Dining

Even with Gstaad’s jet-set reputation, the best restaurants are just outside town. Naturally, the Palace has several world-class restaurants, but then again most of us are not up to Palace prices. The Cave (photo left) in the Olden Hotel (033-744-3444) in the center of town has excellent dining by anyone’s standards. Expect to pay top price, but you’ll never know with whom you’ll rub shoulders.

Always vying for best gourmet restaurant in town, and winning according to Michelin, is the one-star Chesery (033-744-2451, fax 033-744-8947) serving phenomenal Asian-influenced cuisine. Open your wallet wide.

The best Italian meal is found at Rialto (033-744-3474) where the daily menu will run about €27.

The Rössli (033-7551012) across the main street from the Olden has typical Swiss cooking at its best. The Arc-en-Ciel opposite the Eggli gondola station is stark but serves excellent Italian food at low prices.

The Sonnenhof (033-744-1023) in Saanen-Unterbord has mouthwatering meals with vistas that are hard to beat. You must call for reservations.

Out-of-Gstaad Places
Schönried has the Alpenrose (t033-744-6767) with a Relais et Châteaux gourmet restaurant. This small nouvelle cuisine restaurant is one of the tops in Switzerland. An exceptional traditional Swiss restaurant is the Bären (t033-755-1033) in Gsteig on the road from Gstaad to Les Diablerets.

Down the road from Gsteig, try the Rössli in Feutersoey (t033-755-1012). In tiny Lauenen enjoy a meal at the Wildhorn (033-7653012). In Rougement, the cozy Cafe du Cerf (026-925-8123) prepares traditional fondue and raclette as well as local meats, and serves them in a 300-plus-year-old chalet where traditional music is played.

Finally, don’t miss the 17th-century Restaurant Chlösterli (033-755-1912) outside town on the road to Gsteig. In Villars, Chef Joel Quentin’s Peppino at the Eurotel Victoria (024-495-3131) is a real treat, with emphasis on native Alpine herbs, flowers and produce. Beyond that, there are pizzas, pastas and local beef.

On the slopes
The best mountain restaurants above Gstaad are at the Eggli and Kalberhöni. Above Schönried, try the Hornberg restaurants—one is slightly more upscale, the other has wonderful rösti and plenty of pasta. Both have great terraces to enjoy the sun. The Rellerli Mountain Restaurant on the opposite side of the valley from Hornberg enjoys a storybook view of Gstaad. Try the Chemi Hütte at Lengebrand above St. Stephan.

In Château-d’Oex make sure to stop at Chamois for a wonderful meal and a panorama from 3,753 feet. Restaurant Botta 3000 tops Glacier 3000. The views are endless; the traditional fare superb.