Mandarin Oriental, Geneva has announced the opening of Ottolenghi Geneva. Inspired by the ethos of Ottolenghi’s London-based restaurant ROVI, the highly-anticipated launch will bring a thrilling new take to dining in the city, one defined by vibrant flavours where grilling and fermentation take centre stage.
Maxime Martin will helm Ottolenghi Geneva as Head Chef, bringing over seven years of expertise at Mandarin Oriental, Geneva. Since joining the hotel in 2018, he has built upon a distinguished culinary career, honed in Michelin-starred kitchens along the Côte d’Azur. Ahead of the opening, Maxime trained in Ottolenghi’s London kitchens under Neil Campbell, Executive Chef of the Ottolenghi restaurant group and the former Head Chef at ROVI. Maxime co-created the menu in Geneva and has infused Ottolenghi’s vibrant Mediterranean flavours with distinct Swiss touches, showcasing his commitment to local, seasonal ingredients and celebrating the region’s rich culinary history.
Ottolenghi Geneva will offer an all-day menu that combines local Swiss ingredients with the flavours of the Mediterranean. With Ottolenghi’s signature of using fresh, seasonal ingredients and layers of colour and texture, the menu is designed for sharing with a mixture of small and large plates.
From a produce perspective, the restaurant will honour its Mediterranean roots while staying deeply connected to local Swiss farmers and growers.
The new Ottolenghi restaurant in Geneva is designed by the Ottolenghi group’s architect Alex Meitlis and is bathed in natural light from large windows overlooking the Rhône River. It features a rich colour palette of whites, reds and gold/bronze accents, reflecting signature elements of ROVI’s design while also offering a striking contrast to the natural wood and fabrics used throughout the restaurant.
A central focal point will be the live-fire grill, which is both a functional and aesthetic feature, placing the culinary process at the heart of the dining experience. A glass wall will provide a seamless visual connection to the heart of the hotel and is adorned with contemporary gold, bronze and natural wood sculptural accents, inspired by the creativity of the iconic Ottolenghi design creator, the late Ivo Bisignano. In tribute to his legacy, the restaurant showcases murals created by Giles & Cecilie Studio, further enriching the visual experience.
Meitlis explained: “Our design for Ottolenghi restaurants is always heavily inspired by Yotam’s style of cooking. We took the same approach for Geneva, taking basic materials and giving them a twist. In the same way as Yotam makes a vegetable look like an art piece with contrasting colours and accents, which feels effortless but extremely calculated at the same time.”
With oak parquet flooring and thoughtful touches of greenery, Ottolenghi Geneva will be a lively space where guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner in an atmosphere that beautifully complements the bold flavours of the menu. For those looking to bring home a souvenir of their dining experience, Yotam Ottolenghi’s best-selling books will also be available for purchase directly in the restaurant.
Paul Jones, Mandarin Oriental, Geneva’s General Manager, commented on the forthcoming opening, noting: “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Ottolenghi to Mandarin Oriental, Geneva and look forward to creating memorable and delightful dining experiences that reflect our shared passions for exceptional cuisine and hospitality in this beautiful setting on the banks of the Rhône River.”
Yotam Ottolenghi added: “It is so exciting seeing Ottolenghi Geneva coming together – the team has worked hard to make this restaurant a reality. From the grill to the decor and artwork to the delicious dishes on the menu created by Maxime and Neil. I can’t wait to open the doors for you all to taste this new menu that brings together local Swiss produce and Ottolenghi flavours.”
