Geneva tips by locals | Spotted by Locals city guide » Les Pâquis

La Vouivre – Salon de thé par excellence

Peter Clayburn — Fri, 04 May 2012 08:27:43 +0000

Image by Peter Clayburn

Close your eyes, imagine a salon de thé and you’re probably thinking of La Vouivre, though nor does this Pâquis gem take itself too seriously, as the opening times on the door suggest. La Vouivre has it all: dainty china (are any two cups the same here?), marble-top tables serviced by squishy chairs and discreetly smiling ladies in hushed voices, a clientele that ranges from suited and booted to blue rinse with enough variety in between for almost anyone to feel comfortable, classical music wafting over from behind the counter… To top it all, each table bears some kind of curiosity, and if all other sources of entertainment or conversation run dry, you can spend a while wondering about these objects’ former functions.

I come here for coffee if I manage to escape for a few minutes in the afternoon, and rarely resist the temptation of trying one of their delicious pastries; that said, they’re even better in the morning, when the chocolate is waiting to ooze out of the croissants with the first bite.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
La Vouivre | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Chocolate croissant CHF 2.90
Rue des Pâquis 21 | Les Pâquis | +41227318712
Tue – Fri 07:07 – 18:33, Sat 07:33 – 18:33, Sun 08:01 – 18:18

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Geneva

Philippine Assia – Underground karaoke

Luc Berthoud — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:19:30 +0000

Image by Luc Berthoud

You like singing but you never dare to do it in public (unless you are drunk) as you have a poor voice… You want to escape from the Geneva atmosphere and spend a night in the heart of Asia?… You like underground bars and new adventure… Go to Philippine Assia!!!

This is place is unknown from most people in Geneva. You will plunge yourself into a really kitsch atmosphere, last time I went there were tens of little hearts sticked on the walls…

If you come during the week and early enough, you’ll have the place and the microphone for yourself. I have noticed that the place was becoming a bit more busy recently though. On the week-ends, a DJ plays from around midnight and the place turns to a disco. We go there a couple of times a year with different friends and always have a lot of fun!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Philippine Assia | Bars, Music
Square Pradier | Les Pâquis
Tue – Sat 20:00 – 02:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Geneva

Pickwick – Huge English pub

Luc Berthoud — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:19:20 +0000

Image by Luc Berthoud

If you miss the Shakespeare language and the pints of beers, head to the oldest and biggest English pub of Switzerland: Pickwick!

This pub, Pickwick, is located on the northeast end of the Paquis area; you’ll find it easily as it is on the main road (rue de Lausanne).

This pub is still appreciated by local football fans that meet occasionally for a Champions league or an international game. Pickwick is full of screens that allow you to watch various games in the same time.

Apart from football, Mr. Pickwick is well known for hosting live music and serves English classic food.

I almost forgot the most important… You’ll find a range of 11 different draft beers!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Pickwick | Bars, Restaurants (English) | 5dl draft beer CHF 9
Rue de Lausanne 80 | Les Pâquis | +41227316797
10:00 – 02:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Geneva

L’Aiglon – Bar in red light district

Luc Berthoud — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:19:15 +0000

Image by Luc Berthoud

L’Aiglon, you love it or hate it!!! This bar is located in the heart of the red light district and has a mix of gay and straight people. Some days, the bar is quite calm… The day after, you can see people dressed up, dancing on the tables or on their knees on the floor!

At night, the music gets louder and louder as the time goes by… and the people get wilder and wilder…

I have not been often to l’Aiglon recently. Nevertheless I still like it at lunch time with the meal of the day for CHF 17.00 with appetizer and dessert, good value for Geneva!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
L’Aiglon | Bars, Music, Restaurants (French) | Meal of the day CHF 17
Rue Sismondi 16 | Les Pâquis | +41227329760
Mon – Sat 08:00 – 02:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Geneva

Palais Mascotte – 80′s music in a cabaret

Luc Berthoud — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:19:00 +0000

Image by Luc Berthoud

Palais Mascotte was in 2008 the newest popular club in Geneva. 3 years after its reopening (it had been closed 9 years) the place is still a good alternative in the Paquis if you are with a group of friends, if you like 80′s music and do not expect to drink too much (as small beer costs now CHF 9.- !!). This club with a touch of cabaret is located in the center of the little red light district of Geneva on the “famous” Rue de Berne. The entrance is free from Monday to Wednesday, CHF 10.- on Thursday and CHF 15.- Friday and Saturday night.

If you arrive early (before midnight) you will be able to enjoy some shows. Then, tunes of the 80′s are played all night on two floors.

You’ll also find a restaurant on the first floor of the palais that opens at 19:00.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Palais Mascotte | Bars, Music, Restaurants (French) | Small beer CHF 9
43, Rue de Berne | Les Pâquis | +41227413333
18:00 – 05:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Geneva

Bains des Paquis – Sauna & fondue on the lake

Luc Berthoud — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:18:57 +0000

Image by Luc Berthoud

What would be Geneva without Les Bains des Paquis?

Les Bains des Paquis is definitely my favorite place in Geneva, located right on the lake in front of the Jet d’eau!! I go to this place a couple of times a week!

I soon as I get there I forget the stress of the city, especially when I swim in the lake after a sauna-hammam session (CHF 20.-, or CHF 150 for 11 sessions, women only on Tuesday). Swimming naked in the middle of Geneva, what a great sensation!

After the sauna session, a really good fondue is waiting for you (CHF 22.-). It will be difficult to resist with its smell… The fondue is one of the best of Geneva, famous because it is made with Crémant instead of white wine (it is lighter!).

The place is lovely in the morning too with a breakfast from 08:00 to 11:30 with a fresh juice and some Swiss specialities: bircher & Cenovis that you share with ducks and swans as the place is still not too crowded.

Ideal for lunch too: a colourful meal of the day from CHF 12.00 only, for sure the best value of Geneva.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Bains des Paquis | Bars, Music, Relaxing, Restaurants (French) | Meal of the day CHF 12
Quai du Mont-Blanc 30 | Les Pâquis | +41227381616
08:00 – 21:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Geneva

Mikado – Fast sushi

Lorcan Meyfarth — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:03:09 +0000

Image by Lorcan Meyfarth

From the outside, it seems to be a successful Japanese grocery, with tables and banks. But don’t be mistaken… there’s a kitchen right behind the cash desk.

How to proceed? Well, you take a tray, sticks, and then you’ll serve yourself in the fridge, pay, and either sit there or just go somewhere by the lake.

The choice is large, despite the lack of red tuna. In fact, it has been cleverly replaced by other types of tuna, and by other ingredients. They also sell different Japanese groceries and alcohol.

On this webpage, you can order your sushi’s online and get them later during the day.

PS: For the hungry ones in the Plainpalais area, another one opened here.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Mikado | Snacks, Restaurants (Sushi) | 12 Maki sushis CHF 10.80
Rue de l’Ancien-Port 9 | Les Pâquis | +41227324774
Tue – Fri 09:00 – 18:30, Sat 09:00 – 18:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Geneva

Chez Quartier – Nice breakfast

Lorcan Meyfarth — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:02:55 +0000

Image by Lorcan Meyfarth

Switzerland is a special country in many ways. One of them is the archaic general trust you can feel by observing some objects.

Take the newspaper boxes for example. Until recently none of them had a lock. You could just take the daily paper without paying anything. The owner was just convinced it wasn’t necessary, and there wasn’t many thieves, people paid before taking a newspaper. Now you’ll see some new boxes on which you have to pay before being able to take the paper, but still, the huge majority of boxes is unlocked.

Well, Chez Quartier has quite the same trust policy. For breakfast, just enter and suit yourself, take croissants, chocolate filled croissants and whatever you want, order a fresh fruit juice, a coffee. When you are done with your breakfast, when the time has come to pay, just tell the waiter what you’ve taken; no bill, just trust.

One could say trust might not be enough to enjoy a breakfast; no need to worry, the food is good!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Chez Quartier | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Croissant CHF 1.50
Rue Voltaire 24 | Les Pâquis
Tue – Sun 07:00 – 19:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Geneva

Manor – Focacceria and beautiful panoramic view

Lorcan Meyfarth — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:02:43 +0000

Image by Lorcan Meyfarth

You may have been to Rome once and have had the chance to enjoy the countless Pizzerie “Al taglio”. Well Geneva hasn’t got that incredible choice, but still, there’s a place I would recommend, as I go myself as often as I can.

It is located near the train station, on the ground floor of the popular shopping centre Manor. This floor is dedicated to food, with other world specialties, but my favourite is doubtless the focacceria area.

The prices are quite low, the choice huge: white (mere) focaccia, mozzarella focaccia, vegetable focaccia, pancetta & mushroom focaccia; there are also various types of pizza slices, even sweet ones – like nutella flavoured pizza! – and many pizzette to chose.

Then, on the top floor of the centre, there’s a self-service restaurant, with another impressive choice of types of food, cheap prices, ideal for lunch – you eat well for less than 15 CHF – and above all you should try the terrace and enjoy a rare view of Geneva. Very crowded around noon, you might have to wait a bit for a table, but it’s worth it.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Manor | Snacks, Restaurants (Italian) | White Focaccia kilo CHF 11.00
Rue Cornavin 6 | Les Pâquis
Mon – Wed 09:00 – 19:00, Thu 09:00 – 21:00, Fri 09:00 – 19:30, Sat 08:30 – 18:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Geneva

La Maison d’Asie – Cheap Vietnamese

Sylvie Meynier — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 13:52:18 +0000

Image by sylvie Meynier

This is one of the cheapest places I have found in Geneva for healthy and delicious soups. I love Vietnamese food and they make the best in town. My favorite dish is the Pho soup. Go for the small one as it’s already pretty big! Don’t forget to add the herbs they give you, it adds quite some taste.

If you are vegetarian, this is also a great place as they have many options. Their spring rolls and rice noodles are also quite good. The name stands for ‘House of Asia’ but they mainly have Vietnamese dishes so don’t expect anything else.

The place is not very attractive, it’s not decorated and it looks old. The service is not great, as the waiters and the boss never smile, and barely understand what you are saying. But the food is really worth it!!!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
La Maison d’Asie | Restaurants (Vietnamese) | Pho soup CHF 15.00
Rue de Lausanne 27 | Les Pâquis | +41227380383
12:00 – 14:30 & 18:00 – 22:30 daily