Chamonix Après-Ski – Restaurants, Eateries, Bars & Clubs
Where to eat
All that activity during the day leads to a lot of hungry, hungry people, and the entrepreneurs of Chamonix have responded with a dizzying collection of eateries to suit every budget.
Eating out at Altitude, Chamonix | © Arnaud Bachelard
Budget Munch
For those days when you are just too ravenous to even sit down Poco Loco is a treat of a burger joint. Located on Rue du Docteur Paccard you can fill up on delicious burgers as well as getting the most delicious hot chocolate to satisfy your sweet tooth.
The Eden Restaurant serves delightfully simple, classic French cuisine at very reasonable prices with stunning views. It’s about 2k from Chamonix town centre and right next to the Flegere lift. Definitely worth a visit and the staff are super friendly.
Mid-Price Eats
Le Panier des 4 Saisons is one of the best rated restaurants on Trip Advisor. No wonder – the food is consistently delicious, the surroundings are buzzy and fun and the staff make you feel right at home. Just what you need after a long day.
If you’re in the market for simple, satisfying pub grub, there is no better place than MBC (Micro Brewerie de Chamonix) where you will find gourmet burgers, home brewed beer and live music.
Posh Nosh
The Restaurant Albert Premier is Chamonix only 2 Michelin starred restaurant. It serves interesting and unusual haute cuisine that expresses Savoyard gastronomy with a modern twist. If you have the cash this is a must do while in the area. They do lunch time wine tastings which, if you have a free moment are great fun.
Cabane des Praz is home to some of the best views of the Mont Blanc massif in all of Chamonix. Add to this exceptional fine dining and you have a night to remember.
Entertainment
The best advice for “après” entertainment is to follow the music – and if you do that you won’t go far wrong. Chamonix is always bustling and you need only step out of your hotel to find the fun. For those of you who like to know what to expect in advance here is a roundup of some of the highlights of the après scene:
It’s standing room only at Chambre 9 when there’s a live band playing!
For a quiet drink…
Le Lapin is a lovely chilled out wine bar where you can get slowly sozzled on fine wines and enjoy a relaxed atmosphere. Munster Bar is a relaxed Irish bar where you can go and hide, have some pints and watch big sports matches.
La Terrasse plays live music most nights and is a good transitioner between the quieter bars and…
Drinks promos and mayhem…
Ah, where would we be without ski resorts’ drinks promos?! Chambre 9 is the classic bar for pitchers, shots and smooches with strangers. Your other options for a similar vibe include South Bar, Monkey Bar and Moo Bar (a recent addition that allows you to pull your own beer!)
Something a little more sophisticated?
For those of us who have passed our pitcher days (no, never!!) Le Privilege may offer the level of class you’re after. Alternatively Mix Bar is a good spot for exuding and appreciating super coolness.
Chamonix Night Clubs
If you still need more après, rest assured, Chamonix has its fair share of clubs that will allow you to keep wiggling your bits until the early morning. White Hub has recently opened and allows those with the stamina to keep partying right through until 7am. L’Amnesia (formerly the Garage) is an old favourite and hosts regular theme nights. Finally Tof is a gay friendly dance bar that is well worth a visit.
Non-Drink related Entertainment
If you’ve had your fill of après and can’t stomach the thought of another pitcher, Chamonix has plenty of dry activities to keep you occupied. During the summer the Lac de Passy is a great spot for catching some rays and swimming in the lake.
For a relaxing and cultural day there are a ton of fascinating museums in the area – at the Musee Montagnard at Les Houches you can find out about the history of the area, or take a trip around the crystal museum which, unsurprisingly, houses a collection of minerals from around the world, including those indigenous to the Haute-Savoie region.
The shopaholic is well-served in Chamonix. Alongside the haute couture outlets are sports shops, farmers markets and local specialty producers – ideal for picking up a few presents or mementos of your trip.
For more active entertainment you could check out the quad biking, mini golf, go-karting or bowling, all of which are within easy reach of Chamonix town centre. If you’re feeling like a high roller there is a casino. For movie buffs there is a three screen cinema in the town where you can watch both French and International releases.
When you’ve just had too much fun and you are totally pooped, there are spas to beat the band – you can even choose to book a masseur to come to your room.
Please leave a comment below if you need specific advice for your trip to Chamonix, or if you have any recommendations to help us improve this guide. Bonnes vacances!
