The 10 Best Restaurants In Annecy France

Celebrated as the Venice of the Alps, Annecy is a beautiful French town filled with canals, cobbled streets and pastel-colored houses. As one of the oldest inhabited settlements in the area, it possesses a rich historical heritage, and many charming ancient buildings too. For a dining experience steeped in history and surrounded by natural beauty, this is the place to be. From city center to countryside, here are the ten best restaurants in Annecy.

L’Auberge de Savoie

Located in the heart of Annecy, dining at L’Auberge de Savoie is like taking a breath of fresh mountain air in the middle of the bustling town. The restaurant’s blue and white interior creates a relaxed atmosphere in which to enjoy one of its superbly cooked seafood specialties. The open spaced dining area offers customers a great view of the surrounding ancient buildings whilst eating. The wide range of food available ensures there is something to suit every taste, from an excellent cheese course, to pizza, to lobster, and the handmade chocolates and toffees served with the coffee are very tasty. The staff are helpful and friendly, and offer excellent culinary advice.

Address & telephone: 1 Place Saint-François de Sales, Annecy, France, +33 450450305

2. Le Belvédère

Hotel

Just a couple of minutes from the city center, Le Belvédère has a panoramic dining room with an exceptional view over the lake. The colorful dishes it offers are both tasty and incredibly well prepared, with four different menus offering a wide variety of food choices. The restaurant does wonders with fresh local fish, a popular choice being steamed fish with a pepper cream and aubergines. Other favorites include red and green tomatoes with a feta cheese, bacon and vegetable mousse, and moeulleux au chocolat with coconut cream. The staff are extremely friendly and helpful, and you will be hard pushed to find better value for money in this area.

3. L'Appart du Dix-Sept

Restaurant, French, European, Vegetarian

When searching for a relaxing dining experience in Annecy, L’Appart du Dix-Sept is the right choice. The restaurant’s cozy design creates a homely atmosphere. With a unique first floor location, it is pleasantly elevated above the hubbub of the town. The delicious dishes on the menu are wonderfully presented, with large portions of fish laid elegantly on beds of black rice and soybeans, and the risotto aux epinards avec la gamba arriving on a beautiful china plate. A colorful cocktail in the early evening here is a must, and the bar’s late closing time allows diners to enjoy the laid-back atmosphere into the night.

4. Clos des Sens

Clos des Sens

Lunching on the open terrace of Close des Sens, under the shade of beautiful green trees, is an unmissable experience when in Annecy. Although situated a little way out of the town center, both the inventive menus and the exceptional quality of the food make it worth the trip. A mixture of ‘Terre et Lac’ (land and lake) specialties include many tasty dishes, from candied trout to local Sérac goats cheese. Although a pricier option, Close des Sens is an essential stop when visiting this part of the world.

Address & telephone: 13 Rue Jean Mermoz, Annecy-le-Vieux, France, +33 450230790

5. Le Bilboquet

Restaurant, French, European, Vegetarian

The homely atmosphere and great, central location of Le Bilboquet make it the perfect spot to savor great French food whilst soaking up the beauty of Annecy. Owner Eric Besson, a ‘Maître Restaurateur de France,’ works on constantly renovating his dishes, changing his ‘Menu Affaire le Midi’ weekly. Diners can familiarize themselves with the traditional fare of the area by sampling some of the tasty local cheeses on offer here. Other interesting and innovative concoctions are also available, such as the mint-flavored melon soup.

6. L'Esquisse

Restaurant, French, European, Vegetarian

If you are looking for seasonal specialties bursting with flavor, L’Esquisse is the place to visit. The quality and presentation of each dish here is exceptional, and all food is sourced from a local market three times a week. Owner Stéphane Dattrino is always on hand to offer culinary advice, and can often be found in the restaurant guiding diners through the menu options. Highlights include foie gras, candied shoulder of lamb, butter made with absinthe, and the parmesan pie. The restaurant is very small so bookings are essential.

7. Le Chalet

Restaurant

Le Chalet

Annecy © Frédérique Voisin-Demery

8. Le Clocher

Restaurant, French, European, Beer, Wine

Owing it’s name to a nearby Roman monument, Le Clocher is perfect for lovers of food and art, and serves as a place for both delicious cuisine and brilliant art exhibitions. A mixture of tradition and modernity can be seen in the restaurant’s furniture, and this theme of innovation is reflected in the food it offers. Unusual recipes can be found throughout the menu, such as the ballottine of foie gras seasoned with four spices, and bread with cognac and spices. The restaurant is located on the ground floor of a historical building which is believed to have previously operated as a cloister.

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