The best gourmet destinations in the Alps
One thing that draws us to the mountains as much as great ski areas and luxury hotels are the gourmet restaurants serving culinary delights. Restaurants in the mountains continue to get better and better and many of them are collecting Michelin stars at an exceptional rate. Here are five glorious gourmet destinations in the Alps.
Courchevel, France
Courchevel is the sparkling jewel of Les Trois Vallées. This brilliant resort has been attracting skiers from all over the world because of its wonderful luxury hotels, expansive ski area and its unbelievable restaurants. Currently, Courchevel holds 14 Michelin stars; more than any other resort in the Alps. One of the most prestigious restaurants in Courchevel, boasting three Michelin stars, is the famous ‘Le 1947’. This magnificent restaurant can be found at the Cheval Blanc Hotel and only serves 25 people per evening; it is run by expert chef Yannick Alléno. Other fantastic starred restaurants include ‘Azimut’, ‘Le Farçon’ and the gastronomic ‘Le Chabichou’.
Megève, France
Only an hour from Geneva, the food Mecca of Megève can be found amongst the snowy peaks of the Alps and in clear view of the mighty Mont-Blanc. The town was built upon a 13th-century village and has everything you’d expect from a chocolate-box resort; from ancient cobbled streets, and old baroque clock towers to rustic wooden chalets. Megève is well known as one of the gourmet capitals of the Alps and the resort currently holds an impressive 10 Michelin stars. For those looking for the very best fine dining, try the ‘Flocons de Sel’ for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The magnificent three-starred restaurant is known for its compelling French gourmet cuisine and brilliant service that will leave you booking your next reservation as soon as you can.
Zermatt, Switzerland
Zermatt is one of the many star-studded Swiss resorts in the Alps. The town is well known for its luxury hotels, magnificent views of the iconic Matterhorn and its vast array of delectable restaurants. The resort has over 20 amazing restaurants serving all kinds of brilliant culinary treats; from fresh Japanese sashimi in ‘Myoko’ to artistic adaptations of traditional European food in ‘Omnia’. Zermatt also holds five well-deserved Michelin stars. For a fantastic dining experience, and well worth the trip, try ‘After Seven’. The restaurant is extremely stylish, contemporary and beautifully furnished; the sleek look of the restaurant is mirrored in the lovely gourmet food.
Courmayeur, Italy
Courmayeur is a charming little medieval town located at the top of the Aosta Valley at the foot of Mont-Blanc; right on the French-Italian border. Courmayeur has an unbelievable selection of restaurants on-and-off the mountain and is a popular spot for skiing food lovers. The resort doesn’t have any Michelin stars, yet, but almost all of its restaurants have made it onto the Michelin guide with many of them being awarded the Michelin Plate and Bib Gourmand. One of the best dining spots for those looking for a fine dining experience is ‘Auberge De La Maison Restaurant’. They serve traditional Italian cuisine with a modern twist either in their rustic restaurant or on their sunny terrace; which offers stunning views of Mont Blanc.
St. Moritz, Switzerland
Nestled in the Engadin Valley, by a beautiful lake, is St. Moritz; another sparkling resort on Switzerland’s long list of luxury destinations. The town of St. Moritz is extremely scenic, home to a long and fascinating history and a perfect luxury destination for skiers looking for glitz and glamour. St. Moritz also boasts a plethora of incredible restaurants and an amazing seven Michelin stars. The resorts most prestigious restaurant, with two Michelin stars, is the ‘Ecco St. Moritz’. The restaurant is superb in every aspect; from the beautifully decorated setting to the creative and delicious nouvelle cuisine. St. Moritz’ other fantastic restaurants that should be tried are ‘IGNIV’, ‘The K’ and ‘Da Vittorio’; all of which offer unforgettable gastronomic experiences that will leave you with pleasant memories of your time here.
By Craig Burton, Managing Director of www.skisolutions.com