The Trois Vallées is home to some exceptional restaurants. This year we have had to bid farewell to some of our favourite haunts but as always we try our best to keep this list up to date with excellent new selections to help you with your lunch and dinner choices on the staff day off. Our top 8 restaurants have all been marked with a (!) for those planning a truly gourmet week.
Lunches
Méribel Valley
Le Cèpe, Plateau de Morel (!) +33 4 79 22 46 08
http://www. facebook.com/RestaurantLeCepe/
Just below the Rond Point this cosy restaurant specialises in Porcini mushrooms (Cèpes). Great for meat, fish and an easy meeting point for skiers and non-skiers alike.
Favourites: Kidneys with mushrooms, Fish of the day
Price: **
Adray Télébar, Rond Point des Pistes +33 4 79 08 60 26
http://www.telebar-hotel.com
Just below the Rond Point des Pistes the Télébar restaurant has one of the best terraces in Méribel.
N.B.: for those in a hurry they also now have a fast food restaurant downstairs called the Cookie Club serving paninis, burgers, salads. A good spot for kids’ treats including nutella paninis.
Favourites: The chef’s paté, the veal with a cream and mushroom sauce (Escalope de veau à la crème).
Price: **
La Fruitière at La Folie Douce, Mid-station Saulire +33 4 79 00 58 31
http://www.lafoliedouce.com/
If you are looking for a party atmosphere then head to the Folie Douce for lunch and stick around for the Cabaret. With a table reservation you have access to a special area and can watch the acts in comfort.
Price: ***
Pizzeria de Motarret, Mottaret (!) +33 4 79 00 40 50
http://www.facebook.com/pizzeriadumottaret
At the bottom of the slopes in Mottaret this is a great spot for a family lunch or meeting with non-skiers as it is accessible on foot and just at the bottom of the Yeti Park which older children can ski on while the adults relax. They offer a range of Italian dishes from meats to pasta to salads and, of course, pizzas.
Favourites: The Best Pizza in the 3 Valleys!
Price: **
Le Blanchot, Below the Altiport de Meribel +33 4 79 00 55 78
http://www.facebook.com/RestaurantLeBlanchot
Situated at the start of the cross-country and footpath circuit, just off the piste that runs to Meribel Village and accessible by car and bus it is a great meeting point for all. Le Blanchot is now under the ownership of Matthieu and Delphine from Le CroMagnon. The food is good and the cosy atmosphere is great for cold days, while the terrace is lovely on sunny ones.
Favourites: Tartiflette
Price: **
Courchevel Valley
Bel Air, Courchevel 1650 (!) +33 4 79 08 00 93
http://www.belair-courchevel.com/
This restaurant has been running for decades and boasts a magnificent sun terrace. With easy access from Méribel down Le Creux, an gentle red, it is perfect for most skiers. For non-skiers or beginners, it is an easy drive from Méribel to the bottom of the Ariondaz cable car (Courchevel-Moriond) which will take you straight to the restaurant door and an area of green and blue runs with a fantastic enclosed beginner area. Children can visit the Tepee, make Indian crafts and often try some archery on a sunny day.
Favourites: Salade Bel Air, Filet Mignon with Dauphinoise potatoes, Steak Tartare & Tarte aux Myrtilles
Price: **
Ferme auberge d’Ariondaz, Courchevel 1650 (!) +33 4 79 08 02 65
http://www.facebook.com/Ferme-auberge-dAriondaz-1567617133546343
Just at the top of the Petite Bosse piste (next to the Bel Air Restaurant) this is a working “Laiterie en Alpage”. The guardians of this cheese makers run this small restaurant serving and selling their produce. Some French can be useful here as it is truly a local affair and a favourite with the local pisteurs. On Mondays you may even be serenaded by Lionel the eccentric accordionist who loves the “Rosbeef People”.
Favourites: Raclette, Fondue, Sérac… (Cheese!)
Price: *
Azimut*, Courchevel le Praz +33 4 79 06 25 90
http://www.restaurantazimut.com
Superb restaurant, run by a husband and wife duo, with a €40 lunch menu of three courses and many extras. Wines are also good and reasonably priced. Elsa, the MD will give you a warm welcome.
Favourites : €40 lunch menu
Price **
Le Bistrot du Praz +33 4 79 08 41 33
http://www.bistrotdupraz.fr
At the bottom of Courchevel in Le Praz, this restaurant has been an institution for years, specialising in foie gras, but has been refurbished and serves an excellent contemporary menu. Wines can be a pricey.
Favourites: Open ravioli
Price ***
Le Farçon*, La Tania +33 4 79 08 80 34
http://www.lefarcon.fr
One of the many Michelin-starred restaurants in the Trois Vallées. They have a great lunch menu at €42. It is also an easy 15 minute drive from the Chalet in the evenings.
Favourites: If you are going to try snails anywhere be brave and try the amuse bouche here! Otherwise everything is great.
Price: **
Belleville Valley
La Bouitte***, Saint Marcel (!) +33 4 79 08 96 77
http://www.la-bouitte.com
Definitely the best restaurant in the Trois Vallées. This family restaurant has 3 Michelin stars which means it is well worth a special journey. The father and son chefs produce Savoyard dishes with a gastronomic take. There is a choice of “Menus Suprises” where they present you with a list of ingredients at the start and you can state your preferences. The “3 Surprises” are copious, with numerous pre-courses, and the cheese trolley is spectacular. The restaurant is accessible via a lovely off-piste descent, narrow path or they will fetch you in Les Menuires or St. Martin-de-Belleville.
Favourites: Everything!
Price: ***
Chez Pépé Nicholas, Les Menuires (!) +33 6 09 45 28 35
http://www.chezpepenicolas.com
A firm favourite, this chalet-style restaurant near Les Menuires. All the produce is locally sourced from their farm and they have a little shop for those who want to take a taste of Savoie home. Great for sunny days on a terrace or for chillier days inside. For the more adventurous you can cut off piste directly to the restaurant just above Les Menuires but you can also access it from the La Chasse piste.
Favourites: Cold cuts platter, Fondue, Pot au Feu
Price: **
Simple & Meilleur, St Martin-de-Belleville (!) +33 4 86 80 02 91
http://www.simple-meilleur.com/
If you cannot get to La Bouitte, or prefer a simpler yet excellent meal, reserve a table at their new restaurant in St. Martin which is very relaxed and showcases the traditional dishes they went on to develop into a 3 star extravaganza. Their lunch menu is good value at €34.
Favourites: The Roast Cos Lettuce, Crozets, Menu of the Day
Price: **
Chalet de la Marine, Val Thorens (!) +33 4 79 00 03 12
http://www.chaletmarine.com/
Just by the Peclet lift this is a great lunch spot with a good terrace when skiing in Val Thorens. Seafood and mountain dishes are popular here.
Favourites: Oysters, Hot Vacherin cooked in its box, Pot au Feu and Steak Tartare
Price: **
La Fruitière at La Folie Douce,Val Thorens +33 4 79 00 04 27
http://www.lafoliedouce.com/
This is a good stopping place for lunch on the way back from Val Thorens. On a sunny day the terrace and views are unbeatable. The food is good and there is a fun party atmosphere.
Price: ***
The ‘4th Valley’
Chalet Chinal Donat, Orelle +33 4 79 56 53 01
In the Fourth Vallée at the top of the Télécabine des Trois Vallées à Orelle you would never know that hidden upstairs, past the toilets, in this self-service is a tiny little restaurant with about five tables. Very cute for cold days, and friendly service. On warmer days part the terrace is reserved for restaurant guests so you can relax in the sun.
Favourites: Charcuterie platter and dish of the day.
Price: **
Off piste destinations
We recommend that you employ a guide to take you on your adventures to these wonderful restaurants hidden in the mountains.
L’Ancolie, Nancroix +33 4 79 07 93 20
A hidden gem in the resort of Peisey-Vallandry. Truly rustic with lovely seasonal produce.
Favourites: The homemade terrines
Price: **
Refuge Nant Brun, Deux Nants +33 6.82.14.71.52
http://www.refugelenantbrun.fr
A working refuge lost in the mountains. They even suggest reservations by text due to the lack of mobile network in the area.
Favourites: the Desserts and Génépi.
Price: *
Chez Mérie, Le Miroir, Sainte-Foy +33 4 79 06 90 16
A lovely rustic restaurant run by sisters Marie and Elisabeth in the Tarantaise valley with fire grilled meats and stunning desserts.
Favourites: Everything is seasonal and beautifully presented!
Price: ***
Refuge de la Traye, Méribel +33 6 11 95 08 90
http://refuge.latraie.free.fr/carte.html
A local refuge just above Les Allues serving simple mountain food with a €17 menu.
Favourites: Pormonier et crozet
Price: *
Auberge du Randonneur, La Planchette +33 6 80 41 84 32
Serving local specialities this spot is totally off the beaten track in Saint-Martin-de-la-Porte.
Favourites: The dishes of the day
Price: *
Dinners
La Fromagerie, Galerie des Cimes, Méribel Centre +33 4 79 08 55 48
If you are feeling in need of a cheese-fest, this is the place to head to. It offers the best cheese in the resort. They have a little restaurant where you can have good wine, traditional fondues, raclette and other local dishes with all the trimmings. Avoid Wednesdays, if you can, as it is a popular destination; and do not take your ski jacket in, if possible, unless you fancy smelling of cheese the rest of the week!
Favourites: Fondue, Raclette.
Price: **
CroMagnon, Plateau de Morel +33 4 79 00 57 38
Now only open in the evenings, it offers traditional dishes and pizzas. The staff are very friendly and portions are a good size. You can get to it by hopping on the bus for a five minute journey up the hill. Mention Chalet le Yeti and get a free digestif.
Favourites: Beef filet with wild morel mushrooms
Price: **
La Ferme Auberge Chantacoucou, Chatelard (near St Martin) +33 6 13 98 91 56
This is a working farm serving its own produce. Their fixed menu is very good and you eat in a simple room strewn with sausages drying above the barn from the ceiling. You should mention dietary requirements when booking. Closed Mondays and unfortunately now for lunches. It is a 45 minute drive from the Chalet.
Favourites: Their homemade beef sausage
Price: *
Chalet Tonia, Above Mottaret +33 4 79 00 45 11
http://www.tonia.fr
On Wednesday evenings you can access the restaurant from the top of Mottaret by ski-doo thanks to “Snow Biker”. At the bottom of the Roc de Tougne chairlift. Chalet Tonia specialises in regional dishes and grilled meats. The Ski-doo evening is a real adventure from €85 per person including transport and meal. To reserve contact Snow Biker at 06 09 94 18 11.
Favourites: Marmite du jour.
Price: ***
Also worth a further mention for suppers:
Azimut*, Courchevel le Praz +33 4 79 06 25 90
http://www.restaurantazimut.com
Le Farçon*, La Tania +33 4 79 08 80 34
http://www.lefarcon.fr
Le Cèpe, Plateau de Morel (!) +33 4 79 22 46 08
http://www. facebook.com/RestaurantLeCepe/
Lucy Rose
Owner
For over 30 years, The Roses have owned Chalet Le Yeti in Méribel.
Lucy has grown up skiing in Meribel and helping run the family rental business. Her knowledge of Meribel and the Trois Vallées ski area is extensive through her personal experience as a skier and chalet owner.