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Top 8 village restaurants in Zermatt

There are a plethora of restaurants in Zermatt village, some so-so, some so fabulous. I’ve been visiting Zermatt for years and I love food so you could call me an expert. So, without further ado, here are my top 8 superb eateries to get your taste buds tingling. Ferdinand Ferdinand is a new Swiss restaurant that opened in December 2014 in the Cervo Mountain Resort. Ferdinand’s way of serving raclette is unconventional. Instead of being prepared in the kitchen, you prepare it yourself at the table. Ferdinand focuses on the Swiss specialties of fondue and raclette. The Cervo Mountain Resort is located directly across the street/ski trail from the elevator that leaves from the Sunnegga Funicular base. Try for a table by the window that overlooks Zermatt several hundred feet below, a beautiful sight in the evenings. I had a thoroughly enjoyable meal here, with friends, it was quite fun preparing the dishes ourselves. We really enjoyed several bottles of Cornalin red wine, a local Swiss grape, that Ferdinand recommended. An informal ambience and a very classy interior. Ferdinand at the cervo hotel Son Matten Fifteen minutes from the centre of the resort, tucked away in the tiny hamlet of Winkelmatten, perched high up in the village of Zermatt, overlooking one of the most magnificent settings in the world. The restaurant consists of two areas, both offering a different ambiance. The “bistro”, replete with wooden panelling and a winery, is located near the entrance. The large dining hall is located towards the front of the premises. Its immaculate white walls and ceilings are adorned by paintings, sketches and spectacular framed views from neighboring chalets. The restaurant opens onto a terrace, which boasts stunning views over the Cervin. On the spacious and rustic sun terraces with a clear view of the Matterhorn, they serve a range of Austrian specialties, from goulash & dumplings and schnitzel to mono fish or lobster au gratin. Dining with a view in Son Matten After Seven Located in the heart of the village at the Backstage Hotel, the restaurant is a unique visual experience, as you would expect of any design by Heinz Julen, a Zermatt local and artist extraordinaire. The decor and design of the seating area and the restaurant are eclectic and interesting, but still maintains the right atmosphere for a nice, intimate dinner. The initial impression was good. The food gets better. A Michelin Two Star establishment, the gourmet cuisine doesn’t disappoint. There are no gimmicks just seriously fabulous food – a masterclass of modern fresh flavours intelligently presented. Chez Heini A one off and a very different experience in Zermatt – amazing food whilst also having fun with decor, service and music. The chef is entertaining, he works on an open fire, whilst also interacting with tables in relation to wine and service. Definitely go with the set menu of the night, a great range of courses that includes the best lamb. Then there is the enchanting experience of Dan Daniell, the owner, who sings at the end of the evening, with interesting footage of historic Zermatt. This aspect could be car crash but he is an accomplished performer who has recorded songs with Frida, of Abba fame. All in all a very different experience! Chez Heini in zermatt Snowboat Amazing place! I absolutely love the food menu. It has tons of healthy options like salads, humus, etc, but also their burger is state of the art!, delicious!!! I love the atmosphere and vibe as well. The place is not too expensive and has character. Can get very boisterous in the bar area, but it’s all good natured fun. The restaurant is downstairs so you’re away from the shenanigans. After your meal, join the fun upstairs and make an evening of it. Plate full of food The Bubble No so cheap, (but then this is Switzerland) but very cheerful. Some of the best food I’ve ever had, simple, not over fussy, just good honest, tasty fare. Cool vibe and nice owners who run the place. Mark, the English owner, a diminutive chap with a wry sense of humour and a sharp wit is a star. Definitely a “must try” in Zermatt. Great location, in the heart of the village, just off the Kirchplatz near the bridge. The service was top notch, the vibe is relaxed. Plus they have free tap water, which is hard to find in Zermatt. Best burgers in Zermatt Z’Art Z’arts’ strap line is ‘Alpine Style Meets Italianita’ and that’s a fair description of the kind of cusine to expect here but turned up a notch or two, very much fine dining. The decor is simple, fresh and quite classy. The entrance is impressive and gives a good first impression. Situated in the heart of the village Z’Art is very much worth a visit. The terrace is one of the most beautiful in Zermatt with a direct view of the Matterhorn. stylish dining at Z'art 1818 A beautiful interior, all timber clad and traditional but with contemporary touches. A great vibe and ambience with top quality food to match. Authentic produce tastefully prepared and accompanied by a good wine list. The food is grilled on a Josper charcoal grill, with its exceptional high temperature that allows the meat, fish and vegetable to remain juicy. The natural grill taste suffuses the the food and the pieces have an aromatic and tasty crust. There’s a charming bar area to enjoy pre and post dinner drinks. The 1818 is one of those places where you want to hang around and make a night of it. 1818 zermatt restaurant Rebecca Taylor is Director at SkiBoutique. If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.

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7 Comments

  1. It’s always good to get the run-down from an expert, and I think 8 years definitely qualifies you. I’ve been to Switzerland many times, but never to Zermatt. Son Matten looks ideal for me, quiet and private but with some great sounding food. My husband insists on schnitzel whenever he is in a European country that serves it, as we don’t really get it at home and surely it tastes better with a few of the Matterhorn. Does anyone know how far in advance you need to book, or if you can safely spontaneously drop in for a table?

  2. I haven’t yet visited Switzerland. I usually go to Italy for skiing but have heard great things about skiing in Switzerland and in Zermatt in particular. Happy to find out that there is a two star restaurant. After Seven sounds ideal. I will have to remember to make a reservation there when we book our next skiing trip.

  3. Never heard of Zermatt! I do love learning about new places, especially in Europe. Ferdinand sounds very interesting – I don’t know how to feel about having to prepare my own food, I thought the whole point was to have everything done for you ahah! I’m up for trying anything though. I must say that all of these places look extremely classy, I particularly like the rustic looking ones like Son Matten and 1818 – such great picks!

  4. Switzerland is one of my favourite places with the beautiful countryside, fresh air and cute houses. I’ve never been to or heard of Zermat. You have some brilliant suggestions for restaurants. If I’m ever in that area I’ll definitely check them out.

  5. I love foods that are for sharing and prepping at the table they just have a real community feel and dining should be shared with your fellow foodies. Red wine, amazing views and delicious food sounds just heavenly. So many great places to eat.

  6. I’m curious what the ‘state of the art, delicious’ burger looks like at Snowboat! I prefer the sound of somewhere like that where it’s a little more casual, quite fun and not too pricey. The outdoor area at Z’Art looks so relaxing and snuggly, they’ve definitely got the mix of Alpine and Italian vibes down perfectly in the design.

  7. I like places the the Son Matten that have different areas inside, so you can choose a different vibe depending on what you want. Usually it’s more casual seating for light lunches or drinks and another area for dining with a more serious feel to it. The After Seven restaurant has quite a chic appearance, a French. I’d probably opt for the 1818 place just for the quirky padded chairs alone! Some really great places in this little Swiss paradise with some interesting exterior and interior designs.

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