Geneva’s Coziest Tea Rooms This Winter, Part 2

Are Geneva’s cloudy, grey winters getting you down? In need of some comfort and warmth? Don’t wait another minute: find a tea room to hole up in! They are plentiful in Geneva… but don’t settle for anything less than the best!
Check out this list of my favorites as your mood and schedule allow. If you don’t find what you’re looking for here, read my previous post. Enjoy Geneva!

L’Athénée: Where Champel’s It-Girls Go to Hang

L’Athénée’s newly renovated decor is lovely and even trendy, dotted with blue pieces from the ultra-hip Sarah Lavoine collection.
This tea room is known for its pastries: thin apple tarts, shortbread crowned with raspberries, Swiss caracs (chocolate fondant in a pastry shell covered with a signature green icing) and more…
Bonus points: free wifi, and open 7 days a week, including holidays.
Getting there: Tearoom L’Athénée – 37 Rue de l’Athénée, 1206 Geneva.

Le Living Room: Afternoon Tea Fit for the Queen

Le Living Room offers an English afternoon tea that’s truly worthy of the name: scones with rose petal jam, homemade mini-pastries, and tiny sandwiches accompanied by tea, chocolate or even champagne! The chimney-and-fireplace ambiance, comfy armchairs, and fine dishware lend real magic to the experience.
Bonus points: the huge windows offer a great view of Lake Geneva.
Expect to spend: 42 Swiss francs for afternoon tea.
Getting there: Living Room – 11 Quai du Mont-Blanc – 1201 Geneva. Phone: +41 (0) 22 909 60 65 

Auer: A Geneva Tradition

This mini tea room could be straight out of the 1930s with its tiny pedestal tables and bench seats in padded leather.  Auer is the perfect spot to recharge from shopping in the Rive environs. Try a pignon genevois (the traditional Genevan pastry made with pine nuts)—it’s crunchy on the outside, gooey on the inside.
And you can’t leave without venturing into the Auer chocolate shop right next door.  The chocolate-covered almonds powdered with cacao are a must!
L’Oranger is right next door and a nice alternative if Auer is booked. Their pignons are also very good.
Bonus points: Both places have outdoor seating.
Getting there: 4 Rue de Rive 4, 1204 Geneva

Le Barocco: Some Art with your Tea?

At the Barocco, you’ll have your tea in the Museum of Art and History overlooking the courtyard — a wonderful spot for an outdoor lunch in the middle of summer — surrounded by historic walls that are over a hundred years old.
You absolutely must try their delicious homemade pastries.
Bonus points: Tour the museum before or after teatime.
Getting there: Museum of Art and History, 2 Rue Charles-Galland, 1204 Geneva. Phone: +41 (0) 22 418 26 82.

Le Cottage Café: Geneva’s Bohemian Tea Room

This sweet cottage with a beautiful veranda is located in the middle of Brunswick Park, not far from the lake.
The pastry menu is long and original: energy balls made from dried fruits and spices, cheesecake, ginger date cake, dark chocolate fondant, nut brownies… It’s just an overall wonderful café.
Bonus points: The terrace right in the center of the park and a view of the nearby lake.
Getting there: Cottage Café – 7 Rue Adhémar Fabri, 1201 Geneva. Phone: +41 (0)22 731 60 16
More information: www.cottagecafe.ch

Looking for more tea rooms in Geneva? Read Le Colibry’s post about Geneva’s Coziest Tea Rooms This Winter