Tag: Chamonix
Chamonix Restaurants On The Mountain
Chamonix Restaurants On The Mountain
So, which end of the Chamonix valley shall we start for our round-up of our favourite places to eat when up in the mountains? We thought we’d work our way from the furthest point on the Mont Blanc Unlimited piste map so that takes us to Vallorcine.
We’ve also included some unmissable options close to the bottom of ski runs. But, don’t worry, you won’t have far to walk in your ski boots!
Vallorcine
This tiny village is almost at the Swiss border in the valley of L’Eau Noire. But, don’t worry, access is easy using the train and it’s often a great way to get into the Le Tour/Balme ski area. What’s more, it boasts not one, but two great places to eat.
The Café Comptoir is open winter and summer. In the winter it offers fantastic lunchtime fare that will fuel even the hungriest of skiers. The ambience is as wonderful as the food in this beautiful building nestled at the foot of the mountain pastures. Delights include the house speciality, the “Mystère” made with melted reblochon and morels or a delicious rib of beef served with fresh, crunchy vegetables.
Home for L’Arrêt Bougnête is in the station building itself. Another great favourite with skiers, it and the Comptoir are neck-a-neck on near faultless 5* TripAdvisor ratings.
When the sun is out both cafés have outside seating so you can enjoy the views of Mont Buet – or Mont Blanc des Dames as it’s known. They are both incredibly busy at lunchtime, so booking is recommended.
Le Tour
Back in the Chamonix valley, our favourite stop on the mountain is L’Alpage de Balme. You can ski to the door of this old mountain refuge and enjoy delicious home-made food. In the summer, you can even spend the night in its tiny dormitory.
Grands Montets
A huge area of skiing, but sometimes it’s a challenge to find a peaceful place to eat. For those who like to get off-piste and off the beaten track, then the Refuge du Lognan is the place to be. Although high on the mountain, it’s a simple ski in. Keep in mind you may need to work off your lunch by tackling the moguls that often appear below it to get out again…
At the bottom of the Pierre a Ric, you’ll find La Cremerie du Glacier. This is a hidden gem. You’ll need to keep your eyes peeled to spot the signs for the track that takes you to it – or better yet pin it to your map and follow that. But, watch out for the trees. On offer are many classic Savoyard specials including croutes, fondues and gratins.
You can find our top pick of Savoyarde restaurants here.
Brevent
Our pick for Brevent is La Panoramic. If you want a meal with an unrivalled view of Mont Blanc, then this is the spot. Quite literally, perched on the side of the mountain it boasts a semi-circular sun deck which is the perfect place for a well-earned lunch. What’s more, on blustery winter days, there’s a snug dining room, complete with rugs where you can warm up with a vin chaud.
Les Houches
Last, but by no means least, in our Chamonix Restaurants On The Mountain round-up is les Houches. The family favourite of the valley’s ski areas, it also comes with some of the best piste-side food stops too.
Top of our list is, without doubt, les Vieilles Luge. Sadly, you’ll have to wait for winter 20/21 to try it out as it’s currently closed for renovations. That means, there are lots of opportunities to try some of the other great options on the mountain.
La Cha is a firm favourite and offers delicious home-cooked food every day in the restaurant. It also has an impressive sun deck which operates winter and summer. A great spot to enjoy a vin chaud, a glass of fizz or a beer from your deck chair.
Hidden away on the far side of the mountain you’ll find Restaurant la Tanière and its Argentinian “asados” – the stuff of local legend. It’s not always easily accessible, but it’s always worth the effort of getting there! Be sure to reserve by phone first.
At the foot of the Bellevue lift, there’s the Kitsch Inn to be enjoyed. Open from 9 am you can enjoy breakfast before heading up, lunch and some great Après ski too. It has a great live music line-up and you can find all the details on their Facebook page.
Related pages you may be interested in: Chamonix Transfers – Fantastic Food in Chamonix – Geneva transfers
Fantastic Food in Chamonix
No holiday is complete without great food. And that’s true of any visit to Chamonix, summer or winter!
Whether you want Michelin starred luxury or want to bag a bargain, read on and find out about the food scene up and down the Chamonix valley. And, we’re delighted to say that winter 2020 as brought a trio of great new restaurants to Chamonix, so here’s our latest update on all things eateries!
The new kids on the Chamonix block…
Mumma
What’s not to love about this pan Asian fusion offering which focuses on a sharing menu. It’s bustling, energetic and the food is just straight-up delicious. The menu includes delicacies such as crab and jalapeño rice balls, flap steak tataki and charred butternut wo tip.
Mumma is open from 18.30 to 23.00 every day we recommend booking in advance as whenever we’ve walked past its busy! You can find all the mouth-watering options on their website and a handy button for Reserving in advance.
Sesame
Sesame has also opened to much acclaim and five-star reviews for its 100% bio, plant-based, home-made menu. This café/restaurant has cosy seating and a menu which includes everything from fresh blended smoothies and salads to sandwiches and a plat du jour. Open for breakfast, snacks, lunch and dinner, Sesame is a welcome addition to the meat-free options in town.
Sushi Shop
Chamonix is the latest shop in a France-wide line up for this outlet. Right in the centre of town, you can wander in to place your order or, given the huge menu, create your perfect meal and place the order online before collecting it. There’s a huge selection of sushi, maki, California rolls, spring rolls, sashimi and tataki to choose from as well as sharing boxes.
Dainty Pizza
Pizza with a twist from this outfit that takes a slow dough approach to creating its sourdough bases. Dainty Pizza definitely does things differently, so if you fancy something out of the ordinary then check them out. Our favourite is the Lemon Squeezy – a zesty combination of homemade Ricotta, courgette, pine nuts, chives and lemon oil.
If you are eating in, kids can enjoy a half size pizza for 1€. Or if you want a takeaway then check out their delivery service which operates between 6.30pm and 10.30pm.
Burger & Wells
A new addition located between Chambre Neuf, Elevation and Moo Bar, Burger & Wells is promising a fresh take on fast food. Fresh made burgers, wraps and salads feature along with veggie and vegan offerings. There’s also Biofriendly homemade ice cream to follow…
Thai to Go
So new that there isn’t even a website yet! But, you’ll find Thai to Go on Avenue Michel Croz between Moo Bar and Elevation – that’s the road that goes to the train station in the centre of town. First reports are the food is great and with main dishes starting at 9€, the prices are reasonable too!
Cham’ Streetfood
On Rue Vallot, and next door to the Mountain Drop-offs’ office, this tiny space delivers some great quality, affordable food from 10 am every day. What’s not to love.
Le Shack
There’s lots of chatter about this new kid on the block as the chefs behind it have awesome reputations locally. For the moment it’s offering a terrace or takeaway option. The word is that the oriental-inspired food at Le Shack is fantastic! We wonder what’s in store once the team finishes their restaurant renovation! Definitely one to watch out for next time you are in town.
Poco Loco’s Little Brother – Extreme Café
Something of a new/old kid on the block. Extreme Café opposite the post office is now part of the famous Poco Loco family – more of them in our forthcoming fast-food favourites review.
Related pages you may be interested in: Chamonix Transfers – Best fondue in Chamonix – Geneva transfers
Let’s do lunch in Chamonix
Chamonix lunches
We know that fabulous food and drink are always a memorable part of any visit to the Chamonix valley. In the latest instalment of our restaurant recommendations – you can find more at “Fantastic Food in Chamonix” – we discover the art of lunch.
The history of plat du jour
A long-held tradition in France, le plat du jour, or dish of the day, is always on offer at lunchtime. In and around Chamonix you can enjoy a plat in lots of places for between 10€ and 15€.
If you feel like making lunch more leisurely, then many restaurants offer a “formule”. Originally created with local people in mind, the formule is now part of the French way of life.
Normally the formule is a fixed price option for two or three courses (from a limited menu selection). It’s generally great value for money and can be the best way to enjoy eating at even the most expensive restaurants in town. But beware, the saving on a fixed-price menu can is often swiftly overtaken by the price of the wine!
Favourite Chamonix lunchtime destinations
Some of our favourite lunch-stops include:
- Bizes – set by the river in the centre of Chamonix, what differentiates this restaurant is its use of a Josper oven. A combination of oven and grill that adds a unique flavour whilst food stays tender and juicy.
- Chambre Neuf – home of Chamonix’s famous Apres Ski. At lunchtimes the restaurant is bright, airy and offers both plat du jour and formules with soup and salad bar often included.
- Hotel Morgane – Le Comptoir Nordique restaurant is, as you might guess, inspired by all things Scandinavian. Close to the Aiguille du Midi lift, it promises beautifully presented, tasty, healthy, delicious food and indulgent treats.
- Hotel Pointe Isabelle – close to the heart of Chamonix, the restaurant here is spacious with fantastic alfresco dining options. Its formule du midi is among our favourites.
- Maison Carrier – the sister restaurant to the Albert 1er two-star Michelin offering. Lunch here includes the chance to discover the dessert tower in the centre of the restaurant – a must for those with a sweet tooth!
- Moo Bar – a popular burger restaurant, its lunchtime offering includes a formule which comes complete with generous salad and cheese bar. There’s generally a meat or fish dish plus a vegetarian option.
- Panier des 4 Seasons – a classic French restaurant, it offers delicious lunch menus. A far cry from the more Savoyarde offerings available, it offers a fantastic range of fish, seafood and meat.
- L’atmosphere – in the centre of town this restaurant offers three formules to enjoy on its covered terrace next to the river. We recommend booking in advance though, the location and the food mean it’s always popular!
- Le Telecabine – another town-centre favourite offering a fresh seasonal menu. There’s a lunchtime formule to enjoy ,or Tapas if you prefer some smaller plate sharing! Another location with a huge terrace which is perfect for leisurely summer lunches.
Check back soon for more recommendations from our top picks for fine dining, local Savoyarde specialities and much more.
Other pages you may be interested in: Chamonix to Geneva | Planning your ski holiday
Chamonix Summer 2019 Travel Tips
Chamonix Summer
Our friends at 10Adventures have made it easy to discover all that Chamonix has to offer in the summer. Chamonix is, without doubt, a bucket list destination. Getting here has never been easier with plane, train and automobile options. And, of course, group-shared, private and VIP transfers from Geneva Airport to all the villages of the Chamonix valley available to book online with us.
The 10Adventures website is a great starting point when you set about planning your summer 2019 trip to Chamonix. It’s packed full of useful information about the weather, places to stay and great places to eat. Particularly useful for first-time visitors and hikers is their checklist of all the things you need to take into account from a safety perspective when walking in and around the Mont Blanc Massif.
The 10Adventures website also has a great FREE resource for hikers – its Top 10 Chamonix Hikes for summer 2019. Each comes complete with detailed descriptions, info, maps, and routes. Every detailed route plan includes all the information you need about the best time to hike the route, whether it’s family friendly, how busy it might be and the kind of terrain you’ll cover. It will also tell you how much climb and descent is involved.
Here’s one example of one of our favourite routes – The Grand Balcon Nord.
For anyone looking to travel further afield, then the 10Adventures site also includes a wealth of information about adventure holidays – both self-planned and guided – in other areas of France and around the globe.
Useful Chamonix Websites
Other great resources for finding out about summer 2019 in the Chamonix valley include:
- The official website operated by Chamonix Tourism. This is a great place to find the latest information about everything from lift opening times to the weather, details for each of the villages of the valley from Servoz to Vallorcine as well as great places to eat and to stay.
- Alternatively, Chamonet has the latest news, views and a wealth of information about how to make the most of your summer or winter holiday. There’s also the option to book accommodation with the latest listings of property for sale around the valley.
- If you are planning to hike, bike, run or explore whilst in Chamonix, then Out Door Active has details of 300 trails for you to discover.
Chamonix Summer 2019 isn’t just about hiking though. There are adventures galore to be had with something to suit everyone. Choose from mountain biking, mountaineering, sport climbing, paragliding, swimming, trail running, white water rafting and more.
Getting to Chamonix
When you book your airport transfer from Geneva to Chamonix with us you’ll discover that your driver is likely to be a font of local wisdom and have their finger on the pulse of the valley.
Other articles: Chamonix to Zermatt Haute Route Ski Tour | Chamonix music festival