Restaurants

French

There are no limits to good options here as the French do enjoy their own cuisine. So we have quite a few recommendations.

For great value the Bivouac on the main pedestrian zone is the winner for lunch or dinner. The steak and chips is the best in town and no one has better salads. Try the chicken liver salad, it is a treat.

For fine dining, Le Matafan at the Hotel Mont Blanc rates a very special mention for the food alone. The decor is 80's and the service and ambiance variable but it is most definitely worth a visit. The set menu options are excellent value and will provide a memorable experience.

The serious foodie can take heart in the fact that Chamonix has two Michelin starred restaurants, Le Bistrot and the Albert 1er, and many more are recommended in the guide.

The Atmosphere, L'Impossible, Bergerie & Caleche all do the classic dishes well and their service and ambiance ensure a first-class dining experience. They are also the best options for large groups. The famous dishes of fondue, côte de boeuf, foie gras, raclette and pierrade can all be sampled at each.

Further up the valley there are two notable recommendations, La Cabane and Le Sarpe, both situated in La Praz. The first offers a dining experience which would not be out of place in any major resort in the world. The second is a hidden gem in the woods well worth seeking out.

Burgers

For some reason Chamonix seems to be the burger capital of the Alps.

There is a fierce competition and strong loyalties to the many burger joints in Cham. Our vote goes to Belouga. This long-term favourite of many locals serves the best burger outside of Queanbeyan, Australia.

My personal choice is the Sunlight with chilli sauce. Try it, I think you will agree.

Midnight Express is a favourite with the ski bum fraternity as they jam hot chips into their special burgers and also stay open the latest. Poco Loco a few doors up is also very popular. There is an indoor sitting area and they also serve cold beer. To top it off they possess the most entertaining access stairs for any guest toilet in this region of the Alps.

Pizza

This is another strong category in Chamonix that brings out the best in its competitors. The Nomadic Team frequents Casa Valerio and Bartavel Pizzeria and has done so for the last few years. We will stand by our allegiances, although Pizza Salsa has many supporters and is easier to do a drive-by.

Casa Valerio and Bartavel Pizzeria for the great pizzas straight from the wood fired oven. Both let you conjure up your own combinations. My personal recommendation is a pizza with goats chesse, calabrese salami and rocket.

Quiche

For many years we would only eat quiche like real men ie. staggering home from the pub and stopping at a local baker known affectionately as the "Quiche Man". Those days are gone, as he now makes chocolates for a living.

But we feel it is still worth noting the finest example of this national French dish, especially when it is this good. The Thon (Tuna) Quiche at the Salon de The, near Snell Sport is the centre of town, is stupendous.

International

Chamonix has a surprising number of different cuisines from around the world. Noodles, curries, sushi, it’s all here.

Satsuki is our local Japanese haunt and it is top notch. The European Alps are not synonymous with great sushi but Chamonix most certainly is. A great value lunch menu-du-jour can always be found too.

The Annapurna makes a very honest trade as a curry house lost in the Alps. It may struggle to survive on Golden Mile in Birmingham but after a few pints it is a welcome sight. Our other Indian-style restaurant Tigre Tigre is a slick looking bar and curry house. It’s a fantastic location for cheeky sport watching as they seem to be able to telecast anything from cricket to the most innocuous football match. However on the food front they serve European curry not real British curries yet...

The same can be said of the Chinese restaurants in Chamonix Chez Yang and Le Dragon d'or. The food is French/Chinese rather than any famous takes on Cantonese cuisine.

Chamonix now also boasts a new Korean restaurant and new Moroccan restaurant. We will endeavour to review them in the coming months.

Modern

The best in this category over recent years has been Munchie. The smoked prawns or maki of the day followed by steak or duck is truly a meal to remember. It’s necessary to book well ahead, particularly for large groups.

Of the same ilk is a little noodle bar called Alan Peru on Rue Aguille du Midi. Great value lunches and excellent atmosphere. The red duck curry is very good but for the noodle dishes it depends on who is cooking.

Pub Grub

The Jekyll is a great place to get some comfort food and is an excellent spot for a quiet ale.

The MBC (Micro Brewery Chamonix) does a great line in burgers, nachos and the like. Their famous chicken wings are half price on Tuesday night and make a perfect accompaniment to the home brew.

The Swedish run Chambre Neuf does it's own take on pub food and is always popular for good reason. This is only open for food at lunch in the winter.

Saturday Market

Although mentioned in another section it seems wrong to discuss the valley’s food offerings and not bring to light the fabulous market on a Saturday morning. Something the French do and the rest imitate.

Needless to say the local cheeses, meats, fresh breads, fruit, vegetables and other local delicacies are the best you can get.

The most notable of stands is that of 'Chicken Man' who has done for BBQ chicken what Michelangelo did for painting the ceiling…raised it to an art form. What else can we say but join the queue.