Dining

Surprisingly, Val d’Isère has few nationally recognized restaurants. The smaller places that have traditionally offered the top meals are being pressed by local hotels that offer excellent meals at reasonable prices.

La Table de l’Ours inside Hotel Barmes de l’Ours (475 41 37 00) serves award-winning meals and has a Michelin one-star rating to prove it.

L’Atelier d’Edmond (479 00 00 82), a gourmet restaurant in the Fornet village, is owned byJacques Leprivey who is the grandson of Edmond Leprivey, Val d’Isère’s first ski patroller and a do-it-yourself genius. His workshop of tools is on display in one of the theme dining areas. A second area represents a mountain refuge and a third is organised around an immense fireplace. Meticulous service, an original menu and a shuttle service for guests, make this restaurant a true dining experience.

Pier Paul Jack (479 40 10 40) in the Aigle des Neiges hotel is actually three places in one and currently one of the most popular spots in the area. Pier is the hotel restaurant. Paul is the smaller original ‘world cuisine’ restaurant. Jack is the bar where you can try tapas while enjoying live music.

Le Grande Ourse (479 06 00 19) still reigns as the top restaurant in Val d’Isère after decades in that position. The in-terior is the most beautiful of any restau-rant in the region. It’s almost worth the price just to eat in such surroundings. Meals here are as gourmet as they get in Val d’Isère. Expect to pay €35–€50 for meal with wine.

Hotel Savoyarde Restaurant (479 06 01 55; photo above left) is consistently mentioned as the second-best eatery. The dining room has a beautiful wooden ceiling, a warm Savoyard atmosphere and a delightful menu for €30–€40, including wine.

The Hotel Bellier Restaurant (479 06 03 77) serves excellent fare. Menu prices are about €25 with wine. The dining room is an elegant and cozy Alpine spot. Reservations are recommended unless you’re a hotel guest.

Both of the following restaurants are within a stone’s throw of one another in the La Daille ski area. They serve good meals in some of the resort’s most rustic settings.

The Samovar (479 06 13 51) in La Daille serves whole-some meals. Besides their tradional Savoyard dishes, there’s also freshly baked, homemade pizza every night.

La Vieille Maison (479 06 11 76) also in La Daille serves Savoyard specialties in the atmosphere of a flickering fire, whitewashed walls and flagstone floors.

These restaurants serve up less costly meals:
Restaurant La Corniche (479 06 18 75; photo right) tucked between the stone buildings of the old village, is a new spot with a splendid dining room. Stone walls alternate with wood—this is how a modern Alpine restaurant should look. Expect to spend €20.

Taverne d’Alsace (479 06 48 49) serves up German-Alsatian cuisine, including a potent onion cake, in a very cozy bar setting.

Restaurant Bellevue, across the street from the tourist office, is a good, inexpensive restaurant where you can get away for less than €17–€20.

For pizza, try Perdrix Blanche. Cheese fondue (€12), fondue bourgogne (€20) and raclette (€12), are best sampled in La Raclette in Hotel Avancher (479 06 02 00) and Restaurant Arolay in Le Fornet (479 06 11 68; photo left).

On the slopes, try La Folie Douce (479 06 01 47) and La Fruitière (479 06 07 17) at La Daille midsta-tion and Bellevarde (479 06 05 76) at the top of the funival. Also try Cabaret des Neiges at the midstation at Solaise; La Datcha at Solaise; Les Tufs (479 06 25 01) at the base of La Daille; and La Taniere (479 06 11 29) at the midstation of La Face.

Locals will promote their favorites—ask for recommendations.