Whether on the mountain or down in resort, Zermatt offers everything for the discerning foodie, from fresh fish to fondue and everything in between, it can often be a real task to draw yourselves away from the smells of the kitchen and strap those skis on again after lunch!

Restaurants in resort:
Zermatt is an alpine resort famed for its culinary delights and this reputation is well deserved. With over 100 restaurants you are spoilt for choice, from michelin star cuisine to hearty Valais dining, Zermatt is teeming with options suited to even the most particular of palates, some of the highlights can be found below.

After Seven, an exquisite restaurant found just a minute or two away from the high street, After Seven is within the Backstage Vernissage complex, a 2 michelin star restaurant offering fresh, seasonal cuisine from the innovative chef Ivo Adam, this is a gastronomic journey of discovery.

Capri (Mont Cervin Palace) is the other Michelin star awarded restaurant in Zermatt, with 1* to boast of, Capri affords wonderful snowy scenery and fuses it perfectly through the hands of Salvatore Elefante with the Mediterranean cuisine that Capri is known for, a surprising treat for those who enjoy a refined dining experience.

Hotel Alex is a 4* hotel set just away from the hustle and bustle of the high street, the food is typically Valais and Swiss with modern application making for delicious and enticing delights. For a celebratory birthday or occasion there is a private wine cellar come dining room that can host approximately 16 and make for a unique and memorable dining experience!

SayCheese! For those who associate their annual trip to the Alps with a gorging on cheese, SayCheese! is the place to head to. Found at the majestic Grand Zermatterhof Hotel (picture the Grand Budapest Hotel) this is refined and delicious fondues and raclettes at their best – because being in the Alps is the ultimate justification of hitting a cheese-induced coma we would recommend SayCheese! to all.

Zermatt plays host to a variety of restaurants suited to all palates and almost all budgets (Zermatt is not the cheapest resort by any stretch of the imagination), from the reasonably priced Grampi’s, through Italian, Japanese and Swiss delights, one could not possibly manage to experience all that Zermatt has to offer in just a week.

Restaurants on the mountain:
Mountain dining is one of those wonderful experiences that makes a ski holiday so special and Zermatt does it exceptionally well with some of the best afternoon lunch spots found anywhere in the Alps, it can be a hard task to narrow down the options, but you’ll find five of my top spots below.

Chez Vrony, starting with the restaurant that has perhaps the biggest reputation for mountain cuisine in Zermatt, Chez Vrony is well established having been around for over 100 years. With excellent service paired with refined yet traditional alpine fare, whatever you order, the likelihood is that it will be delicious!

Findlerhof Franz and Heidi is set against panoramic views encompassing the much adored Matterhorn mountain, you can expect friendly and welcoming service matched with wonderful food and wine. Findlerhof draws on its Valais heritage and combines it with fresh ingredients and a little inspiration from neighbouring Italy to create perfectly cooked plates for all to delight in.

Fluhalp is found above the Sunnegga ski area towards the Rothorn peak, with a huge terrace and equally huge Rosti’s on offer, accompanied often by live music, it’s a relatively stripped back and hearty affair with traditional Swiss cuisine to be consumed.

Zum See is a family-run and attractive restaurant with a relaxed ambience and a focus on simple, fresh and refined food with wonderful meats and cheeses, plenty of fresh fish and desserts that are a real treat to those with a sweet tooth!

Les Marmottes is one of my favourite coffee stops in Zermatt with a big terrace to take in the scenery around Furi and some great coffee, it’s a perfect mid-morning treat. The draw of the food though can mean that this in turn runs into lunch, Les Marmottes offers some fantastic food alongside the coffee! The food is locally sourced with meat from Les Marmottes farm and game from the Zermatt area, the carbon footprint is low here. Wonderful meat dishes and authentic Swiss cuisine make for some delicious treats in store at Les Marmottes.