Where to eat in Chamonix

More and more restaurants in Chamonix are recognising the benefits of offering a good breakfast menu that's more sustaining than a croissant and a cup of coffee. If you're after an early start, coffee and croissants are easy to find, but if you're after a full English there's a spot for that too.

As in any French town you're never far from a bakery. Head to the centre or the area around Aiguille du Midi for a few options.

Most restaurants in Chamonix offer a children’s menu; and they usually consist of omelette/burger/chicken with chips/salad or a pasta option such as spaghetti bolognese. Those that don’t are usually happy to rustle up a smaller portion, or simplified version, of something that is on the main menu. You could try one of the regional dishes that the whole table shares such as raclette or fondue – the children can then eat as much or as little as they like. Alpine food is not particularly fussy or strongly flavoured and most children love dipping bread into a fondue or grilling their own meat on a pierrade (hot stone).

If you head to the bridge that crosses over the river at the bottom end of town you will find a row of restaurants along a raised deck on the Avenue Aiguille du Midi. They all serve a variety of omelettes, crêpes, salads, pastas and local dishes and are well-priced, informal and friendly. They all offer a children’s menu.

Throughout the resort you'll easily find a French restaurant to suit both your taste buds and your budget, whether it's homemade Savoyarde specials in a cosy rustic bolthole, or a light airy modern gourmet experience with a wine list and dessert menu to die for.

With Chamonix being so close to the Italian border, there are a lot of Italian visitors, some who just come through the tunnel for the day or the weekend. So that being said there is a good provision of Italian restaurants, and you don't have to look far for a pizza. Plus many of the local French restaurants do a decent pizza.

Here you can expect tasty bruschettas, spaghettis, gnocchi, and delicious coffees as if you were really in Italy.

If you've had enough melted cheese and fancy something a bit different, in Chamonix there are a couple of Japanese restaurants, offering either eat-in or take away services with small and simple modern oriental décor and friendly staff.

Chamonix is home to one Michelin starred restaurant, and whilst you might expect a formal dining experience, it is actually very accessible and extremely welcoming. There are also a number of Bib Gourmande listed restaurants in town to enjoy.

Looking for a modern, cosmopolitan vibe with a funky décor and modern international menu, then Chamonix has a number of restaurants that fit the bill. Also worth remembering is some of these places offer fantastic lunch menus at a much reduced price from what you'd pay in the evening. So if you're not out in the mountains every day, pop into town and check out the 'plat du jour'.

Chamonix is not short on bars and pubs, but there are some that offer fantastic pub grub menus, that almost verge on what you'd expect in a restaurant. Expect home made burgers, salads, pastas, fajitas, a variety of menus mixing all cultures and dishes perfectly reflecting the cosmopolitan mix of 'locals' and visitors you'll find here.

Whilst it's nowhere near an ocean, Chamonix actually has its own little seafood scene. You'll find oyster bars, fresh shellfish, specialties and platters that would sit well in any town by the sea.

Sometimes eating out is just too much effort or maybe you just want a quick bite on the run. Well, the choice in town is still varied and plentiful, whether you're looking for a pizza on the sofa or takeaways offering burgers and sandwiches late into the night.

There are many restaurants in Chamonix that have vegetarian and even a few vegan options, especially if you look outside the traditional French restaurants and go more international.