Before wrapping up my series about all the fun I had in the Valais, I thought I should take a moment to talk about how well I ate and drank while there.
Here’s a taste of the best bites and sips from trip.
Brasserie des Cheminots
At the Hotel Ambassador in the heart of Brig, this elegant restaurant does fine dining in fine style. My main course of treberwurst (traditiona Swiss sausage made with pressed grapes) was memorably yummy. With its large landscape paintings, wood paneling, antique fixtures and conservatory seating it was a lovely space for such an impressive meal as well. Visit online at ambassador-brig.ch.
Le Café du Nord
Located along the main drag in Champéry with plenty of outdoor seating and good views of the mountains, this cozy little bistro offers gourmet interpretations of regional dishes coupled with wines from the Valais. The dinner enjoyed during my visit commenced with foie gras followed by ris de veau (veal sweetbreads) and finished with a couple of scoops of sorbet made with local apricots and apricot brandy. Find out more at lenord.ch.
La Cantine sur Coux
Waaay up in the mountains above Champéry, La Cantine sur Coux serves rustic cookery in an equally rustic setting. The cantine operates out of a chalet built in the 1920s. The views of the Dents du Midi and Dent Blanches were probably the best experienced during my time in the Val d’Illiez. Same goes for the rosti. More at cantinesurcoux.net.
La Cantine de Rives
Technically in Champéry but sitting pretty across the valley with stunning vistas over the village, La Cantine de Rives is a homey setting for high quality Swiss cuisine. I loved the steak tartare here and the pear sorbet. Details at lesrives.ch.
La Cavagne
For extra special picnics, something with some kick for the end of the end of the night or all sorts of other consumable Swiss souvenirs, La Cavagne food and drink specialty shop in the Val d’Illiez village of Troistorrents (with a smaller La Petite Cavagne outlet in Champéry) was an attractive stop to discover delicious provisions produced locally and realise the broad range of Valais wines. Shop online at lacavagne.ch.
