Restaurant Reviews in Avoriaz — 6 of Our Favourites

There are several restaurants dotted around the shores of the lake, including the popular hall at the Morzine end which is now one of the most sought after wedding venues in the Portes du Soleil. There’s also Le Bout de Lac, which sits in the shadow of the Ardent waterfall.

The Auberge de Verdoyant is somewhere in between with a huge terrace that looks out across the water. We were driving past the lake after a morning on the slopes, it was sunny and the skies were blue. It felt like summer and we couldn’t help but stop at the Verdoyant, which looked magical in the sunlight.

Despite it being mid April and the day after a significant dump of snow, it was a really warm day. We decided that the terrace looked too inviting to ignore so we sat on a table outside overlooking the water. A few other people had also decided to do the same so we weren’t completely on our own, however it felt quiet. That was until I looked inside the restaurant and could see tables of people enjoying an afternoon meal. It seemed a really popular spot so we felt like we were in good hands.

The menu is traditionally French, with specialities you’d expect from this part of the world including plates of meat and plenty of cheese. It also has salads, fish dishes, meat options and a large selection of wines to choose from. The plat du jour is listed on the blackboard as you arrive at the restaurant, which helps to tempt you in. He’d already opted to give that a go so we didn’t have to look at the menu for long. The special of the day was roast chicken in rosemary gravy. It was served with potato gratin or chips and at 13€ was really reasonably priced. I went for a lighter salad (for a change!) because we were only supposed to be nipping in for a small bite to eat. I’m not sure that’s possible when eating at a restaurant in France!

The best thing about The Verdoyant is that it doesn’t matter how long you have to wait for your food. Sitting next to the lake is complete pleasure. I’ve been to the restaurant in the peak of summer and it can take a while for food to arrive because it is so busy. However, in such amazing surroundings, the time flies. Although, this time, we didn’t have to wait very long for our food at all. And I’m pleased to say, he was very happy with what he got!

The chicken dish arrived with a side salad, vegetables and a huge plate of cheesy gratin potato. Our idea of not eating too much flew out of the window! My small salad wasn’t small in the slightest either. I’m told the chicken leg was juicy and well cooked but the gravy seemed to be the star of the show. I’ve never heard him go on so much about one part of a meal before, it was that good. There was also a delicious parsnip jus on the side, which really added to the dish as well. I know this for a fact because I did a lot of sneaky sampling. The potato gratin was garlicky, crispy and full of flavour and my salad, which was dusted in a delicious dressing, was fresh and filling: two very happy customers.

Although the selection of ice creams were very tempting, especially as we sat by the water in the sun, we decided to just have one course this time. We settled the bill, which came to a very reasonable 26€. The other dishes on the menu are all priced from around 10€ up to the more expensive at 23€. There’s also a specific child’s menu, which explains why so many families visit the restaurant in the summer. It’s an ideal spot if you fancy spending the day at the lake and also treating yourselves to a nice meal out.

We had a lovely hour or two at The Verdoyant and couldn’t really believe that we were sitting less than a mile from hundreds of people enjoying the last snow of the season. It felt like we’d been transported to the summer! It gave us a feel of what’s to come over the next few months and we’re really excited to head back to the lake when the weather is even warmer. We’ll definitely head back to the restaurant as well and enjoy some of their wine, ice creams and bigger dishes. It’s a gem in one of the most idyllic spots in the PDS.

Its prime location on the Avoriaz plateau and welcoming atmosphere makes it the perfect place to grab a drink, burger and chips and a seat in the sun from mid-morning to late afternoon. It’s a great meeting point for families coming out of ski lessons. You can't miss it - keep an eye out for the impressive wooden eagle statue outside the building.

Outside you will find people queuing for in-expensive snacks, sandwiches and drinks. It has a very cool and casual feel, making it a great place to stop and meet friends for a swift demi or a fast-food lunch. If you make it inside after not having been totally tempted by the deck chairs, you'll find a traditional alpine restaurant, complete with log burning fire and savoyarde décor. The waiters and waitresses are welcoming, offering you a choice of table if the restaurant isn’t already full to the brim, which is a rarity due to its ideal location and family-friendly atmosphere.

Their menu is simple, but full of delicious hearty French dishes, salads, soups and spaghetti. The cheese fondue is something you can’t visit France without having... So why not eat it whilst looking over snow covered mountains and thinking about the skiing you’ll do later to burn off the cheese?

We were seated by the log fire, handed a menu and offered a jug of water for the table. When our waiter returned to take our drinks order we attempted our best French, however fortunately most of the staff can speak English, and can spot us Brits a mile off! 

Hanging above us was a chalkboard with the Champagne menu; prices range from 9€ per glass to 600€ for 6 litres! The price was surprising considering that the restaurant isn’t what I would call sophisticated or lavish, but they are catering for holiday makers and corporate groups, as well as seasonnaires. We settled for a hot chocolate and an Orangina.

As far as the food menu goes, they cater for all. Whether you are a vegetarian, coeliac, or have little mouths to feed, you will find something to suit your appetite here. Scribbled on the plat du jour boards inside was ‘Pates au Cepes’, a porcini mushroom pasta dish. We ordered this and a warm goat's cheese and honey salad. The restaurant was fairly quiet when we ordered; it was just before their lunch service starts at midday, meaning that it was only around ten minutes wait before the waiter turned up with two huge plates of food for us.

The plat du jour came with a basket of bread and a small bowl of cheese to sprinkle over the delicious creamy pasta. The dish of the day was 15€, not including a small drink or dessert, which is seemingly expensive compared to other restaurants in Avoriaz who do include something with the meal. Although part of what you are paying for here is the service and surroundings, which were both excellent.

The prices of food range from 9.50€ for nuggets and chips, to 32€ for pork ribs or 37€ for a cote de boeuf (a thick, bone-in rib steak) which are reasonable. Having lived here for well over a year now and scan reading almost every menu to pick out the words ‘chevre chaud’, I can whole heartedly say that this was the best warm goat's cheese salad to have passed my lips. At 14,80€, it was a large portion that was beautifully presented, it was filling and flavoursome… What more is there to rave about?

Our waiter came and asked how the food was; prompting us to mumble something flattering through full mouths. After our meal we we’re offered the dessert menu, we were too full to move, let alone eat any more, but we had a look nonetheless. Crème brulee, chocolate fondue, meringue and apple tarte were just a few of the tasty treats that caught my eye. For 9,50€ an ideal sweet to share is the café gourmand – lots of bite-sized deserts served with a coffee. 

Head down to Chez l'Envers in the late afternoon for live music from 3:30pm – their terrace has just been extended and it's the perfect stage to watch the sun setting behind the mountains. I can’t wait to get back there, mainly so I can grab another amazing goat's cheese salad. 

There are lots of restaurants in the area, this one has been at the top of our list for a while to try, and boy did it deliver!

Cookie Café, located at the top of the Mossettes chair lift, is arguably the best place to perch yourselves for a swift half-pint in the sun, or a lazy lunch. Its prime location can be accessed from Avoriaz and Crosets (for those who have a Portes du Soleil lift pass), it has unhindered panoramic views of the area, a huge menu, and THE cosiest upstairs seating area I’ve ever seen.

Sitting high above the clouds at the top of Mossettes lift is The Cookie Café. It's huge terrace boasts amazing panoramique views of both the French and Swiss mountains of the Portes du Soleil. On sunny days it can't really be beaten and along with its lively après events and delicious food it’s quickly becoming one of the favourite stop off points in the region.

We couldn't have chosen a better day to visit, the skies were blue, the sun was out, the snow amazing and there was no wind. On less clear days it can be quite cold and bleak at the top of Mossettes and high winds can mean the lift and consequently the restaurant are often shut. I've tried a few times to get up to the Cookie Cafe and not been able. However we didn't have that problem this time!

After a little wait (because it is so popular and busy) we found a large table in the centre of the terrace. We went on a Thursday meaning the team was gearing up for one of their biggest après parties of the week. There was a DJ playing in the booth with the incredible backdrop of the Chesery mountain poking up behind him. The sun was shining onto us and we felt like we'd been transported to the summer.

You have to go inside the café itself to order your food at a fast food restaurant type counter. The menu is written on a huge black board above the tills. At peak times you should be prepared to queue for a little while. The bar inside has huge windows around the whole edge so if you do head there for shelter when the weather is bad you can still see the surrounding views and it feels like you're almost sitting outside. The bar area itself is decked out with large wooden tables, soft seating areas with sofas and rugs and a chill out area upstairs.

The menu consists of a wide range of fast food including sandwiches, burgers, pizza, chips and salad. It's great for breakfast, lunch and late afternoon snacks. We opted for a mixture of sandwiches including the veggie "no meat" sandwich and also the "steak them up" special which I'm told from a reliable (very passionate) source that it was delicious!

Once you've placed your order, you're given a buzzer to take to your table, which will flash when your food is ready. This is a great idea because even if there's a short wait for your food you can still enjoy sitting in the sun and listening to some music whilst you wait. We took our vin chauds back to the terrace to enjoy the views. I'm going to make a bold statement. It is the best vin chaud I've had in the Portes du Soleil and that's saying something (I've tried a few!)

We waited for about 10 minutes for our food to arrive, which was fine. On such a busy day we expected a lot longer. You'll see by the pictures that the presentation was fairly basic but the taste more than made up for that!

His steak sandwich disappeared in the blink of an eye. He said the steak was tender which isn't often the case as some can be tough and flavourless. The sauce gave the sandwich a spicy edge, which he described as delightful, so one happy customer! My veggie sarnie was tasty too with some lovely roasted veg and a yummy creamy sauce. We also tried the chips, which were chunky full of flavour and well seasoned.

For a lunch at the Cookie Café, between two of us, we spent 33 Swiss Francs. So it has to be said that the restaurant isn't the cheapest, however costs to run such a remote business and the percentage of days it has to shut because of weather must make it an expensive venture. You're also paying for an amazing atmosphere, incredible views and a brilliant location.

We'll be back to visit the Cookie Café again and hopefully spend a bit more time enjoying one of their après parties. Partying above the clouds in one of the most beautiful places in the world is a pretty good selling point!

I’m not one to shy away from challenges, so I’ve spent time finding some of the best watering holes in the region to help you refuel. (It’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it).

The Portes Du Soleil is a haven for road bikers, home to some of the most famous cycling routes in the world. It often features in the Tour De France, taking riders over challenging climbs, down winding steep mountain passes and through some of the regions prettiest towns and villages. There’s no shortage of stop off points for road cyclists along these routes, but I know from experience that you don’t want to spend ages searching for somewhere special (especially if you’re hungry and therefore possibly a bit grumpy).

One of the popular rides taking you from Morzine up to Avoriaz on the Col de la Joux Vert. It’s an intense 14km climb and will certainly leave you in need of some food once you reach the summit. Similarly, if you’d rather, you can hike up to Avoriaz from Prodains, Lac Montriond, and the Super Morzine lift. Intense exercise calls for high-energy food including carbohydrates and protein, and nowhere provides that better than Changabangs fast food restaurant, which is directly opposite the Prodains express lift in Avoriaz. It’s a popular spot in winter and summer with mountain bikers as well and there’s plenty of seating and spots to leave your bikes.

If you feel like you’d like to eat a little nearer to the end of your ride, descend down to Lac Montriond via Les Lindarets where there’s a wealth of restaurants to choose from. Le Chaudron restaurant near to the Goat Village itself is a particular favourite, and is able to seat big groups, if you’re out riding with friends or as a team. Renowned for it’s traditional dishes, it’ll leave you feeling satisfied and certainly a little heavier for your last few kilometers home. Nearer still to home is Le Bout De Lac, a popular restaurant with expats, locals and tourists. Sitting right on the shores of the lake, it’s a perfect place to fill yourself with a wide variety of Savoyard specialities. It’s a short 5km ride back to Morzine and a great place to start and finish your hike in the surrounding mountains.

A popular place for it’s mountain bike trails and hiking, is Les Gets. It also appears on many of the regions popular road biking routes. High up in the hills of the resort is La Paika restaurant, famous for it’s incredible views and filling BBQ buffets. If you do stop off here, be warned, your afternoon may be a little more sluggish than your morning. Also guaranteed to replenish the calories you’ve spent all day burning, is the Australian themed restaurant at The Boomerang hotel. Famous for it’s tapas and heavenly nachos, it’s a great way to spend your evening after a day of heavy training.

The Pointe de Nyon is also a great pace to visit for a day of high-energy exercise, famous for its picturesque slopes in the winter and intense hiking and biking trails in the summer. Chalet Inferno never fails to provide for tired tourers with its popular BBQ nights and party vibe. Throughout the summer it has special events including pool parties and dog shows to tempt in tourists, so you time your visit to Nyon if that’s your kind of thing. You’ll also find plenty on offer at nearby restaurant, Pointe de Nyon. With its sunny terrace, it’s a great place to enjoy a post ride pint.

If you would rather head to Morzine for something to eat or an evening drink, there are plenty of places open throughout the year hoping to be your chosen refuelling stop. Proving to be a popular choice with road and mountain bikers because of its beer and filling plates is the Bec Jaune. If you don’t want to undo all of your hard work it also has plenty of substantial healthy dishes, like its vegetarian glory bowl, on its tasty menu. Also, promising to provide you with a simple, hassle free pint is Bar Robinsons (or Robbo’s). With a big seating area inside and out, it’s perfect for riders to congregate and enjoy the last few hours of summer sunshine.

Similarly, a few kilometres out of the centre of Morzine, La Petite Auberge in Essert Romand has a terrace that catches the last rays of the day. It’s perfect if you’re ending your ride or hike in places out of Morzine towards Saint Jean d’Aulps. At Lunchtime it has a five course lunch menu for 15€ that shouldn’t be missed. It’s perfect as a midway point stop-off as well.

And don’t forget to try to squeeze a visit in to the newly awarded “best bar in the PDS”, The Marmotte d’Or in Montriond. Run by self-confessed exercise freaks, it’s a great place to relive your day of mountain adventures and grab a drink to celebrate your achievements. It’s popular for its simplicity, ambiance and stunning views of the surrounding mountains and is really proving itself on the list of best watering holes in the region.

Let us know your favourite watering holes in Avoriaz!