Méribel Showcases its Culinary Rise: From Fondue to Michelin-Starred gondola dining

Long known as a traditional chalet resort, Méribel has quietly undergone a culinary revolution. Across the French Alps, food has become a defining part of the ski holiday experience, and in the heart of the Trois Vallées, Méribel is fast emerging as a destination where gastronomy rivals the skiing itself.

A growing collection of independent restaurants, design-led bistros and refined hotel dining rooms has elevated the resort’s offering well beyond its Savoyard roots. Visitors can now move effortlessly from cosy alpine classics to Michelin-starred tasting menus, before heading to high-energy après-ski spots where food, music and atmosphere collide.

Taking this evolution to new heights (quite literally), Méribel will host an extraordinary ‘dinner in the sky’ on Monday 2 and 9 March 2026 (from 7 pm). For two exclusive evenings, the Saulire Express gondolas will be transformed into intimate dining cabins, where guests will enjoy an exceptional menu curated by Michelin-starred chef Laurent Azoulay of L’Ekrin, complete with bespoke food and wine pairings.

In celebration of this unique event, we’ve put together a food guide for every skier – from après-party hounds to tasting-menu enthusiasts.

A New Meat-lovers’ Paradise:

La Vache Rouge is a lively Savoyard restaurant that brings classic Alpine dining to life in the heart of Méribel. With its buzzing atmosphere, it is a favourite for groups looking to settle in for the afternoon or evening. The menu champions meats and seafood à la carte with an exceptional wine list to boot. Warm, informal and full of character, La Vache Rouge is the kind of place where good food, good company and long evenings naturally go hand in hand

Best New Bistro:

Mottaret’s dining scene has a fresh addition this season with KH Culinary. This bistronomic gem is one of Méribel’s most exciting new openings, bringing a refined, contemporary take on Alpine gastronomy to the slopes, serving up seasonal, high-quality dishes that are both refined and approachable, perfect after a day on the slopes. Pair your meal with wines selected by the in-house specialist and soak up the warm, friendly atmosphere – a modern European dining experience perfect for something different when you’ve had your fill of fondue.

Best for Fine Dining:

Méribel’s sole Michelin-starred restaurant, L’Ekrin, is located in the five-star boutique Hotel Le Kaïla. Led by Chef Laurent Azoulay, who trained at the three-rosette L’Oustau de Baumanière in Les Baux-de-Provence and under Pierre Gagnaire in Paris, L’Ekrin offers a bucket-list dining experience for travellers seeking the very best of Alpine cuisine. The menu is celebrated for its creative flair, with dishes such as delicate langoustine ravioli, seared scallops with seasonal vegetables, and rich, slow-cooked beef short rib. Each plate demonstrates the chef’s mastery of flavour, texture, and presentation, making L’Ekrin a must-visit destination for food lovers on a Méribel ski holiday.

Hottest New Après Spot

New to the Aigle slope, Restaurant Tipi is a must-visit for food and music lovers. Its south-facing terrace offers stunning views, while live performances by singers, artists and DJs set the scene. Chef Fabien François, formerly of Robuchon and Alléno, crafts exceptional dishes, and the warm, modern interior makes it perfect for a leisurely lunch. As après-ski kicks in, Tipi comes alive with a festive, unforgettable atmosphere.

Best for steak

Beefbar, Riccardo Giraudi’s much-loved dining concept with addresses from Mexico City to Dubai, has landed in the heart of Méribel at Hotel Le Coucou. Expect beautifully prepared cuts of Black Angus, Wagyu and Kobe, alongside vibrant sharing plates and comforting alpine-friendly dishes. Perched on the hotel’s sun-soaked terrace, it’s the kind of place you can ski straight into for a long, leisurely lunch. And just when you think you couldn’t manage more, the dessert buffet — piled with tarts, cakes and oversized éclairs — has other ideas.

Most Unique Dining Experience:

The Instagram crowd will enjoy travelling by horse-drawn sleigh to lunch at Le Clos Bernard. Nestled within the magical Altiport forest, the restaurant provides a serene escape for skiers after some secluded alpine charm. Also accessible via ski paths, the restaurant is a fantastic change in pace after a morning on the slopes. Set in a traditional chalet-style building, Le Clos Bernard offers classic French fare such as wood-fired grilled meats, fondue savoyarde and raclette, with a wine list bigger than the Doomsday Book. Alternatively, sit outside with a cup of mulled wine and enjoy the peaceful forest views. Either way, Le Clos Bernard is one of the most memorable dining experiences in Les 3 Vallées.

Méribel Tourisme (MT) promotes the heart of the 3 Valleys, Méribel, as a world-class Alpine travel destination. MT aims to educate the wider public on what the region has to offer through the strengthening and development of the tourism industry, promoting local development that is economically viable, environmentally responsible and fulfilling on a human level. Easily accessible from the UK by train, plane and car, Méribel is home to 600 km of meandering slopes, majestic nature reserves and mouth-watering menus across the valley. From mountain biking, hiking, horse-riding, golfing and yoga in the summer, to carving famous ski runs, snowshoeing, ice-skating and more in the winter, there is something for every traveller to enjoy.

For further information on Méribel Tourisme, please visit: www.Méribel .net/en