There have been a lot of restaurant openings recently, giving a little fresh spice to Geneva’s palate. But while the new generations reinvent the restaurant, our wiser and more experienced locals are enjoying restaurants that have stood the test of time. You’d be wise to follow their lead: this is a group that clearly put their finger on Geneva’s pulse a long time ago and have stuck to it. At the top of that list of hidden gems is L’Aigle d’Or, a classic bistro serving classic fare, with the occasional live music.

Comfortably nestled on a corner in Carouge, l’Aigle d’Or has had one man at the cooker for 28 years. And the experience shows, not only in the impeccably delivered classic menu, but also in the subtle inventiveness that keeps the place current. The chef opened our appetite with a playful mouthful of white fish ceviche that was elegantly juicy and tangy. He kept it fresh with a green bean and crab salad, both crunchy and creamy. A main course of osso bucco in a red sauce was served rustic, with roasting pans of yellow rice and ratatouille: melt-in-your-mouth veal in a sauce that was quickly mopped off the plate. The dessert brought us all back home, with a meringue, coulis de fruits rouges and fior di latte ice cream. A stroll through Carouge at night will be all you need to end your evening with grace.