Food and drink - Chamonix - France

Chamonix is a well-stocked larder of a town. Michelin stars to McDonalds, take-aways to teriyaki, Asian, Indian, Chinese and good traditional Savoyard cheese and ham combos.

Places come and go but it's the special hideaways and secret finds that add to your enjoyment. Whether its the rustic charm of the Cremerie du Glacier in Argentiere or the cellar dwelling Le Caveau, it's discovering your own special place and sharing its delights with others that makes eating out in Chamonix such a joy.

There are 14 'official' mountain restaurants with terraces overlooking the valley and some of the most spectacular views in the Alps. Smaller independently run mountain stops serve warming refreshments and mountain charm in abundance.

Five to try

Bergerie:
The best truly Savoyard restaurant in Chamonix. Hugely popular with the locals and a lovely traditional setting.

Casa Valerio:
This hugely popular Italian-owned restaurant serves, without a doubt, the best pizzas in town .

Chambre Neuf:
If you want to be drunk on 2-4-1 shots by 6pm and have danced on the table to a live band then this is place to be.

No Escape:
The most glamorous of the Chamonix scene and a tad Euro-trashy, but it is big, bustling and high-end, and certainly makes a change from the madness of the average resort bar scene.

Cremerie du Glacier:
Nestled at the foot of a glacier and built in 1926 sits a gem of a mountain retreat. Not only a pit stop for weary hikers but a destination choice for many a hungry visitor.

Our penny's worth

The local cuisine is definitely to be savoured and where else to make the most of it than in one of the superb resort restaurants or in a warm mountain hut up on the slopes. Examples of traditional fare include crozets; tiny squares of pasta served with cheese, ham and cream, and raclette - a grill with a large lump of cheese brought to your table. As it melts, you can scrape the cheese onto cold meats, potatoes and salad. Other ones to look out for include the local Reblochon cheese, and have a go at adding some Chartreuse (a spirit) to your hot chocolate, or simply ask for green chaud.

See our list of guidebooks

Chamonix

Report date:	30 Apr 2008
Last snowed:	29 Apr 2008
Fresh snow:	25cm
Lifts open:	7 out of 43
Snow depth
Lower slopes:	0cm
Upper slopes:	640cm
Piste information
On-piste:	Powder
Off-piste:	Powder
Resort runs:	Closed

Snow conditions

Fresh snow providing some great skiing

Weather

Snow expected later today