A Taste of the world in Geneva

Cheesy crepe at Gourmandaise cafe

Our first visit to Geneva, Switzerland was a delightful surprise when it came to the diversity of cuisines, we were able to experience. Given its proximity to Austria and the Alps, I initially expected the food to lean more towards traditional European styles, similar to what we encountered during our prior trip to that region. However, Geneva's culinary scene reminded me more of Paris, which makes sense given its shared border with France. Even the airport reflects this connection, with one exit leading to the French side and another to the Swiss side, which we took.

During our week-long work trip to Geneva in the fall, we had the chance to explore the city's vibrant food scene. It was incredibly convenient to sample a variety of global cuisines—Egyptian, Turkish gyros, and African—all located close to the main street of Rue de Lausanne, not too far from Geneva Lake. Indian is often my go-to choice when traveling, and we enjoyed it on our last day of the trip at Indian bites. However, it was the African restaurants that truly surprised us and left us the most satisfied.

Eritrean platter at Hidmona

We had our first experience with Eritrean food during our visit to Geneva. The Eritrean cuisine that we tried at Hidmona reminded us of Ethiopian at Little Ethiopia restaurant. The items on the menu we included large plates with fresh injera and a variety of sides like lentils, vegetables (both cooked and fresh salads), and a variety of meats such as lamb, beef, and chicken. The service was also pretty solid.

We also had the chance to try African cuisine at Zanzibar African cuisine and lounge bar, which featured a whole fried fish served with a tomato gravy, a side of blanched spinach, and a coconut-based chicken curry with a bold cardamom flavor. The meal was accompanied by three different chutneys for tasting. The portions were generous compared to typical European servings, and while the dishes weren’t overly spicy, they were packed with the flavors of Indian spices—something I always find myself craving by the end of every meal.

Fish in tangy sauce at Zanzibar 

We also indulged in more stereotypically local flavors throughout this trip, especially for breakfast. These included the usual staples such as croissants and crepes—both savory with cheese and sweet—as well as fresh salads. And of course we made sure to return with some Swiss chocolates. 

The weather in Geneva was so beautiful that we thoroughly enjoyed exploring the city on foot. We also made a day trip to Annecy in France, just a couple of hours away. We spent most of the day in the touristy part of the city, where the food was very typical of French/Swiss cuisine, with cheese platters, baked goods, and cold meats dominating the menus. We opted for lunch at an Italian pizzeria, which was decent, but what really stood out to me were the significantly lower prices in Annecy compared to Geneva.

Geneva, in general, was pricier—both food and other expenses—especially for tourists. But, as with most places, the price came with a sense of class. I would definitely classify Geneva as a very classy city, and despite its bustling atmosphere, it had a peaceful vibe that made me feel at ease. I would love to visit again if I get the chance.