Chamonix valley / Restaurants & bars

Italian, Japanese, French, Tex-mex, Indian… nearly every food type is covered in Chamonix. There is a huge variety of restaurants. The Gault Milau rated Le Chaudron is probably the best for local specialities though it is very small, so book ahead. Alternatively try La Bergerie or Le National. Munchie is the perfect restaurant to visit if you have overdosed on cheese: excellent Thai/modern European fusion that won’t hurt your wallet. The fresh sushi served at Satsuki is another good alternative to cheese - the lunch-time menu is a bargain. The cooking at the Maison Carrier, the non-Michelin starred restaurant at the Albert Première, is also extremely good. For excellent fish dishes try the French formality of L'Atmosphère restaurant.

The Micro Brewery de Chamonix (MBC) is a good choice for more casual dining with a menu of burgers, Thai curry and pleasing appetisers. Often overlooked by the tourist crowds it is well-known by the guiding community and seasonnaire population so book a table before you go. Back in town Casa Valeria is the top choice for pizzas and pasta - the Dolce Vita next-door deals well with the over-spill of customers unable to get a table. If you can't quite handle a fondue for lunch the popular Bistrot des Sports does a good menu of salads and simple French dishes including a reasonably priced 'plat du jour'. There are plenty of places to take-away: from toasted sandwiches from Belouga, burgers and chips at Poco Loco, pizza from Pizza Salsa and kebabs at Cappadoce.

There are over 30 bars open from late afternoon until the early hours. During the peak weeks of the ski season, the bars are full to over-flowing: at other times night-life can be a surprisingly quiet affair. The Rue des Moulins was the centre of Chamonix's night-time entertainment until a fire in 2006 destroyed the popular Cybar and the Dick's T-Bar nightclub, as well as damaging the Queen Vic. Le Privilège escaped the fire and has established itself as the top choice for après-skiers looking for a more refined place to drink. Bar’d Up, further down the Rue, draws in the younger tourist crowds.

Away from the Rue, the cocktail bar at the Clubhouse is very laid-back chic but is members only, so either join up or befriend a member. Its main competition is No Escape a slick operation that wouldn't feel out of place in London. The lovely art deco architecture of La Terrasse's first floor gives the bar a classier feel, in contrast to the more grungy ground floor. Along Rue du Docteur Paccard The Pub doesn't try too hard to be anything but a pleasant place for a beer and a chat. Le Choucas just across the road is a different fish altogether with a very male clientele. The South Bar is the heart of Cham Sud's social scene famous for its Swedish contingent and one of the few bars in the valley to have a more equal male:female ratio.

Night-life dies down from 1 or 2am unless you venture into one of Chamonix's nightclubs - with nothing much beyond 1am in Argentière or the other smaller villages. Le Garage (or Gay Rage) in Cham Sud is the biggest club in the ski resort where it's easy to stay until the small hours. The music is what matters at La Cantina and it attracts a clubbier crowd than a typical ski resort nightclub. Another option is BPM.

Click on the links for the full list of restaurants, bars and nightlife in Chamonix; restaurants and bars in Argentière and the rest of the Chamonix valley.

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