The authentic one:
LA CALÈCHE
Fondue, raclette, tartiflette… traditional Savoyard cooking involves a lot of cheese, and La Calèche in Chamonix town centre is the best place to indulge. Everything on the menu screams authentic, from the fish caught in the alpine lakes to the meat raised in the mountain pastures. It’s a cosy spot filled with more photo frames and mementos than your grandmother’s house.
18 rue du Dr Paccard, Chamonix
The fusion option:
MUNCHIE
International cuisine is plentiful in Chamonix, but we’d opt for Swedish-owned Munchie, which combines Asian and European flavours in a cool, laid-back atmosphere. The menu is a refreshing escape from alpine cheese, with a mix of Asian-inspired dishes like duck teriyaki, and crowd-pleasers like steak frites. It’s popular with locals and holidaymakers alike, so be sure to book during high season.
87 rue des Moulins, Chamonix
The fine diner:
ALBERT 1ER
France is the home of classic gastronomy, and two-Michelin-starred Albert 1er continues the tradition. Chef Pierre Maillet is committed to producing modern cuisine inspired by the treasures of the Alps. Expect to see ingredients like snails from the Mont Blanc region, white truffle and alpine cheese on the menu, with the added special flourish of herbs grown in the kitchen garden.
38 route du Bouchet, Chamonix
The slope-side one:
LES VIEILLES LUGES
Housed in a 250-year-old alpine hut, Les Vieilles Luges is only accessible by ski or a 20-minute hike, but the simple and delicious food is worth the trek. Hang your mittens by the fire and cosy up under the low wood beams with a vin chaud. The menu includes family favourites like boeuf bourguignon and creamy farçon: a potato bake layered with prunes, bacon and cream.
Les Houches, Vallée de Chamonix
The Italian one:
L’IMPOSSIBLE
The best family-run restaurant in Chamonix, L’Impossible’s owners originally hail from Italy, and it shows in the menu. Everything, from the pasta to the ice cream, is homemade from raw ingredients that adhere to a strict organic philosophy. Try their ricotta and parmesan cheese mousse or the decadent hazelnut cake for an Italian twist on alpine cuisine.
9 Chemin du Cry, Chamonix
