Cafe du Soleil in Petit Sacconnex prob the best in town to my mind

les Armoires in the old town

The youghts in the lakeside square near place du Mollard

Bain des Paquis... for a self service ski resort type...

La Bergerie, the downtown antenna of the well known Le Gruyerien:

http://www.le-gruyerien.ch/?page_id=172

For a chalet feel, Auberge de Saviese in Paquis:

http://www.aubergedesaviese.ch/Default.asp?315335D3741663E62683307333D36E

Personally I think Bain de Paquis is the best. Good ambience (alternative, not fancy, like you might end up sitting with other people if it's packed), they make the fondue with sparkling wine I believe, AND the bread is juuuuust right.

I know Cafe du Soleil is considered the best in town, but frankly, I think the bread sucks. It's that soft, kinda powdery bread stuff. Kinda like the bread of a macDinky hamburger.

I should try those others Charlie mentions... no idea.

Agree -- And now I am hungry. 

Funny that you complain about Cafe du Soleil.

I have been there several times  and we had good bread. In fact, we had to book a table well ahead as it is really one of the most popular one with local people....perhaps they know where to get the best fondue in town. 

Bain des Paquis stinks. Literally.

You go there just to eat period. It looks and smells like a gipsy tent, if you are not in a large group and fairly tractored you will not enjoy it ;)

Oh yeah, if goodness is determined by the popularity of the place or how often it's packed then I agree with you, Cafe du Soleil is the best, hands down. And I believe it's one of the oldest restaurants in town too with a very long standing and good reputation. Still, since when is the best necessarily the most popular? I'm sure MacDo is more packed any day of the week 24-7 than Cafe du Soleil and we don't even need to start that discussion. ;-)

Personally I just prefer the Bain de Paquis cause the cheese is bubbly and lighter and the break is nice and crispy, you know 'a l'ancienne'... with a super crunchy crust and those little bubbles in the middle that really soak up the wine and cheese and don't fall off the fork easily like the Cafe du Soleil one. Ooooo... YUUUM!!!! Fondu anyone???

Different strokes for different folks, folks.

I find Geneva way to proper and clean already. I like the gypsy tent aspect. For me, many of the best places to go out in Geneva are the underground, alternative ones, and though I don't smoke (even have a song about when you could), I sort of like the fact that you still can smoke in those places and anything goes... unfortuanetly they are being systematically closed down and replaced by fancy cocktail bars where you pay 20CHF for a beer.

But now we're off topic! Vive the cheese in any case!

"tractored"..... LMFAO!!!!

Another vote for Bains de Paquis. I would go there again and that says a lot if you know me :)

Ive been to cafe du soleil. It was ok, meaning it wasnt smelling that bad. But i wouldnt go again. Its nothing special

Bains de Paquis? No way!

Cafe do Soleil maybe. and there's another one with the word "Valais" in the name - I'll post the exact name when I find it...

Nir, you are probably looking for "Cave valaisaine" at Place du Cirque. 

In downtown I recommend Café du Bon-Vin, one of the oldest ans still excellent.

Rue Versonnex 17 1207 Genève - Eaux-Vives. It is safe to call  022 736 87 90

In Chêne-Bougeries "Le Gruyèrien" close to tramway stop, line 12

Café du Soleil, popular with the local people,? heck no. I should know, I'm a local. I suggest le gruyerien....

I worked nearby and 60% of my Swiss colleagues went there regularly, and all of them recommended it.

So why did they do there then?

Oh, the one you are talking about is so out of the center....it is Chêne-Bougeries....with the traffic jam due to the ruptured pipes it could be 3 hours to get there.....

Definitely le Gruyerien, in Chene Bourg! Their fondue is outstanding, as is the rest of the menu (try the "croute aux champignons" -  to die for)

friendly, efficient and warm service

do book well in advance as it is always packed

really worth it!

Reka, forget the car in the city and nerby. For "Le Gruyèrien" take tramway, 10 min from Bel-Air and the stop is at 20 meters.

Well, if I come back from work in Vaud to reach Le Gruyerien would be almost an hour....for me Cafe du Soleil is closer....as it almost on the way back.

But anyhow,the guy who started the thread was asking Geneve center so seems that Old Town is the most convenient for them.

thank you all for the good info on fondue places!  on my to do list now to try some of them!!! Good night!

Did anyone hear when I said Le Gruyerien has a location RIGHT IN THE CENTER? Jesus f... Christ I feel like talking to a wall!

Talking to a wall? Jesus f... Christ ya ain't on facebook, are ya?

Sorry but I did not read the thread from the beginning again and again and as we posted one after the other and for the site it takes a few min to update itself, I just saw your note.

Dont be so upset. We all know you are smart. 

I'll take note of this as well, thanks! 

so for this who also missed this info...

Never tried Café du Soleil, but I vote for Bains de Paquis.

As David said, the fondue itself and the bread are soooo good! And at least it's an alternative place in gva, different from all the other restaurants and with an amazing view. Definitely not a posh place, but nice, that's it. It depends on the atmosphere you want!

I recommend also L'Hotel de Ville, in the Vieille Ville. Quite expensive, posh maybe, but if you all complain about bdp this is something that could satisfy you... it's worth a try.

And now, seriously, i'm hungry!!!

Oh... by the way, Petit Saconnex (Café du Soleil) is not the centre of town... 

View? You mean you can actually see outside? ;)

Yes, if you book the right table you can actually see outside :P

I am surprised that "au vieux carouge" was not mentioned. It is the best place to eat fondue in Geneva, hands down. Book your table in advance

Thank you all for your recommendations........

I will  have to try them out now....)

Bains des pâquis is really good!