Where We Ate on the Tour du Mont Blanc
Last month we hiked the Tour du Mont Blanc — Chamonix, up through Les Contamines, across into Italy at Courmayeur and Val Ferret, over into Switzerland at La Fouly, and back around through Vallorcine to close the loop. Between the miles, the meals ended up being some of the best part of the trip. Here's everywhere we ate, in the order we hit them on the trail.
Chamonix
Home base at the start and end of the trek, and honestly worth lingering in for the food alone.
L’Hydromel
A cozy bar just off the center of town — great cocktails to kick off the trip. Five stars, food and service both perfect.
Annapurna
Incredible Indian food right in Chamonix — every dish had a ton of flavor, and the drinks were just as good.
Aux Petits Gourmands
A patisserie right on Rue du Dr Paccard — good for pastries and coffee between trail prep. Five stars, and the owner sent a kind thank-you back on the review.
📍 168 Rue du Dr Paccard, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
La Calèche
Savoyard classics in a cozy space hung with cowbells and vintage skis. Amazing cuisine, five stars across food, service, and atmosphere.
I Fratelli Casa Valerio
Solid Italian, carbonara and pizza both delivered. Five stars across the board.
Les Contamines-Montjoie, France
Le Sollié
A trailside stop out near Nant Borrant, on the first stretch out of Chamonix. Saved to our TMB list going in — a well-reviewed spot along the route (4.9★ overall). GET THE BLUEBERRY TART!
Courmayeur & Val Ferret, Italy
The Italian side of the loop — where we ate the best pizza of the whole trip.
Rifugio Walter Bonatti
The classic TMB refuge stop, tucked into Val Ferret with the kind of views that make you forget your legs are tired. Watched a pack mule and a small herd of cows and horses graze right past the terrace.
Chalet Val Ferret
A welcome rest stop on your way to Switzerland
Zillo’s Bar Paninoteca
The only place open early in Courmayeur — a good espresso and croissant before heading back out on the trail. The Irish Coffee is also a must. Grazie!
Bar Le Dahu
Excellent toast and a great atmosphere for a break in town.
Hotel Berthod
Our rest-day stop in Courmayeur, and it earned it — wonderful staff, extremely clean and comfortable, and the best hotel breakfast of the whole trip through Italy.
📍 Via Mario Puchoz, 11, Courmayeur AO, Italy
La Padella — our favorite of the whole trip
Amazing pizza and pasta, and we loved the vino de casa. Five stars across food, service, and atmosphere — and hands down the best meal of the TMB. Reservations recommended, and worth planning around.
📍 Vicolo Dolonne, 7, Courmayeur AO, Italy
La Fouly, Switzerland
Mont Fromage La Fouly
THANK YOU, Merci, for being open late and on the TMB! We were worn out at 15 miles and this was a blessing — cheeseburgers, fries, and new dog friends on the patio. We miss ours at home.
Vallorcine, France
Le Café Comptoir
Back on the French side, near the end of the loop — a French restaurant with genuinely great food. The peach, prosciutto, and burrata salad was a standout after days on the trail.
📍 69 route de la foret verte, Vallorcine
Thirteen stops, three countries, and one clear favorite: La Padella in Courmayeur. Worth every mile it took to earn each meal.
