Buying a property in Zermatt but unsure on where to eat? This is for you!
Found in the Swiss canton of Valais, Zermatt is known for its panoramic mountain views and the incredible skiing to be had year round. What you may not know is that it is also home to a truly world-class food scene.
If property in Zermatt is catching your attention, whether as a permanent base for your ski holidays or to embrace alpine life year-round, you’ll want to know the top places to eat. We’ve compiled a list of what we think are some of the best restaurants in Zermatt, to make sure that you know where to keep your cravings in check while deciding where to buy.
Best fine dining restaurants
There are currently 11 Michelin star restaurants in the town of Zermatt, and as much as we would love to get into delicious detail about each and every one of them, we’ve chosen to share only our favourites and leave the rest for you to discover yourselves.
After Seven
Open exclusively in the winter season of December to April, After Seven promises a menu that is both gourmet and highly creative. Found in the Backstage Hotel in the centre of Zermatt, why not make a reservation to ‘cinedine’ in? Your meal will be served around a movie screened at the in-house theatre. The ‘surprise menu’ is a great choice for adventurous diners - and expect whatever you’re served to be paired with excellent wine.
La Muña
You might be shocked to find Peruvian-Japanese fusion in the Swiss mountains, and indeed La Muña is full of surprises - such as an in-house pâtissier. This is a restaurant not to be missed, especially if you’re a fan of seafood, as the fish dishes here are highly praised and include specialities such as octopus and ceviche. Located in the Schweizerhof Hotel, this is another eatery only open during the winter season.
Brasserie Uno
This self-described ‘casual fine-dining’ restaurant lies in the heart of Zermatt, and offers seasonal set menus. They encourage diners to sit back and relax, with dining experiences expected to last a minimum of two hours - the focus is on really savouring their regionally-sourced contemporary food. It’s also a Michelin Green Star restaurant - a credit to the owners’ commitment to sustainability and eco-friendly approach to gastronomy.
Best lunch spots
Waking up late after a particularly exciting après ski? Or looking to sate your hunger after an early morning’s skiing? Here are some highly-rated lunch spots for you to visit in Zermatt.
Chez Vrony
There’s no shortage of restaurants with a view in Zermatt. If you like to whet your appetite with fresh air and hitting the trails, Chez Vrony can be found by hiking or biking up from the town centre. Resting at an altitude of 2100m, the views from the terrace are breathtaking, and the chill mountain air is kept at bay with flavourful rustic cuisine, ingredients for which are all sourced locally. Some of the best examples of authentic Zermatt food can be found here.
Findlerhof
Looming over Zermatt in a hiking and skiing location in Findeln, Findlerhof combines traditional delicacies with some of the finest views of the Matterhorn imaginable. Enjoy the classic alpine decor, reminiscent of a homey wooden cabin, and try to get a table on the patio - though if you do intend to dine outside to get the best view, make sure you dress for the weather.
Zum See
Another lunch spot where you can work up an appetite with a hike beforehand, Zum See is housed in a charming, 350-year-old chalet. The menu is made up of traditional French and Italian cuisine, including homemade pasta and fondue, and changes with the seasons. You even have the option to take a romantic toboggan ride back into the valley after your meal.
Best traditional restaurants
Swiss cuisine is an amalgamation of a wide variety of regional specialities, produced from ingredients nourished by mountain air and fresh glacier water. Here are a few places where you can get the true taste of Valais food.
Avena
Serving food that’s described as ‘home-styled’, Avena is informal and cosy, and a prime example of the best of traditional Swiss cuisine. Vegetarians and vegans need not worry about the heavy meat and cheese focus with a lot of traditional Swiss food, as Avena has options for everyone. Meat lovers will be more than happy with offerings such as steaks and beef tartare.
Spycher
Specialising in all things flambéed, the talented and attentive staff at Spycher bring the fire right to your table and let you experience the heat of the kitchen. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself greeted by the owner themself - the service here is described as some of the best in Switzerland. Wash down your traditional Swiss cuisine with local beer, whiskey, or wine.
Schäferstube
If you’re looking to get your hands on some traditional Swiss raclette while in Zermatt, Schäferstube is the place to do it. The lamb dishes here are also highly praised, as is the house wine made specifically for the restaurant. The crackle of the flames in the fireplace makes this restaurant feel cosy and inviting. Make sure to book in advance to avoid missing out on a chance to eat here.
Best meat restaurants
Thanks to the high-quality conditions in which livestock in Switzerland are raised, it produces some of the best meat in the world, grazed right on the mountainside.
Pöstli Stübli
This Swiss grill house serves your choice cuts on a sizzling stone right in front of you - the experience only adds to the flavour of your meal. This is a great spot for dinner after a day’s shopping or a trip to the Matterhorn Museum just around the corner, and an absolute must for meat lovers.
Le Gitan
Watch your meal being cooked over an open fire and let the smell of charcoal-grilled food and woodsmoke help you relax after the day’s activities. The gratinated potatoes are superb here, as is the wine list. Le Gitan is charming, family-run, and will leave you more than satisfied.
Hornox
One of this alpine grill’s unique selling points is that it’s a grill house that makes sure they also cater for vegans, and does its best to produce delicious options for everyone. This can be a lifesaver when booking a table in Zermatt for a party with varied tastes! The service is attentive and welcoming, and the portions are so filling you may find yourself struggling to save room for dessert.
Most entertaining restaurants
Sometimes a meal needs to be more than just food. If you’re looking for a feast for the senses as well as the stomach, and the possibility of dinner and a show, have a look at these unique restaurants.
Chez Heini
Owned and run by true renaissance man Dan Daniell, Chez Heini is lively and loud in the best possible way. Enjoy one of their lamb specialities and drink in the eclectic decor, before being serenaded by Dan himself as the evening is brought to a close. This institution has been running for over 25 years and has both the food and performance elements down to a fine art.
Chalet da Guissepe
Enjoy the best of Italian food and hospitality at Chalet da Guissepe. This traditional mountain restaurant is home to a kitchen that’s been described as innovative and inviting, and the creativity of the staff shines through in every dish they serve. Open until the small hours, here you can enjoy a delicious espresso at the end of a long week’s skiing.
Bazaar
Welcoming the ‘modern nomads’ of the world, Bazaar is found at the CERVO Mountain Resort and is one of the few largely vegetarian restaurants in Zermatt. Inspired by Eastern marketplaces, Bazaar is happy to feed you breakfast, lunch and dinner, and even has its own ‘aprés ski truck’ serving mulled wine to warm your bones after a day on the slopes.
Now you know the best places to eat, do you know where you would like to buy your property?
It would take a truly incredible restaurant to convince you to set up a permanent base nearby, but we have a feeling there are plenty of other things about Zermatt that are currently enticing you.
Whether it’s the skiing, the lifestyle, or the investment, there are plenty of reasons to consider purchasing a ski chalet. We have locations in Zermatt, Verbier, and Crans-Montana, any of which might be home to the chalet of your dreams.
Interested in learning more? Enquire with our team today
Our dedicated team of alpine real estate professionals are uniquely qualified to provide you with the best service possible. Don’t hesitate to contact us to find out more.