THE TOP 6 AL FRESCO SUMMER BRUNCHES IN GENEVA
by Chené Koscielny
Is there a better way to make the most of the lazy, summer weekends than to enjoy a brunch outside? We thought we’d share some of our favourite summer brunch spots in the city – especially the ones that offer good value for money.
BRUNCH IN THE PARK – BUVETTE DU TO
In the summer the Theatre de l’Orangerie in the Parc la Grange runs a very cute buvette outdoors in collaboration with one of our favourite healthy restaurants Ou Bien Encore.
Every Sunday they offer a ‘gourmand’ vegan and without gluten brunch from 11-15h.
The menu consists of only local products and includes a spinach waffle with a tofu scramble, roasted new potatoes with fresh herbs, a coloured fresh salad with grilled nuts, rice maki, lentil houmous and gaspacho.
You can also order bio granola, sourdough toast with cream of almond butter and homemade jam, pancakes or an açai bowl
We can vouch for the quality of food produced by Ou Bien Encore, the first vegan restaurant to open in Geneva. The food is excellent.
Réservations sur : https://oubienencore.ch/la-buvette-du-to/
THE GIRLY BRUNCH – WHITE RABBIT
We recently discovered this trendy, romantic spot offering all day brunch in the city centre near Manor.
The first thing you’ll notice, is the stunning and unusual walls, which are covered with bright red and pink roses, setting the décor apart from any other local café right away.
The mini, velvet sofas in rich blue shades set a very classy tone for the inside of the bar. You can choose to sit by the windows or next to the the rose walls.
The terrace has comfortable couches and white tables.
The pretty pink menu offers many attractive salad options and simple, tasty-sounding meals such as avocado toast, Greek salad and eggs. I feel as if I’m brunching in New York or London with different brunch options such as a scrambled eggs and cream cheese sandwich.
I choose a salad with a boiled egg and avocado. The salad is delicious and the refreshing mint drink I chose complements the light meal perfectly on a hot summer’s day. For dessert, I choose a pink latte and pink pancakes. Both were fantastic.
Other options include a smoked salmon burger or a classic club sandwich. As for beverages, there is a large a variety of coffees and teas and a long wine list. Their sommelier offers a choice of BIO and Nature wines. The restaurant is open from 10.30 till 16h on Saturdays and Sundays.
MORE INFO
Address: Rue du Cendrier 12 1201 Genève
Website: http://white-rabbit.ch/
THE NON-BORING VEGAN BRUNCH – GIVES A FORK
Although I love fresh food, I’m not vegan and brunch for me is not brunch without at least a couple of eggs.
However, I was persuaded to try this when I read their mission.
Our purpose is to create simple; mouthwatering, out of this world, kick ass food that is sustainable to our planet. Conscious Eating.
We loved the food – from Asian inspired themes to faux-chicken and faux eggs and a delicious vegan burger, not to mention the Candyfloss cake with the most delicious flavours and combinations. Without a doubt the best vegan brunch in town at the moment.
The pop-up restaurant is moving around and will be in Lola’s Food Garage in Pâquis during August 2019, whereafter a new, permanent venue will be revealed.
Lola’s has huge glass doors opening onto the pavement, so be sure to be early and grab these spots.
The breakfast is from 10h till 14h30 on Sundays.
Read our full review here.
THE CALM BRUNCH – Ô CALME
You can’t book, so arrive close to the 10am opening time to guarantee a table. The menu offers 5 different brunch formulas – depending on how hungry you are.
They also offer the choice of a gluten-free option which include boiled eggs, pancakes, fruit and yoghurt and mixed salad plus juice and a hot drink. The menu as a whole is very competitively priced with formulas ranging from CHF23 to CHF38. An alcoholic option is available.
As an alternative, you can choose á la carte from a selection which includes pancakes, bircher muesli, scrambled eggs and plates of cheese. The panier of breads alone is worth ordering as the selection is fresh, varied and delicious.
Every Sunday from 10am-6pm.
WHERE
Ô Calme, 36 rue Ancienne, 1227 Carouge.
MORE INFO
On this site.
THE POSH BRUNCH – CAFÉ DU CENTRE
Smart waiters in black suits, white table-cloths in the courtyard of Place du Molard (opposite Globus). I had often walked by, but never gave it a second glance. However, one day my husband spotted a sign saying that they do a full English breakfast – hoorah!
The brunch menu has a wide selection of pastries (croissants, pain au chocolat, almond croissants and even chocolate chip muffins); eggs (florentine, benedict or fried). Options are available for the health conscious, such as the ‘healthy combo’ – a fresh fruit salad, bircher muesli, blueberry pancakes and Greek yoghurt. The menu has a good combination of both English and American styled breakfasts.
The full English breakfast! Aptly named ‘The English Man’consists of 2 Cumberland sausages, 2 rashers of streaky bacon, 2 fried eggs, a grilled tomato, fried potatoes and even baked beans! Since it is brunch, I try to sneak in a cheeky glass of champagne – well we are celebrating the fact we’re eating a real full English breakfast in Switzerland!
Every Sunday from 10.30am-4pm.
WHERE
Café du Centre, Place du Molard 5, 1204 Genève.
THE TRENDY, HEALTHY BRUNCH – GRANOLA
Trendy and very much the health food vibe with no trace of grease to soak up a hangover, but believe me, the food is good.
Granola in Eaux-Vives has a cute terrace which seats around 20 people and is lovely on a summer’s morning.
A Chiatella bowl (Coco milk, chia grains, banana, coconut flakes, nutella drizzle) and Liquid gold chaiī which leaves you with a yellow tumeric moustache for the rest of the day, is like food from the gods on a miserable, cranky day. The brekkie bowl with lentils, onions, feta and an egg or Aussi bowl with salmon gravlax are also good brunch options. You leave feeling like a saint.
Dress code: Exercise gear and a yoga mat.
They have just opened a second restaurant in the Bains district, but we like their café in Eaux-Vives because of the natural light and the feeling of space.
WHERE
