RESTAURANTS CHAMONIX
The following Chamonix restaurant guide is provided based on personal experiences of the Luxury Chalets Chamonix team. If your favourite Chamonix restaraunt isn't on this list it is in no way a reflection of this restaurant, but merely we have yet to frequent that restauarnt and therefore are unable to provide an unbiaised perspective. The Chamonix restaurant guide is also up to date to the last time we visited the restaurant and readers should of course appreciate that owners, chefs and businesses change.
If you would like to contribute your own review then please email us your report and subject to our editorial guidelines we will add visitrs comments.
Editors Choice
Cafe de L'Arve - Chamonix (****)
A visit to Cade de l'Arve is a must for anyone who really does want to taste outstanding dining at a fabulous price. Recommended to us by French friends, forget the two Michelin star restauarants if great food is your motivator, Cafe de l'Arve on our visit was outstanding and all for under €50 a head including an excellent bottle of the local Chignon Bergeron.
Not everyone will appreciate the limited menu, although we do, especially as they get it so right with fresh and outstanding ingredients. The two course pigeon for a main course (one with an injected foam puree and the other with a divine red cabbage) was just one of the highlights and the exquisite rib of beef our friends and children enjoyed is still the benchmark for others to live up to when it comes to beef or steak.
There is a but, the food and the service was exceptional, but it has to be said that the decor is at best Trust House Forte's chic! So much so that on our first visit we were nearly put off by the decor - but thankfully we persevered and we think you should too. This said, if alpine ambiance is critical then it is not the place to go.
A three course or taster menu will cost typically around €65 - €125 plus wine (the latter typically €65 - €125 a bottle). Tel: 00 33 (0) 4 50 53 02 31
Chamonix Restaurants
L’Albert Premier - Chamonix (Michelin**)
L'Albert Premier's famous ’Restaurant Gastronomique’ offers exceptional dining, a great ambience, and service that simply exudes its Michelin two star status. Its traditional decor has warmth, character and style in abundance and the waiters are discreet, yet attentive and knowledgeable. The menu is carefully considered and presented and not only fabulously presented, they of course taste great too. Taster menus were also available. There was also an extensive wine cellar and we found the wine waiter both courteous and unpretentious, sharing his knowledge thoughtfully.
An evening at the Restaurant Gastronomique really is something you won't forget.
A three course menu will cost typically around €125 - €205 plus wine (the latter typically €75 - €145 a bottle). Tel: 00 33 (0)4 50 53 05 09
Le Bistro - Chamonix (Michelin*)
Previously the chef at the Premier Albert, the Bistro is a chic, modern restaurant that allows visitors the chance to choose from the a la carte menu or the set taster menus. Being a Michelin star restaurant the food and service is exceptionally good, and in contrast to the Albert, delivers the Michelin Star etiquette, in a slightly trendier, less formal way. If you like your alpine restaurant to provide that alpine ambience, this may not be for you, but if you like chic, contemporary, fine dining, with that all important Michelin Star, the Bistro is well worth a visit and we thoroughly enjoyed our night there.
A three course or taster menu will cost typically around €65 - €125 plus wine (the latter typically €65 - €125 a bottle). Tel: 00 33 (0)4 50 53 57 64
La Caleche - Chamonix (****)
La Caleche is the brother of La Cabane and right in the heart of Chamonix. The decor really is a winner in our view as it is full of character and creates a great ambience. It was our favourite Chamonix town restaurant but standards here we felt had sadly slipped somewhat. The Caleche was never quite to the exceptionally high standard of its brother La Cabane, but this was marginal, however the service on recent visits was at best average and the food ordinary.
Its location make this quite rightly one of the most popular restaurants and the interior is a treasure trove of Savoyard memorabilia and the wood decor is tastefully executed. Despite the high standards it once set falling, it is still a very nice place to visit.
A three course menu will cost typically around €45 - €65 plus wine (the latter typically €28 - €55 a bottle). Tel: 00 33 (0)4 50 55 94 68
Munchies - Chamonix (****)
Hip, trendy, and food to justify why it is one of the favourite restaurants to be seen in here in the Chamonix Valley. The food still retains its French feel but it often has a modern twist that is cool and tasty! The restaurant, being so popular, has a fun feel and is ideal for groups who like great food, but want to let their hair down. Situated close to a number of popular bars, it is also the perfect place to start a night of ‘heavy’ apres ski!
A three course menu will cost typically around €45 - €65 plus wine (the latter typically €35 - €65 a bottle). Tel: 00 33 (0)4 50 53 45 41
Le Chaudron - Chamonix (****)
If hip, and trendy isn’t quite what you are looking for during your alpine holiday, Le Cauldron might be a good alternative. A very French restaurant situated next door to Munchies. A traditional stone walled restaurant, it offers great food and a warm ambience. Being a true French restaurant, when we ate there their English was at best, limited. We felt this added to the occasional, but if you fancy a visit to this delightful restaurant, you might what to brush up on your French! A restaurant we nevertheless enjoyed and worthy of a review mention as the food was very good.
A three course menu will cost typically around €40 - €65 plus wine (the latter typically €28 - €50 a bottle). Tel: 00 33 (0)4 50 40 34
Atmosphere - Chamonix (***)
Popular restaurant with locals although we have found the standard of food disapointing. The restaurant is situated in the centre of Chamonix and is situated close to the Poste, with the entrance down some stairs. The entrance might lead you in to believing it is going to be small and quaint, but far from it, as it opens up as you enter the basement next to the river.
The location is therefore pretty impressive, but a seat next to the river will require pre-booking well in advance. The decor and ambience are fine and the food likewise. Personally we expected more from this restaurant judging by its popularity, but left a little unconvinced. That aside, it is not a venue not to consider in our view as many other locals rave about it and in fairness to the Atmosphere, perhaps we caught them on an ‘off-day’.
A three course menu will cost typically around €40 - €60 plus wine (the latter typically €28 - €45 a bottle). el: 00 33 (0)4 50 55 97 97
Le Monchu - Chamonix (**)
Right in the centre of Chamonix, next to the Casino. Simple Savoyard food and some French dishes. Traditional decor, and some farming memorabilia although now looking a little tired. A good place for families, particularly if you are looking for the traditional fondue or raclette dishes.
A three course menu will cost typically around €30 - €40 plus wine (the latter typically €20 - €35 a bottle). Tel: 00 33 (0)4 50 53 72 94
Le Praz Restaurants
La Cabane - Le Praz (*****)
Situated next to the Golf Club in Le Praz, and around 4km from Chamonix, historically we have highly recommend this restaurant for its ambience, decor, and excellent food. This said, on our last visit we felt standards had slipped a little but it was still a very enjoyable experience. Certainly in terms of ambience, few if any in the Chamonix Valley can beat it and inside and outside the restaurant you will find it styled tastefully as a log cabin that maintains a warm alpine charm to ensure you have some really special memories of your evening. Treating the last visit as an exception rather than the norm, the food is normally prepared and served to a really high high standard and you can choose from both an extensive wine and food menu, the latter including local specialities as well as haute cuisine.
A three course menu will cost typically around €45 - €65 plus wine (the latter typically €28 - €55 a bottle - and if you want to splash out, considerably more). Tel: 00 33 (0)4 50 53 23 27
Les Houches Restaurants
Le Basillic - Les Houches (***)
A nice little restaurant situated around the bottom of the Bellevue lift. With the demise of the Agipes (see below) it has become very popular. The food is typically well prepared and presented although a little high on the price side in our view for what it is. Nevertheless, a nice little restaurant that is unlikely to disappoint on the food front.
A three course menu will cost typically around €35 - €55 plus wine (the latter typically €25 - €45 a bottle). Tel: 00 33 (0)4 50 54 41 85
Le Delice - Les Houches (**)
A popular bar and restaurant that is frequented by a number of the ex-pat British chalet operators that are based here in Les Houches, and their staff. For this reason it is not our personal favourite, although the food is typically very good, and although British owned, is typically French (cooked and prepared better than many French restaurants in the Valley) and has chic and trendy feel whether you eat up or downstairs. An ideal choice therefore people looking for a bar that is relatively local, has a trendy feel, serves good food, and provides a chance to have a drink or two afterwards at the bar and meet with the local British community that have made Les Houches and Chamonix a way of life!
A three course menu will cost typically around €35 - €55 plus wine (the latter typically €25 - €45 a bottle). Tel: 00 33 (0)4 50 91 52 06
La Ferme des Agapes - Les Houches (**)
Situated at the bottom of the Bellevue lift here in Les Houches, the decor inside oozes alpine charm (the photo doesn’t do it justice) and creates a wonderful ambience. Sadly however, the service and the food has declined in recent years and based on the summer experience, new owners have not reversed this trend. If you are looking for somewhere that is local to the chalet, has a charming interior, and are willing to take the chance that the service and food can be at times variable, for the decor, proximity, and its ambience,
La Ferme des Agapes might just still worth considering.
A three course menu will cost typically around €35 - €55 plus wine (the latter typically €25 - €45 a bottle). Tel: 00 33 (0)4 50 54 50 69
La Chavanne - Les Houches (**)
A real French bar / restaurant, if you enjoy a few glasses of beer or a wine, in really French setting. Unpretentious, honest, and warm. For a gastronomic delight, this is would not score high on our list, but for a night out in a warm hospitable place, where the locals won’t frown at you for ordering a beer with your meal, this is a great place to go.
A three course menu will cost typically around €30 - €40 plus wine (the latter typically €20 - €35 a bottle). Tel: 00 33 (0)4 50 54 41 91