La Vouivre

I was fortunate enough to have an extra day in Geneva before the conference I traveled here for began. Because life is already busy enough, I opted for a low-​key day of strolling about the city, exploring, and just trying to take everything in from the perspective a local.
Enter La Vouivre. From the picture I posted, as well as the others already on its page, you can tell it has flair. I should’ve documented more than some chairs and mirrors, but the muffin (and subsequent pastry) I ordered were gone so fast, not even your high-​end Nikon D4S could’ve captured it. Coffee was tasty and just what a guy whose internal clock was still on D.C. time needed.
Not one chair in the place matched another, with all sorts of dining chairs, church pews, and comfy stuffed living room chairs allowing guests to sit back and relax or huddle attentively around a table to discuss business. Conversations in English (British and American and broken), French, and German were ongoing as friends enjoyed one another’s company, colleagues got caught up, and couples shared a sweet treat to start their day!

It’s been a while since I’ve been in Europe, so maybe that’s why the tartine and pain au chocolat noir tasted so good. Or maybe, they were just really really good. Décor is a tea room style, with antique looking furniture. You order at the counter and they bring you your coffees. Two different friends brought me here on successive days, which speaks to its reputation.

I like this place for the un matching old world seating and décor. My coffee was pretty good and they have the standard case of pastries plus a few different things like a green tea sable cookie… The classical music plays. A bit too loudly in the AM for me but I guess it’s a nice touch.

This place is so overrated. Ok, there’s no other place like it: oddments from goodwill like mismatched chairs, gold trimmed mirrors and chipped cups. Classical music in the background and chocolate croissant that is so sweet I can’t take a second bite from. But the most offputting is the owner who looks like she hates her job, never seen her smile — she plops down your order on the edge of the table, not at all concerned to whom each drink is going to, and there’s only two clients at the table.

C’est un des rares vrais tea-​room dans le quartier des Pâquis, et peut-​être bien le meilleur.
Parfait pour bavarder en couple ou entre amis, ou pour lire, ou travailler sur son ordinateur portable.
La petite restauration qui y est servie est parfaite.

Old timers will remember this as J-B’s. New name, same quality. The two sisters serve up some of the best, most chocolatey pains au chocolat in Geneva. And don’t forget to try the croix a la vanille. One of the best places to relax with coffee, pastries and the paper, especially since Wolfisberg has become such a bore.

This place is chic but the antique furniture and classical music don’t make it special for me as the coffee and pastries are the same you can find anywhere. However if you like faux-​chic, this will suit you.