Eaux-Vives Geneva – All our local tips

Don’t trust at first sight the appearances of the little restaurant in the main street of the Eaux-Vives. Go inside and you will never regret it!

The setting is really warm, with subdued lights at the back and the posters on the walls are lovely. The owner is extremely friendly and so are the waiters.

The meals are delicious and the waiters will explain to you each of them if you have any questions. You should try the cucumber alcohol which is very original!

Even if the meals are maybe a little more expensive than in other restaurants, they’re worth it. My friends love to come back here.

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Asadal | Restaurants (Korean) | Meal CHF 30.00
Rue des Eaux-Vives 9 | Eaux-Vives | +41227860198
Mon – Fri 11:30 – 14:30 & 18:45 – 22:30

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

L’Adresse is a nice restaurant, which became quite fashionable. It is divided into two parts: a shop where you can find nice clothes and a restaurant and is located in the Eaux-Vives, near the lake.

During the summer, there is a nice terrace outside, which is on the rooftop.

At lunch, you will be able to see the shop; at night it’s closed. The food is quite expensive but it is a great place to go especially at lunch, since the plat du jour is less than CHF 20.-.

They have very original meals and very good bottles of wine. The carpaccio is excellent and the pastas definitely have to be tasted!

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L’Adresse | Shopping, Restaurants (Frenc) | Dinner CHF 30.00
Rue du 31 décembre 32 | Eaux-Vives | +41227363232
Tue – Sat 11:00 – 14:00 & 18:00 – 00:00

This great bar is located near Le Coup de Girafe (check the Le Coup de Girafe article) in front of the primary school of Lea Eaux-Vives. It is easy to get there by bus, since bus 2 and 6 can take you there (bus stop: Vollandes).

I really enjoy going there for cocktail time and hang out for a couple of hours with my friends. They have one of the best list of wines (especially red ones) and if you don’t know which one to pick, the nice staff will help you in your choice depending on your tastes.

They can also serve you amazing cocktails and at night. Your drinks will come with olives, which will make your drink more delicious! What I particularly like in this bar is that the staff are really passionate about their job, so they will make their customers discover new wines each season.

They will serve you delicious plats du jour during the lunch break and they always pay a particular attention to fresh products. You can also have their fresh salads if you prefer, which is also very good.

The music is really nice, and since the bar is from now on a non-smoking place (as every other bars and restaurants in Geneva now!), it is even more pleasant to have a drink there.

During the summer, they open a little terrace at the back of the bar, which will allow you to make the most of your time under the sun, while enjoying a nice Spanish wine. Divine!

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La Suite 115 | Bars, Restaurants (French) | Glass of wine from CHF 5.00
61 rue du 31 décembre | Eaux-Vives | +410227861115
Mon – Wed 07:00 – 00:00, Thu – Fri 07:00 – 02:00, Sat 17:00 – 02:00

I brought Spanish and Argentinean friends to various spots in Geneva in the last summers; their favourite place has been Le Bateau!!! Dancing in an authentic boat with an amazing view of the lake and the “Jet d’eau” is a moment!!!

Unfortunately we’ll have to find some more months as there are not many parties in winter. For the program, check the website. Do not miss the overground festival that take place end of August, you will probably see me there as I go almost every nights!

In summer… you can also eat the meal of the day starting from 12 frs.  I enjoyed various  “raclettes” with some beautiful sunsets! As few people knew that we could eat on this boat, I often had the deck for me!

Le Bateau is not only a restaurant or a party place but also a social association. The goal of this association is to receive adults who are in a difficult personal or social situation.

Check the website to have more information (in french only)

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Le Bateau | Art & culture, Bars, Music, Snacks, Festivals & events
Quai Gustave Ador | Eaux-Vives | +41227360775
Events only

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

Geneva is called “la cité des parcs” for its 25 big green spaces, to be found almost everywhere in the city. If you’re not afraid of the cold, I would advise you the Parc Lagrange; it’s as beautiful as few are.

It was bequeathed by a rich citizen in the beginning of the XXth century. It is located in front of the lake, perfectly inclined to give you a unique view on the lac Léman.

On its 20 hectares, this park hosts many different parts: a little lake, a playground for children, huge lawns – I like to play cards with friends there – and a rose garden. I rarely go to the playground or the rose garden (!), but it’s a really nice place to go for a walk and discover the green side of Geneva.

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Le Parc Lagrange | Relaxing | Free
Le Parc Lagrange | Eaux-Vives
From sunrise until the bell rings

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

It 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, sushi (really cheap ones that you can take away), fish, Asian food, cheese, wine, vegetables, flowers, cake shop and a bar as well.

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.

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!

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Les halles de Rive | Shopping, Snacks | Sushis CHF 15.00
Boulevard Hélvétique 29 | Eaux-Vives
Mon – Sat 10:00 – 18:00

Les Scalas is one of the last independent cinemas in Geneva. Right in the middle of the Eaux-Vives, it has the particularity to show tons of little movies from many different countries around the world. Many huge film lovers prefer this place over imposing giant movie theatres built by huge companies.

The fidelity card (CHF 30.00 year) permits everyone to see every movie for only CHF 10.00 (and when you know that a ticket for a movie costs CHF 17.00, it’s really worth it!) in every independent cinema every day for every show. That is one more good reason to choose these kinds of cinemas and support them.

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Les Scalas | Cinemas | Adult CHF 17.00
Rue des Eaux-Vives 23 | Eaux-Vives | +41227360422
One to four shows per day, every day (note that the schedule changes)