If you are looking for a place to relax after a day of work or shopping, I can definitely recommend this place. It’s also great for a quick lunch.

I love this terrace mainly because of its perfect location: it’s right on the Rhône. It’s a bit hidden but when you are crossing the lake on your way to or from Bel-Air make sure to take a small detour and stop by. It’s really worth it. It’s in front of Mandarin hotel, just opposite from Brasserie des Halles de l’Ile.

The name is the right fit: it’s paradise on earth. If you need a break, you can chill out on their deck chairs. Be careful as you will quickly get a suntan!

I usually have the ‘orangeade’, the best in town, it’s really refreshing. Otherwise they make very good mint tea. And if you are hungry they have some decent sandwiches and paninis.

It’s open everyday, but only when the weather is good, as they don’t have an indoor room. 

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La Terrasse du Paradis | Bars, Coffee & tea, Snacks | Sandwich CHF 10
Quai Turrettini | City center
09:00 – 21:00 daily

Visitors to Geneva sometimes express their disappointment that, despite its proximity to France, the city’s pâtisseries somehow fall short of the standards achieved across the border. I imagine they’ve never been to Castrischer.

The speciality of the house is a black forest gateau which lures in passers-by from pole position in the heart-stopping window display: locals from all over the city flock here to furnish their dining tables with a weekend treat. The Castrischer version is a cherry-free one, as is often found in Switzerland, and as light as a feather. No calories here, I promise.

My personal weakness, meanwhile, comes in a slightly smaller package: the chocolate croissants, lovingly made here every morning, are simply divine. Ask for at least two or you’ll be heading back over there before the morning’s out. There is also a tea room, if a longer stay doesn’t sound too dangerous, and a full range of chocolates-the place is officially a confiserie too. They also do sandwiches, apparently, but priorities oblige.

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Castrischer | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Chocolate croissant CHF 3.00
Boulevard du Pont-d’Arve 44 | Plainpalais | +41223293022
Mon & Thu – Sat 08:30 – 18:30, Sun 08:30 – 17:30

Close your eyes, imagine a salon de thé and you’re probably thinking of La Vouivre, though nor does this Pâquis gem take itself too seriously, as the opening times on the door suggest. La Vouivre has it all: dainty china (are any two cups the same here?), marble-top tables serviced by squishy chairs and discreetly smiling ladies in hushed voices, a clientele that ranges from suited and booted to blue rinse with enough variety in between for almost anyone to feel comfortable, classical music wafting over from behind the counter… To top it all, each table bears some kind of curiosity, and if all other sources of entertainment or conversation run dry, you can spend a while wondering about these objects’ former functions.

I come here for coffee if I manage to escape for a few minutes in the afternoon, and rarely resist the temptation of trying one of their delicious pastries; that said, they’re even better in the morning, when the chocolate is waiting to ooze out of the croissants with the first bite.

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La Vouivre | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Chocolate croissant CHF 2.90
Rue des Pâquis 21 | Les Pâquis | +41227318712
Tue – Fri 07:07 – 18:33, Sat 07:33 – 18:33, Sun 08:01 – 18:18

A friend brought me here one winter’s day, when the Bise, the bitter wind that sometimes blows through Geneva from the Alps taking many a buoyant mood with it, was making its presence keenly felt. On that day, this safe haven of warmth was hiding behind an unassuming doorway and a very thick draught-excluding curtain.

La Sixième Heure refers to the sixth hour of Roman daylight, when naps were apparently taken-hence the siestas which remain in vogue (though with not-so-slight variations in schedule) across much of the Spanish-speaking world and beyond. In spite of that, this place offers limited sleeping facilities, but there is a healthy selection of black and green teas, and some of the more exotic-sounding ones are worth a try: if you like black tea with a twist, try a rose- and cornflower-infused pot of Une nuit à Katmandou and you won’t be disappointed.

La Sixième Heure also serves food: the usual breakfast fare in the morning, a full menu at lunchtime, and then homemade pastries and cakes, including a lemon tart which will easily keep you going until dinner.

I went back in summer, and there were tables spilling across the pavement outside in a sunny little corner of the Place des Philosophes; a great place for an aperitif if you’re heading to Plainpalais for dinner. But for me, what this place does best is a pot of tea and a quiet natter somewhere where the Bise would never think to look.

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La Sixième Heure | Bars, Coffee & tea, Snacks | Tea for one CHF 4.00
Place des Philosophes 6 | Plainpalais | +41223207369
Mon – Fri 08:30 – 23:30, Sat 09:30 – 18:30

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

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.

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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)

As I was looking for a bottle of water, I decided to enter Zeste Juice bar and bought a juice instead. My prejudices had kept me from entering this place until yesterday when I was really thirsty. Indeed I thought it would be one of these chain tacky cafes with overpriced and not so good smoothies that claim to give you your shot of vitamins for the day.

Well guess what? I think I am going to go back there very often! I ended up having a hot juice, the Grape Glow (a mix of grape and raspberry juice with a touch of cinnamon and cloves) and I loved it! It was so cold outside that the only thing I had been drinking for a month was hot tea or mulled wine. So hot juice was definitely something new. And it’s delicious!

So yes it is a chain but there aren’t so many in Geneva yet (too bad) and compared to Starbucks or other cafés, prices are actually decent! And they also make regular smoothies, juices and teas. Try some juice with a bit of Ginger, it’s a real kick! The other advantage of this place is that it’s right next to Manor (check out the article), so if you like shopping, you can take a break there.

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Zeste Juice Bar | Coffee & tea | Hot juice CHF 5
Rue Cornavin 2 | City center | +41227310256
Mon – Fri 07:30 -19:00, Sat 08:30 – 18:00