Best Restaurants in Megève (On and Off Piste)

Megève is one town where you won’t have any problem getting excellent food. With over 6 Michelin-rated and 12 Gault Millau-listed (similar to Michelin, but more food-focused) restaurants in the village alone, Megève is considered one of the most gourmet dining centers of the Alps. And after eating there for a full 4 days – I couldn’t agree more. I dream of every meal I had there to this day. There are numerous restaurants in Megève, both on and off piste that are a must to take advantage of. So when it comes time to decide where to eat, I’ll help you cut through the clutter and choose only the best restaurants in Megève.

As tempting as a half board sounds, make sure that if you choose it, it gives you access to a variety of restaurants. You won’t want to miss out on the liveliness of Megève’s dining and night scene by limiting yourself to one restaurant. For example, Les Fermes de Marie offers a compelling half-board or “dine-around plan” that allows guests to sample some of the best restaurants in Megève. You can choose to eat at over 7 of their restaurants dispersed throughout town and the slopes. Now that’s not bad! You’ll notice that almost every restaurant and/or stay has the word Ferme, or farm, in it. That’s because Megève originally started off as a modest farming village. Once it was discovered by the Rotschild’s however…it took off. But it’s farming roots still remain in the quality of the cuisine, with all ingredients being fresh and farm-to-table.

Now let’s get into it – hope you had lunch because these best restaurants in Megève will make you hungry...

1. La Ferme de Mon Père: Off-Piste

Why we chose it: Different from ordinary and traditional French cuisine
Location: In Megève town
Must-order: Soufflé au Chocolat
Price: €40 – €48 for a main

Before making our way downstairs into the subterranean cave-like restaurant for dinner, we spent some time upstairs at the bar lounge, which is also bar of the Zannier Hotel Chalet within which the restaurant resides. We took a seat on the couch near the fireplace and ordered ourselves 2 cocktails. I ordered myself the cocktail of the day, which was a dark and snowy – HA! Love the name given that it was winter in Megève. The drink was invented by the bartender…wait for it…when he worked at Villa Marie in St. Barth, which is 1) where we stayed when we were in St. Barth and 2) the sister property of Les Fermes de Marie in Megève! Small world…! But we found that usually, the people who visit Megève, tend to visit other places we gravitate to like St. Barth, Cap Ferret, and Île de Ré to name a few.

If you’re looking for traditional, classic French recipes, then La Ferme de mon Père isn’t for you. The restaurant goes very off-piste so to speak. The menu revolves around vegetables and innovative flavors. La Ferme de mon Père is an innovative restaurant that combines ingredients you’d never think of mixing, concocting a delicious flavor that you’ve likely never tasted before in your life. For dinner, we had artichoke dip as an appetizer, Pat had veal blanquette as his main, and I had the chicken tajine with lemon and coriander. Every bite we had was a new flavor we had never tasted before.

Lastly came dessert…or as Patrick calls it “the best lava cake/soufflé” he’s ever had. Patrick has had a lot of chocolate lava cakes over the years, so to say that is high praise. In fact, at the end of the meal he asked the waiter if there was a wizard working in the back kitchen. It turns out, there actually was a wizard back there! While the restaurant is led by Michelin-starred Executive Chef Julien Burlat, the actual chef in the back kitchen was Chef Benjamin Vakanas. Benjamin was voted best apprentice in all of France in 2017 (i.e. Meilleur commis Bocuse d’Or 2017) -and he’s only 19 years old! He was also a finalist in the San Pellegrino Young Chef competition. Bravo! We ended the night with a bit of Génépi, a traditional French herbal liqueur, as a digestivo (which Pat and I have had on multiple occasions both in a mountain hut pre-getting engaged and when in Valle D’Aosta with Ski Itineraries)

Address: 367 Rte du Crêt, 74120 Megève, France

2. La Petite Crêperie: Off-Piste

Why we chose it: Cheap, easy, laidback, down-to-earth
Location: Center of Megève town
Must-order: Crêpes – duh!
Price: €10 – €15 per crêpe

For lunch, we wanted something simple, small, and easy. Something that wouldn’t break the bank in an otherwise foodie town filled with Michelin-starred restaurants, where our cappuccino could cost us up to 5-6 euro. We found a small crêperie tucked away in the center of Megève town called La Petite Crêperie. We each got a galette, or savory crêpe. The place was in fact, very petite. With just a few tables, you do feel a bit elbow to elbow with others, but it adds to the charm. The little wooden shack has alpine tools and memorabilia hanging from the ceiling giving it a genuine and cozy alpine feel, perfect for a laidback and quick lunch.

Address: 41 Rue Charles Feige, 74120 Megève, France

3. Le Refuge: Off-Piste

Why we chose it: Isolated, romantic, and rustic
Location: 12 minutes from main town Megève
Must-order: The pomme tartin
Price: €34 – €50 for a main

Not to be confused with Le Refuge du Calvaire, the restaurant simply called “Le Refuge” is a refuge, or wooden Alpine house, located a 12 minute drive from Megève town. Since we’d be spending every night eating in Megève town, we figured we try a place outside the main area as well. It is located right behind Rochebrune mountain up a winding road. It is a dark and isolated restaurant, which makes it perfect for a romantic evening for dinner and some stargazing. The isolation allows them to focus on the nature of the mountains around them.

Le Refuge specializes in authentic and traditional Savoyard cuisine. The setting is chic, rustic and warm. As a starter we ordered the escargot. For our main we ordered a rack of lamb roasted on a spit with potatoes to share. Lastly for dessert, the pomme tartin, or apple tart, was sliced so thin, I couldn’t count how many layers there were – maybe 16? It literally melted in our math. Delicieux!

Address: 2615 Rte du Leutaz, 74120 Megève, France

4. Sous Le Freddy: On-Piste

Why we chose it: Away from the crowds and hard to get to
Location: Mont Dujon Black Trail on Rochebrune side
Must-order: The set menu – Potato fritters
Price: €17.50 for set menu

For an on-piste lunch, stop by a small and hidden refuge that is not easy to spotor easy to get to. It’s located on a black trail that eventually turns into green if you want, but it does start on a black trail. This is nice because it slims down the crowds significantly. I knew about it because I had read it was a favorite of the owner of our hotel Les Fermes de Marie. And since I have an understanding of their taste and sense of style, I knew this was a can’t miss spot for me. You don’t really get to “choose” your menu here. You eat, what they serve, and what they serve are some of the most amazing potato fritters you’ll ever have, with cheese, bread, charcuterie and a salad. And while it may not sound like a lot, trust me—it’s a lot. If you’re still hungry order their dessert like the amazing tarte au chocolat drizzled in what tasted like a cream syrup. There are limited outdoor seats, but if you can snag one the views are incredible. They even have lounge chairs if you’re looking to take a quick nap before hitting the slopes again. Parfait…

Address: Au milieu des champs, 74170 Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, France

5. Les Fermes de Marie: Off-Piste

Why we chose it: One of the most talked about restaurants in Megève
Location: In Megève town
Must-order: Coquillettes truffle pasta
Price: €32 – €48 for main

The first night it’s clear we are going to gourmandize at a level equal to the skiing. We ate at Les Fermes de Marie restaurant. We started off with some paté followed by the iconic truffle pasta shells or coquillettes, sauget ham, and beaufort cream—a favorite of the Sibuet’s and a staple on the menu—and a pot pie of sorts. The dessert is always buffet style with a myriad of options to choose from. Indulgence is the word here. Your on vacation after all. No one asks if the crème caramel, apple tart, or chocolate soufflés are fat-free. We accompany dinner with a bottle of Sibuet’s own wine, they own a vineyard in Ménerbes where they produce their own family wine.

The menu at Les Fermes de Marie is never the same since it’s based on seasonal local ingredients. There’s no signing of bills either as the property offers demi-pension for just 90euros per person at any of the properties 5 restaurants including Les Fermes de Marie’s very own Le Restaurant Traditionnel, Le Relais in Hotel Mont Blanc, Le Beef Lodge in Hotel Lodge Park, L’Alpage (summer only), and their most recent addition to the list, Le Vieux Megève. And if you like the food that much, don’t forget to stop by their boutique marché called l’Épicerie des Fermes. Located in town, here you can purchase pre-made food like the coquillettes truffle pasta!

Address: 163 Chem. de la Riante Colline, 74120 Megève, France

6. La Cabane à Léo: On-Piste

Why we chose it: Friendly atmosphere and dog
Location: Chateluy green trail on the Mont D’Arbois side towards Saint-Gervais
Must-order: Tartiflette or Croute Savoyard
Price: €10 – €20 for main

But of course, 2PM rolled around and our legs were giving out. Sure, powder is super fun (for some like us), but it takes a toll on the legs since the powder is so heavy. It was time to replenish all those lost calories on the way down to Saint-Gervais ski area. All of a sudden a super furry and cute looking puppy was running along our ski slope. When we got closer to him, he jolted up a small hill into this small restaurant perched. I guess this was a sign, the alpine puppy was all the advertisement we needed. We popped off our skis and followed him in. Who could resist his cuteness?

La Cabane à Léo was simple inside with a nice view of a télécabine, or lift. We ordered some Savoyard specialties to increase that calorie intake. I had a croute savoyard, a glorious bubbling dish of heaven with layers of cheese, bread, speck, and white wine melted together and heated to roughly the temperature of lava. Pat had a tartiflette, a traditional mountain dish among ski stations, made with potatoes and bacon then baked with a slab of Reblochon cheese on top. Which by the way, I later learned that Reblochon cheese is not available for sale in the US...it is illegal. This made me super annoyed because it was by far my #1 favorite cheese in the entire Savoie region. The word tartiflette comes from the old savoyard word for potatoes. It was invented in the 70s to sell more Reblochon cheese.

The owner of the restaurant’s adorable and docile mountain puppy just sat by the door watching us eat our lunch as he occasionally dozed off to sleep or went outside for a breathe of fresh air.

Address: Chateluy, 74170 Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, France

7. La Folie Douce: On-Piste

You haven’t experienced the Savoie region until you’ve done après ski in the mountains at La Folie Douce. The concept is definitely newer on the scene here in Megève. Locals aren’t a fan of the ruckus and type of crowd it’s brought around since Megève is more of an old school, classy town. However, I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed the scene at La Folie Douce. First off, it’s in the mountains, so you don’t hear any of the music and dancing in town. Secondly, it ends as soon as the mountain shuts down around 4PM, so the party ends early, keeping everyone in check. There are dancers and DJs getting the crowd amped up, smoke guns, champagne flutes and sparklers at every corner. It’s a party at a reasonable time of day, and a fun one. Good music, a couple of very expensive drinks (which makes it hard to drink much), and a good time. I recommend it for all ages, you can’t go wrong. Loosen those ski boots and get up on a table!

8. Le Relais Mont-Blanc: Off-Piste

Why we chose it: Heard about the fondue and beef cheek…
Location: Center of Megève Town
Must-order: Tender Beef Cheek
Price: €32 – €55 for main

Tonight we dine in the center of Megève town at the fine-dining establishment Le Relais Mont-Blanc located inside Hôtel Mont-Blanc Megève. The atmosphere is super cozy. They managed to keep the décor of the old chalet with a modern twist. A must in Megève. The menu is varied but rooted in the identity of the Savoie region. For starters we ordered a fricasse of mushrooms in wine sauce. I had to order mushrooms when in Europe…those mountain mushrooms just hit different. American mushrooms got nothing on these. Alongside some smoked féra (a type of fish found in the nearby lakes) with potatoes – superbe.

As a main, Patrick got a tender beef cheek that was braised for 8 hours in Mondeuse d’Arbin wine. It was so tender that it melted in your mouth upon impact. The sauce it came with was incroyable. I, on the other hand, got the half roasted chicken with it’s own juices. The portions were generous and the service attentive and impeccable, even during peak dining hours. The service is distinguished, but not pompous. It’s perfectly balanced.

Dessert was à la carte once again, so we couldn’t skimp out right? Cannoli, apple tart, and chocolate pie…which would you have ordered? We had a taste of all 3.

Address: 29 Rue Ambroise Martin, 74120 Megève, France

9. Alpage de Pre Rosset: On-Piste

Why we chose it: Because of the views and the farm-raised beef
Location: Lanchettes Cote 2000 blue trail on the Rochebrune side
Must-order: The plate of the day
Price: €30 – €40 for main

Our final déjeuner, or lunch, in Megève is sadly at l’Alpage de Pré Rosset. Oh the beautiful sight to behold from here is seriously idyllic. Like something out of a fabulous vintage movie. It has me swooning at first sight. At 1893 meters, or 6,200 feet, is an authentic 1853 farmhouse. Again, Megève used to be a farming village so a lot of its roots and history still remain. The terrace is my favorite spot here. But if it’s snowing hard, you can head on inside, where they will offer you slippers to wear near the wood burning stove.

The food here is traditional Savoyard cuisine, so think the tartiflette from the other day and plenty of fondue and cheese platters. The specialty is also the beef directly from their own farm nearby. That being said, for lunch, Patrick of course ordered the rôti de beouf confit with purée pomme de terre i.e. a roast beef confit with mashed tomatoes. I honestly was still full from breakfast, so got a cheese platter with plenty of bread and a side salad. I can never have enough cheese! Especially of the Reblochon…😍 For dessert, we ordered a slice of the homemade blueberry cake with a caffè savoyard as a digestif. A caffè savoyard is essentially an espresso with fruit brandy. It’s usually served in a grole—an unusual wooden pot that has several carved sprouts so that you can pass it around and everyone can drink from it.

Stuffed, tired, and cooked from the sun, we slathered on some extra sunscreen and sat in the lounge chairs nearby to take a little mid-day nap. Like I said, the views here are incredible. It’s worth the stop just for that.

Address: 5183 Chem. du Tour À Pré Rosset, 74120 Megève, France

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