Eating Out
Geneva has a huge number of restaurants for a city of its size, and the presence of an international community means that there's more variety here than in most Swiss cities.
On the downside, Geneva is possibly the most expensive city in an expensive country, which means that going out for a bite to eat can be more than a bit difficult on a student/intern budget. You might also want to check out listings in Resto-ranG (www.resto-rang.ch/index.cfm).
Note that many restaurants are closed on Sundays.
Budget
There are a number of budget spots located near the train station, in the nearby Pâquis district, or near rue Ecole des Médecins off of Plain de Plainpalais. Here are just some suggestions:
ESPRESSO CLUB
25, rue des Pâquis, just off Place de Navigation, 022 738 8488.
Weekdays for breakfast, lunch and dinner until 2.00. A tiny bar and three tables means this little local spot is usually packed with a very international crowd of people who know where to get the best pizza, salads, and pasta dishes in town, with a number of vegetarian selections. Espresso Club keeps the ovens going late for people putting in long days, and it's a nice spot for a coffee and newspaper afternoon as well. 14-20 CHF for most items.
CAFE ART'S
17, rue des Pâquis, 022 738 0797. Weekdays from 17.00 until 2.00, weekends from 11.00 until 2.00.
Limited menu of salads and pasta dishes, but all around or under 15 CHF. A good place for a drink after work, too, if you can find a seat amongst all the staffers from the High Commission for Human Rights. Service is non-stop all day.
BOKY
21, rue des Alpes (also 19, rue Neuve du Molard), 078 628 1699. 18.00 until midnight every day.
Small Chinese restaurant around the corner from the train station. Not necessarily a culinary triumph, but 20 CHF will get you pretty far with your standard noodles, soups and stir-frys. 14-20 CHF.
PIMENT VERT
4, place Grenus (in the small plaza behind the Manor department store), 022 731 9303.
Indian and Sri-Lankian fast food in a charmingly appointed space. There is also a terrace during warm weather. 14-20 CHF.
CHEZ MA COUSINE
6, place du Bourg-de-Four, 022 310 9696; 2, ch du Petit-Saconnex, 022 733 7985; or 5, rue Lissignol, 022 731 9898.
A simple menu: chicken, chicken, or chicken. The roasted chicken is what they're famous for. A staple among interns and budget-watchers. Half a chicken, a salad, and a plate of fries for 14 CHF. www.chezmacousine.ch
MANORA
Inside the Manor department store, near Gare Cornavin. Another resto staple when living on a budget. Relatively cheap, serving a wide variety of pretty good food.
Mid- Range
If you suddenly find yourself swimming in grant funding or bursaries, you might consider a meal at one of the following places to celebrate:
CAFE DE PARIS
26, rue du Mont-Blanc.
Vegetarians beware: this Genevois favourite serves one dish only -- steak, chips and salad. But apparently they do it very well.
LE COMPTOIR
9, rue de Richemond.
Easy-listener-chic asian-fusion resto and bar, sporting white leather sofas and the occasional local DJ. Not cheap, but it has a reputation for unusually interesting food and a friendly crowd.
L'EUROPA
16, rue du Valais.
A little hard to find, but worth it if you're in the mood for fresh, hand-made pasta dishes and generous portions. Known to be a favourite lunch spot for the UN crowd.
CAFE DU SOLEIL
Place du Petit-Saconnex, 022 733 3417.
This ancient Petit-Saconnex roadhouse claims to be the oldest restaurant in Geneva, and serve what is probably the best fondue in Switzerland. http://www.cafedusoleil.ch/
Splurge
Expecting a visitor who wants to treat you to a [very] nice dinner? Perhaps suggest one of the following to them:
LE TRIPORTEUR
33, rue de Carouge, 022 321 2181.
This little place fills a nice niche at the low end of the high end. It is one of those places with the potential to impress a date without doing extensive damage to the bank account. If it's something being charged to your friend's expense account, it won't prompt an internal audit. Cozy and romantic, attentive service without being pushy or snobish. Expect to spend around 50 CHF per person if you're drinking the house wine.
CAFE CENTRE
Place du Molard.
Seafood is the specialty, although the meat and veggie dishes certainly keep up, too. Café Centre is known for its heaping three-tiered platters of assorted shellfish... everything from oysters and mussels to sea snails and peri- winkles. Outdoor seating in the summer is a joy, and the inside is cozy all winter.
CAFE DES NEGOCIANTS
29, rue de la Filature, Carouge.
A hip restaurant, with hip food and an equally hip wine cellar where you can wander around and choose from the hip selection of wine on the racks. (It's probably clear by now what the desserts are like.) Expect to make a reservation at least a week in advance.