Skiing holidays are not just about shredding powder – they are also a great opportunity to indulge in fine food and drink in an idyllic setting. I think that one of the best ski areas for foodies is La Plagne in the Tarentaise region of Paradiski. This is because it features many excellent restaurants, a welcoming atmosphere and beautiful surroundings.
If you want to get dressed up after a long day of skiing and venture outside of your cha-let, La Plagne has you covered with the following eateries.
Hotel Carlina
Those who enjoy adventurous cuisine will adore the four-star Hotel Carlina in Bella Plagne. Here you will find an incredibly varied and daring menu, which makes use of de-licious and locally sourced ingredients. In addition to the superb menu, Hotel Carlina has a magnificent interior with high ceilings, elegant decor and mesmerising views that over-look the snow-capped mountains. This creates a lovely restaurant atmosphere, guaran-teeing a thoroughly enjoyable dining experience.
Hotel Carlina’s terrace is also a great spot for lunch, as you can look out over the slopes and take in the fresh mountain air as you enjoy your food.
Araucaria Restaurant
Araucaria is an inviting buffet-style restaurant that serves a blend of French gastronomy and traditional Savoyard cuisine. The dinner here is absolutely delicious, offering a range of mountain classics (more on this below), but I also recommend visiting for breakfast and lunch, as there is such a wide variety of food. What’s more, the staff are exceptional and work tirelessly to ensure that you are having a pleasant dining experience.
After enjoying a fantastic meal, I suggest that you stop off for a cocktail in the adjoining bar, where you can soak up the atmosphere and listen to the talented resident pianist.
Le Plan Bois
You cannot go on a skiing holiday without savouring Savoyard cuisine, which is exactly the type of food you need after an exhilarating day of carving powder. Le Plan Bois is a top spot for traditional Savoyard cuisine, located in a peaceful spot at around 500m from the top of the picturesque Lac Noir gondola. The hearty food will warm you up, and the quiet yet friendly atmosphere ensures that La Plan Bois is a fantastic place for recharging your batteries after a day on the slopes. In addition to a cosy interior, there is a cool outdoor terrace, from where you can enjoy lovely views of the area.
Please note: Le Plan Bois is open from late December to late April and then again in the summer season.
Bar Le 5 a 7 Siete
Bar Le 5 a 7 Siete is my favourite place for a post-dinner drink before retiring to your chalet. La Plagne’s finest wine bar is a cosy, inviting and friendly establishment, complete with a roaring fireplace. Here you can enjoy wine from an extensive menu, as well as a range of cocktails and beers. It has an alluring atmosphere and apres ski in the evening, but you can also relax on the terrace during the day if you wish. The bar is a great choice for couples, thanks to its intimate setting. But you can also head here to make new friends and exchange skiing stories from the day.
Please note: Bar Le 5 a 7 Siete is open throughout the winter and until the end of April.
Traditional Food
As you can tell, traditional Savoyard cuisine features heavily in La Plagne, which is why I highly recommend trying a range of dishes. I think that traditional shared platters like ra-clette and fondue are particularly good choices, especially if you are on holiday with that special someone. Dig in!
Other tantalising mountain dishes include the simple yet hearty tartiflette, the visually impressive – and equally as tasty – farcement and diots, which are sausages cooked in wine and onions.
If you’d like to savour a wide variety of delectable dishes, as well as find the perfect cha-let, La Plagne is your best bet. It’s easy to see why it’s so popular among foodies!
Belinda Smythson works for Ski Amis, a specialist ski travel agency and booking service that has been helping avid skiers craft their perfect winter holiday for over a quarter of a century. If you're planning a break in a ski chalet, La Plagne has some excellent options. For the best chalets in La Plagne, La Tania, Espace Killy or Chamonix Valley, Ski Amis is the go-to company for winter sports fans searching for the holiday of a lifetime.
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