Image by Luc Berthoud

I go to this bar several mornings a week as it is only one block from my apartment. As they know me, I do not need to order, right away they bring me my coffee, a glass of water and some bread and jam while I read the newspaper… better than home!!

Most of the customers are over 50 years old (a lot of Spanish) but you’ll find a lot of students from the IES (social work school) if you come during their break (at about 9:30). The atmosphere can be quite loud when the bar is packed.

This bar is famous for its paella, that is served every Friday at lunch time. You won’t be hungry after it as the plate is quite big! It’s better to reserve before coming because the place can be quite packed.

At night, you can watch football games like the liga española or the Champions league..

See you there!

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Le Vieux Martin | Bars, Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (Spanish) | Coffee & bread CHF 4.50
31, rue Prévost-Martin | Plainpalais | +41223299102
Mon – Sun 07:00 – 23:00

Image by Luc Berthoud

When visiting a city, some people like visiting churches… I personally prefer visit football 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 (check the Cafe du Lys article) Ferblanterie etc.

You can always join the students in one of the two cafeterias in the day time.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Unimail | Art & culture, Coffee & tea, Relaxing, Snacks, Restaurants (cafetaria)
Boulevard du Pont d’Arve 40 | Plainpalais | +41223201704
All year around (sometimes a badge is required to open the door)

Image by Sylvie Meynier

I am a big fan of Carouge, a lovely neighborhood a bit outside Geneva, where you can find a a lot of interesting little craft shops. Carouge also has an interesting architecture, beautiful buildings with arcades, fountains, and many cozy cafés.

One of my favorite place is Ô Calme, its name says it all. It’s a very nice place to have a calm and quiet moment. And the initials stand for Comme A LA Maison, meaning ‘like at home’. It’s ideal to relax. In warm days it’s even better as they have a great terrace behind, in a courtyard under the trees.

I try to go there regularly for their brunch (on Saturday or Sunday) but you can’t make a reservation and it gets crowded very quickly, so you have to get there early. It’s a first comes first served policy basically! They also make quiches and soups, and you should definitely try their homemade cakes!

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ô Calme | Coffee & tea, Restaurants | Bunch CHF 30
Rue Ancienne 36 | Carouge | +41223012220
Tue 10:00 – 16:00, Wed – Sun 10:00 – 18:00

Image by Delphine Rieder

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 | +41227334730
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

Image by Delphine Rieder

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 syrup…

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!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
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