Claire Hobden

Geneva

Spotter since 2016

About me

About me
Ok, here’s the truth: I can be a bit grumpy if I haven’t had a good meal. But otherwise, I’m a pretty good girl with a big heart, strong social conscience, sharp tongue, and an exacting eye. (Who also loves food, wine, music, art and travel… but that goes without saying, right?)

Born in New York City, but planted in Geneva at age three, I call myself a third generation expat: my grandparents on both sides moved to Geneva in the 1950s (ish), and the family has been here ever since. This makes me part of a small group of people in Geneva who genuinely have one foot planted on each side of Geneva’s own little iron curtain that divides the Swiss and international communities. After spending my university years in New York City, I came back to Geneva and used my Swiss roots to show my more skeptical friends how brilliant Geneva really can be. Inspired by the locavore and Slow Food movements, I motivated my peers to discover the food and wine scene, and thus my blog, the Green Gourmande, was born.

Along the way, I’ve meandered between the city that never sleeps and the city that always sleeps, with many cities in between – often jet lagged, always loving it, always trying to squeeze just one more meal into the day. But nothing quite makes me happier than when I discover an old spot that still has that feel of the Geneva my parents and grandparents knew; those portals to another era, etched right into the cartilage of the heart of the city.

Why Geneva?
At least one person in my life likes to call Geneva that city that always sleeps – unless you know the corners that are awake. Another way to put it is this: Geneva is pristine beauty, with raw nature within and around it, and even a little urban grit.

Its size makes it easy to navigate, to feel at home in your neighborhood, to get from one place to another, and for folks to feel safe. But if you scratch beneath the glossy surface, you find flashes of a cosmopolitan city, like a vibrant bar and restaurant scene, an embrace of music, art and history, and, if you know where to look, you’ll even find a youth and underground culture, wedged there between the cracks.

Where can you find me online?
The Green Gourmande

My spots (17)

World's Longest Bench Geneva

World's Longest Bench

A promenade with a view

The "World's Longest Bench" is a spot I'd highly recommend for its promenade with a view that depicts all the charms of Geneva in a single sitting.

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Relaxing

by

Claire

Hobden

Apr 3, 2025
Entre Homard et Cote Geneva

Entre Homard et Cote

Lobster near the lakeshore

"Entre Homard et Cote" Geneva is where I'd go for a burger or lobster rolls, served with potato wedges and salad. You’ll be licking your fingers clean...

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Restaurants

by

Claire

Hobden

Apr 3, 2025
The Hamburger Foundation Geneva

The Hamburger Foundation

A burger on a mission

"The Hamburger Foundation" in Geneva is a local burger restaurant that's just quality. It has my favorite American culinary culture with Swiss quality!

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Restaurants

by

Claire

Hobden

Apr 3, 2025

Athénée Quatre

A bar for the arts

"Athénée Quatre" in Geneva is a place that celebrates the performing arts. It's a jazz, cocktail bar, theater and workshop all in one. Check out the events

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Art & culture
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Bars
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Music
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Restaurants

by

Claire

Hobden

Mar 22, 2025
Galerie Sebastien Bertrand Geneva

Galerie Sebastien Bertrand

Art with a fresh eye

"Galerie Sebastien Bertrand" Geneva is an art gallery that portrays the freshest contemporary pieces by young artists in the local industry...

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Art & culture

by

Claire

Hobden

Feb 26, 2025
Wunderchic Geneva

Wunderchic

Boutique shopping in Eaux-Vives

"Wunderchic" Geneva is the place you want to visit in case you feel like buying a whimsical vintage dress, even just to see, it's worth visiting I'd say!

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Shopping

by

Claire

Hobden

Feb 26, 2025
Marché de Rive Geneva

Marché de Rive

Green market in the heart of town

"Marché de Rive" Geneva is a green market in the heart of town, where I alongside many other locals concentrate to find inspiration to cook for days...

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Shopping
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Snacks

by

Claire

Hobden

Feb 26, 2025
Walk by the Rhone Geneva

Walk by the Rhone

Nature without leaving the city

A walk by the Rhone is finding the beauty of nature without having to leave Geneva. Discover the woods, hike on the Alps, stroll through vineyards...

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Relaxing

by

Claire

Hobden

Feb 26, 2025
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