Zermatt has a great selection of mountain restaurants, so which should you make sure you at least visit once during your luxury Chalet Ski Holiday? Here’s are top three but please feel free to argue your case if you disagree:

3rd Place – The Findelhof

Views hardly get better than this whether you are visiting in the summer or winter. Situated in the Findein skiing area close to the Sunnegga Funicular , the Findelhof has not only one of the best views in Zermatt, it has one of the best in the European alps.

Looking down over a small raine, directly opposite the Matterhorn, it is just an unbelievable place to dine out on the terrace.

But the Findelhof isn’t just about the views as the food is very good too. I love steak tartare and was about to select this option until a friend pointed out the calves liver. Beautifully prepared and cooked (rosé) it just melted as soon as it touched one’s lips. The lamb shanks was another dish that went down a storm. Fabulous – and at a price relative to Zermatt that was pleasantly surprising.

Run for many years we were told by Franz & Heidi who both provided a very warm and genuine welcome, inside it retains it farmhouse charm on colder days with the wood fire as well as the traditional decor. The latter with its old wood, stone and traditional artefacts, notwithstanding the benches and tables that deliver a cosy, but essentially earthy and homely ambience that we just loved. A real mountain retreat!

2nd Place – Stafelalp

This had to be number two because of the simply stunning, homemade tarts that used locally sourced mountain fruits. Situated right under the Zermatt Matterhorn at 2,200m, it mixes traditional alpine dishes with fabulous pasta (ravioli on our visit which scored a near perfect 9 out of 10) and a great selectionn of succulent red meats for those who enjoy more carnivorous dining.

Outside there is a large terrace with the obligatory view off the Matterhorn, but inside is just as good as there are large panoramic windows with a nice ambience created by the fur rugs and cool and hip chairs and tables.  A must visit in our view as it simply won’t disappoint.

1st Place – Chez Vrony

Regular visitors to Zermatt will not we be surprised to see the Chez Vrony at the top of the list as it is truly one of the best mountain restaurants, not only in Zermatt, but probably the alps. Therefore, book a table well in advance, in fact, before you step on to the plane – it is that popular!

So why is it Number One? I guess firstly this comes down to the owners who have run Chez Vrony for many years and insist upon great service, fresh ingredients, beautifully thought out and prepared dishes, and a discrete but warm welcome.

It also has one of the great view of the Matterhorn, with a terrace that offers comfortable seating, a luxurious ambience, with exquisitely beautifully branded blankets to keep you warm on the less sunnier days.

In terms of the food, the fresh ingredients are always perfectly cooked, lovingly placed on your plate, and the factor that counts most with us – tastes even better than they look. Cured meats, truly world class gourmet burgers, salmon, seeks, it has so much to offer that one visit won’t be enough. A special mention therefore for two dishes that got top marks for style and flavour. The carpaccio of beef and the truly magnificent goats cheese ravioli.  A must visit, not once, but at least twice as you are guaranteed to want to go back to try something else before you leave.