Where to Eat, Drink and What to Do | Geneva
Fine dining & luxury between the Lake and the Alps
By Alon Ben Joseph | Jeweller & Owner | Ace Jewelers
Patek Phillipe Museum in Geneva
“Often for my work as a jeweller, I stay in Geneva. It has some great hotels and good restaurants. Many of the best watch makers are located in this area”
Find out the best places to eat, sleep, have a drink, and what to do in Geneva. Jeweller and watch enthusiast Alon Ben Joseph often travels to the Swiss capital for business and pleasure, so he is well equipped to give you the best insider tips.
Where to eat & go for a drink
COTTAGE CAFÉ
Enjoy a dinner with an intimate and cosy atmosphere, complimented by beautiful views of the lake and park.
THE BARISTA LAB
Simply fantastic coffee, perfectly brewed from the best beans.
CAFÉ DU SOLEIL
Geneva’s oldest restaurant, about four hundred years old. Best fondue, with cheese from La Roche village, north of Gruyère.
maps | favourite of Alon Ben Joseph, Jeweller
AUBERGE D’ONEX
This Italian tavern is a true hidden gem, with all ingredients coming from Italy, right across the border.
maps | favourite of Alon Ben Joseph, Jeweller
LE TSÉ FUNG
The only Michelin starred Chinese restaurant in Switzerland, located in hotel La Réserve.
BIRDIE FOOD & COFFEE
In short: simply the best coffee in Geneva.
L’AUBERGE D’HERMANCE
Located half an hour north in Hermance, this cozy restaurant serves the best-salted chicken you could imagine. To go there is no punishment either, as you get to drive along the majestic lake Geneva.
THE FISH CLUB
A wonderful traiteur with an exquisite selection of delicacies. The perfect place to grab a bite on the go or en route to a romantic picnic by the lake.
What to do
PATEK PHILIPPE MUSEUM
This temple of watchmaking is located in a refurbished Art Deco building in the area of Plainpalais. You will find five centuries of history on timepieces and the first watch ever made.
It has a good restaurant as well.
M.A.D. GALLERY
My favourite store in Geneva. M.A.D. stands for Mechanical Art Devices. It was founded by futuristic watchmaker Max Busser, yet the very unique range collection consists only for a small part of watches.
CENTRE D’ART CONTEMPORAIN
For lovers of modern art, I highly recommend Centre d’Art Contemporain Genève. An all-round cultural institution, the Centre both produces and displays art, offering its artists a space for creative experimentation and the freedom to work in a forward-thinking, open-minded environment.
ROY & SACHA DAVIDOFF VINTAGE WATCHES
Maybe the best vintage watch boutique in Switzerland. My childhood friends Roy & Sacha Davidoff have a long family history as jewellers. The brothers, like me, also love watches. A few years ago they branched out of the family business and set up their own vintage watch boutique. Whenever I am in town I try to stop by.
DAVIDOFF & CIE CIGARS
Although they are far relatives, there are no business ties between this cigar shop and my friends at the watch boutique. The best cigar shop in the world is obviously Hanjenius in Amsterdam (I am not objective) and ironically the best cigar shop in London is Davidoff. But, when in Genéve, one has to visit the original Davidoff boutique: it’s where it all started.
maps | favourite of Alon Ben Joseph, Jeweller
