Absolute Alps Holidays Ski Blog

I’ve been skiing the Portes du Soleil for over 10 years now and thought I should share a few of my favourite mountain side restaurants. What is better than a little local knowledge when looking for somewhere to stop for lunch.

Fantaski – Chatel / Pre-la-Joux

Location – First restaurant at the top of the first lift (Pierre Longue)

This restaurant is often a favourite with guests staying at our ski chalet, it’s easy to find and a great rendezvous place for a big group, loads of seating outside for sunny days and a wood burning stove inside for chilly days. Great value food with cheese burger and chips (Surfer et frites) for under €10. It can be a little slow to serve food during busy weeks of the season so a good idea to avoid the 12:30 – 13:30 rush hour.

Chez Denis – Chatel / Pre-la-Joux

Location – Last restaurant on left at Plaine Dranse, set 50m back and up from the piste

This authentic Savoyard restaurant, has a pretty small menu which is mainly cheese related (they produce their own cheese). They specialise in about a dozen different mountain dishes which are generally made from the same basic ingredients of cheese, potatoes & dried meats. Perfect food for warming you through after a cold mornings skiing. The interior is cosy and welcoming with a lovely atmosphere. One of the few restaurants to serve a 1 person fondue.

La Terrasse – Lindarets / Goat Village

Location – Right in the middle of the Goat Village (Village des Chèvres), just down from Lindarets

The numerous restaurants in the little hamlet of the Goat Village are generally all pretty good, but my personally favourite is La Terrasse. Which as the name suggests boasts a panoramic terrace with fantastic views when the weather is good, although the inside is charming and warm. The owner David is always friendly and welcoming, he provides an excellent menu full of tasty dishes. I been there several times in mid-winter to escape a snow storm and had a fabulous long lunch.

Changabang – Avoriaz

Location – Opposite the top of the Avoriaz cable car

Definitely the coolest burger joint in the Portes du Soleil, with its trendy decor, cool music and funky buzzer to let you know your order is ready. But there’s also great food to go with the great atmosphere, a large selection of reasonably priced burgers, plus normal or ‘curly’ fries. They also serve huge bowls of nachos, tasty salads and veggie options. A favourite with seasonaires and cool snowboarders, but everyone is welcome!

Bottom of Zore Piste – Morzine / Super Morzine

Location – Opposite the top of the Super-Morzine gondola, under the bottom of the Zore chairlift

I need to check the name of this restaurant, but it’s to find at the bottom of the Zore piste with the chairlift going over the top. They have a large terrace with great views over towards Morzine, and a fairly small but welcoming interior. Their menu has a wide range of dishes and is generally good value, everything they serve is tasty and good sized portions. This is my favourite place in the Portes du Soleil for omelette & chips, if a couple of people order omelette it is served to share in a large pan which looks very impressive.