Geneva, Switzerland

Eating out in Geneva, Switzerland

As one of the top gastronomic centers of Europe, Geneva offers a myriad of choices. Much of the fare contains French influences with staples of wine and cheese at every meal. Dinner is a cause for celebration in this city and the Genevois prepare their meals with distinguished and sophisticated grace. They also pack the restaurants nightly, so reservations are essential.

Gourmet

Le Bearn has only 10 tables, but the patrons include the likes of diplomats and Hollywood mega-stars. The small scale allows for personal service in either of the two contrasting dining rooms. One is decorated in the style of Louis XVI while the other has a rustic elegance. The menu is seasonal and includes delicacies like truffles in December and slow-simmered rabbit with foie gras in autumn. 4 quai de la Poste.

Highly Recommended

Le Chat-Botte presents its entrees with a luxury to match the decor. The dining room is decorated with plush upholstery, regal tapestries, and sculpture, complemented by a polite staff. The terrace is filled with flowers and where you easily feel as if you are dining in a royal garden. Meals are contemporary, with heavy French influence. Starters include specialties like the popular filet of perch (from Lac Leman) that is sautéed until golden. Desserts include temptations such as mille-feuille with raspberries. Hotel Beau-Rivage, 13 quai de Mont Blanc.

Local Flair

Le Lyrique, offering both a formal restaurant and brasserie, is the geographic and spiritual center of art and business life in Geneva. The décor is marked with turn-of-the-century elegance, and the local specialties include filet of sea wolf with grapefruit and roulade of rabbit-both Swiss classics turned gourmet. 12, bd. du Theatre.

Romantic

La Perle du Lac is the only restaurant in Geneva directly on the waterfront. Candle-lit tables for two put the focus on romance, although you may want to opt for the tree-shaded terrace in warm weather. The chef creates a mouth-watering mousseline of sweetbreads and champignons, delicacies such as sea bass with mint sabayon, filet mignon of veal with mushroom moose and basil, and a conglomerate of superb sorbets. 128, rue de Lausanne.

Going party in Geneva, Switzerland

Geneva offers a multitude of options to keep your nights busy. You can savor the culture of the city by exploring the lantern-lit streets or basking in the moonlight reflection off Lac Leman along one of the promenades or enjoy its vitality. The nightlife is as vibrant as it is soothing, offering everything from classical compositions to pulsing discos.

Grand Theatre

One of the best opera houses in the world, attracting the top names in musical theatre. The plush, red velvet interior enhances the elegance of the affair.

Victoria Hall

If classical music strikes your fancy, look no further than this extravagant building, home to L'Orchestre de la Suiss Romande. Since 1918, Victoria Hall has hosted concerts for the company, which has included some of the most famous and talented musicians in the world.

Beau-Rivage

Although many of the luxury hotels offer piano bars, this one is blessed with a talented player and suave ambiance.

Amr-Sud des Alpes

This smoky venue lives up to the reputation of jazz bars with its dark interior and features some of the latest in contemporary jazz. Now that jazz is back in fashion, expect to find a young, and very hip, crowd filling the tables.

Griffin's

The best place for celebrity-spotting also hosts live RandB during the week and, complemented by its chic black-tie crowd, is a guaranteed good time.

Arthur's

For a night of dancing, head to this many leveled club that features the latest in house music and can hold some 1,500 guests.

Common events in Geneva, Switzerland

Bol d'Or

A generally athletic population focuses more on their personal activities than spectator sports, with the exception of this well attended tournament. Like many European countries, soccer is a very serious matter, and you may find yourself, justifiably, caught up in the madness if you attend any part of the tournament. June.

Lac Leman Regatta

This event is known as the world's most important regatta, and even if you are not a sailor the vision of 600 sailboats cruising around Lac Leman is spectacular. It is possible to sail the length of the lake in 7 hours, although for some it may take up to 24 hours. Whatever their skill level, competitors swear its worth trying. Summer.

Swiss National Holiday

A nationwide celebration of the birth of the confederation in 1291 with parades, bonfires, parties, and fireworks. August 1.

Geneva Festival

In celebration of their proud heritage, a day of commemoration takes place with processions of costumed parades that tell a folk tale or two and fireworks. August.