by In terms of culinary quality – but not necessarily price – most of the restaurants in La Plagne pig on the middle ground. There are a few exceptions, such as the Union restaurant in Plagne Montalbert run by Michelin-starred British chef Phil Howard and Le 360 on the slopes in Plagne Montalbert with wall-to-wall glass windows at 1,970m, which is accessed via the Montalbert. gondola. For views, try the snack bar with a terrace above the Vanoise glacier, opening for 2023/24 at the top of the new Glacier gondola.
All 11 resort villages have restaurants offering typical mountain fare; Plagne Center and Plagne Bellecôte have more burger bar style options aimed at a younger crowd. Joya is slightly more extensive, which opened in 2022/23 in La Plagne Centre, where gourmet-style burgers come, along with fondues, salads and fresh juices.
The most interesting mountain restaurants tend to be found in and above the outlying villages, such as Champagny-en-Vanoise and Montchavin-Les Coches.
For more La Plagne inspiration, check out our guides to the best resort accommodation and après ski.
In vacation
By Schuss
Although you wouldn’t necessarily expect to choose somewhere in the Plagne Aime 2000 base building that looks sharp for a night out, Le Schuss is an exception. It serves traditional French cuisine as well as international classics such as burgers and ribs. The wooden environment is warm and colorful and there is also a terrace for lunch.
Price: ££
Contact: 00 33 479 09 05 28; facebook.com
Pépé & Cie
A pink restaurant at the bottom of the slopes in Plagne Centre, Pépé & Cie is open from 10am to 10pm, serving pizza and other family-friendly dishes, as well as salads, and meats cooked in their wood-fired oven.
Price: ££
Contact: pepeetcie.jimdosite.com
Carlina Hotel
The adventurous gastronomic restaurant at the four-star Hotel Carlina in Belle Plagne is run by chef Thibault Schach, who provides a varied menu with locally sourced ingredients. As well as being a good dinner spot, the restaurant is also open at lunchtime and has a south-facing terrace – great when the weather is fine.
Price: £££
Contact: carlina-belleplagne.com
By Matafan
With a beautiful rustic interior and a large sunny terrace in Belle Plagne, Le Matafan is popular for lunch and dinner. Starters could include charcuterie boards of local meats and cheeses, salmon tartare on cucumber and avocado or cauliflower and ginger. With Savoyards specialties, steaks, burgers and fish dishes as mains.
Price: ££
Contact: lematafan.fr
Union
Former London-based chef Phil Howard, together with La Plagne local Martin Cuchet offer fine dining in an intimate and cozy setting at Union in Montalbert. Expect starters like beetroot-cured salmon or cashew nut hummus, followed by duck breast with roasted roots or cod fillet with celeriac puree. Desserts are mostly British favourites, including triacle tart and rice pudding.
Price: £££
Contact: unionmontalbert.com
Cocoon Grill
For something different, book one of the small round Finnish chalets at Hotel le Cocoon (the hotel is closed, but the restaurant is still open) in Plagne 1800. The chef cooks meals over a Scandinavian Kota grill in the center the chalet. Available for groups between six and 21, a set menu is offered, which must be booked in advance.
Price: £££
Contact: hotel-lecocoon.fr
On the mountain
Le Hors Piste Restaurant
Near the main piste in Belle Plagne, Restaurant Le Hors Piste is a simple pizzeria that serves excellent soups and salads at reasonable prices.
Price: £
Contact: 00 33 479 55 16 33; la-plagne.com
Chez Pat Du Sauget
Chez Pat Du Sauget is located near the Vanoise Express, in the Montchavin area, in a restaurant in an old chalet. It has a pleasant sun terrace and a rustic interior of rough walls and wooden beams. The kitchen serves delicious local dishes for lunch and dinner and you can stay overnight in one of the five bedrooms.
Price: ££
Contact: le-sauget.com
Le Chalet des Verdons Sud
Above Champagny, Le Chalet des Verdons Sud is a large wooden chalet that serves traditional cuisine and has a huge central log fire. Looking south over Champagny, there are wonderful views across to Courchevel from its terrace. It also has a simple snack bar under the main building.
Price: £££
Contact: 00 33 6 44 36 56 57; la-plagne.com
With 360
Every table has a view in this striking glass cube restaurant at 1,970m, accessed via the Montalbert gondola. Le 360 includes a self-service restaurant on the ground floor or table service on the upper level. The menu includes lighter pastas and salads as well as meat specialties.
Contact: le360-laplagne.fr
Price: £££
