My top 5 best spots for a lakeside lunch are those restaurants with their ‘Pieds Dans l’Eau’ or
‘Feet in the Water’.
The southern shore of Lake Geneva is home to some outstanding restaurants.
You can sit and eat only inches from the water’s edge.
The warm spring and summer months see dozens of colourful brollies shading outdoor diners from the midday sun.
While you sip your glass of chilled Rosé you can sit back and listen to the water gently lapping the shoreline.
You can watch boats drift lazily by or wonder at the variety of wildlife skimming the surface of the lake. Or why not go for an aperitif or dinner to watch the spectacular evening sunsets?
Discover the best places for spring and summer lunches
or for watching the evening sunsets by the lake.
Here are my favourite restaurants (in no particular order) with their ‘feet in the water’ of
Lake Geneva.
La Table de Y’Anne at Meillerie
Let’s start with the Table de Y’Anne. The smaller of two restaurants with terraces on the key side in Meillerie.
The Table de Y’Anne is run by a young French couple. Anne cooks with flair and passion using fresh seasonal products. Yann provides a warm welcome, an excellent knowledge of wines and great table service.
The tiny outdoor terrace has exquisite views of the Lavaux vineyards, Vevey and Montreux and of the lake itself. Top food, top views.
Before the lakeside road was built the little village of Meillerie was only accessible by water.
Its tumbledown fishermen’s cottages are only slowly being restored but it has heaps of character.
| Address: Quai Marin Jacquier, 74500 Meillerie Booking essential: +33 4 50 26 13 16 Opening hours: Wed – Sat from 10am-9.30pm, Sun from 10am- 4pm Wheelchair accessible Cash Only |
L’Oxxy Beach
My personal all-time favourite location! 
Should I even be telling you about the Oxxy? I might not get a table next time!
Think Bohemian beach bar with an Ibiza vibe, floating curtains, colourful tables, and long lazy days at the beach.
Yes, you’ve got it, this little outdoor restaurant is the epitome of summer.
Located on a small but popular beach between Publier and Thonon.
This beach is a favourite with young families. It has a shallow, cordoned-off swimming area. In July and August lifeguards sit and sun themselves behind mirrored sunglasses.
Serving mainly hamburgers and salads which go perfectly with a glass of iced rosé or a cold beer.
Don’t forget to bring your swimming costume as you can rent
paddleboards, canoes, and pedalos at the Oxxy too.
Perfect at lunchtime or for watching the evening sunsets over the Jura by candlelight.
| Address: The water’s edge, Parc de St Disdille, 74500 La Chataigneraie Booking: +33 9 53 97 02 06 Opening Hours: Every day from 10:15am – 11pm |
Le Radeau at Amphion
It would be hard to get any closer to the water’s edge than the Radeau (The Raft in English), one of the last remaining restaurants built on stilts in the shallow waters of Amphion.
It really does have its ‘feet in the water’.
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On warm days lunch or dinner is served either in the fresh bright restaurant or at tables along the promenade.
It’s also possible to reserve a table at the end of the little jetty for really memorable experience.
If you enjoy watching the wildlife on the lake this is the place for you.
After lunch you can walk 100 metres along the quay side to the popular beach at Amphion or continuing walking along the lakeside to the river Dranse.
Menu du Jour here is excellent value and I can personally recommend the Vacqueyras wine.
There’s parking at the rear of the Hotel de la Plage attached to the restaurant.
| Address: Rue de la Plage 431, 74500 Amphion les Bains Booking : +33 4 50 70 88 05 or +33 4 50 70 00 06 Opening Hours: Every day June to September from 12.00-2.00pm and 7.00pm-9.00pm (In low season – March, April and October to December closed Sunday evening and Monday midday) Wheelchair accessible |
Les Cygnes
The Cygnes hotel (the Swans) in Evian is a local legend.
Opened in 1926 it has all the old fashioned glamour of an Agatha Christie novel.
In spring and summer, you can dine in style in the shade of trailing vines on the terrace. The crisp white tablecloths and the blue and white theme add a summery nautical feel.
The Cygnes has an extensive menu including vegetarian and allergen free dishes and the lunchtime Menu du Jour is excellent value.
Listen to the water lapping against the terrace as you watch yachts drift by and the occasional powerboat mooring up to join you for lunch.
On balmy summer evenings, you can dine here with a backdrop of twinkling lights from the Swiss shore and watch the vibrant sunsets.
| Address: Avenue de Grande Rive 8, 74500 Evian les Bains Booking: +33 4 50 75 01 0 Opening Hours: Lunchtimes from 12:15 – 13:30 Evenings from 19:15 – 21:00 Wheelchair Accessible |
Le Pied dans l’Eau at Corzent, Anthy sur Leman
Well, the clue is in the name here!
This popular outdoor restaurant nestles at the Thonon end of the white pebble beach at Corzent. It has sweeping views of the lake and of the Jura mountains in Switzerland.
The large terrace of the Pieds Dans l’Eau supports a pergola that is hung with white drapes in summer to shade the diners.
Serving mainly steaks, seafood and salads, the service here is fast and efficient
Car parks are situated on the edge of the village but you could enjoy the 4 km stroll along the quiet country lane leading to Corzent if you park in Thonon.
Good for building up an appetite and walking off your lunch afterwards.
| Address: Rue de la Plage 12, 74200 Anthy sur Leman Booking: +33 4 50 70 42 43 Opening Hours: Wed – Sun Lunchtimes from 12noon – 2pm Evenings from 7pm – 10pm Closed Monday and Tuesday Wheelchair Accessible. |
If you’re looking to dabble your toes in the lake, and enjoy great food surrounded by awesome scenery, you won’t go wrong with the ‘feet in the water’ restaurants on this list. I hope you enjoy them!
Before you go be sure to check out some of my other posts about Lake Geneva and follow me on Instagram @talesfromthebalcony for more recommendations
5 Romantic Things to Do in Evian
