I am flying to London in July through Geneva and expect a 5-hour layover between flights in the morning. Would like to have breakfast at a nice restaurant/café in City Centre with view of lake & Jet D'eau. Does anyone have a recommendation? Also, can I get from the airport to City Centre and back to the airport in time to catch my flight? Can I securely leave my carryon luggage at the airport while I have breakfast? Would rather not have to lug it with me.
to the EF, even if you are only passing through Switzerland!
There is a train station, with coin operated lockers, at the airport. Many trains to the main rail station in town, takes about 7 minutes. From the station to the lake is a short walk, I would guess around ten minutes or so.
The train station is on the airport and it is 5 mins on the train to Geneva town centre,
I often have breakfast or lunch and usually go to Manor ( Department store) - they have a great self service with soooo much choice and pretty reasonable too) then back to station via walk to Lake via Four Seasons hotel and back to the airport!!
There is a FREE bus ticket dispenser right after you collect your luggage. Its valid for 90min, take bus 5 and you can get off between Cornivin stop and Bel-air stop. These stops will give you option on walking towards the lake while window shopping and passing through various cafeteria.
Take the same bus line going back to the airport. Going back is not free, it will cost you 3.50chf valid for 1hr.
Mind you, there are no "real" breakfast places in Switzerland as breakfast here consists mostly of croissants, some breads and coffee/tea. (Or option B, which is fairly popular amongst the younger crowd, which is cigarettes and a Red Bull)
If you dont have coins in hand when you land the federal railways runs a baggage storage service at the airport thats a bit more expensive.
There are a bunch of small kiosks at the lakeside, serving snacks and drinks. Just walk down from the Geneva city train station.
If you are looking for a nice sit down meal, La Custre is a nice restaurant with good views, but expensive, located where the river flows out of the lake.
Theres also the hotel Kempinski cafe, right on the lake, mountains and fountain in front, but very expensive as you might imagine.
With the amount of time you have, I would suggest just walking where the fancy takes you by the lake, rather than looking for a particular restaurant. There are many places for when your feet get a bit tired, and every one has an amazing view!
I might recommend the restaurant of the Hilton which overlooks the lake incl the fountain. Very nice and a good cuisine. Was the favourite of an old aunt of me.
"Breakfast" in Switzerland, just as LiB states, consits of bread/croissants and jam/marmelade and coffee/hot-chocolate and an orange juice and is generally served between 6am and 10am