Eat Your Heart in Les Gets: Fantastic Foods to Try

When you have spent your day on the slopes you can really work up an appetite. Well Les Gets certainly doesn’t disappoint when it comes to eating. French cuisine is regarded as one of the best cuisines from around the world. In Les Gets, fabulous traditional alpine cuisine awaits and here’s a selection of what you should try.

About Les Gets

Les Gets is one of the resorts that makes up the Portes du Soleil ski area on the French-Swiss border. Only an hour from Geneva airport this cosy traditional French village offers the choice of over 50 restaurants and 14 bars which is great for those who want to sample some great alpine food. In most establishments, you will find the chefs own take on the local long-established Savoyard cuisine and also twists and meals for the more modern tastes.

Incredible eats you should try

With such a selection, you may not know where to start! When you think of alpine food the first thing your mind may conjure up is fondue, and yes you will find this here, along with many other delicious treats. It’s all about local ingredients, of which there are is a bounty, meats and cheeses when it comes to main meals and French pastry and cakes for dessert.

Raclette 

A semi firm creamy mountain cheese typically warmed melted and eaten with bread. At a restaurant, this is usually served with your very own mini grill to warm and brown yourself before serving with bread, pickles and dried meats. In some accommodation, you may even find your own Raclette grill to use, it’s that popular.

Fondue Savoyarde

A classic après-ski dish prevalent in the French Alps. A mix of great French cheeses, flour, garlic and usually white wine melted in a large deep pot. Add some delicious French bread to dip into the cheese and there you have it. Most traditional restaurants in the Alps will serve their version of this dish.

Diots- Savoyard sausages 

These sausages are usually cooked in wine and have a distinct cabbage flavour. They can be eaten hot or cold but are mostly served hot with polenta or croziflette. If eaten cold they are generally covered in Dijon mustard and eaten on their own.

Croziflette

Little pasta shells filled with buckwheat and cooked with cheese. This Savoyard favourite is a twist on the tartiflette which is made with potatoes. It makes a great side dish for grilled meats.

Charcuterie

Charcuterie boards are a popular choice for sharing at meal times. Usually containing different hams, cured dried sausages, pate, terrine and boudin – blood pudding. Of course, served with a good chunk of fresh French bread.

Bugnes

This tasty French pastry is similar to a donut made with flour, eggs, butter and sugar, fried and covered in icing sugar. It is served both as a dessert and also often eaten as a post ski snack.

Tartiflette

A renowned gratin dish made with potatoes, reblochon cheese, lardons and onions. This is a favourite to warm and refuel skiers after a cold snowy day on the slopes. A real comfort food on its own or as a side.

Gateau de Savoie

A simple but difficult to prepare sponge cake originally from the Chambery region. Served with icing sugar and apple jam, this cake goes well with a coffee at lunch or after dinner as a dessert.

Saint-Genix

If you need to refuel and boost your energy levels between ski runs then you will welcome this sugary treat. A brioche style bread-cake with pralines coloured red and plenty of sugar. Often enjoyed with a hot drink as an afternoon snack.

Where to try these interesting plates? 

There are many different restaurants to try in Les Gets with everything you could wish for in an alpine resort. There are also Chalet style hotels where you can stay and eat in the same location, AlpineElements provides a good search tool if you are looking for this type of holiday. It may be difficult to choose but here are a few of the resorts favourites you need to visit during your trip.

La Grande Ourse 

The highest restaurant in les gets boasts amazing views and a cosy atmosphere as well as some lovely dishes to try. The Cornish chef prepares local cuisine with a twist and a popular choice here is the good old sausage and mash. Located at high altitude this restaurant is great if you are staying in this area.

La Croix Blanche

A cosy chalet style restaurants with a fantastic firewood grill. Offering traditional foods, the best the menu has to offer here has to be the selection of grilled meats. Sample the rib of beef, skewered pigs cheeks or lamb chops grilled to perfection or try their speciality pates and fondue. This restaurant is part of a chalet hotel within the mountains and is popular with its guests and lunchtime visitors.

La Pela

The name itself means ‘Tartiflette’ and you will find variants of this recipe on the menu. Offering all traditional plates as well as more modern dishes, the menu although limited will not leave you wanting. The building is a traditional style chalet with a roaring fire to warm you up on a cold day, a popular location so booking ahead is advised at busier times.

Le Vaffieu

Being a mountain restaurant it’s easy to ski in and ski out. However, it can get busy during the day with skiers taking a break during their runs. Plenty of traditional snacks and drinks are available as well as some outstanding gourmet French cuisine. Diners love the views from the terrace – booking is advised here too as it can get busy at peak times.

La Case K2

If you are looking for something other than traditional French food or you just need a break from cheese this café is a good option. Located near to the centre of the village it offers simple but delicious burgers and fries, crepes and other snacks. It also sells a vegetarian burger and vegetarian options are pretty rare in Les Gets! Great for a quick snack or lunch.

La Copeux

An atmospheric restaurant located in the centre of the village. The menu offers traditional Savoyard specialities with a modern twist within its cosy comfortable classic alpine surroundings. Make sure you check out the ‘plat de jour’ for a real treat which as the name suggests changes daily.

Le Flambeaux 

Known mostly for its homemade desserts this restaurant has become more popular in recent years. Described as a unique and family friendly location the food does not disappoint and visitors who love the venue return time and time again. Try the old-fashioned cuisine including pears with wine or tiramisu with rhubarb for a truly fabulous dessert.

What else? 

Every Wednesday between 9am and 10am you can take a cheese tour at the local Perrières dairy ‘Fruitière des Perrières’. You can learn all about the cheese making process and why this regions cheeses are so special. You can also sample the delectable cheeses produced here. Tours are free of charge but must be booked in advance.

So much food to eat, so little time! Forget the skiing, Les Gets is worth a visit just to take the culinary journey through this classic French alpine cuisine at its finest. What are you waiting for?