Geneva tips by locals | Spotted by Locals city guide » Carouge

L’Auberge du Cheval Blanc – A real tavern

Sylvie Meynier — Fri, 18 May 2012 10:24:00 +0000

Image by sylvie Meynier

I usually go to L’Auberge du Cheval for their Sunday brunch, which consists of a buffet with a wide variety of yummy things. And it’s all you can eat. It’s better to make a reservation, as it’s quite popular. They now have it on Saturday as well!

I also go there from time to time for a drink and some tapas. They have good quality wine and there is a wide range of tapas. They always serve fresh food and products from the season.

L’Auberge du Cheval Blanc means the Inn of the White Horse. It’s a real tavern full of treasures. The place is a bit hidden in Carouge. It’s not only a cozy place to have a drink or a meal, but they also organize concerts in their downstairs room (Le Box) on Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
L’Auberge du Cheval Blanc | Bars, Music, Restaurants | Brunch CHF 30
Place de l’octroi 15 | Carouge | +41223436161
Tue – Wed 11:30 – 01:00, Thu – Fri 11:30 – 02:00, Sat 12:00 – 02:00, Sun 11:00 – 01:00

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Bout du Monde – Riverside running spot

Peter Clayburn — Fri, 04 May 2012 08:30:31 +0000

Image by Peter Clayburn

Runners have no shortage of options in Geneva, with the lakefront, the banks of the Rhône and ample green spaces to go at in the centre and various countryside spots just a ten-minute ride from the city.

One of my favourite routes takes in the city’s second river, the Arve. I’m certainly not the first to have noticed it: the loop in the river which encircles the sports centre at Bout du Monde is often teeming with runners of all levels, and they are here for good reason: unlike many city-centre jogging spots, this one has the double pull of no interruptions whatsoever-the circuit just keeps on going if you want it to, as circular things tend to do, I suppose-and a beautiful natural setting, with soft ground underfoot and the energy of the Arve at your side. For those who prefer something firmer, there is also an open running track, along with the sports centre proper (site in French).

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Bout du Monde | Relaxing | Free
Bout du Monde | Carouge
24 hours daily

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Place de l’Octroi – The night snack of Carouge

Luc Berthoud — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:19:08 +0000

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!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Place de l’Octroi | Snacks | Sandwich mexicain CHF 8.00
Rue du Pont-Neuf 2 | Carouge | +41223420715
Fri – Sat 01:00 – 05:00

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Le Marchand de Sable – Famous historic bar

Luc Berthoud — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:18:50 +0000

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 specialty. It used to be crowded with loud high school students. But the place has changed twice in the last 2 years. The place is now brighter and more colorful.

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

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Holy Cow – “THE” best hamburger in town!

Delphine Rieder — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 09:31:22 +0000

Image by Delphine Rieder

Holy Cow finally opened in Geneva a few weeks ago!

For me, it is definitely the best spot to order a hamburger! The products are very fresh (meat & vegetables) and totally local.

You will find difficulties in choosing your hamburger while entering in the place, where the young cooks will warmly welcome you by a smiley “Bonjour”! Every hamburger is cooked in front of you and served to you after waiting only a minute or two (they will give you a number with your receipt and one of the waiters will call your order).

If you go there between 12:00 and 13:00, it will be crowded, but after 13:00, no need to wait! You can also take it to go and eat it on the Plaine de Plainpalais (check the Plaine de Plainpalais article), that is two minutes from the place, under the sun, or in the Parc des Bastions, five minutes from it.

My advice: try the Satay Beef or Bacon Advocado Beef! These are my favorites!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Holy Cow | Snacks | Basic Menu CHF 19.90
Rue de Carouge 14 | Carouge
Mon – Wed 11:00 – 22:00, Thu – Sat 11:00 – 23:00

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Stade de Genève – Home of Servette FC

Lorcan Meyfarth — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:03:25 +0000

Image by Lorcan Meyfarth

You might not know it : Geneva has a football team, le Servette FC. A great one in fact, with 17 national titles, a historically attractive attacking style and beautiful grenat (a hue of red) shirts. The truth is, many genevans don’t take it that seriously. There are different reasons for this: Premier league football broadcasting, Servette’s only recent promotion in the top flight several years after its demotion for bankruptcy, and Servette’s habit of playing with fans’ nerves by conceding right after equalizing…

Despite all this I would really advise you to go to the Stade de Genève. The stadium is nice, it can be quite packed for big fixtures, and there’s a good core of fans singing through the whole 90 minutes, creating a positive atmosphere (except for the referee, who is obviously s***). Moreover, despite fresh financial problems, Servette is doing great with talented young players (look out for Kouassi, Karanovic and Yartey, among others).

If you want to be close to the fans, you should go to the North Stand and you might even learn some of the songs (which all contain a mix of the words: grenat, honneur, Servette, allez, and lalalalala). If you’re more into the quiet and intellectual enjoyment of the beautiful game, the West Stand is the wiser option.

Genevans have the old habit to make up their mind quite late, and therefore have to queue! Avoid this by booking tickets online, they’re even CHF 5.00 cheaper.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Stade de Genève | Festivals & events | Entrance Adult, North Stand CHF 20.00
Route des Jeunes 16 | Carouge
According to program

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L’Envie de – Unique Gifts

Sylvie Meynier — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 13:52:10 +0000

Image by Sylvie Meynier

I end up in that shop almost each time I need a present and I don’t know what to buy. They have the most original objects and they also have very nice toys for kids.

If you are looking for something unusual to decorate your house, then this is the place to go. They have everything for the kitchen, bathroom, living-room and bedroom! They also have a great variety of spices and teas and items for the garden.

I love the Pylones brand and I usually also end up buying something for myself when I go there, which might be the dangerous part! I also often end up buying a bunch of postcards that I haven’t been able to find anywhere else.

They have three shops, two opposite each other in Carouge and one in Eaux-Vives. They are all great to visit as they often renew or exchange their items, so all three will have something different to offer if you go on the same day. (In Carouge: Rue Saint-Joseph 2 – in Eaux-Vives: Rue de la Terrassière 13)

Details about this spot (Show on map)
L’Envie de | Shopping
Rue St- Joseph 2 | Carouge | +41223016858
Mon 12:00 – 18:30, Tue – Fri 10:00 – 18:30, Sat 10:00 – 17:30

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Qu’importe – Excellent wine bar

Sylvie Meynier — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 13:51:54 +0000

Image by Sylvie Meynier

The full name of this place is actually a quote by Alfred de Musset: “Qu’importe le flacon, pourvu qu’on ait l’ivresse” (Whatever the bottle, it does not matter as long as you have drunkenness).

This bar is a big one, with lots of space, which makes it nice and spacious even when it’s crowded. It’s more like a cozy lounge. It has beautiful old furniture and a wonderful fireplace. It’s ideal to relax in one of their big sofas after work. In summer, you can also enjoy their huge terrace. It’s located in Carouge, so it’s nice to go after a stroll in the neighborhood.

I usually go there after work sometimes as they serve very good wines, and not only famous ones. For food they make local tapas, Swiss style. They also have dish of the day (plat du jour) at lunch time.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Qu’importe | Bars, Restaurants | Wine from CHF 4.00
Rue ancienne 1 | Carouge | +41223421525
Mon 17:00 – 00:00, Tue -Thu 11:00 – 01:00, Fri – Sat 11:00 – 02:00

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ô Calme – Feeling at home

Sylvie Meynier — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 13:51:50 +0000

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!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
ô Calme | Coffee & tea, Restaurants | Bunch CHF 30
Rue Ancienne 36 | Carouge | +41223012220
Tue 10:00 – 16:00, Wed – Sun 10:00 – 18:00