Switzerland’s Zermatt is renowned for its exciting and varied skiing, and part of that experience is a stop for lunch or perhaps a drink—or three—in one of the restaurants to be found on the piste above the Matterhorn Ski Paradise resort. Stopping for food makes a great mid-session break and a hearty meal will set you up for more skiing in the afternoon. Of course, you don’t have to ski to truly enjoy the ambience and stunning mountain scenery, all of which these three restaurants offer plenty of:
Chez Vrony
One of the first restaurants to establish itself in Zermatt was Chez Vrony. Situated at an altitude of 2,100 meters (around 6,889 feet), the restaurant offers spectacular views and a sheepskin-draped, armchair vantage point of Zermatt’s calling card, the Matterhorn. Chez Vrony has a rich heritage and a family history stretching back for over 100 years and it stills boasts a loyal and enthusiastic staff—one member of the team has been there for over a quarter of a century. It’s this loyalty that plays a huge part in maintaining the high standards and ensures the warm welcome that has been instrumental in many visitors returning year after year.
From its beginning as a small farmhouse to present day, Chez Vrony is one of the few restaurants that still uses its own organic products that are made from animals nourished solely on Alpine grass. The dry-cured meat, the homemade sausage, and Alpine cheese are all made from traditional recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation. Plus, the establishment has even gone global, with Swiss Air serving their dishes on long haul flights.
Zum See
Nestled in a picturesque 500-year-old hamlet between Furi and Zermatt is Zum Se, which takes you back in time to an era when Furi was once a “Maiensäss”—a high settlement where farming families lived for the summer, long before skis were invented. The family-run Zum See, set in the heart of this enclave, has earned a worldwide reputation over the last three decades and is listed on the Gault Millau Guide with fourteen points (20 is the max).
Max and Greti Mennig—along with their son Markus, his wife Marion and the rest of the team—offer guests freshly prepared meals with high quality ingredients that are delivered daily to the restaurant. Specialties include calf’s liver, fresh Dover sole, fish soup and homemade pasta dishes. Though you can sit outdoors, the action is inside where you can strike up conversations with fellow diners in the cozy dining room. People are packed together pretty closely in Zum See, so if you prefer quiet corners, this may not be the place for you.
Findlerhof
Another firm favorite is the Findlerhof, which was established over 20 years ago. Guests can really unwind here and enjoy cozy, family atmosphere with the hosts, Franz and Heidl Schwery. Found in the middle of a unique hiking and skiing area in Findeln, high above Zermatt at 2051 meters (6,729 feet), Findlerhof offers fantastic views of the Matterhorn, which makes dining on the terrace in sunny weather a must. No stranger to Gault Millau and the Michelin Guide, the menu often features Sashimi of red tuna, beef carpaccio, roasted beef fillet, smoked salmon with wasabi, and foie gras terrine.
It’s pretty hard for us to pick a favorite, which is why we are highlighting all three, so the simple solution is for you to try them all. Go on! You know you want to.
