Coffee & tea – All our local tips

Switzerland is a special country in many ways. One of them is the archaic general trust you can feel by observing some objects.

Take the newspaper boxes for example. Until recently none of them had a lock. You could just take the daily paper without paying anything. The owner was just convinced it wasn’t necessary, and there wasn’t many thieves, people paid before taking a newspaper. Now you’ll see some new boxes on which you have to pay before being able to take the paper, but still, the huge majority of boxes is unlocked.

Well, Chez Quartier has quite the same trust policy. For breakfast, just enter and suit yourself, take croissants, chocolate filled croissants and whatever you want, order a fresh fruit juice, a coffee. When you are done with your breakfast, when the time has come to pay, just tell the waiter what you’ve taken; no bill, just trust.

One could say trust might not be enough to enjoy a breakfast; no need to worry, the food is good!

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Chez Quartier | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Croissant CHF 1.30
Rue Voltaire 24 | Les Pâquis
Tue – Sun 07:00 – 19:00

To all chocoholics: If you are looking for the ultimate Swiss-chocolate experience, forget about “Toblerone” and indulge yourself at this chocolate café!

A leisurely tram ride will take you from town into Carouge, a quaint and small ”suburb” built in the 18th century by Turinese architects. The tiny chocolate shop, located at Place de l’Octroi, offers a fine selection of delicious, home made Pralinés. Spoil yourself to an assortment or treat your family and friends with one of the gift boxes (variety of sizes and packages available). Quality has its price (10 Fr. for a 100gr) but it is worth the spend!

The place is a little tea-room as well, so if you would like to have a break and a hot chocolate or enjoy your Pralinés with a cup of coffee you can sit down at one of the three tiny tables. In summer, the friendly staff will serve you on the terrace.

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Chocolaterie de l’Arve | Coffee & tea, Shopping | 100 gr CHF 10.00
Place de l’Octroi 13 | Carouge | +41223434500
Mon – Fri 08:30 – 12:30 & 14:00 – 18:30, Sat 09 :00 -13:00

The history of the “Bio” goes back as far as 1929. It has changed names and owners many times and has even been at the heart of a political controversy a few years ago. The cause: The building, privately owned, was about to be sold and turned into a fast-food place.

Direct democracy can be a powerful tool and the inhabitants of Carouge used it successfully to save their cinema: They launched a petition, asking the local authorities to buy the building and in April 2004, people went to the polls and approved the project. Public funds as well as private donations made it possible to acquire and renovate the building and a foundation has been running the cinema profitably since then.

Cinema Bio is part of the independent cinemas of Geneva (see also “Les Scalas” -article) and they offer a variety of quality films from all over the world. There is a tiny café where you can have a drink before or after the showing and its terrace is appreciated by the locals in summer, especially after a stroll through the Carouge Market (see the Carouge Market article).

If you are interested, you can find a list of all independent cinemas of Geneva on this website.

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Cinema Bio | Cinemas, Coffee & tea | Mondays CHF 12
Rue St-Joseph 47 | Carouge | +41223015443
Check website for opening times

We’ve been told to write about places we go to. Well, this café is probably the place you’ll see me most of the time when the classes have begun.

It is located right between two university buildings, les Bastions – the old, historical one – and Uni Dufour – the new, ugly modern one, not to be mistaken with Uni Mail, which is even newer but still well designed… It’s also really near to the banks so the clients are either bank employees, even if most of them prefer the fancy expensive café-restaurant right beside, or university students (professors usually go to the fancy one).

The best thing about this place is the atmosphere: the bartender, Mehmet, knows everyone by name, you’ll see students working on some history book, or discussing literature, it is definitely a good place to have a coffee to during the day. And if you’re hungry there are croissants, homemade sandwiches and paninis.

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Du Théâtre | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Coffee CHF 3.20
Rue du Conseil-général | Plainpalais
Mon – Fri 07:00 – 19:30

Don’t miss this incredible spot if you have the opportunity to spend a few days in the city!

There are only a few tables but you’ll have the opportunity to see everything that is on the menu right in front of you, since every cake, quiche, etc, are on a large buffet. There are so many different choices that you will obviously find something that will fit your taste.

Despite being absolutely tasteful, it is at the same time cheap for what it is. Everything is home-made, from the fruit cake to the lorraine quiche and the apple crumble (so delicious!). There are also several different cheeses, so you can totally mix the sugar and the salt.

It is a great place to enjoy an artisanal café (the one with nuts is particularly original) and read a book or newspaper with a a sweet music at the back of your head.

The place is very colorful, the waitress is very nice and you will definitely spend a great time in this spot where you will feel yourself like in your grandmother’s kitchen. When you leave, you can buy an home-made jam pot or a bottle of olive oil, so you can have a taste of this place back with you.

During the week-end, it is an amazing place to spend some time to eat a brunch there with your friends. ANd why not have a walk in the lovely neighborhood of Les Grottes right after?

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Fleurs de Marie | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Coffee CHF 3.00
8 rue de la Faucille | Les Pâquis | +410227334730
Mon 16:00 – 20:00, Tue 11:00 – 15:00, Wed 11:00 – 17:00, Thu – Fri 11:00 – 15:00 & 18:30 – 20:30, Sat – Sun 10:00 – 19:00

I started working in a different area of town and was looking for some lunch when I discovered this awesome bakery / tea room. The smell of fresh bread was irresistible and the croissants and sandwiches displayed in the shop window looked delicious. The bakery has existed for over a hundred years and they still use traditional methods to make their bread. If you love home made bread and sweets this bakery is a must. You will definitely taste the difference.

It is an ideal place for breakfast: try the variety of croissants or indulge in cupcakes or Danish pastry. Personally, I am a big fan of the little wholegrain buns with either raisins or nuts! For lunch or a snack I can recommend any sandwich (there is a variety of bread and fillings) and they also have fresh salads and quiches. You can eat in or have a take away and there is a small terrace in summer.

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Golay | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Sandwich (take away) from CHF 4.50
Rue Adrien-Lachenal 12 | Eaux-Vives | +41227367156
Mon – Fri 07:00 – 18:15, Sat 07:00 – 14:00

You can never predict what you’ll live at l’Aiglon! One day, the bar is quite calm… The day after, you’ll see people dressed up, dancing on the tables or knees on the floor!

Most customers are 30 years or older, men for the most part. You might have your food with a crazy man or a prostitute at the table next to you as the bar is located in the heart of the red light district.

I like going to Aiglon at lunch time. You’ll the meal of the day for CHF 17.00 with appetizer and dessert!I have heard that the food is not so good at night but I have never tried. Bon app!

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L’Aiglon | Bars, Coffee & tea, Music, Restaurants (french) | meal of the day € 17
Rue Sismondi 16 | Les Pâquis | +41227329760
Open Mon – Sat, Dj from Thu – Sat 22:00 – 02:00

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In the lively neighbourhood of “Les Pâquis”, not far from the lake, you will find this lovely bakery/tea-room with the quite unpronounceable name. Especially on cold days it is the perfect place to have a break and warm up over a cup of tea or coffee. If you are looking for a bite to eat, try their home made pastries, cakes and sandwiches or have a bowl of the daily soup that is served at lunchtime.

The “Vouivre” is well known among locals and its decoration is not only unique but also extremely kitsch: Huge mirrors with gilded frames on the wall, Venetian-style chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and heavy candle holders on the tables. The furniture seems to be from another epoch and food and drink is served in tableware that seems to come straight from your grand mother’s kitchen. Have a look at their opening times (from 07:07 to 18:33) – I have not had a chance to see how serious they are about it!

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La Vouivre | Coffee & tea | Sandwich/cake from CHF 7.00
Rue des Pâquis 21 | Les Pâquis | +41227318712
Mon – Fri 07:07 – 18:33, Sat 07:33 – 18:33, Sun 08:01 – 18:18

This tea room is located right in the middle of les Eaux-Vives, one of the most popular neighborhoods of Geneva. You can either have breakfast when you wake up, with delicious slice of bread or home-made cakes and tea selected among plenty, a big salad at lunch or some amazing tapas at night, with a good red wine.

If you go there in winter, you need to taste their home made hot chocolate, a real delight! I love their home made pies, especially their “apple upside-down”, as the slice is warmed and is served with some sugar cane sirup…

In the summer, a little terrace will welcome you, but you should definitely have a look inside, as the decor worth it. Indeed, couches, lamps, magazines, old radio, a big giraffe in one corner, make this spot a very intimate place where you will definitely feel like you’re in your grandparents’ living-room.

The staff is really great and the beautiful owner is always smiling! The music is always nice and from time to time, a singer comes when the night falls.

Enjoy!

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Le Coup de Girafe | Bars, Coffee & tea | home-made cake CHF 7.00
18 rue Maunoir | Eaux-Vives | +41227009632
Tue – Thu 07:45 – 00:00, Fri 07:45 – 01:00, Sat 10:00 – 01:00, Sun 10:00 – 17:00

The café/restaurant
I like “Les Recyclables” because it is entirely non-smoking (except the terrace of course) and, most importantly, the business is run according to the principles of sustainable development. Enjoy the convivial and laid-back atmosphere for breakfast and lunch or drop by for coffee/tea and a slice of their delicious homemade cakes.

For lunch, you can choose between two or three daily dishes (called “plat du jour”), one of which is vegetarian. The menus vary every day and ingredients are carefully chosen according to the season. Many products are organic, come from local producers and/or are “fair trade”. They also organize cultural events such as concerts, debates or lectures

The second-hand bookshop
This is a great second-hand bookshop with more than 10.000 titles in stock. Although most books are in French you will also find a selection of English fiction and non-fiction, travel guides, cartoons and some novels in other languages (German, Italian, Spanish). They sell quality literature and all books are in excellent condition. The majority of books are quite recent and sold for about half the retail price.

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Les Recyclables | Coffee & tea, Shopping, Restaurants
Rue de Carouge 53 | Plainpalais | +41223282373
Shop Mon – Fri 09:00 – 18:30, Sat 11:00 – 17:00 | Rest. Mon – Sat 07:30 – 20:30

Calm stands for “Comme A La Maison” (meaning that you will feel like at home) and if you are looking for a coffee break in a really cosy place right in the heart of Carouge you should try this café.

If the sun is out, you may want to relax on their beautiful shady courtyard terrace. They serve soups, salads, home made quiches and cakes and they also have a good selection of tea and coffee. On Saturday and Sunday, the place is known for its brunch. If you want to  make sure to get a table, you better go early as they do not take any reservations.

The place has been criticized for being rather pricey (CHF 6.00 for a pot of tea and about the same for a slice of cake) and service is certainly not among the best in Geneva. But despite critics, I like this cosy hangout because a) Geneva is not exactly known for being a service-heaven and b) the cakes are simply delicious (try the apple crumble!).

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ô Calm | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Pot tea CHF 6.00
Rue Ancienne 36 | Carouge | +41223012220
Tue – Sun 10:00 – 18:00

When visiting a city, some people like visiting churches… I personally prefer visit soccer stadiums and hanging out in the universities! It plunges me back into a great time I had at the University of Geneva, especially in Unimail!

First of all, if you want to look like more “Genevois” do not pronounce UniMail like “mailbox” but like the french word “maille”!!! You are now ready!

The modern UniMail is located in the heart of the lively Plainpalais at one block of the Plaine de Plainpalais. The construction of this university is one of the main reasons of the flourishing bars in the neighbourhood : Calamar, Café du Lys (see this article) Ferblanterie etc.

If you’re lucky you will find free and delicious food as there is quite often a buffet after some conferences or workshops! Anyway, you can always join the rest of the students in one of the two cafeterias in the day time.

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Unimail | Art & culture, Coffee & tea, Relaxing, Snacks
Boulevard du Pont d’Arve 40 | Plainpalais | +41223201704
All year around (sometimes a badge is required to open the door)