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The art of fine dining
Gourmet escapades in Geneva
Of all the arts, which is the most powerful? In the same way a painter responds to their eye and a musician their ear, gastronomy plays on all our senses. Taste, sight, smell — even sound and touch — in the kitchen, they all work as one. The proof is in the pictures, here by Genevan culinary photographer Guillaume Cottancin, who believes that if food looks beautiful, it’s bound to taste good!
Geneva is a global metropolis that’s also one of the most culinary diverse cities in the world — even more so than some of the biggest cities in the United States! It also has one of the highest number of tables per capita with some 2,500 addresses registered with the Société des Cafetiers, Restaurateurs et Hôteliers de Genève; a 50% increase since the early 2000s.
On the menu is an increasing number of (very) fine tables, led by artistic chefs, decorated with Michelin stars, and located in some of the planet’s most stunning establishments. Competition is fierce in the sector for attracting a Genevan clientele, known for their demanding, epicurean tastes. The winning recipe is a perfect blend of high-quality, seasonal products that are as fresh and locally sourced as possible. Of course, a touch of exotic flair is also welcome and enjoyed.
In this industry, the only limits are those the chefs place upon their own imaginations, with infinite ingredients awaiting any number of possible transformations. The most important thing in fine dining is to build a loyal following while reinventing the menu often enough to surprise guests with each visit. Taste is important, of course, but aesthetics are just as crucial, requiring constant reinforcement.
Storytelling is a key part of the experience offered by these establishments. It’s not about simply eating well… it’s about living a personalized experience, free from yesteryear’s formalities. Why not enjoy it at the chef’s table in the kitchen, surrounded by intertwining smells, simmering sauces and the clang of pots and pans? The restaurant is the narrator of these stories, accompanying you through a setting composed of dishware, ambiance and interior design. Every detail matters. The four locales highlighted below — chosen from many who also could have made the list — are guaranteed to take you on a spectacular culinary journey.
Fiskebar
Chef Francesca Fucci
Within the elegant Ritz-Carlton Hotel de la Paix, Fiskebar sums up Geneva nicely: an embassy of flavour, a halfway point that merges “the essence of Nordic gastronomy with the vibrant flavours of the Mediterranean”, punctuated with harmonizing Asian notes. Originally from Apulia, Italy, Chef Francesca Fucci loves surprising diners with her refined techniques as much as she loves to pull from her olfactory memories, rooted in foraging adventures with her father. She embraces traditional Scandinavian smoking and curing. The informal raw oak in the dining room is reminiscent of Nordic fish markets, complete with slate tables and ceramic wall-mounted suns, large windows that overlook Lake Geneva, and the open kitchen with a counter that displays the daily catch. Below the counter, neatly arranged stacks of fresh produce fill wooden crates. Nature’s greens, peels, and mousses decorate the plates, a tribute to the restaurant’s use of locally grown organic produce and zero-waste practices.
Arakel
Chef Quentin Philippe
Reopened in early 2024 after a year of careful consideration by its founders, Arakel Sedef and Olivier Callot, the restaurant has been on a roll since the holidays: Gault&Millau Discovery of the Year 2024 for Quentin Philippe and 1 Michelin star in his pocket. At just 28, the chef reigns over a close-knit brigade with the same youthful spirit and the same desire to revisit the classics - even inviting a few lucky guests to sit at the island table in his open kitchen. His favourites? Fish. Citrus fruits. Spring vegetables. And something a little more down-to-earth: onion soup with 18-month matured Gruyère cheese. Inspiration comes in the form of a four- or six-course menu of the moment, with a powerful aesthetic that brings together tastes, textures and combinations. The menu changes every three weeks. Its fundamentals: regional products and absolute surprise (you can declare your allergies and intolerances). As a counterpoint, the service is top-notch, and the 1,500 wine references are available at low prices, including Krug champagne and Château d'Yquem by the glass!
L’Atelier Robuchon
Chef Olivier Jean
Two Michelin stars in two years! As Geneva’s only two-star establishment, this iconic restaurant within The Woodward Hotel is thriving under Chef Olivier Jean’s discreet yet powerful leadership. The Frenchman, who formerly trained with Annie-Sophie Pic and Alain Ducasse, is the youngest chef (only 27 years old) to have been tapped by Joël Robuchon in Taiwan, before he later relocated to Geneva. His strong bonds, hard work and incessant rigour have made him into the world-renowned chef he is today, a master who is famous for his exceptional purées, his take on Tournedos Rossini and his delicious seared blue lobster. His memorable cooking is complimented by a setting that features 36 high-top stools along the bar (the ideal place to sit), in an ambiance of red and black, where guests can watch him carry out every step of his graceful culinary compositions in the open kitchen. It’s a beautiful sight to behold! The menu highlights Mediterranean inspirations and many sharable delights.
Sachi
Chef Mitsu
Sachi embodies warm feelings of happiness, bliss and good fortune. Located inside the Mandarin Oriental, Sachi welcomes you to Chef Mitsu’s table, a skilled student of the great Nobuyuki Matsuhisa (aka Nobu), who’s known for developing Nikkei cuisine in the 1970s, which blends Japanese and South American traditions and ingredients. Try the beef tataki accompanied with jalapeño sauce or the passion fruit ceviche, both of which highlight this chef’s deep expertise from the very first bite. The menu takes you on a deep journey into Japanese cuisine, highlighted by the signature main dish: delicate black cod with a yuzu miso sauce. The intimate Omakase Bar only seats a dozen people for a chef’s-choice lunch or dinner menu composed of six, eight or ten courses. Don’t forget that each dish is designed to be best enjoyed with its carefully selected sake pairing. With an Omakase dining experience (translated as “I’ll leave it up to you”), you can always expect the best seasonal offerings.
