Courchevel 1850 is one of the world’s most famous ski destinations – a place where exceptional skiing meets outstanding food and mountain hospitality. For many visitors, planning where to eat is just as important as choosing which slopes to explore.
This independent guide has been created to help winter visitors enjoy the best of both worlds: unforgettable days on the pistes and memorable meals in the heart of the French Alps.
Why Courchevel is special for skiers
Part of the vast Three Valleys ski area, Courchevel offers access to hundreds of kilometres of perfectly maintained pistes. Beginners, families and expert skiers can all find terrain that suits them, from gentle green runs to challenging black slopes.
What makes Courchevel unique is the combination of high-quality skiing with a sophisticated resort atmosphere. After a day on the mountain, visitors can enjoy lively après-ski, cosy Savoyard restaurants and refined dining experiences.
Where to eat in Courchevel 1850
Courchevel has an impressive range of restaurants, from relaxed mountain bistros to elegant evening venues. Visitors will find options for every mood and budget, including:
- Traditional Savoyard cuisine such as fondue and raclette
- Classic French brasserie dishes
- International and modern Alpine menus
- Casual ski-in lunch spots
- Stylish dinner restaurants for special occasions
For many skiers, the challenge is choosing where to go. Planning ahead is especially important during peak winter weeks when popular tables fill up quickly.
Lunch options for skiers
Midday meals are an important part of the ski experience. After a busy morning on the slopes, most visitors look for somewhere warm, welcoming and convenient to refuel.
The best lunch restaurants in Courchevel typically offer:
- Easy access from the pistes
- Hearty mountain dishes
- Fast and friendly service
- Outdoor terraces on sunny days
Whether you want a quick bite or a relaxed two-hour lunch with friends, Courchevel has plenty of excellent choices close to the main ski lifts.
Après-ski and evening dining
As the lifts close and the sun sets, Courchevel changes character. Bars fill with skiers celebrating a great day, and restaurants prepare for busy evening service.
Evening dining in Courchevel ranges from simple and traditional to refined and contemporary. Popular options include:
- Cosy restaurants serving local Alpine specialities
- Romantic candle-lit dining rooms
- Lively venues perfect for groups
- Family-friendly restaurants with varied menus
Reservations are strongly recommended, especially in high season and during school holidays.
Tips for planning your meals in Courchevel
- Book in advance: Popular restaurants fill quickly during the winter season.
- Plan around ski times: Allow enough time to return from the slopes before dinner.
- Consider location: Choose restaurants close to your accommodation when possible.
- Ask locals for recommendations: Hotel staff and instructors often know the best spots.
- Try local specialities: A ski trip to Courchevel is perfect for discovering Savoyard cuisine.
Courchevel Restaurants
Dining in Courchevel 1850 is one of the highlights of any winter trip, with a collection of restaurants that attract visitors from around the world. For travellers seeking an unforgettable gourmet evening, Le 1947 at Cheval Blanc is often regarded as the pinnacle of fine dining in the resort, offering carefully crafted cuisine in an elegant mountain setting.
Another respected name is Le Chabichou in Courchevel 1850, a restaurant with a long history of delivering creative French dishes and first-class hospitality. For guests who want a sophisticated meal without an overly formal feel, Baumanière 1850 at Le Strato Hotel provides a refined yet comfortable atmosphere that works perfectly after a day on the slopes.
The restaurant scene in Courchevel 1850 also includes more modern and adventurous options for those who like to explore new flavours. A popular choice for a lively night out is L’Altiplano restaurant at Le K2 Palace, known for its distinctive style and vibrant ambience.
Visitors interested in innovative and imaginative cuisine often book a table at Le Sarkara in Courchevel, where creative menus offer something a little different from traditional Alpine dining.
Completing this selection, La Table des Airelles at Les Airelles is a classic Courchevel address, combining polished service with an inviting environment suitable for couples, families and groups.
Together these five restaurants represent the quality and diversity that make eating out in Courchevel 1850 such a memorable part of the ski holiday experience.
Making the most of your Courchevel holiday
A great ski holiday is about more than just skiing. The right restaurant can turn a good day into a perfect one – whether it is a long lunch on a sunny terrace or a celebratory dinner after conquering a new run.
By combining excellent skiing with memorable dining, Courchevel offers everything visitors need for an unforgettable winter break.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best area to stay in Courchevel for restaurants?
Courchevel 1850 offers the widest choice of restaurants and is the most convenient base for visitors who want easy access to dining and nightlife.
Do I need to book restaurants in advance?
Yes. During the winter season, especially at weekends and school holidays, advance reservations are highly recommended.
Are there family-friendly restaurants in Courchevel?
Absolutely. Many restaurants offer welcoming atmospheres, varied menus and early dinner options suitable for families.
Is it easy to find lunch near the ski slopes?
Yes. Courchevel has many restaurants and cafés close to lifts and pistes, making lunchtime dining very convenient for skiers.
What type of food is Courchevel known for?
The region is famous for Savoyard specialities such as fondue, raclette, tartiflette and hearty Alpine dishes.
Are restaurants open throughout the ski season?
Most restaurants operate from early December until April, matching the main winter ski season.
Can non-skiers enjoy dining in Courchevel?
Yes. Courchevel is an excellent destination for non-skiers, with many restaurants, cafés and bars easily accessible without using ski lifts.
Is dining in Courchevel formal?
Not necessarily. While there are elegant restaurants, many venues are relaxed and welcoming to guests in smart casual or ski attire.
Are vegetarian options easy to find?
Yes. Most restaurants offer vegetarian dishes alongside traditional meat and cheese-based Alpine meals.
What time do restaurants usually open for dinner?
Evening service in Courchevel typically begins around 7:00–7:30 pm, with later sittings available in many venues.
The French Alps are a great place for any ski enthusiast to get their kicks. With the powdery snow, range of slope difficulties, and abundance of different resorts to be found, it is one of the most desirable holiday locations for any lover of extreme sports. If you’re looking to venture forth for a bit of skiing, one of the finest resorts open to you is Courchevel.
Courchevel Resort
Courchevel is a set of four resort villages located in the French Alps. It can be found at the far end of the Trois Vallées ski area, the world’s largest lift-linked ski area. Courchevel’s slopes face to the North, meaning the snow is of particularly good quality for skiing, and the slopes range all the way from beginner standard to expert skier difficulty.
Courchevel’s villages Courchevel Le Praz, Courchevel Moriond, Courchevel Village, and Courchevel are all accessible using ski lifts, pistes, and a winding road which connects all of them from Le Praz at the bottom all the way up to Courchevel at the top. All of these resorts are linked by a free bus service for patrons to enjoy.
Courchevel Ski Villages
Courchevel Le Praz very much resembles a small, rustic village and is home to an Olympic ski jump hill available the year round. The slopes are available by way of a Gondola and a fast chairlift, and for those not looking to ski there are a good few restaurants and wine bars.
Courchevel Village is very much the residential area of the Courchevel resort, with the majority of its buildings being a chalets and residential blocks. It has direct access to the top village, Courchevel, via Gondola and fast chairlift.
Courchevel Ski Resort Guide
Courchevel Moriond has much more of a town feel to it than the previous two villages, incorporating a range of shops, bars, and restaurants. Located on the main road, this is one of the more accessible villages in the resort without being too polluted by noise or traffic.
Like the other villages, it is connected by use of a Gondola life as well as a covered escalator which is used to access some of the newer chalets. Moriond is also a great place to do some food shopping, as it contains butchers, supermarkets, and boulangeries.
The biggest and oldest village in the resort is simply named Courchevel. This is also the most expensive and prestigious village in the resort, and is home to some of the high-flyers who wish to ski and burn money. It also acts as the main hub for the ski lifts and all transportation to the major slopes in the area.
Courchevel is home to the nicest hotels and most luxurious chalets as well as some upmarket shops and restaurants. Two of Courchevel’s hotels have earned a palace rating, 16 have earned a five star rating, and five of the restaurants have earned two Michelin stars. Definitely not for the everyman’s family holiday.
Other Activities
If skiing isn’t your thing or you simply want a break from the slopes for a while, Courchevel offers a range of off-slope activities for the whole family.
The upcoming aquatics centre promises to be a great retreat for anybody who’s a fan of swimming and bathing, while the existing skating rink, fitness centre, sauna and steam rooms available in Courchevel are a perfect retreat for those looking for something else to do.
There is also a service called Pamper Off Piste which you can pay to come to your accommodation to deliver a range of massages and beauty treatments if you just want to relax in the hotel for a day.
In addition to these provided activities, there are plenty of beautiful walks through the French Alps which can be found using the free guides picked up at the tourist office. Patrons can also purchase tickets to go on sightseeing flights by helicopter and plane to take in the full majesty of the Trois Vallées area.
The Journey
Courchevel is quite accessible by road or by air. Due to the fact that the resort has its own airport, you can be flown in from a larger airport nearby in about 30 minutes using a shared helicopter or even a private five seater.
The best way to access Courchevel is by flying to Geneva Airport from Heathrow or Gatwick via Swiss Airlines, or by a range of other airlines using EasyJet.
If you don’t want to fork out the extra money for a direct-to-resort flight, you can instead simply board a minivan, taxi, or hire a car from Geneva Airport and take a two and a half hour journey up the mountain using the easily accessible roads.
If you have a lot of ski equipment then comparing prices on a website like https://www.carhiregeneva-airport.co.uk/ could prove exceedingly useful.
It really depends where you are coming from plus there are no shortage of options such as picking up Geneva Airport car hire on the French side or using a Swiss side Geneva Airport car hire firm.
Using a car rental Geneva Airport website is certainly worthy of some consideration if that ties in with your schedule.
There is also a Eurostar service running from Ashford and St. Pancras to Moutiers, which is only a 30 minute journey by bus or minibus from Courchevel. It is usually advisable to make use of Courchevel’s transport services so as to avoid incurring the French motorway costs.