Just steps from the old town, the Jardin de l’Europe offers a peaceful stretch of greenery along the shores of Lake Annecy. Shaded pathways wind beneath centuries-old trees, opening onto beautiful views of the lake, the Pont des Amours and the mountains beyond. Keep an eye out for the wooden sculptures and seasonal artworks that often appear throughout the park, adding an extra layer of character to the walk. Whether you’re passing through or lingering on a bench, it’s one of Annecy’s loveliest spots to slow down and enjoy the scenery.

Climb the stairs above Rue du Pâquier and the wood-panelled dining room of L'Étage is exactly the kind of Savoyard institution every Alpine town should have. The fondue is properly aged and generous, the cheese-stuffed feuilleté a quiet standout, and the omelette norvégienne the right way to finish a heavy meal. Order the grilled lake-caught trout for a slightly lighter option. We'd recommend booking the upstairs room for atmosphere. 

Behind an unmarked door off Passage du Pré Carré, is a playful cocktail bar. Framed paintings along the wall fold down into tables for two, each coming with a small red light to summon a waiter. The menu is largely gin-focused though the bartenders are willing to mix the menu and concoct a new creation. A Saturday DJ  welcomes crowds until midnight with  weeknights feeling more  like an intimate hangout. 

Tucked into Passage de la Cathédrale, Baïda is the breakfast room locals queue for on a Saturday. The menu is short and unfussy: Turkish eggs with a proper hit of garlic, breakfast buns with veggie bacon, chocolate brioche to ask for double-toasted. All gluten-free, vegan or vegetarian, none of it tastes like compromise. The flat whites are excellent, the homemade lemonades better. The room is intimate enough to feel like a secret, which makes it ill-suited to large groups but ideal for two over the morning paper. Pair with a wander through the old town.