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

Bateau Genève – My favorite summer hangout

Sylvie Meynier — Fri, 18 May 2012 10:31:10 +0000

Image by Sylvie Meynier

Summer is here! The ‘Geneva boat’ has just re-opened after some renovation. This is the best place to relax on the lake in a very laid-back atmosphere. The boat is located just off the Jardin Anglais (English Garden park), it is definitely one of my favorite hangouts. You can see the Jet d’Eau from it. You really feel like you are on holiday when you are there.

They offer main dishes at lunch time and tapas in the evening. Chilling out with just a drink is also an option.

They often organize some special events and parties. Dancing on there or listening to some live music is simply great.

The ‘boat’ is an association that helps people in need by providing breakfast to them and assisting them in building some projects of their own. So going there you would be doing a good deed as well

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Bateau Genève | Bars, Snacks, Restaurants | Main dish CHF 15.00
Quai Gustave-Ador | Eaux-Vives | +41227864345
Tue – Fri 11:30 – 14:30 & 17:00 – 21:00

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Yvette de Marseille – The locals’ bar

Sylvie Meynier — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 09:03:38 +0000

Image by sylvie Meynier

This is where you will meet real local people. This casual bar is very simple and it’s why I love it. Its front door is an old garage door that’s been renovated, it’s really cool. The inside is pretty casual. If you are a lady, check out the bathroom…(I’m not saying anything else, and sorry if you are a guy, I haven’t been there so I don’t know what it’s like.)

It is the perfect spot for an after-work drink and some tapas. Whether you like wine or cocktails, you’ll be happy there. It seems to be very popular amongst Geneva people and it’s always full. In summer they have a big terrace with lots of shade.

Like everything good in Geneva, it’s a bit of a hidden place. Rue Henri-Blanvalet is a small street in the Eaux-Vives neighborhood, which has changed quite a bit over the past few years, and has seen more and more terraces growing.

The downside is that service is not very good, even pretty slow and lacking a smile… and it can get really loud, so if you are looking for a quiet place to have a proper chat, I would go somewhere else…

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Yvette de Marseille | Bars | tapas +/- CHF 10
rue Henri-Blanvalet 13 | Eaux-Vives | +4141227351555
Tue – Wed 17:00 – 01:00, Thu – Sat 17:00 – 02:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Geneva

Le Coup de Girafe – A place like home!

Delphine Rieder — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 13:51:13 +0000

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

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Geneva

La Suite 115 – Wine discoveries!

Delphine Rieder — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 13:50:37 +0000

Image by Delphine Rieder

This great bar is located near Le Coup de Girafe (check the Le Coup de Girafe article) in front of the primary school of Les 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 (lovely mojitos) 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! You can also order delicious tapas!

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 are also very good.

The music is really nice, and it is really pleasant to have a drink there. If you want an advice, order a glass of the sweet swiss wine called “Chant des Sirènes” (they have it white or red): my favorite!

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!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
La Suite 115 | Bars, Restaurants (French) | Glass of wine from CHF 5.00
61 rue du 31 décembre | Eaux-Vives | +41227861115
Mon – Wed 07:00 – 00:00, Thu – Fri 07:00 – 02:00, Sat 17:00 – 02:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Geneva

Meditsol – Yummy tapas

Sylvie Meynier — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 13:50:30 +0000

Image by sylvie meynier

I used to live in Madrid so sometimes I miss having real Spanish tapas. They are hard to find in Geneva even though there are quite a few Spanish bars around. Usually they are not very typical or they are very expensive.

A couple of years ago however, a Spanish friend of mine brought me to Meditsol and I was not disappointed! This restaurant has my favorite tapas, and they actually know how to make them: I love the ‘patatas bravas’ (potatoes with a spicy sauce – it’s the only place in Geneva where they taste like in Spain) and the “boquerones” (fresh anchovies in vinegar). And of course they also make delicious ‘tortilla’ (potato omelette) and have decent ‘queso de manchego’ (hard cheese).

I usually go there with a bunch of friends and we have all kinds of tapas to share. If you prefer having a bigger dish, they also make pretty good paella (but you have to order it in advance and it has to be for 4 people minimum). And the wine is worth mentioning to, as you cannot go wrong with Spanish wine, especially Rioja.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Meditsol | Bars, Restaurants (Spanish tapas) | Tapas from CHF 8.00
Cours de Rive 18 | Eaux-Vives | +41227000430
Mon 11:00 – 14:30 & 18:00 – 01:00, Tue – Thu 11:00 – 01:00, Fri – Sat 11:00 – 02:00