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!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
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

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Geneva

Image by Luc Berthoud

“La Place de l’Octroi” is a quite famous snack place on the week-ends! Do not come too early as it opens at about 01:00 only. At about 02:00 – 03:00, you’ll see a queue of quite drunk people waiting in front of the window.

You might even see some people that have fallen asleep on the green bench. It happened to a good friend of mine who woke up in the following morning without his glasses and with one shoe only! Do not sleep on this bench…

I always eat “Le Mexicain”, a chicken sandwich. You can also eat pizza, croissants… Delicious for the 03:00 standards!

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Place de l’Octroi | Snacks | Sandwich mexicain CHF 8.00
Rue du Pont-Neuf 2 | Carouge | +41223420715
Fri – Sat 01:00 – 05:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Geneva

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)

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Geneva

Image by Luc Berthoud

Do you know the “marchand de vin”(wine merchant) drink? This is a mix of beer – white wine and lemon syrup. Sweet but strong! Le Marchand de Sable has made the marchand de vin its own speciality. It used to be crowded with loud high school students. But the place has changed in 2009. It is brighter and more colourful.

I do not go often to this bar, nevertheless it has to be known as it is a legend in Carouge! If you do not like it, you’ll find plenty other typical bars on the same street as La plage, le Chat Noir, La Forge…

The type of costumers changes depending of the time you go. I found the staff really nice and welcoming!

You can also eat in this bar: meat, tart or empanadas.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Le Marchand de Sable | Bars, Snacks | Marchand de vin CHF 5.00
Rue Vautier 4 | Carouge | +41223421075
Sun – Thu until 01:00, Fri – Sat until 02:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Geneva

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?

Details about this spot (Show on map)
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

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Geneva

Image by Delphine Rieder

Les halles de Rive are a great place to buy food. It is a little expensive, but the prices equal the quality.

La Halle de Rive is located at the beginning of les rues basses at Rive where everyone goes for shopping. It is divided in several stands, where you can either buy meat, sushis, fish, Asian food, cheese, wine, vegetables, flowers, cakes and drinks as well thanks to the bar.

At lunch, people who work nearby go there to get a good meal and eat it by the lake (during summer) or in the English Garden, located a couple of minutes from the spot. I am very found of the fresh pastas, with tomato sauce and cheese that you can take away for only CHF 10.-. Awesome!

People are always nice and helpful, and on Saturday morning, it is usually full of people, because the market takes place next to it. You will definitely be hungry while entering it!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
La Halle de Rive | Shopping, Snacks | Sushis CHF 15.00
Boulevard Hélvétique 29 | Eaux-Vives
Mon – Sat 10:00 – 18:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Geneva

Image by Delphine Rieder

La Ferblanterie is right in front of the Cafe du Lys (check the Cafe du Lys article) and a good alternative if this one is too crowded, which is usually the case at night.

In the summer, there is a lovely tiny terrace at the back, where you can enjoy the sun, which is better than sitting outside by the street.

I just love how they decorate the place, with old pictures on the walls, tables and chairs in wood. You feel like you’re in in a kind of house where you become a part of the family. The music is always nice, getting you in a very good mood. The staff is helpful and very funny (and pretty!).

You can eat great and cheap sandwiches, paninis and other home made snacks, with a beer (picon beer is one of my favorites).

It is also a great place to find tips for exhibitions and concerts, because there’s a spot inside devoted to announcements with many leaflets and flyers! Of course, it is not the only place in Geneva where you can find flyers, but it is always good to know where you can find them!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
La Ferblanterie | Bars, Snacks | Beer CHF 4.00
Rue de l’Ecole de Médecine 8 | Plainpalais | +41223209042
Mon – Thu 10:00 – 01:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Geneva

Image by Delphine Rieder

La Demi Lune is a bar-restaurant located in the Old Town, closed to the Place du Bourg de Four and La Clemence (check the La Clemence article).

It is a nice spot filled with comfortable couches at the back, high tables and chairs in the center and a little room to eat. There is a terrace as well during summer.

Their cocktails are great (you should try the Demi Lune cocktail!). Their meals are really good : among others you can choose from tandori chicken, spring rolls and hamburgers…

The staff is young (students mainly) and the music is quite jazzy most of the time, although you can hear some french music and others from time to time!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
La Demi-Lune | Bars, Snacks, Restaurants (International) | Hamburger CHF 15.00
Rue Etienne Dumont 3 | Vieille-ville | +41223121290
Mon – Wed 10:00 – 01:00, Thu – Fri 10:00 – 02:00, Sat 16:00 – 02:00 , Sun 16:00 – 01:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Geneva

Image by Delphine Rieder

This amazing place is located in Rue de L’Ecole de Médecine in Plainpalais, a street where there are a few great bars on its two sides. It has been built, as the legend says, by three excited friends after a bet that they made. The music is always nice. Of course, the café is peaceful and quiet during the morning and the afternoon and is much more crowded I would say starting 06:00pm. I spent some of my most unforgettable nights there…

It’s really close to Uni Mail (see the Unimail article), that’s why so many students come running to this place to enjoy their drinks, especially at night. For lunch, they always serve some delicious and original meals, and their student-formula is really attractive.

At night, they have nice tapas with good beer from one of the longest and most diversified beer lists that I have seen in Geneva. From time to time, they have parties in there, where everyone is dressed up for the occasion.

The staff is always nice, helpful and funny. They also have a great selection of teas, coffees and craft syrups. You can finish up by having their succulent and famous chocolate cake, that will make you come back many times.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Le Café du Lys | Bars, Snacks | Tapas CHF 6.00
7 rue de l’Ecole de Médecine | Plainpalais | +41223287826
09:00 – 02:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Geneva

Image by Sylvie Meynier

I like going to FenomenoBar on the weekends. The place has a small dance floor and great DJs on Thursday, Fridays and Saturday. It’s one of these rare places in Geneva where everybody is happy as you can either just have a drink and relax in the lounge or also shake your body on the dance floor.

The decoration is very shiny and makes it quite a funky place. The owner is very nice. I usually have a mojito or a cocktail when I go there, to funk things up even more. I find it’s a good way to start the night (or to finish it if you feel like 02:00 is late enough for you)

They also have decent Thai food for lunch and dinner and if you need a snack they make okay Thai tapas.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
FenomenoBar | Bars, Snacks, Restaurants (Thai) | Cocktail CHF 16
Rue des Pâquis 28 | Les Pâquis | +41227323202
Tue – Fri 11:30 – 14:00 & 17:00 – 02:00, Sat 18:00 – 02:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Geneva