This is the same shortlist we send every guest before they arrive. It isn't a scrape of whatever is nearest on a map — it's the places we'd send friends to, after several seasons of eating our way around the valley.
Two practical things worth knowing before you read on. Book ahead — almost everywhere here is small, and in ski season the good places fill days in advance. And check opening months: a few close between seasons, and one on this list is summer-only.
In Les Houches — walking distance
For the view
- La Guinguette des Chavants — Lakeside café-restaurant right on Lac des Chavants, at the foot of the Prarion gondola. Simple, homemade, family-friendly food with a gorgeous terrace view of the Aiguille du Midi and Aiguille du Goûter.
- La Table des Granges — A real find up at Les Granges d'en Haut: a bistronomic restaurant with an unbeatable 180° terrace view of the Mont Blanc massif and the Aiguille du Midi. Inventive, produce-driven cooking that swings from a beautifully cooked char to a proper fondue or raclette, and a warm, knowledgeable welcome on wines and cocktails. Worth the short drive to find it — book ahead, especially for a table at sunset.
Cosy and Savoyard
- Le Refuge des Loups (still known locally as Le Basilic) — Cosy, chalet-style restaurant near the Les Houches chairlift serving French and Savoyard classics: onion soup, warm goat's cheese salad, fondue and tartiflette, in a quiet, friendly setting away from the Chamonix crowds.
Casual, lively, good for groups
- RockyPop — Fun, offbeat restaurant-brasserie at the entrance to Les Houches, with burgers, thin-crust pizzas and brasserie classics. Big communal oak tables, a lively cocktail bar, live music some evenings, and two terraces with knockout Mont Blanc views.
- Kitsch Inn — Popular pub-style restaurant with a fun, eclectic menu — burgers, steaks, pasta, seafood — and a lively, welcoming atmosphere. Good for groups and families.
- La Tour De Pizz' — Family-run pizzeria near the Bellevue cable car, known for thin, crispy, generously topped pizzas and a homemade crumble to finish. Small inside, so book ahead or expect a wait in peak season.
- Le Délice — Friendly, cosmopolitan café-bar in the village centre: good for a coffee, brunch or a casual bite, with a lovely terrace and a warm, chatty atmosphere. Home-cooked bar food and cocktails come evening.
A change from Savoyard
- Gandhi — A small, family-run Indian and Pakistani restaurant tucked into the St Antoine area of the village. Real homemade dishes, a warm welcome, and good vegetarian and vegan options.
In Chamonix — a short drive down the valley
Ten minutes by car, or the free valley bus, for when you want a change of scene. This is where the valley's cooking gets ambitious.
Our favourites
- Mumma — Our favourite. Buzzy restaurant from a Swedish chef, built around small sharing plates that mix Japanese, Korean and South American flavours. Book ahead, though a few tables are kept for walk-ins.
- Munchie — French, Scandinavian and Asian influences, with plates made for sharing. Fun, buzzing atmosphere. Reservations recommended.
Savoyard and French classics
- Le Monchu — A Chamonix institution since 1972, built from parts of an old Savoyard farmhouse. Fondue, raclette and pierrade cooked over an open fire in a rustic, memorabilia-filled dining room.
- Malabar Princess — Savoyard classics (fondue, raclette, pierrade) done a little more creatively, with a fondue recipe developed alongside a Michelin-starred chef. Warm, contemporary mountain décor.
- La Fine Bouche — Small, cosy French bistro serving proper home cooking: escargots, local charcuterie, fondue, and profiteroles for dessert. Intimate, so book ahead.
- La Crèmerie des Aiguilles — Tucked beside Lac des Gaillands with a terrace looking straight at Mont Blanc and the Bossons glacier. Cosy chalet feel, fondue, croûte and grilled dishes. Worth the short walk or bus ride out of town.
For a special occasion
- Albert 1er — One-Michelin-star dining in an elegant, understated room, run by the same family since 1903. Refined, produce-driven regional cooking: lake fish, local pork and lamb, herbs from their own garden.
- L'Auberge du Bois Prin — The gastronomic restaurant of a small luxury hotel above town, overseen by three-Michelin-starred chef Emmanuel Renaut, with inventive seasonal cooking and superb Mont Blanc views. A special-occasion splurge.
- Comptoir des Alpes — Refined French-Italian cooking in a smart, modern dining room by the Aiguille du Midi lift, with a chef who trained under Alain Ducasse. Good for a proper sit-down dinner.
Japanese
- Tanpopo — Tiny, unfussy spot for proper ramen, curry rice, gyoza and mochi. Few tables, so go early or take it away.
- Yumidori — Modern, accessible Japanese from a national sushi-competition finalist: maki, sushi bowls and well-made classics, eat in or takeaway.
- Satsuki — Calm, air-conditioned Japanese restaurant serving sushi, sashimi, tempura and sukiyaki. Popular, so a reservation helps.
- Sushi Shop — Reliable takeaway sushi chain, good for a quick, quality option.
Italian
- Casa Valerio — Lively, authentic Italian run by an Italian family: award-winning wood-fired pizza (forty-plus varieties), fresh pasta and a serious wine list.
- Joiai — Popular modern Italian for pizza (including fun combinations and gluten-free options) and pasta. Book ahead, it fills up fast.
Indian and Nepalese
- Annapurna / Annapurna 2 — Chamonix's original Indian and Nepalese restaurant, going since 1993. Warming curries, tandoori and vegetarian-friendly options — a good change of pace from Savoyard food.
- Yak — Small, family-run Nepalese spot serving authentic momos, dal bhat and curries in a cosy setting. A real hidden gem.
Quick, casual and summer-only
Staying at Apartment Leo
This list — plus directions, access codes, lift information and everything else you need — lands in your inbox three days before check-in. The apartment sleeps four, 350 m from the lifts in Les Houches, with a shared pool, spa and sauna.