Europe’s best ski resorts for foodies: the ultimate guide

Know your raclette from your tartiflette? From five-star restaurants serving gourmet tasting menus, to cosy Alpine chalets serving steaming fondues, Europe’s ski resorts are all set up for serious foodies. And it’s for good reason: nothing works up an appetite quite like a day spent navigating the red runs or tackling the most nail-biting off-piste descents.

But which ski resort should you head to for the best fine-dining experiences, and which destination packs in the most affordable gourmet meal options? We’ve created a comprehensive list of Europe’s best ski resorts for food lovers, covering three different categories according to the experts at The Michelin Guide.

Firstly, we ranked resorts based on the total number of Michelin Recommended restaurants close by, which haven’t yet received an award but have been flagged as ones to watch. We then factored in the total number of Bib Gourmand restaurants – Michelin’s certification for high-quality food at an affordable price. And finally, we considered the total number of restaurants awarded with a much-coveted Michelin Star. 

The result? Your go-to list of European resorts where the food is as good as the skiing, with Italy’s Corvara in Badia taking first place overall, and resorts in Austria, France and Switzerland featuring in the top 10.

We’ve covered everything from restaurant recommendations at the top-rated resorts to detailed Michelin category guides, so you can find the perfect ski resort according to your dining style. And wherever you’re heading to, don’t forget to order your travel money for those all-important restaurant tips.

The rising stars: Top 10 European ski resorts for Michelin Recommended dining

From Corvara in Badia in Italy, to Austria’s Sankt Anton and France’s Courchevel 1850, these resorts have the highest concentration of restaurants that have been recognised by Michelin Guide experts for serving up great food. 

And because they haven’t been awarded a coveted star – yet – they’re a little more under-the-radar than their Michelin-starred counterparts, which means you’ve got a good chance of booking a prime-time table.

 

A closer look at… Corvara in Badia, Italy

Located in the vast Dolomiti Superski – the largest ski area in the world – Corvara in Badia is one of Italy’s top ski resorts. And, as our research found, it offers Europe’s widest choice when it comes to Michelin-recommended restaurants – with no less than 53 options in the area. 

Cuisine here blends traditions from Italy, Austria – its closest neighbour – and dishes from the local Dolomites region, known as Ladin specialities. That means you can dine on everything from rustic Alpine fare to hearty, wood-fired pizzas and dainty gourmet morsels.

Dine at: Ladinia – a Michelin-recommended inn founded in 1930 that serves traditional Ladin cuisine with a gourmet twist.
Make sure you try: the hearty bales – that’s Ladin for dumplings – which are a speciality in this region. They’re usually served in a warming broth or with a dipping sauce.
Don’t miss: A Taste For Skiing – Alta Badia's famous winter food festival, where Michelin-starred chefs create specific dishes that are served up in the area’s mountain huts.
Exchange your pounds for: euros, Italy’s currency.
If you’re leaving a tip in Italy: look for the word ‘coperto’ on your bill, which means service is included. This often doesn’t go straight to the staff, so you can also leave a small cash tip if you want to.

A closer look at… Selva di Val Gardena, Italy

Just half-an-hour’s drive from Corvara in Badia, Selva di Val Gardena is part of the same ski area. That means you can buy one ski pass that covers both, and access hundreds of kilometres’ worth of piste suitable for all levels. 

Plus, with 49 Michelin-recommended restaurants in the area, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to eating out here, too – with a similar style to Corvara in terms of cuisine.

Dine at: Nives, a wood-clad restaurant in the heart of the village square, where the chef puts a contemporary spin on traditional dishes from the Tyrol region spanning Italy and Austria. 
Make sure you try: the restaurant’s speciality fondue, which is made with local mountain cheeses. They also serve a Chinese version, with broth instead of cheese.
Don’t miss: A loop of the Sellaronda circuit, a 26-kilometre ski route that goes through Selva di Val Gardena.
Exchange your pounds for: euros, Italy’s currency.

A closer look at… Lech, Austria

This mountain village is part of Austria’s largest connected ski resort, Ski Arlberg, which means visitors have access to 300 kilometres of pistes linked by more than 80 lifts. And while it’s not the highest resort in terms of altitude, Lech benefits from a reliable snowfall record that draws skiers from far and wide. 

Our research found this resort has an impressive 40 Michelin-recommended restaurants within reach, earning it third place on our shortlist. Expect everything from traditional mountain fare served in tucked-away huts you can practically ski straight into, to international cuisine plated up in elegant restaurants worth dressing up for.

Dine at: Aurelio, which serves delicate à la carte dishes at lunch and a fine dining set menu at dinner – with amazing views of Omeshorn mountain if you can get a table on the terrace.
Make sure you try: kaiserschmarren – a type of shredded pancake served with cream or compote and a staple on local menus here.
Don’t miss: a chance to unwind at one of Lech’s wellness centres – Hotel Aurelio, Severin*s and Post Lech Arlberg are all top-rated.
Exchange your pounds for: euros, Austria’s currency.
If you’re leaving a tip in Austria: it’s customary to round up the bill to the nearest euro in cafes, or leave up to 10% in a restaurant. Look for the word ‘bedienungszuschlag’, which means a service charge is included.

A closer look at… Les Arcs, France

This purpose-built ski resort in France's Savoie region is part of the wider Paradiski area, so you’ve got 425 kilometers of interconnected slopes to pick from when you stay here – not to mention some standout views of Mont Blanc as you ski. 

With 39 Michelin-recommended restaurants within striking distance, Les Arcs takes fourth place in our list for foodies and is a great option if you’re a fan of French cuisine.

Dine at: La Bastide des Magnans, a smart fine-dining restaurant set in a former silkworm farm that gets an impressive 4.5/5 rating on Tripadvisor.
Make sure you try: as many of the local cheeses as possible while you’re here – favourites are Abondance and Beaufort.
Don’t miss: the chance to ride an electric snowmobile in Arc 1800 or Arc 2000, two of the resort’s four ski zones.
Exchange your pounds for: euros, France’s currency.
If you’re leaving a tip in France: look for the words ‘service compris’ on your bill, which means a 10-15% service charge has already been included. It’s still quite common to leave a few euros or round up the bill if you received great service.

A closer look at… Sankt Anton, Austria

Taking fifth place in our shortlist, Sankt Anton – or St Anton as it’s better known – is considered one of the best ski resorts in the Alps and features in our guide to the best ski resorts in Europe. It’s located in Austria’s Arlberg region, about 20 minutes south of Lech – with lifts connecting the two. 

With 38 Michelin-recommended restaurants in the area, it puts a whole host of culinary options at your fingertips. So you can finish each day on the slopes with a different Michelin-worthy meal, and there’s a lively apres-ski scene for afterwards.

Dine at: Verwallstube, which has panoramic views thanks to its 2,085-metre elevation, and a menu that fuses Austrian, Mediterranean and Asian elements.
Make sure you try: the restaurant’s candlelit dinner, held every Thursday, which starts with a starry gondola ride up to the restaurant and ends with Austrian cream cheese dumplings.
Don’t miss: the apres-ski at MooserWirt, which is famous for its party atmosphere.
Exchange your pounds for: euros, Austria’s currency.

The Bib Gourmands: Top 5 European ski resorts for affordable Michelin dining

Dining on a budget? In Europe’s ski resorts, that doesn’t need to mean sacrificing on quality. As part of their annual foodie review, Michelin also award selected restaurants with Bib Gourmand status – reserved for establishments that serve good food at moderate prices.

We tallied up the totals and found that Corvara in Badia features in this category, too – alongside some familiar names from our top 10 list, as well as a newcomer: Mürren in Switzerland.

The Crème de la crème: The top 5 European ski resorts for Michelin-starred dining

When only fine dining will do, Europe’s ski resorts have you covered with a range of restaurants that have been awarded a coveted Michelin star or two. Unsurprisingly, France – home of haute cuisine – took four of the five spots in our shortlist, with Courchevel 1850 claiming the top spot. 

With 13 Michelin-starred restaurants within easy reach, this exclusive ski resort is the place to head to for the ultimate fine-dining experience after a day on the slopes. Meanwhile, Italy’s Corvara in Badia makes an appearance as the only non-French resort in our top 5 – proof that it’s the ultimate all-rounder.

Top tips for visiting Europe’s best ski resorts for foodies

1. Book ahead
Whichever ski resort you’re heading to, it’s wise to book ahead when it comes to dining, many of the most well-known restaurants book up months in advance.

2. Know your tipping etiquette
When it comes to tipping, a little research goes a long way. As a rule of thumb, it’s customary to tip up to 10% of the meal price at restaurants in Europe, just like it is in the UK, although service is often included in the price.

3. Carry some cash
Carrying some of the local currency in small change is handy for tipping – especially if service is included but you want to leave a little extra, or you’re dining at a more low-key restaurant or bar and want to leave some change.

4. Exchange your money before you go
Cash is also useful for paying for taxis, ski rentals and lift passes in some remote resorts. To secure the best exchange rate, we recommend buying your travel money before your trip.

5. Pay in the local currency
If you’re paying by card and you’re given the option to pay in the local currency or pounds, it usually works out better to pay in the local currency due to fees that are likely to be added for currency conversion. To avoid card fees altogether, consider buying your travel money before you go away – then sell leftover travel money back when you get home.

Order your currency from Marks and Spencer Travel Money

Find today’s currency exchange rates and order your travel money online for Click & Collect from your nearest participating M&S store*. 

* T&Cs apply. Subject to availability.