guys anyone knows a good american resterant that has a jocy burgers and real new yorks steaks in geneva or any of the french rigon... ofcoure not macdonalds or burger king.. something like fudrekers or chilies, fridays somthing like that

"Real" American food in CH?



Too funny....

Sorry for you. I also lived on and off in Genevé for 6 years now in Basel. If you were here you could go to Cindy's diner with milkshakes and all. We also have Papa Joes which is like TGIFridays. You might have to make the trip. There is an American store in Genevé 3, rue de Neuchatel, 1201 Geneva, though rather expensive helps when you are craving U.S. food

Cindy's & Papa Joes?

Not even! Hardly real American food at either.

Maybe by some standards (I honestly don't know anyone who would classify it as such).

The so called American Burger at Cindy's has something similar to Russian dressing and Julienne carrots on it. And that would never be found on a burger in the US. But, I will give you this, it's a lot closer than some place my wife went to a couple weeks back. She orders the "American Burger" and gets something with bacon and egg on it? What in the he** is that about?

Papa Joes IS a bit closer, but still a lot of things aren't quite right about that menu.


American restaurants will give you a glass of water. Note, I mean water. Not some oily mineral crap, or some aerated oily crap that will cost you the same as a Cola (served in a wine glass).




While I enjoyed most of the food I had when in Basel, I was seriously craving decent water and a good Philly Cheese Steak by the end of the week.....

Well I am glad I never wasted my money at either. I just assumed this was close as others had told me. I like good ole BK an McDo when in need which is not that often. I have eaten once at each place in 7 months.

Why don't you just ask for a glass of water??? Swiss water is great. You just have to ask for it. They can't read your mind!

Asked for, and received:


With gas or without?

Is $4.50 CHF...


Swiss water is great in your opinion. My opinion differs....

No, you are asking for the wrong thing. You need to ask for tap water.

Sorry to hear that.

A problem with tap water for the traveler?

Our systems can have a difficult adjusting to the differences in the composition of various tap waters while on travel.


Having a great case of the "trots" due to these differences and you'll rethink drinking that tap water while traveling.

According to the health department studies and tests, tap water in Switzerland is more pure than many brands of bottled water.

In the french side of switzerland you should ask for "une carafe d'eau" to get tap water and costs 0.- CHF

Not anymore.

well, next time ASK for tap water. all restaurants are obliged by law to offer you tap water.

Yup. The quality of good food in large portions is a major problem here. I always leave the restaurant not full. The food is terrible here.

Good point. Which law would that be?

Is that what you heard from Toronto?

Never had a problem ordering free tap water (Hahn Wasser in German), the quality of which has been discussed here.

Most of Westschweiz is slowly but surely moving away from free tap water. They charge you one or two francs per glass.

This is interesting, and dismal. Is it a hot-button issue with consumers though? I remember a few years back when coffee houses in downtown Zurich tried charging for tap water along with the coffee. I think it ended in backlash and most of them found it wasn't worth the hassle of antagonizing or even losing customers because of it.

If that ever happens to me it will be one or two Francs off the tip as well .

Not that much. One of my lunch hangouts has a sign saying something to the effect

"Restaurant such and such is delighted to offer you a glass of water. We will clean the glass for you, fill it with water, and a nice smiling waitress will briing it to your table. For that service we'd like to charge you one franc. The owner will be delighted to offer the water for free to those who can bring along a copy of the famed "water must be free" law."

Others just mention that a meal without drinks (read anything else than tap water) will be charged 2-3 CHF extra.

Really stems from the fact that the bulk of the profits is made on drinks, not food.