Swiss Culinary Culture at Geneva's 10 Best Restaurants

Of all the cafes specializing in Swiss cheese fondue, Café du Soleil claims to serve the very best in town—its popularity certainly testifies this. The humble eatery is almost always full, so visitors will do best to book ahead to avoid disappointment. Although the menu is varied, the thing to order here is either traditional fondue, made with cheese from La Roche village, north of Gruyères, and a fruity wine, or else the Swiss specialty Malakoffs—deep-fried cheese balls with a strong indulgent flavor. The fondue arrives at the table in a fire-lit pot, accompanied by a bottomless basket of bread, and it is recommended to order one of the unusual salads as a side. The building itself hails back to over 400 years ago, before even the construction of the Temple du Petit-Saconnex facing it. The atmosphere is cozy but light and airy, delivering an edge of sophistication to this traditional meal.
Place du Petit-Saconnex 6, 1209 Genève, Switzerland, +41 22 733 34 17

In the heart of Geneva’s Old Town is the luxuriously renovated, historic Hôtel Les Armures, dating back to the 13th century, though its current form is a 17th-century, Italian-inspired renovation. The associated Restaurant Les Armures has retained all of its rustic charm, with a simple terrace in the shadow of ancient archways, nostalgic interior furnishings and a mosaic-tiled bar. The food and atmosphere maintain traditional undertones whilst providing a sophisticated gourmet experience. The long menu boasts many Swiss specialties, including raclette and fondue options, alongside soups, pastas, meat and fish dishes. The hotel and restaurant are so popular that their reputation even reached the ears of Bill Clinton on his visit to the city, and his letter of polite thanks has been cast in brass and now hangs as a gleaming tribute on the outside wall.
Rue du Puits-Saint-Pierre 1, Genève, Switzerland, +41 22 310 34 42

Chef Michel Roth, previously of L’Espadon in the Parisian Ritz Hotel, has now created one of the most celebrated restaurants in Geneva: the Michelin-starred Bayview at Hotel President Wilson. Recently renovated, the setting is simple and stunning, emphasizing the pure light that streams in through the windows, reflected off Lake Geneva just outside. All the food is locally sourced and crafted into culinary art, supplemented by contemporary artworks hanging on the walls. The tasting menu includes delicacies such as seared ormers (sea snails) from Plougastel with traditional pork sausage, served with some of the most impressive wines of the region.
Quai Wilson 47, Genève, Switzerland, +41 22 906 65 52

Located in the city center’s elegant Mandarin Oriental Hotel, right on the banks of the River Rhône, Rasoi takes Geneva’s legacy of fine dining to new heights with its innovative twist on Indian cuisine. Owned by award-winning UK-based Chef Vineet Bhatia, Rasoi is the only restaurant in Europe serving ‘ethnic’ cuisine to have been granted two Michelin stars. The interior outfit was designed by Adam Tihany, renowned for his commissioned contributions to celebrity-owned restaurants, and he has certainly impressed with his distinctive style here; the rich, earthy purple hues of the furnishings are offset by mother-of-pearl details built into dark wooden panels. The overall effect is a strikingly modern and indulgent atmosphere, setting the scene for unusual signature dishes such as tandoori smoke cloud salmon, semolina crusted wild sea break and salmon chutney, and chicken with black peppercorn sauce served with an open chicken samosa.
Quai Turrettini 1, Genève, Switzerland, +41 22 909 00 06

Demarcated by a bright red staircase, L’Adresse, a lifestyle boutique in a converted loft, holds many unexpected treats inside. Among the fashion wear and bespoke accessories is a contemporary bistro that spills over onto the delightful rooftop terrace. The owners’ philosophy sees them following both their own creative instincts and current trends, to produce a unique style in both the fashion items and the food, favored by Geneva’s young and stylish. The restaurant resembles a vast urban lounge, open both to the kitchen and the clothing displays, whilst the terrace is an oasis of breezy greenery above the city’s streets. The food is light and fresh, including an entire organic menu, alongside homemade juices and regular dishes each with their own quirky name. The daily specials range from crumbled chicken with candied grapes and quinoa with zucchini and carrots to fillet of sea bream with sun-dried peppers and Moroccan spice. There’s an extensive wine list and cocktail menu for a casual evening in this renovated art studio.
Rue du 31 Décembre 32, Genève, Switzerland, +41 22 736 32 32