Our Top 10 Restaurants in Val Thorens
Val Thorens is Europe’s highest ski resort and part of the 3 Vallees, the world’s largest interconnected ski area. But did you know Val Thorens restaurants are among the best places to eat in the French Alps?
There is a massive selection of dining options in Val Thorens. In fact, there are about 60 places to eat in the town and more than 10 dotted around the slopes. You will find a range of cuisines from creperies, pizzerias and traditional Savoyard specialties. But you can also eat at one of the many international restaurants and fine-dining establishments.
I have painstakingly sampled pretty much every restaurant in Val Thorens, personally. So here is a list of personal favourites and what you can expect from each one.
1. La Fondue (Hotel Le Val Thorens)
La Fondue at Hotel Le Val Thorens is a great place to enjoy traditional Savoyard cuisine. It is located in the Place de L’Eglise in the heart of Val Thorens. But it is also right on the piste, making it an excellent option for lunchtime feasts or evening meals.
The restaurant is decorated traditionally to complement the local specialties on the menu, such as fondue and raclette. Therefore, you can expect wooden furniture, comfortable seating, and a warm, cozy atmosphere.
You’ll love how friendly La Fondue’s staff are. They are attentive, helpful, and entertaining throughout your evening.
2. Chalet de la Marine
Chalet de la Marine is an ideal spot for a mountain lunch. You can get to it easily, as it is on the Dailles piste at the top of the Cascades chairlift. This location offers fantastic alpine views while you eat and drink on the restaurant’s terrace.
Heading inside, you can expect a traditional mountain restaurant with roaring log fires and wooden beams. The menu features local cuisine and food from around the country for an authentic French dining experience.
Chalet de la Marine differs from other Val Thorens restaurants as it has a dessert buffet with a whole host of sweet treats. But if you want a quick bite to eat, you can go to the self-service bistro downstairs. Here, you can fuel up on pasta, soups, pizza, and sandwiches before heading back out on the slopes.
Just because Chalet de la Marine is on the slopes doesn’t mean you can’t eat there in the evenings. It is accessible by hiking or on a snowmobile. You can eat inside the restaurant or in a Mongolian yurt. You can even ski back down after dinner, so go easy on the genepi!
Chez Pépé Nicolas is a stunning chalet style little hamlet featuring the most beautiful on mountain restaurant in Val Thorens. A must do on your next visit in the 3 Valleys.
3. Chez Pépé Nicolas
Chez Pépé Nicolas is a family-run restaurant serving food since 1957 during the summer. However, the owners decided to open during the winter for a unique dining experience. The rustic decor is an authentic nod to the restaurant’s origins as an old farmhouse.
The restaurant consists of three rooms, the main bar area, the front room, and the cave. The cave is best for intimate evening meals, while the other two offer great views. But you can also sit out on the terraces to enjoy the views in the sun.
The menu consists of dishes made with local produce and an impressive cheese selection. Dining here is a quirky way of sampling traditional French alpine food.
You can ski to Chez Pépé Nicolas, as it is located on the la Chasse piste. But pedestrians can get there by the bus running from Les Menuires and Val Thorens; just remember to tell the driver you need to get off early.
4. Chalet des 2 Lacs
Even though Chalet des 2 Lacs sits a 2,445m, it is an excellent mountain restaurant for kids and beginners, as you get there via green run from the top of the 2 Lacs chair.
Sitting on the restaurant’s terrace is a treat, as you get to look out over the impressive views while tucking into comfort food. Alternatively, you can stay cosy inside by the fire with the authentic mountain chalet ambience.
The chef has created a fantastic gourmet menu featuring Savoyard dishes. But you can also expect a range of meats, salads, local sardines from the lakes and excellent burgers. The great thing about this restaurant is that you can enjoy it at any time of the day or in the evening.
La Rôtisserie restaurant at the Hotel Fahrenheit 7 also features a panoramic terrace (with ski access) for lunch, and après-ski (local DJ on terrace each sunny days)
5. La Rôtisserie (Hotel Fahrenheit 7)
La Rôtisserie, located at Hotel Fahrenheit 7, and is an altitude restaurant with a difference, making it one of the best restaurants in Val Thorens. They serve gastronomic food from breakfast to dinner, and the menu consists of traditional French dishes with a clever twist. You can also expect prime cuts grilled in the wood-fired oven, fish, and Asian flavours. They proudly avoid dishes like fondue and tartiflette, so it’s a great option if you want a break from the cheese.
Also, the hotel features Le Zinc – a festive wine bar with evening restaurant offering Tapas, Mountain Cheese specialties. Live Music each Thursday & Friday and DJ set on Saturday (from 5pm to 1am).
6. Buffet Dinner At Altapura
Altapura is a 5-star hotel and is an excellent stop-off for lunch or an evening meal. Whether you fancy a snack, pasta, burgers or international cuisine, you’ll find something on the menu. But one of the reasons it’s among the best restaurants in Val Thorens for many is the buffet, featuring a selection of rotisserie and Asian dishes. But you cannot help but be impressed by the variety of local cheeses and desserts.
The restaurant is cosy with contemporary design and a great atmosphere, enhanced by friendly staff.
The 5-star Altapura Hotel is one of the best places to eat in Val Thorens with an incredible buffet at 2Mill3 restaurant, Casa Alta with fine Italian specialities and La Laiterie to get your cheese fix with local cheese fondues and raclettes.
7. Hotel Marielle & The “M” Restaurant
Hotel Marielle is close to the Peclet Gondola, right in front of the ski school meeting point, so it’s super easy to get to. This is great, as you don’t want to miss out on eating at the hotel’s restaurant “M.”
“M” is a contemporary restaurant with a large terrace, allowing you to enjoy the bistronomic menu in the sun. It’s a great way to sample alpine flavours with a modern twist, put together by Chef Michael Riss and his team.
The evening buffet is a popular choice, as you get an incredible variety of fantastic food. The buffet features expertly prepared meat and fish to tempt you before you get to the selection of Italian dishes and dessert pastries.
8. Le Diamant Noir (Hotel Koh-I Nor)
Le diamont Noir is located inside the 5-star Koh-I Nor hotel. It has some of the most spectacular views in the French Alps through its large bay windows or from the terrace, which is worth the visit alone.
The food at Le Diamont Noir is as impressive as the views, as the menu has been created by Michelin-starred chef Eric Samson. His food is exquisite, and the attention to detail in its presentation is just as important as the flavours, making it one of the best restaurants in Val Thorens.
You can expect a change from the typical Savoyard dishes at Le Diamont Noir. Instead, the winter menus feature ingredients such as mountain herbs, aromatic plants, and black truffles.
Restaurant Les Explorateurs (one-star Michelin) at Hotel Le Pashmina offers an authentic and user-friendly gourmet discovery. Le Base Camp restaurant provides stunning views of Glacier de Péclet to the Cime de Caron during lunch. In the evening, discover the delights of the Chef’s bistronomic cuisine, in a hushed atmosphere to the sound of live music.
9. Les Explorateurs (Hotel Pashmina)
Hotel Pashmina is a magnificent hotel at high altitude. But it’s worth making the trip, as the hotel is home to Les Explorateurs, one of the best restaurants in Val Thorens.
Its decor is inspired by historic mountain expeditions, giving you the feeling of a luxury mountain refuge. But the food is prepared by Michelin-star chef Josselin Jeanblanc. But he teamed up with Romauld Fassenet, winner of the “Meilleur Ouvrier de France” award, to create the menu that gives you a different experience from other luxury hotel restaurants.
The food is impeccably presented and gets more impressive in its appearance and flavours as your evening progresses. The dishes are created from ingredients handpicked from all over France.
10. La Fruitière (La Folie Douce)
Many people regard La Fruitière as one of the best restaurants in Val Thorens. It’s easy to get to, as you just need to ride the Plein Sud chair lift to get to it. Its sunny terrace is an excellent spot to look down over the Alps, as it is 300m above Val Thorens.
The restaurant is joined to the legendary Folie Douce, a daytime nightclub on the slopes. But before you head to the party, you’ll want to sample the outstanding menu by Chefs Damien De Valukhoff and Romain Berkroube. The menu consists of sophisticated dishes made with carefully chosen ingredients. To ensure you have the best experience, the friendly waiting staff will guide you through the menu and advise you on the best wine to accompany each dish.
The 3 incredible restaurants at the hotel Koh-I Nor: L’Atelier d’Eric, Le Diamant Noir and La Cave, should definitely be on your list to try out during your stay in Val Thorens
Final Thoughts On The Best Restaurants In Val Thorens
As you can see, you can keep it simple for a quick bite or choose from the many traditional restaurants for an authentic alpine French meal. But you can also go all out with elegant Michelin-starred food.
There are many other restaurants in the resort, but I believe these are the best restaurants in Val Thorens. I chose them for this list not just for their food but for their ambience, service, and the experience each one gives you.
Some of them are great for everyday lunches and dinners, while others are ideal for a special evening or celebration that will add an extra element of luxury to your trip.