When you think of a ski holiday of course the first thing that comes to mind is beautiful fresh white snow, sunshine, whizzing around on freshly groomed pistes… heaven! And for many of us the next exciting thought is the amazing mountain food – consisting of mainly…. cheese, cheese and more cheese!
There’s a huge choice of restaurants in Chatel, both on and off the slopes, and happily we’ve spent many years researching all establishments to ensure they are up to scratch for our clients.
CHEZ CREPY, PLAINE DRANSE
This gorgeous and spacious old farm building in Plaine Dranse has been feeding and watering hungry skiers for 30 years and is split into 2 offerings – a quick ‘self service’ eatery and a more refined and relaxed restaurant, which never fails to impress. There’s something about Chez Creppy that makes you want to stay all afternoon – and as it’s only one run home, to be honest a lot of people often do!
Daily specials are served in the self-serve side, as well as standard ski lunches such as omelettes, salads, and kids plates. In the restaurant, enjoy one of the Savoyard specialities such as Berthoud, Fondue or Croute as well as delicious ‘plat du jour’ specials each day.
And for a quick hot chocolate or a slurp on the last run home the ‘round bar’ outside Chez Crepy is a must.
Tel: 0033 450 73 31 19. www.crepy.net
L’ESCALE, SUPER CHATEL
One of our favourites, and relatively new to Chatel – L’Escale perches at the top of the Super Chatel telecabine with an enormous balcony and stunning views of the Mont de Grange and ski area below. On a sunny Spring ski day there is no better place to lunch, plus they serve a rather good magnum of Provence Rose which tops things off nicely.
The menu features very good fresh pasta dishes, burgers, pizzas and salads as well as Savoyard specialities.
L’Escale is easily accessible to pedestrians and the gentle slopes of Super Chatel make it a great destination for family skiing.
Tel: 0033 450 73 64 38. www.escalechatel.com/en/
LA FOLIE DES NEIGES, PLAINE DRANSE
New in 2016, this stylish restaurant with rotisserie is located right at the top of the Pre La Joux chair lift, and features a lovely modern interior as well as long sunny balcony and chill out area complete with huge lazy boy bean bags.
There are daily rotisserie meat specials here – a slow cooked pork which is really good, and a yummy roast chicken as well as a broad menu of other dishes and nice salads.
Tel: 0033 450 76 01 74. www.lafoliedesneiges.com
LE VIEUX CHALET / CHEZ BABETH, PLAINE DRANSE
A visit to Babeths is about so much more than the food! The chocolate box interior complete with fur throws and Christmas decorations all year round is truly unique, and the food is consistently good (although not cheap) but it’s an encounter with Babeth herself that will make your lunch really memorable.
A great all round experience at Vieux Chalet and on a sunny day the large flat terrace and cocktail bar are also very well used and there’s live music / DJs on some days too.
Tel: 0033 450 73 38 77. www.vieuxchalet.com
LA FERME DES PISTES, LINGA
If you find yourself skiing Linga at lunchtime this is the place to stop for a recharge. Tucked into the snow just below the Linga telecabine, the restaurant has fantastic views both up and down the piste, and serves local specialities like Tartiflette and Croute as well as basic but good options such as burgers, ham and chips etc.
Inside, the restaurant is cosy and has a good atmostphere. Service can sometimes be a bit slow so don’t come in a rush.
Be aware that from here you have to ski down to the bottom of Linga to get your next lift up – but it’s a great piste to ski!
Tel: 0033 450 813 581. No website.
LA CREMAILLERE, LES LINDARETS (GOATS VILLAGE)
Ski a long morning and then settle into this fantastic restaurant in the quaint little hamlet below the Lindarets bowl. The menu is extensive with a great range of local meats and game, plus seasonal accompaniments including magnificent chanterelles.
Tel: 0033 450 74 11 68
LE TOUPIN, LES CROSETS (SWITZERLAND)
Situated below the famous Swiss Wall and with spectacular views of the Dents Blanche range, this is a great lunch spot with varied menu and consistently efficient service. Grab a quick bowl of delicious homemade pasta or relax on the sunny terrace for a 3 course menu, whatever you choose it’s a magical place to rest your ski legs. Just make sure you give yourselves enough time to ski home!
Tel: 0041 244 791 548
LE CORBEAU, MORGINS (SWITZERLAND)
Head over the top of Super Chatel and down into Switzerland to experience this hidden little restaurant above Morgins, with great views of the Dents du Midi. Once inside you might decide to stay a while to enjoy the delicious specialities of the Swiss Valais region including fantastic ‘Croute’ and vin chaud served in cute boot shaped mugs!
Tel: 0041 244 768 061
CHEZ FLO, AVORIAZ
Located right on the pistes in the centre of Avoriaz, Chez Flo is a fun bar and restaurant with great atmosphere and wide menu. A great central meeting spot if your ski group is exploring different parts of the Portes du Soleil.
Tel: 0033 450 741 994
LE FIACRE
Without doubt the best all-round restaurant in the village with exceptional service, lovely ambience and broad menu of well prepared and presented dishes. Run by a local family team, standards are always high – and it’s extremely popular so always advisable to book, even though they’ve got over 100 covers! (Although note they don’t take lunchtime bookings).
The food is ‘high end’ in terms of quality and presentation, but prices are reasonable and everything is scrumptious to be honest!
The Fiacre also offers a very good pizza menu which is also available for takeaways.
Tel: 0033 450 73 30 46. www.lefiacre74.com
LE HORS PISTE
Tina and Tony always offer you a warm welcome at Hors Piste, situated in the middle of the village next to the carousel. This is a fantastic bar, restaurant, and takeaway pizza joint all rolled into one, and we promise you don’t be disappointed. There’s a fun, friendly atmosphere in the bar and the cosy stylish restaurant at the back is always busy, so be sure to book.
Food wise, you can expect THE best burgers in town, (possibly in the whole of the Alps), great salads, and a small but perfectly formed menu of mouthwatering specials each day – everything is cooked fresh and tastes amazing.
For an après ski drink in the sun the large terrace is a great place to soak up the village atmosphere and views down the valley.
It’s hard to beat the Hors Piste pizzas, plus their menu is a bit more original than the standard offerings around town.
Tel: 0033 450 76 11 54. www.horspiste-chatel.com
LA CHEMINEE
Have we mentioned the word ‘FONDUE’ yet?? If you love a fondue, and we mean a really really good fondue then you have to come to the Cheminee!
Tucked in at the bottom of the Super Chatel telecabine this lovely, comfy and welcoming restaurant serves a large menu of hearty meals – from Savoyard favourites (LOTS of cheese!) to delicious meat dishes – our faves are the Cote de Boeuf and the rack of ribs, as well as enormous well dressed salads. And if you do decide to go for a cheese feast we recommend the ‘Fondue Suisse’ or the classic Raclette.
The service is warm, friendly and relaxed but super efficient and their house wines served in carafes are perfectly good and well priced.
Tel: 0033 450 17 36 25. www.restaurant-lacheminee.com
LA POYA
La Poya is a beautiful alpine styled restaurant on the main road heading up to the lake and Swiss border.
Run by Olivier and Johanna, the menu offers one of the better ‘haute cuisine’ offerings in the village. The ‘A la Carte’ features French classics with modern twists – expect scallops, foie gras, lobster and duck dishes. It’s not cheap but certainly a fine dining experience at La Poya, and service is also very good.
There are only a small number of tables so booking is essential.
Tel: 0033 450 81 19 34. www.lapoya.fr
LES CORNETTES (LA CHAPELLE D’ABONDANCE)
If you’re able to drive down to the next village a visit to Les Cornettes is highly recommended. There is a special feeling of heritage at this beautiful hotel, restaurant and brasserie which has been run by the local Trincaz family for 5 generations.
The restaurant offers plentiful set menus as well as large a la carte with Savoyard specialities, cheese and cured meats and French classics. Portions are large and well presented and everything is scrumptious! The brasserie menu includes more snack options and has a lovely buzzing atmosphere, especially at lunchtime.
Tel: 0033 450 73 50 24. www.lescornettes.com/en
L’ATELIER DE JACKY (LA CHAPELLE D’ABONDANCE)
New in 2016 this stylish restaurant feels modern, bright, and airy, and the menu covers mountain specialities as well as elegantly prepared and presented seasonal options.
The restaurant features large windows overlooking snowy flat fields that are always bustling with activity – from walkers to cross country skiers and also husky and horse drawn carriage rides.
Tel: 0033 450 71 04 29. www.atelier-jacky.fr
If you’re staying in one NINE & TENNE’s luxury ski chalets, your chalet manager will be happy to recommend and book restaurants during your stay.
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