If you’re living in or visiting Geneva, Switzerland, and want to experience a piece of the Arab world, I got you covered.
While living there, and when anytime I go back, I always crave Turkish coffee and Islamic architecture.
Here is the result of my hunt for Geneva’s Oriental gems! (a selection, last updated April 2026)
FOOD
1. Saj Eat
Near Cornavin train station, it and makes amazing mana’ish, my favourite is the labneh-zaatar one!
2. Parfums de Beyrouth
Established in 1999, this legendary Lebanese offers great shawarmas and mezzes, on either side of the street.
3. Multi Bazaar
The go-to specialised grocery If you want to cook your own meal, with tahina, zaatar, frozen mlokhiya and much more!
4. Bab Simsim
Downtown, a stylish and refined restaurant and boutique grocery store by Syrian and Lebanese owners, bringing their own contemporary twist.
5. Le Quarante
Coffee time: walk all the way up to the old town to for a delicious Turkish coffee.
CULTURE
1. Château El Masr
This castle in Cologny was built in 1883 in a neo-Tudor style for a scotsman who worked in Egypt for a while, hence its name as Masr means Egypt. It’s actually for sale, for around 70m USD if you’re interested!
2. Musée d’Art et d’Histoire
This museum hosts some Egyptian treasures uncovered by Swiss Egyptologist Edouard Naville and Marguerite his wife such as a beautiful statue of Ramses II in granodiorite found around 1887.
3. Librairie L’Olivier
Don’t miss this gem of a bookshop where you’ll find some treasures. founded in 1979 by egypt-born alain bittar, it regularly hosts cultural events.
4. Villa La Mauresque
This villa in Chêne-bourg was built around 1903 and designed by architect Otto Otto Stalder in a Moorish revival style. It’s heritage-listed and now hosts a nursery!
Bonus: Fondation Martin Bodmer hosts some exceptional Egyptian papyri. It’s currently closed for renovation until the summer.
Geneva is a city that I love with an incredible mix of cultures and I hope you go visit!
I want to extend my special thanks to Alain Bittar, Leila el Wakil, and Pauline Nerfin who helped me identify the architectural gems.
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