Chez Ma Cousine

Chez Ma Cousine is a casual rotisserie on the Place du Bourg-de-Four, the oldest square in Geneva's Old Town, in Switzerland. Its formula is deliberately narrow: a roast chicken served with potato wedges and a green salad dressed with the house dressing, at prices that stand out in one of Europe's most expensive cities. The budget roast chicken menu costs about CHF 17 (roughly $21), which makes it a frequent choice for students, office workers and travellers who want a filling meal without a Geneva-sized bill. The poulet rôti is the emblematic order, with the potato wedges and salad completing a plate that rarely changes. The cooking is not chef-led or award-seeking; the appeal is consistency, speed and value. The dining room is simple and informal, with bench-style seating, a lively and often noisy atmosphere at peak times and no dress code. The Bourg-de-Four branch is the one most visitors find, helped by the square's cafés, fountain and proximity to Saint-Pierre Cathedral and the Maison Tavel. Beverages are straightforward, with soft drinks, beer and a short list of Swiss wines, and the programme is not a reason to visit. Reservations are not usually taken at peak times, so queues form around the standard lunch and dinner hours; arriving before noon or after 7:30 PM avoids most of the wait. Daily lunch and dinner service typically runs from about 11:30 AM to 10:30 PM, though current hours should be checked. Because tables turn quickly, a meal here is generally short, and groups may need to split across tables. For a visit to the Old Town, it works well as a quick, inexpensive refuel between the cathedral, the Reformation Wall and the lakefront. Visitors wanting a leisurely, white-tablecloth dinner will find better matches elsewhere in the city, but for a reliable budget meal in the historic centre it remains one of the more practical choices.