Auberge de la Croix-Blanche

The story

Auberge de la Croix-Blanche, Gingins: Italian Gastronomy near Nyon

In the quiet village of Gingins, just a few minutes from Nyon, the Auberge de la Croix-Blanche occupies a historic building from 1754. This is a place where Italian cuisine takes centre stage, guided by the hands of Chef Enzo Buffarini, born and trained in Rome.

Enzo and his wife Cinzia run the restaurant with a shared conviction: that every meal should be a moment of conviviality, where authentic flavours meet warm hospitality. In the kitchen, Enzo draws on the culinary traditions of Italy, from the sun-drenched south to the Alpine north, and gives them a contemporary touch. The result is a refined Italian gastronomic experience that stays true to its roots.

The dining room and adjoining bistrot are cosy and welcoming, while the terrace opens up in spring – an ideal spot for an Italian cocktail or a leisurely lunch. The atmosphere is unhurried, the service attentive. The restaurant has earned a place in the Michelin Guide, and its blog post announcing the selection speaks to the quiet pride behind this achievement.

Seasonal ingredients inspire the menus. A Mother’s Day offering featured scallops with watercress velouté, gnocchetti with prawns and asparagus, and a strawberry puff pastry – each dish precise and balanced. Enzo’s recipe for Roman-style artichokes, published in a culinary magazine, shows his flair for marrying tradition with surprise: the artichokes are stuffed with foie gras and wrapped in crispy phyllo, served with a mint oil.

Beyond the restaurant, the Auberge offers six modern guest rooms and a meeting space in the old palace prison. But it is the food that draws people here – authentic Italian cooking, prepared with passion and served without pretence.