Top ten most scenic mountain restaurants
A mouth watering list of our top picks of mountain restaurants with the most scenic views across Europe, USA and Canada.
Curated and compiled by Abi Butcher / instagram
Chez Vrony, Zermatt, Switzerland
With its breathtaking views of the Matterhorn, the scenery at this mountain restaurant couldn’t be more Instagrammable. Set at 2130m in Findeln above Zermatt, this former farmhouse has been home to the family that runs it for more than 100 years. During the summer, cows and sheep graze the pastures surrounding the restaurant, which serves organic, local and home produce from livestock raised solely on grass. Specialities not to miss include dry-cured meats, locally made cheeses and homemade sausage using recipes passed down through the generations.
Powderhound top tip: The Vrony Burger is one not to miss.
Cloud Nine, Aspen, USA
Set at the top of Cloud Nine ski lift on Aspen Highlands, this legendary restaurant has incredible views of Highlands Peak (3777m) and Highlands Bowl. The European-style wooden cabin serves up raclette, fondue and apple strudel along with more Rocky Mountain-style cuisine together with cocktails, fine wine and of course champagne, obligatory for when the party kicks off.
Powderhound top tip: book a table for a late lunch because the tunes will start to get cranked up by the resident DJ, the dancing on tables begins and the champagne corks pop
Ice Q, Sölden, Austria
This futuristic cube sits on the summit of the mighty Gaislachkogl at 3,048m, accessible during both summer and winter seasons. Costing €4.5million to build, the glass and steel structure has incredible views of the surrounding peaks in the Öztal Alps — it’s no small wonder that the restaurant was a shooting location for the James Bond SPECTRE movie. As energy-efficient as it is beautiful, ice Q is triple glazed and has a heat-recovery system, and for warmer days there’s a stunning roof terrace to soak up the sun and snap some mountain selfies.
Powderhound top tip: while the gourmet restaurant is Austria’s highest toque-rated eatery, the ice Q Lounge & Café offers a less formal experience with equally delicious strudel.
Eagle’s Eye Restaurant, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, Canada
This is the highest restaurant in Canada at 2347m, with 360-degree, eye-popping panoramic views of no fewer than five surrounding national parks. Just getting there — Kicking Horse is 6.4km west of Golden in British Columbia — offers skiers the drive of a lifetime from Calgary, through Alberta, along the Trans-Canada Highway.
Eagle’s Eye sits at the top of the Golden Eye Express Gondola, so it’s accessible with or without skis, summer and winter. There are floor-to-ceiling windows and chandeliers made from antlers, and hearty but fine food with plenty of elk, bison and steak on the menu.
Powderhound top tip: Try the poutine (a Quebecois speciality of chips, cheese and gravy).
Cabane du Montfort, Verbier, Switzerland
Set at 2457m on the south side of Mont Fort, this rustic high-altitude restaurant offers the perfect and most scenic place to eat in the glitzy ski resort of Verbier. You can stay overnight — it’s a 100-year-old hut used by ski tourers and a stop on the popular Chamonix to Zermatt Haute Route — but also perfect pitstop for refreshments during any point in the day, summer or winter. Skiers need to be reasonably competent to ski down the red from Col des Gentianes (2950m) but you can hike/ski tour up from La Chaux and rest in the enormous sunny terrace in front of the hut, with spectacular views across the valley to peaks including Mont Vélan, Six Blanc, Mont Rogneux — and even Mont Blanc on a good day.
Powderhound’s top tip: Don't leave without trying the cakes and deserts — all are home-made.
Refugio Pomedes, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy
Preparing to host the 2026 Winter Olympics, Cortina is deep in the Dolomites and home to some incredible mountain dining. Open during the winter and summer seasons, Refugio Pomedes was originally built for athletes before the men’s downhill races in the 1956 Winter Olympics. Today it is still managed by the same family and reached on foot or by chairlift with a huge and welcoming sunny terrace that overlooks Mount Pelmo, Croda da Lago and the Lastroni di Formin. Cuisine at Refugio Pomedes is home-made and traditional — think beef goulash, dumplings with cured meet, casunziei (half-moon shaped pasta) filled with beetroot, Tyrolean cold cuts and cheeses.
Powderhound top tip: Watch the sun rise and set by staying the night — the breakfast buffet is worth the effort. There are dormitories for ski tourers as well as a couple of private double rooms.
Face Au Mont Blanc, Megève, France
Open during the summer and winter seasons, Face Au Mont Blanc sits right at the top of the Le Jaillet with incredible views of Mont Blanc from its sunny terrace. Accessible on skis and on foot, there are two restaurants within the chalet (one cheaper, serving pasta dishes and one finer dining) and also a summer food truck launched during the Coronavirus pandemic. The service is consistently good and friendly here, and hot chocolate is highly rated. There is a vast stone fireplace in the centre of the restaurant, and wonderful mountain memorabilia including chandeliers made from antlers.
Powderhound top tip: ask to take a peak into the VIP room for some real mountain ambience
Chalet Etoile, Cervinia, Italy
While the Matterhorn might not be as iconic a view from the Italian side, it towers dramatically above Cervinia — and the family-run Chalet Etoile set among the blue runs above Plan Maison an unfailingly popular place to enjoy the view. The interior is designed in true mountain style — rustic tables, cow-skin benches and seats with walls hung with old farming and Alpine memorabilia. Chalet Etoile busy, but the service swift and efficient thanks to its Swedish owner Cesare Frassy and the food created by his wife Ulla is unmissable. Think reindeer fillet tempura and king crab ravioli. Yum! It’s open for dinner, too.
Powderhound top tip: Chalet Etoile is popular and gets crazily busy so make a reservation.
Top Mountain Star, Hochgurgl, Austria
Set high on the Wurmkogl ridge on the Austrian-Italy border at 3080m, this circular restaurant and bar has 360-degree panoramic views of the surrounding Öztal Alps as far as the world-famous Dolomites. It is an incredible place to enjoy a final drink of the ski day — the viewing platform is perfect for mountain selfies. The “star bar” is encrusted with thousands of Swarovski crystals and the handrail around the bar features names of all the surrounding peaks and distances to many cities.
Powderhound tip: There is live music every Saturday or if you’re really flush, you can rent the entire place for a private party.
Piz Gloria Mürren, Switzerland
No guide to the most scenic restaurants in the mountains would be complete without a revolving restaurant and this one is complete with a James Bond connection — On Her Majesty’s Secret Service was filmed here some 50 years ago. The Piz Gloria at the top of the Schilthorn revolves once an hour so visitors can enjoy a 360-degree view from 2970m and the viewing platform outside is the perfect mountain selfie spot, summer and winter. If you haven’t bought a lift pass to ski in the area, you can make a booking at the Piz Gloria and travel up the cable car is included in the meal price.
Powderhound tip: Book the James Bond Brunch for croissants at altitude.
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