La Guinguette : Av. Alice-et-William-Favre 19, 1207 Genève

I have travelled the world extensively over 40 years. I ate at all restaurants ranging from pop & mom’s to Michelin three stars. This is my honest review of the coffee La Guinguette. A charming little café located within Parc de la Grange, on the side closer to the avenue that leads down to the lake. There are several pleasant outdoor seating areas, with tables shaded by tall trees — perfect for relaxing on warmer days. Depending on the time of day, there are also spots with more direct sunlight if you prefer a brighter setting. The café offers a variety of hot and cold drinks, including some alcoholic options, as well as a small food menu that features dishes prepared to order — though only during specific hours. Outside of those times, you’re limited to pastries and lighter items from the display. We tried a cider, which was good, and a locally made apple juice, which was decent. There was also fresh orange juice listed on the menu, but unfortunately it was no longer available when we visited. Similarly, the kitchen had already closed by the time we came to order around 3 PM, so keep in mind that the menu can be significantly reduced depending on the hour. One point to note: the staff seem young and energetic, but the person who took my order at the bar was noticeably cold and lacked friendliness, which detracted slightly from the experience. That said, the café remains a convenient and scenic spot to pause if you’re spending time in the park and want to stay immersed in nature without leaving for food or drinks. Prices are relatively reasonable for Geneva and the setting is undeniably lovely.

La Guinguette pays homage to the legacy of Alice and William Favre, the generous benefactors who donated Parc de la Grange to the city of Geneva. The café sits on Avenue Alice-et-William-Favre, named in their honor. According to local stories, the Favre family loved hosting garden gatherings at their villa (now part of the park grounds), where friends and locals would come together for music and conversation. In keeping with this spirit, La Guinguette offers a modern-day version of these gatherings, a place where the community can connect over shared experiences, just as the Favres once intended.

The new Geneva hotspot. Nice atmosphere, low prices good food and local beers. Try the croque monsieur with chèvre chaud it's delicious!