The 13 Best Ski Towns to Visit for Michelin-starred Dining

The definitive Michelin Guide is known as the go-to source for the best dining in metropoles around the world, from New York to Tokyo. However, a number of starred restaurants also thrive in ski towns across parts of Europe, specifically in Switzerland, Italy, and France. To that end, we've gathered the best ski areas for Michelin-starred dining. While the following 13 restaurants are by no means a definitive list, they do represent some of the best après-ski dining options and chefs truly moving the culinary conversation forward. The next time you're looking to level up your ski trip, book a table at one of these always-in-demand gastronomic destinations.

Switzerland

La Table d'Adrien, Verbier

Stars: One

Chef: Sebastiano Lombardi

Cuisine: La Table d'Adrien is known for locally sourced gastronomy inspired by the restaurant's proximity to Italy and France.

What to get: The four-course chef's tasting menu takes après to a whole new level with a constantly evolving lineup based on local availability.

Da Vittorio, St. Moritz

Stars: Two

Chef: Enrico and Roberto Cerea

Cuisine: This traditional Italian restaurant inside the Carlton Hotel has been bringing award-winning cuisine to St. Moritz for more than four decades.

What to get: Really, everything at Da Vittorio is a sure bet, but you can't leave without trying any one of a range of pasta dishes inspired by the chef's Italian roots.

Restaurant PAVILLION, Zurich

Stars: Two

Chef: Laurent Eperon

Cuisine: A modern take on European gastronomic classics.

What to get: The only option at this restaurant within Baur Au Lac Hotel is a set menu that changes based on seasonal availability and for special holidays, such as Easter.

The Dolder Grand, Zurich

Stars: Two

Chef: Hieko Nieder

Cuisine: Enjoy a seemingly endless array of flavors that defy classic culinary preconceptions at The Dolder Grand, including more than 500 different wines and rare finds to delight connoisseurs.

What to get: After a day on the Swiss slopes, choose from an impeccable eight- or 10-course menu with optional wine pairing.

Italy

St. Hubertus, San Cassiano

Stars: Three, and one green star

Chef: Norbert Niederkofler

Cuisine: The restaurant specializes in groundbreaking, sustainable fine dining from one of the standard-bearers of the practice.

What to get: The single set menu follows St. Hubertus' "Cook the Mountain" philosophy with an extreme focus on local sourcing and setting orders well in advance of the reservation date.

Restaurant Terra, Sarentino

Stars: Two

Chef: Heinrich Schneider

Cuisine: The experience at Restaurant Terra will surprise and delight you — it is forest-inspired dining designed, quite literally, into the forest.

What to get: At 5,250 feet, you might get lost in the view, but don't do so without enjoying the post-meal tea ceremony with local herbs and botanicals.

Restaurant Tilia, Dobbiaco

Stars: One

Chef: Chris Oberhammer

Cuisine: At the scenic Restaurant Tillia, you'll find thoughtful dishes focusing on local meat and multi-course options.

What to get: Dining in a glass cube with only a handful of tables is special enough, but chef Oberhammer's contemporary courses might just top that. Every dish here is a work of art.

Restaurant Kuppelrain, Castelbello

Stars: One

Chef: Jörg Trafoier

Cuisine: A minimalist approach to haute cuisine, this simple menu is tightly executed within a family-run operation.

What to get: Order any pastas and local vegetables available at Restaurant Kuppelrain.

Tivoli, Cortina d'Ampezzo

Stars: One

Chef: Graziano Prest

Cuisine: This Cortina d'Ampezzo restaurant specializes in traditional Italian alpine fare with a focus on the surrounding mountain area.

What to get: Order up any of Tivoli's simple filled pastas or miniature desserts.

France

Albert 1er, Chamonix

Stars: One

Chef: Perrine Carrier

Cuisine: At Albert 1er, make way for traditional French elevated flavors with specialty meats and seafood, like foie gras and Arctic char.

What to get: Albert 1er is known for cuisine influenced by the treasures of the French/Italian Alps — choose from delightful dishes such as locally farmed pork and lamb and delicious alpine cheeses.

Les Explorateurs, Val Thorens

Stars: One

Chef: Josselin Jeanblanc

Cuisine: This is a classique French steakhouse with global influences.

What to get: The Wagyu beef and sea bass dishes are always an excellent choice at Les Explorateurs.

L'Ekrin, Merible

Stars: One

Chef: Laurent Azoulay

Cuisine: High-level gastronomy centered around essential French cooking is what you'll find at L'Ekrin.

What to get: Chef's "one-for-all" black truffle menu, which centers around his self-described "gourmet weakness," featuring the delicacy in a range of innovative applications.

Le 1947 at Cheval Blanc, Courchevel

Stars: Three

Chef: Yannick Alléno

Cuisine: An intimate dinner-only experience pushing the limits of fine dining in one of France's most renowned culinary venues.

What to get: The French-focused menu changes regularly, but you can rest assured that any meal here will be a truly exceptional one.