Get ready for sticker shock in restaurants, both downtown and on the slopes. . Check out a few places before settling in for dinner or lunch. For bargains try pizza spots, then Tex-Mex restaurants and raclette/fondue places.

Courchevel 1850

Courchevel 1850 is considered to have the best food of any French mountain resort. The Chabichou (479 08 00 55; photo right) maintains a friendly rivalry with the Le Bateau Ivre (4 7908 36 88; photo below left) for the top restaurant in town. Both rate two Michelin stars and both will end up costing about €100–€160 per person.

A meal in La Bergerie (479 08 24 70) shouldn’t be missed, especially if you go on Friday for “Russian night.” Come with plenty of money.

Aux 3 Bo (479 08 29 62) serves creative traditional French cooking (and downstairs, Japanese meals) in a country atmosphere. The small restaurant exudes class and the food is well-prepared. It ranges from warm oyster soup to Fois Gras springroll appetizers and entrees such as sea scallops with polenta and bok choy to lamb chops. In the basement a small wine cave is the perfect place to select your wine and enjoy an appertif. Expect to pay around €120 for a full meal from appetizer to entree to dessert with wine.

La Fromagerie (479 08 27 47) has the best fondue and raclette in town and Michelin agrees, giving it a fork. Choose from cheese specialty menues ranging in price from €24–€36.

For the more reasonable restaurants, try La Saulire (479 08 07 52) with good local specialties and an owner who likes Americans thanks to years of living in Canada. Expect to pay €30–€60 per person for dinner.

La Mangeoire looks almost Western with cowhides, wagon wheels and lanterns. The food is simple but the crowds in the evening are great. Expect to pay €23–€30.

l’Arbe (479 08 26 03) is where the locals eat. It seems to be crowded from lunch time on, first with the lunch crowd and then with the après-skiers, then with the dinner folk. Another good spot for pizza is La Smalto (479 08 31 29).

The following were all enthusiastically recommended by locals. La Chapelle (479 08 19 48; photo below right) is a small place where they say you’ll swear your grandma was cooking (hope that’s a pleasant memory). La Cendrée (04 79 08 29 38) serves Italian meals and has one of the best Italian wine cellars in the region.

For traditional Savoyard meals try one of these restaurants. Le Génépi (479 08 08 63); Le Mazot (479 08 41 72) for raclette, fondue and tartiflette; L’Alpage (479 08 24 87); Le Carnozet (479 08 41 47); Refuge (479 08 36 65) has salads for €12 and tartiflette for €17; and La Montagne (479 08 09 85) for mountain-style meals.

L'Aventure (479 08 35 21) next to the Croisette Center and just steps to the slopes, serves an eclectic menu with good Tartiflette and Omelette Savoyard. Expect to pay around €20-€28 for a substantial Savoyard lunch.

For great atmosphere head to La Bergerie (previously mentioned) or Les Allobroges (479 08 10 15) in a wine vault.

Courchevel 1550

Le Caveau (749 08 09 42) has an Alpine woodsy atmosphere and serves very affordable traditional meals next to the Gragettes gondola just off the slopes. They offer a menu of the day for only €11.

L'Oeil de Boeuf (479 08 22 10) is in an authentic restored barn. The meats are grilled in an open fireplace with lots of flaring flames and sizzle. The meals are affordable and the experience fun.

La Praz (Courchevel 1300)

Le Bistrot du Praz (479 08 41 33) in Courchevel 1300 serves some of the best foie gras and local specialties in the area. The French country atmosphere adds a special flavor to the experience.

Across the lane in the Hotel Peupleirs is La Table de Mon Grand-Pere (479 08 41 42) which exudes atmosphere. The lunch menu price is around €25 and dinner will range from €40 to €60 with a reasonable wine.

On the slopes

Stop at the Chalet de Pierres (479 08 18 61) if you want to see and be seen. Bring your credit cards—the menu and wine runs €40 or more for lunch!

Le Panoramic (479 08 00 88) has one of the best 360-degree views in the Alps from its deck at the top of the Le Saulire tram. Downstairs is a self-service restaurant with meals from tartiflette to sausages to polenta. Upstairs is a full sit-down restaurant.