Image by sylvie Meynier

I am usually not a big fan of chains but this one is a good one, especially for sushi. They have several locations all around Geneva, on boulevard Helvétique but also on Rue du Mont-Blanc 21 (near the train station) and on rue du Marché 5 (near Bel-Air).

They make pretty decent sushi for reasonable prices. I usually go and eat there but you can also have them to go or have them delivered. My favorite is the shrimp and avocado Temaki. 

They also make warm dishes such as Yakitori chicken. It’s great for lunch or for a quick dinner.

Another good place in Geneva for sushi is Mikado (check the Mikado article), where I also go quite often. But Wasabi is a bit more spacious. 

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Wasabi Sushi Bento Bar | Restaurants (Japanese) | 12 sashimis CHF 13.80
Boulevard Helvétique 32 | Eaux-Vives | +41227353232
Mon – Sat 10:00 – 22:00

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Image by sylvie meynier

If you are looking for a good and typical Lebanese treat, then I can suggest this small restaurant, family owned. The wife is in the kitchen and the husband handles the service and the management.

The place is pretty small and simple, something I personally prefer. The food is known for its quality and authenticity. Prices are decent for Geneva standards and the service is great, something rare in Geneva.

Try out their cold and hot mezzes, I usually prefer to have a mix of these and share with someone. My favorite ones are the eggplant puree (Moutabaal) and meat or cheese rolls (samboussik). They also have delicious grilled meat and fish. And don’t miss out on the maamoule for dessert (pistachio biscuit).

You can also have all their food to go. And for lunch they have fairly- priced dishes of the day (plat du jour). If you like Lebanese food, also try La Caravane Passe.

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La Lanterne | Restaurants (Lebanese) | Mezze from CHF 13.00
Rue du Lac 15 | Eaux-Vives | +41227362141
Mon – Fri 10:30 – 14:30 & 18:30 – 22:30, Sat 18:30 – 22:30

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Image by Sylvie Meynier

There is a lot of people from South America living in Geneva. You’ll probably hear Spanish as much as you hear French in the street. Amongst the advantages of having so many of them around, apart from practicing your Spanish, is they have settled some small, homelike restaurants around the city.

These places are hard to find as they are not very visible, and usually only people from South America go there. That, to me is a sign that the food is authentic and good. Los Incas II is a typical example. The place is very simply decorated, it’s nothing like the typical Geneva restaurant. It’s one of these places where you wonder whether you should go in or not, and still the food is amazing.

They make all sort of Peruvian goodies. Be careful as the quantities are huge! I usually go for the “ceviche” (raw fish in spicy sauce) as there aren’t many places where you can find it but they also have “biftek de lomo” (beef steak, with rice, potatoes and egg…)

Service is a bit slow, but we are in Peru after all so the rhythm has to be different and I am pretty sure it is a family business, so everything is like at home.

The website below is for their other restaurant, located at Bld de La Cluse 105, to which I have never been, but it is the same owner and the same menu.

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Los Incas II | Restaurants (Peruvian) | Main meal from CHF 20
rue des Eaux-Vives 94 | Eaux-Vives | +41227369828
11:00 – 02:00 daily

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Image by Delphine Rieder

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

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Image by Delphine Rieder

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, daily (schedule changes)

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Geneva

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!

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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

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

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!

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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

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Geneva

Image by Delphine Rieder

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. You should try the “Menu Asadal”: 2 starters, then the Bulgogi as the main dish and a coconut ice cream for dessert. Divine! My friends love to come back here.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
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

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Geneva

Image by sylvie meynier

This is my local tearoom. They recently renovated their place to make it a little bit bigger but it’s still a small place so I usually take something to go for lunch. They make the best salads and sandwiches.

I think they have about 20 small sandwiches to choose from and they are all at the same price. They even have one with foie gras and fig. My favorite is the goat cheese one. They also have a different kind of fresh soup everyday.

The prices are the lowest I have seen in Geneva and since they renovated the place does not empty! For instance, a menu with a small salad, a sandwich and a drink or a dessert is less than 10 CHF.

It is originally a pastry shop, so try their little cakes. I think the strawberry pie is my favorite. They also have good chocolate and still make their own creations for special events like Easter, Valentine’s Day, Christmas, etc.

The owners and the team are super friendly and always have a smile on their faces, even when they are super busy, which adds to the charm of this little place.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Celine et Sebastien | Coffee & tea, Restaurants (Salad/Sandwich) | Soup of the day CHF 5
rue des Eaux-Vives 7 | Eaux-Vives
Mon – Fri 04:30 – 18:30, Sat 04:30 – 14:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Geneva