It is difficult to find an authentic Asian restaurant in Geneva. Geneva’s Asian population is sparse compared to cities like London, Paris, or San Francisco.
But where there is a will there is a way, and Asians always manage to find the authentic restaurants. I’ve jotted down just a few addresses Asians have recommended to me below. I’ve checked them out and they are well worth trying.
Please note these are not fancy restaurants, but because they are frequented for their authenticity, it is advisable to reserve.
Lai Thai
11 Rue du Gothard 1225 Chêne-Bourg Telephone: +41 (0)22 348 48 17Northern Thai food, which is quite hot and spicy. Set menus go for 55, 65 and 78 CHF and the servings are generous. Located in what was formerly a Geneva institution, the Café Gothard.
Hashimoto
6 rue de Villereuse1207 Geneva
Telephone: +41 (0)22 736 76 80
Unpretentious. A traditional Swiss café, with all the wooden benches and bistro chairs still in place and a few Japanese decorations added here and there. The Japanese come here for the sushi. Great miso soup and seaweed salad. Numerous set menus at a nice price. You can easily eat and drink for 50 CHF.
Nagomi
47 Rue de Zurich.1201 Geneva
Telephone: +41 0(22) 732 38 28
Excellent quality, extremely small. A little pricier than the others, but this not just a sushi bar; it is a real restaurant with Japanese dishes you just can’t find anywhere else in Geneva. Reservation absolutely necessary.
Le Thé
65 rue des Bains 1205 Geneva Telephone:+41 (0)79 436 77 18This may be a real hole in the wall, but you’ll feel like you’re really in Asia, even though you just stepped off the TPG tram. Incredibly affordable food like you’d eat in the street eateries in Asia. You’ll find some dishes that are rare in Europe, such as xiaolongbao, dainty little pork and cabbage ravioli. Allow plenty of time because the service can be slow. 30 CHF and your belly will be full.
Hi Jonell,
Don’t you have any authentic Indian speciality restaurant serving traditonal subcontinent cuisine in Geneva or nearby ?
The most frequented Indian restaurants are just across the border around Ferney-Voltaire. (Yes, Voltaire owned an estate in Ferney, so that he could quickly flee to Switzerland whenever necessary. His name was added to the village name later.)
How authentic these are is another question. If you have eaten authentic Indian food in an Indian home or in India, you risk being disappointed. If you are accustomed to the typical “Indian” restaurants in Britain, however, you will find them quite all right.
Thanks for referring to our post. I hope it is helpful, especially to those who just land in Geneva for a few days and haven’t a clue as to where to go. Bon appétit!