Courmayeur Restaurants & Bars
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RECOMMENDED RESTAURANTS AND BARS IN COURMAYEUR on and off the mountain
Advanced reservation is always advised.
Why Momentum like it!
What sets this resort apart from every other resort in the Alps are the mountain restaurants and the ability to order simple, beautifully cooked food with wonderful wine. This is something that is just not possible in the UK and should be cherished by anyone with gastronomic ambitions. Add to this – at the majority of these establishments – wonderful welcome and breathtaking scenery, and you’re likely to struggle against a serious desire to linger there all afternoon. Do by all means tell the owners you’re with Momentum Ski. Not because we’re making any commission, but in the hope that you’ll be treated as a ‘friend of a friend’.
RESORT RESTAURANTS
Run by Mimmo. Great ambiance (antique wooden furniture and brassware which should make this place a museum) with a refined setting. But not at all stuffy. A good halfway house between a simple brasserie level and gastronomic! Plus the added advantage of a spacious bar where you can meet pre-dinner so your friends won’t be upset if you’re a few minutes late. This is probably the most popular restaurant with the Milan set so be sure to book in advance Tel: +39 0165 844609.
Cosy setting and good food, with a creative streak running through parts of the menu. Aria has a fantastic wine list with some real affordable gems. If you are up to discovering new wines, give Aldo your budget (owner and sommelier) and ask for a recommendation. He is wonderfully knowledgeable and is passionate about cooking and wines. The menu is modern Italian and innovative with Aldo’s own twist on regional dishes. To end the meal, try the grappa ( Bric del Gaian) with an aroma of Christmas pudding! Tel: +39 0165 842880.
The owner is Ciro. You can’t miss him! The restaurant serves refined and yet comfort Italian regional cuisine. Pizzas on the menu for those who can’t make a decision. Great atmosphere & cosy. Definitely a must in Courmayeur and one of our favourites, especially when we can’t decide where to go. If you like your beer try the local brew which is stocked here. It’s always busy here so pre-booking is a must.
Tel: +39 0165 843330.
The owner is Andrea who is the local photographer. The menu changes weekly but covers all Italian regional cooking. A meat eater’s paradise!!! 15 minute walk from the centre but well worth it. Make sure Andrea is in!
Tel: +39 0165 843442.
Best for fondues, raclette and brasserades. , Why you’d have this in Courmayeur, we have no idea but just in case you miss France or Switzerland, here is your place. Tel: +39 0165 842281.
Pierre Alexis – A long standing Courmayeur institution tucked away on a side street behind the via Roma under the management of Stefano and Monica (look out for the running water trough outside when looking for it).
Brightly decorated (too bright) in French brasserie style with white painted furniture. On the last 2 visits, the food was excellent with a modern twist on some regional classics. We particularly enjoyed the ragu of wild boar Tagliatelle, the Tortelli stuffed with veal cheek, lentil cream sauce and chestnuts, venison fillet tataki, and the amazing apricot Tiramisu.
Tel: +39 0165 847600.
The best pizzas in town and excellent value. Pizzas are baked Neapolitan style with good dough and crispy edges. They are far too big though! You are better off ordering one between two and then order another one later, otherwise the Pizza will get cold and the cheese goes hard! If you are a group, ask them for a pizza tasting option or what we call, Death by Pizza and then it just keeps coming and coming. !!!
Good, simple, great value, local Italian cuisine in a friendly atmosphere. Run by Giuseppe who has been around running restaurants and bars in Courmayeur forever. The house speciality dessert is a winner!
Tel. +39 0165 841977
Located on a corner at the end of Via Roma, opposite Hotel Courmayeur. Excellent choice gourmet burgers and Panini . Perfect for those arriving late on the first night. They also stock Courmayeur’s own beer.
Tel: +39 0165 841705.
Opened last year and run by Pasqualino who has also had l’Etoile in Verrand under his belt for a number of years. Despite its smart alpine décor, the essence of the menu here is very much the hearty regional cuisine with a nod to Savoie ( Aosta Valley used to be in the Savoy Kingdom!) You will recognise the familiar sounding names of Tartiflette, Raclette and Fondue . You need to like cheese here:-) Try the lovely specialities of the Region such as wonderful La Favo, stewy pasta dish ( maccheroni size) with fontina cheese, beans, tomatoes and croutons or Spaghetti alla Chitarra La Clochette with cream of bacon and fontina. We enjoyed our red wine panna cotta and the trio of sorbets.
Tel +39 0165 848157
This little restaurant is tucked away just off Via Roma at the ground floor of Hotel Cristallo. Alain who also owns Hotel Courmayeur, has opened something quite unique in Courmayeur. Named after his grandmother Juditta, the brasserie offers 2 tasting menus of the Aosta Valley region. One priced at Euro 38 and our particular favourite the 45 Euro menu which includes a Swiss style Medieval Potence (Gibbet) with marinated beef filet chunks flambe’d with Cognac. Max and Giorgio run the restaurant who both speak fluent English (Giorgio runs Alpetta up the mountain and Max is a ski instructor). As this place has only just opened, it’s likely that it is only busy on Saturday nights. If you are a group of friends, this a gre0at way to share and taste some of the region’s specialities. Tel: +39 3661060297
ON MOUNTAIN
Run by the charismatic Giacomo at the top of the Maison Vieille chair lift. This really is the perfect place to sit and enjoy great food (roast baby pig, great pastas, pizzas and local lardo) and some wonderful Italian wine, while the young ones or beginners practise on the nursery slopes nearby. You’ll get a warm welcome from Giacomo whose music tastes can be heard and seen on display as hundreds of tickets for some of the biggest names in Rock and Pop history. Great music, a setting to die for – nestled in the mountains, superb views of the Mont Blanc massif, this is an all-round gem. This is our favourite setting for several reasons. You really feel that you are in the mountains. We love the fact that in bad weather, intimate restaurant and in good weather, the tables outside give you the chance to sit almost randomly on a natural snowy terrace. NB: For an original mountain dining experience, parties or dinners with snowmobile transport to and from the refuge can be arranged on request. Tel: +39 328 0584157.
Some of the best food on the mountain. Run by Anna and Paola Costa, a combination of front of house (Anna) and chef driven (Paolo) restaurant, hence the occasional shouting matches & visible arguments. But what they do care about is sourcing their ingredients and this comes through. Located just above Plan Checrouit, on the side of Chiecco poma lift, this intimate restaurant is run with passion. Beautiful wines and impeccable ingredients handled with care (anchovies, semi liquid-centred mozzarella and great quality beef). As one client said, “After you get over the initial “shock and awe” of the hosting style, the food was fantastic, even if she refused to get you what you wanted!!” Anna is very good at changing your mind on your menu choice ☺ . It’s good food – but be prepared to stick to your guns despite the persistent upselling on food & wine and clarify prices for anything not listed on the menu (like the grated truffle on your pasta!) and keep an eye on your bill!
Tel: +39 338 700 3035.
At the bottom of Zerotta and under new management. Look forward to your feedback.
Tel: +39 0165 869066.
A must do restaurant and definitely one of our favourites and host to Mountain Gourmet Ski Experience lunches. Wonderful rustic interior, friendly staff and good service, by the Chiecco drag lift. Unlike other mountain restaurants which are front of house driven, this is visibly a chef driven restaurant ( Guido is the patron).
Good regional specialties and a nice way to try them all is to share. Try the oak aged Pinot Gris by Triolet with your antipasti and a magnum of Anselmet Syrah Henri with your tris of pastas. In fact any of the Anselmet wines will do! Tel: +39 0165 846584.
For those looking for modern and chic look, amazing views, huge sun terrace then look no further. There are two restaurants. Pizzeria upstairs and a smart a la carte restaurant downstairs with big glass windows and views. This restaurant plays host to Mountain Gourmet Ski Experience. Run by the lovely Alessandra and her team. Ask her for a wine recommendation and you will taste a hidden gem from either the Aosta Valley or the Dolomites. Another one to consider at night too. Tel: + 39 392/9585987.
Sandwiched between Chiecco and Chateau Branlant next to the Chiecco drag lift at Plan Checrouit, Alpetta recently came under the new management of Giorgio, who looks every bit the well aged rockstar and always has great music on in the restaurant. It’s a nice low key option with good wholesome cooking and friendly, fluent English speaking service. Produce is locally sourced and dishes offer authentic simplicity with traditional mountain fayre and a great menu of gourmet burgers.
Tel: +39 349 399 13 63
Run by Carlo and his son Francesco. Located at Plan Checrouit top of the main cable car. Best meeting point. Don’t let the justified reputation for fantastic pizzas at this foot-of-the-slopes restaurant stop you from trying other wonderful dishes. Good wine list and great hosts. Beautiful views down the valley on a clear day from the back of the restaurant. Carlo & Francesco host this restaurant at Plan Checrouit with the care and attention that can only be gained from years of experience. They are famous for the quality of their pizzas, and it’s easy to see why. Sitting out on the back terrace with one of Carlo’s off the menu specials, with a beautiful bottle of Nebbiolo, is a must for any visitor to Courmayeur. The only problem is you will be missing some other real gems. Do ask if they have any dishes of the day. Just watching Carlo at work is a real pleasure.
Tel: +39 0165 843572.
Something a little different! Super G is on the mountain in a prime spot at Plan Checrouit at the top of the main cable car. A popular mountain eatery day and night and après ski terrace in the afternoon with music and live DJ’s most weekends.
The nightly cable car service to Plan Checrouit runs until 11.30 pm, no more rushing back for the last cable car, relax and have a drink before heading down. True Apres-Ski. It also means that you can now head up the mountain for an evening meal paying a supplement of Euro 10 for the cable car at the gate. 6 restaurants in this area are accessible by foot.
Other restaurants – meriting a detour are La Grolla with a smart modern style dining room and great views on its jetty in Val Veny (try the pumpkin ravioli). Zerotta, great place to come for the evening with snowmobiles and Bar du Soleil located at Plan Checrouit for good family menu.
A regular pit stop is the Chez Croux near the top of the Checrouit gondola. If you have a sweet tooth you will find the best cakes and high energy warm drinks such as their Bomardino!!
BARS
Comfortable and up-market with great character. Frequented by the locals and the Milan set. Very Italian. Great for aperitivi and bar snacks. Tel: + 39 0165 844609.
Situated at the beginning of the pedestrian zone and a few minutes walk from the main lift; this is the ideal après-ski bar. The big table of help-yourself anti-pasti as you walk in really sets the scene, and good tunes create a perfect finish to a day’s skiing. The bar is scattered with old sofas and tables and can get pretty busy around 5pm. Gets very lively after dinner too! Tel: +39 340 530 9651.
Narrow bar area, with good atmosphere and music. More comfortable seating at the back. Good choice of beers. Use the bigger room at the back for seating. Crepes and panini served until 2am.
Tel: 39 0165 846707.
Friendly bar with comfortable sofas and fireplace. Also the place to go to watch rugby or football matches. Tel: 39 0165 842435.
Run by Biaggio, the oldest bar in town, appointed in traditional style. The most attractive part is the fireplace area around the back. Smart and not touristy. Excellent bar snacks and wines by the glass. Good light menu if you had a big lunch up the mountain. Tel: +39 0165 842272.
Run by Fabio and his mum, small,intimate bar above the American Bar, with an exclusive atmosphere. Something of a local establishment – not to be missed. If you’re not sure about venturing out of your hotel into the town for the evening, just have a drink here and we guarantee you’ll change your mind! Great cocktails (try a Negroni or vodka with freshly squeezed oranges) and a wonderful welcome at this intimate cosy lounge bar. We love the nibbles delivered with each round of drinks. The perfect pre-dinner drinks bar.
Tel: +39 0165 843681.
A new small cocktail bar, situated a short distance from the Via Roma. Extensive cocktail list, try the award winning “Dze’ Nerva”,or perhaps go for an interesting variation on the classic Italian Spritz, like “High Mountain”, a local version spiked with a healthy shot of genepy. Beer drinkers will not be disappointed as there is an excellent local beer on tap too.
Open every day until well after midnight, the only bar in Courmayeur with live music – catch local bands every Thursday. DJ sets late too. A panini, snacks and tapas menu available all hours. Say the magic words “Momentum Ski” for our special drink rates.
Tel: +39 328 6725420