Geneva Train Station, known locally as Gare de Geneve, is the central transportation hub for Geneva.
It’s one of the busiest in Switzerland and is used by both travelers and local commuters to get into downtown Geneva.
It’s situated right across the river from Old Town (or Vielle Ville, in French), so travelers enjoy plenty of cultural offerings right out of the gate.
Many of the city’s best landmarks and museums are within a short walk of the train station, along with amazing shopping and stunning architecture.
Commuters certainly aren’t short of restaurants. Geneva’s underrated restaurant scene is centered around the Old Town and the areas just outside of Geneva Train Station.
Whether it’s opulent French food, trendy wine bars, or sneaky-great Swiss fast food, you won’t be short of options traveling to Geneva Train Station.
When you plan on hitting a restaurant or bar before/after traveling through Geneva Train Station, you’ll want to find a place to store the bags while you dine. Some of Geneva’s best restaurants are rather fancy, so lugging your bags to your table might be unseemly.
Luckily, Geneva Station luggage storage options are widely available, with dozens of convenient locations.
Here are all the best places to grab a bite near Geneva Train Station:
Les Armures
If you want the quintessential Swiss dining experience, there’s no better place than the oldest grand cafe in Geneva.
This centuries-old spot has supposedly left its menu unchanged since the 17th century. Stopping at Les Amires is as much a historical endeavor as a fine dining experience.
Swiss staples like fondue, raclette, lake perch, and other hearty Alpine classics are the ideal way to cap off a visit to Geneva, and its location in Old Town makes it a complete experience.
Brasserie Lipp
If you didn’t notice, Geneva leans French, and if the surrounding mountains didn’t give it away, you’d be forgiven for confusing the place with a historic quarter of Paris.
This classic brasserie in Old Town serves a quintessential menu featuring choucroute, confit duck, cassoulet, boeuf bourguignon, moules frites, and more French favorites. If you visit during the winter, these warming dishes will be all the more satisfying.
La Buvette Des Bains
Situated in the ever-trendy Pâquis neighborhood, this classic Swiss restaurant is about a 15-minute walk from the train station and makes for a great casual meal right on the water.
Geneva’s Bains des Paquis is one of the coolest features of the city, being an updated public pool/bath from the 1930s that’s turned into a retail and dining district.
You can stop in for a coffee and pastry or sit at the bar for some wine and shared plates.
Everything is delicious, but the main attraction will be the stellar views of the lake and the social atmosphere.
Chez Ma Cousine Lissignol
Essentially upscale fast food, this Swiss staple has a few locations throughout Geneva, but their Lissignol location is a hop and a skip from Geneva Train Station.
Their menu is simple: juicy roasted chicken served with fries. It’s hard to argue with that, especially if you’re hungry.
The huge potato wedges are fried twice and pair perfectly with the cousine sauce.
With a perfectly serviceable side salad, you can order everything on the menu and comfortably share it with a companion or really “treat yourself” by going all in.
Hamburger Foundation
Most Americans aren’t planning on going out of their way for a hamburger when they’re traveling through Europe, but if you’re craving a taste of home, you could do worse than stopping by this trendy stop in the nearby Pâquis neighborhood on your way to/from the train station.
It seems like American-style hamburger joints are the newest trend in Europe, with a fun, social vibe making Hamburger Foundation the perfect spot for a casual meal.
With a wide range of hipster-friendly cocktails and craft beer, this place is the perfect way to start an evening out in Geneva, and their cheeseburgers are hearty but not overwrought.
Le Reservoir
Situated next to the immensely popular Café de la Presse, this stylish brasserie serves exceptional Mediterranean and Italian favorites.
The decor is elegant and well-appointed, but Le Reservoir is still a comfortable place for an upscale lunch, with a rotating menu of Italian dishes for dinner or tapas shared plates for social occasions.
Their terrace is the ideal spot for a romantic evening, but they have seating at the wine bar portion of the restaurant that makes for a casual meal.
Windows
This Michelin-starred bistro doesn’t do anything you haven’t seen before. But what Windows accomplishes with attention to detail and an amazing setting (some of the best views of Lake Geneva, the Jet d’Eau fountain, and the surrounding Alps) makes it one of the most coveted tables in the city.
Expect French classics with a slight update, executed to perfection. Windows is also one of the best brunches in the city, making it an ideal spot to hit before you head to the train station.
Yakumanka
Peruvian restaurants seem to be the marker of an “international” dining scene, and Geneva is blessed with one of the best in the world.
This stylish bistro at the Mandarin Oriental has earned Michelin recognition for its stellar menu of South American classics.
You’ll find some of the best seafood in the city on the menu, with a superb ceviche leading the way. You should at least consider the catch-of-the-day offering, as well.
Other contemporary takes on Peruvian classics include tiraditos and anticuchos – perfect for sharing.
The wine menu is as good as it gets, and the views of the Rhône are worth making the reservation months in advance. If you want a fancy meal that’s not made up of French food, this is your spot!
Conclusion
Bounce partners with local businesses to provide the best locations possible and vets each partner to ensure quality and security.
Our friendly attendants and 24/7 support make the whole experience a breeze! There’s no reason to lug your bags all over town, even if you’re just grabbing a quick meal before you catch your next train.
