After a long day spent on the slopes, you need something special to replenish your energy. With our guide, you’ll discover 10 of the most interesting restaurants in Val d’Isere, one of the most beautiful regions of France.
La Fruitiere
Decorated with ‘white enamel milk churns, exposed zinc pipework, antique tiling and dairy-styled fittings and furnishings’, La Fruitiere is part of La Folie Douce ski resort. Head chef Franck Mischler invites the customer to sample the rich, regional Savoyard delicacies that are just the ticket after a day on the slopes. Of course, this is France, so you will also find more cheese than you can shake a stick at as well as a fantastic selection of wine to go along with your tartiflette.
La Grande Ourse
Located in a famous white chalet erected in 1936, La Grande Ourse, the ‘Great Bear’ in English, roars loudly enough to be heard over the other restaurants which dot the popular mountainside. Inside is just as unique, with a warm interior and sculptures by Fautrier to greet you after a day on the piste. This is not your rough-and-ready refuge however, La Grande Ourse boasts a well-stocked wine cellar for every palate and budget, whether you’re skiing in the winter break from University or taking a well-needed holiday from your high-flying career. La Grande Ourse, Rue Des Lessieres, Val-d’Isère, France, +33 4 79 06 00 19
La Peau de Vache
Unforgettable views are paired with unforgettable burgers here at La Peau de Vache, literally ‘cowskin’. All the favorites are on the menu, with standard skiing fare of potatoes and cheese in various guises. The real draw here are the burgers, of which they provide almost every type under the sun, from duck to vegetarian. The prices are more than reasonable when compared to elsewhere in the Val d’Isere bubble. This makes La Peau de Vache the perfect place to go with a group of friends when you need to watch the cents but still wish to enjoy good food with an excellent view. La Peau de Vache, Chalet Blanche Neige, Val-d’Isère, France, +33 4 79 06 11 29
La Table De l’Ours
Bar, Restaurant, French, European, Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-free, Beer, Wine
Ensconced in this wood-paneled restaurant with a roaring fire, you could very well be forgiven for thinking you’re closer to a countryside town rather than halfway up a mountain. La Table de l’Ours offers much more than your average chalet restaurant. Widely considered to be the best on the mountain, this upscale restaurant at Les Barmes de l’Ours prides itself on offering contemporary twists on classic tastes. As such, the fare offered here could easily compete with the upscale restaurants in any large French city. Something for when you need to treat yourself after a hard day’s skiing or to cheer yourself up after a few tumbles.
La Tête de Solaise
Bar, Restaurant, French, European, Vegetarian
Located at the top of ‘la solaise’ ski lift, the mountain top La Tête de Solaise is blessed with perhaps the best views of all the restaurants in this article. Consisting of a pizzeria, a restaurant, a bar and a self-service area, this mountain-top café is all things to all people and perfect if you can’t make it down the mountain without a meal. All the standard mountain favorites are here, whether you’re in need of a beer or hot chocolate or something a little more substantial, like a burger or even tartiflette. According to one customer, the atmosphere is like a café on a summer’s day, despite the -24 Celsius temperatures.
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L’Edelweiss
Housed in a beautiful stone and wood chalet and accompanied by a terrace offering stunning views, L’Edelweiss is an extraordinary addition to the restaurants on the mountain and is no wallflower when compared to the competition. This restaurant has been highly reviewed, with The Daily Telegraph urging you to try their hot dogs with local sausages, either beside the roaring fire or on the spectacular terrace.
Found just off the cable car, Le Signal is run by the ever-busy Brigette, who has become so inseparable from this café and restaurant that Le Signal is now better known as Chez Brigette amongst the locals and residents. If you’re looking for something to take away to the glorious terraces, the ground floor is the place for you. If, however, you fancy something a little more substantial, then head upstairs to the restaurant, where you will discover a delightful fireplace and everything one requires to take one’s mind away from the freezing weather outside. The restaurant is brightly decorated in fresh colors and matches Brigette’s passion for fresh, local ingredients.
To be found at the bottom of the orange ski lift, Les Tufs is the perfect location if you are looking for a bubbling atmosphere and for somewhere where the locals go. Les Tufs has been recently renovated, and its new style moves away from the traditional look and feel of Savoyard chalets and towards and more modern decor. Despite the change in decoration, the locals still know that this is one of the best restaurants in the city and perfect after a wander around the town itself, or after a day on the mountains. A full array of the standard local food is on offer, alongside plat du jours and skiers traditions.
L’Ouillette
This tiny terrace is without a website of its own, but don’t let that put you off. Found on the Solaise side of the resort, at the bottom of the Madeleine piste, this outdoor restaurant and bar is the perfect place to relax when it’s a little warmer and sunnier on the mountain and you don’t feel the need to hide away next to the fire. Due to its immense popularity and aforementioned stunning views, it’s worth arriving well before the lunch hour rush in order to secure a table. L’Ouillette serves standard skiing fare, as well as an enormous variety of cheese. L’Ouillette, Immeuble Telepherique Solaise, Val d’Isere, France
Sur la Montagne is more than a firm favorite with locals, come lunch time it appears that half the resort and most of the tourists have piled in, thus it is particularly necessary to book well in advance should you wish to eat here in the evening. This little bit of work is well worth the effort, with a delightful range of fondues, steaks, and pastas, alongside Thai food. The restaurant is well-located and, most importantly for families, is both moderately priced and child-friendly.
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