There are places that awaken unsuspected flavors in us. Places that fascinate as much as they take us on a culinary journey. In the realm of the senses, the table is set. Cuisine becomes an art. menu , a masterpiece. The dance of aromas takes place in the heart of the most beautiful mountains. Under the Alpine sky, the moment seems suspended. Let me take you on a tour of five Michelin-starred restaurants that pay tribute to the beauty of rock pyramids.
1 - The Alpina Gstaad: culinary excellence
Between the mountains and plains of Gstaad, a jewel has emerged. The five-star hotel The Alpina Gstaad invites us on a culinary odyssey through its four restaurants. summit by Martin Göschel, Megu, Swiss Stübli and the Alpina Lounge & Bar, all overseen by Michelin-starred chef Martin Göschel, draw their inspiration from classic world cuisines. Each of these establishments cherishes the finest local produce. Located in the heart of nature, this eco-friendly hotel combines Swiss traditions with state-of-the-art infrastructure and services. Its two pillars are sustainability and innovation.
At summit by Martin Göschel, French cuisine meets local Saanenland flavours. From aromatic herbs grown in the Alpina Gstaad garden to international ingredients, each dish is a real treat. If you're not sure what to have for your meal, I recommend menu dégustation. Created by the chef, it reveals the nuances of his artful, modern cuisine. To accompany the meal, head sommelier Andrea Ferrari suggests wines from his collection of over 900 bottles from all over the world.
The discovery of flavors continues at Le Megu. Sushi master Tsutomu Kugota reinvents Japanese classics with his own touch of creativity and modernity. From vinegared rice to fish strips, a new world emerges. This multi-award-winning restaurant combines respect for tradition with culinary innovation.
As for traditional cuisine, the Swiss Stübli serves typical Swiss dishes. The space exudes authenticity. The Alpine spirit takes you back in time. Local specialties are savored with envy. The Alpina Lounge & Bar takes us on a journey of discovery, with a range of wines, spirits and hand-crafted cocktails. The bar also offers Mediterranean, vegetarian and vegan options.
In this luxurious setting, where summits sparkles, gastronomy reigns supreme. The mountains keep watch, guardians of ice and mystery. Martin Göschel, like an artist, paints refined dishes as works of art. I invite you to The Alpina Gstaad.
2 - Le Pas de l'Ours: a jewel in the Valais Alps
Between the most beautiful summits , the hostellerie du Pas de l'Ours in Crans-Montana tells a story of eternal flavours. Between the summits, you can sample unsuspected dishes. Under the watchful eye of the Weisshorn and Dent Blanche, Michelin-starred chef Franck Reynaud works with seasonal produce to create a cuisine that reflects his personality: "I'm a great gourmet, and I like a lot of things, as long as they're made with good produce. In winter, I like slow-cooked dishes. In August, I love a Valais tomato salad," he shares. As evening falls, Crans-Montana lights up. Tables are set with flickering candles. The hostellerie invites you to sample their gourmet meals in the 1* L'Ours restaurant, the Bistrot des Ours and the outdoor Lounge terrace.
Franck Reynaud's ingenuity is astonishing. In each plate, a landscape takes shape, fine and exquisite. In the Bistrot des Ours, the chef invites you to a meal in a typical mountain setting frame . Specialties include Cuisine de grand-mère, which invites us to return to our childhood. For dessert, Franck Reynaud confesses to a weakness for flan pâtissier: "When it comes to sweetness, flan pâtissier is my guilty pleasure", he confides. After dinner, the resort offers accommodation in its chalet, with twelve suites ranging in size from 45m2 to 200m2, each equipped with a whirlpool bath and fireplace.
The Michelin-starred chef now extends his gastronomy to the new home of Relais & Châteaux, the Aïda Hotel & Spa. Exclusively for adults, this complex promises a warm, intimate stay for a sensory journey to share. The modern yet authentic atmosphere of the Aïda Hotel & Spa creates a cocoon of well-being and relaxation. Crans-Montana invites you to discover the world of haute cuisine.
3 - Restaurant au Hameau Albert 1ᵉʳ: between excellence and tradition
"Haute cuisine and haute montagne share many experiences. For each, time and sensation merge, for each, determination and brotherhood are essential ingredients of their success."
Hameau Albert 1ᵉʳ
In the valley of Chamonix-Mont Blanc, lies a jewel box of refinement and history: the Hameau Albert 1ᵉʳ. In the heart of the world capital of skiing and mountaineering, the restaurant offers the finest dishes. Run today by Perrine Carrier, the house celebrated its 120ᵉ anniversary in 2023, bearing witness to a century of excellence and family tradition. Each generation has contributed its stone to the edifice, enriching the Carrier family's identity and reputation.
The room in the Albert 1ᵉʳ gourmet restaurant, redesigned in 2021 by Perrine Carrier, combines tradition, modernity and femininity. Since May 2024, the restaurant has opened in the evening for a meal like no other. The culinary experience is unique. Young duo Damien Leveau and Valentin Garnier reinvent luxury in the mountains, cooking up dishes worthy of a masterpiece. Here, the use of local produce is the norm. With ingredients from their own kitchen garden, the house offers regional cuisine.
Wine connoisseurs won't be left out, either, with wine lunches organized by Youri, the head sommelier. Trained by Marc Henri Mialon, Youri manages a 19,000-bottle cellar, offering over 1,000 references, 640 of which are à la carte. A promise of perfect food and wine pairings.
Luxury in this hamlet is all about freedom. Freedom of choice of ambience between the suites of the Albert 1ᵉʳ, those of the Ferme or the individual chalets in the gardens. Freedom to enjoy a festive, refined meal at the Albert 1ᵉʳ's Michelin-starred restaurant, or a moment of conviviality in an atmosphere that invites you to return to the roots of rural mountain life at the Maison Carrier. In this corner of Chamonix where the spirit of the mountains lives on, the soul of the Alps endures.
4 - Adrien's Chalet: a voyage of flavours to Verbier
In the shadow of the most beautiful scenery on Verbier, La Table d'Adrien celebrates gastronomy and the immensity of the Swiss Alps. With a Michelin star at , chef Sebastiano Lombardi captivates guests with his culinary art and elegance. Situated at the foot of the ski slopes, the restaurant is both luxurious and discreet. Originally from Puglia, Sebastiano Lombardi draws on the riches of the Valais to reinvent local gastronomy. Specialties include Alpine cheeses, tortelli and Wagyu beef. In summer and winter, the chef also offers Italian cuisine.
I'm taking you to Chalet d'Adrien. This restaurant offers unique culinary experiences. One of the most surprising evenings is a dinner in the dark. In an atmosphere lit only by illuminated plates and candleholders, the gastronomic journey takes on a whole new dimension. The most unsuspected flavors are awakened. From amuse-bouches to desserts, from wines to refined dishes, the chef carefully selects each element to create a timeless moment. Darkness takes us on a new journey.
In addition to the pleasures of the table, the restaurant offers cooking classes in which Sebastiano Lombardi shares the secrets of Italian gastronomy. These sessions are an opportunity to learn how to prepare haute cuisine dishes using seasonal produce.
Beyond gastronomy, Chalet d'Adrien is also home to a wine cellar. Just imagine it. You descend a stone staircase and pass through a heavy gate. Calm takes over. The finest wines are revealed before you. An aperitif awaits you in this mysterious cave. A glass is raised, time stands still. A crimson robe dances in the subdued light. The scent of wood, the subtle essences of the Valais mingle in the cellar of Chalet d'Adrien. Culinary art and oenology make every moment more intense.
5 - Da vittorio carlton Saint-Moritz: at summit gastronomy
The creativity, technique and flavors of Cerea's signature cuisine are second to none. Discover the famous Carlton Hotel in St. Moritz. The ten-hectare estate welcomes you with its tennis court, soccer pitch and two natural lakes for a relaxing stroll. Beyond gastronomy, try an aperitif at the Roccolo. This experience, accompanied by a sunset from the Cantalupa hill, immerses you in a dreamy atmosphere. In this place, a name stands out: that of Cerea. That of a family that has become a brand of excellence in the world of catering. That of a constant dedication to perfection and the finest details. Just two years after opening in 2012, Da Vittorio Saint-Moritz was awarded its first Michelin star. In 2020, the resort was awarded its second star.
In the resort of Saint-Moritz, gastronomy dances with luxury. In this Mecca of refined pleasures, cuisine is poetry, and the senses are heightened in the heart of the Engadine valley. In a warm atmosphere, the restaurant offers a menu that has made the Cerea family famous the world over.
Today, Da Vittorio is run by Mrs. Bruna Cerea and her five children. Enrico and Roberto are both chefs. Enrico Cerea is Bruna and Vittorio's eldest child. It was obvious that he was destined to follow in his family's footsteps... Imbued with their enthusiasm, he spent his free time observing and studying recipes from the four corners of the globe. Over the years, he has developed a personal style that combines Vittorio's recipes with his own sensibility. Alongside him, his brother Roberto shares the same passion and has a predilection for Primi. He has created a series of mouth-watering recipes reminiscent of the finest traditions of Mediterranean cuisine.
The dishes of these exceptional restaurants celebrate the majesty of summits. At the heart of their gastronomic setting, cuisine and mountains abound. Beyond nourishment, these five restaurants aspire to move. So our spirit can escape and dream of a gustatory and emotional ascent in the heart of a sumptuous landscape.
