will you go?