Tignes Cuisine is right next to Loop in Le Lac and though this place may be small its food packs a punch. From a great value lunch menu to an evening menu that will satisfy all your cravings to break the monotony of spaghetti bolognaise.

At lunchtime there are various options that all come at a very reasonable price. Chilli beef or chicken tikka burritos, home made pies and the firm favourite: the noodles that can be prepared either with chicken, prawns or vegetarian style. Add to this Himalayan Vin Chaud for €2 and you’ve got yourself a meal.

For dinner my eyes were immediately drawn to the Peking duck but I then noticed the jungle curry and the tikka massala. I was instantly faced with a battle in my mind over what to have. There are also a variety of other curries and, like the noodles, you’ve got the option of what they are made with to choose from.

For the fortunate residents of Tignes, evening delivery is available. Here in Val we must make do with the great lunch menu, but if you’re lucky enough to find yourself in Tignes for an evening before season end, then definitely head over to Tignes Cuisine for your dinner.

Designed to look like a board club by a beach, Quiksilver has done well to bring the beach to the mountains as well as some decent food to chow down on while you pretend there’s sand outside and not snow.

The food is all geared the same way as the décor, towards the American side of things. The breakfast menu is fantastic and will probably hit the hangover head on. Pancakes dripping in maple syrup anyone? Or perhaps a good cooked breakfast for those of a more savoury disposition.

For lunch and dinner they do a great range or burgers as well as things like English muffins with cream cheese and salmon, not to mention some fantastic wraps all named after famous ski resorts. It is all in the American theme, but not all of it is greasy and served with chips. Good healthy salads and wraps are just as popular on the menu as everything else.

We couldn’t leave you without mentioning the smoothies and shakes. The chocolate shake is my particular favourite, but if you’re feeling a bit run down and think some vitamins could be in order, grab a smoothie and feel the goodness coursing through your veins as you drink it! Diner in a shop? Who knew it could work so well!

Living up to its name, Warm Up serves hearty meals for good prices that will really warm you from the inside-out. If you’re looking to get your toes and hands warm then the soup is going to be right up your street. It’s home made and there is a different one every day, from spicy lentil to hearty tomato and the classic leek and potato, it’s all as good as your mummy would make.

Soup isn’t the only thing on the menu, as they also do a great quiche and a spinach and goat’s cheese tart which really hits the spot if you’re a cheese fan. If you’re looking for something with a bit more protein then head for the chicken wings, or for a quick snack go for the classic hot dog.

Eating at Warm Up isn’t just about the food, with the friendly and helpful staff offering table service if you can’t quite bring yourself to walk the 10 steps to the bar. It’s perfect for a relaxing pick me up after a long day on the slopes.

Flash Pizza is one of those places that does a bit more than serve your standard toppings. Its menu has some different pizzas that may look a bit on the wild side but they’re certainly worth trying.

Naturally, they have all the classics though they’re all titled along a Val d’Isère theme. A margherita is called a Bellevarde and a chorizo pizza is a Col Pers, so you’ll need to take a peek at the menu.

As well as all the favourites, there are pizzas like the Solaise topped with fresh cream, spinach and salmon and pizzas for local cheese lovers like the Santon that has both reblochon and beaufort. They certainly work well if you’re looking for something slightly different.

I was a fan of the Tsanteleina, which is effectively tartiflette on a pizza. It’s a touch decadent but very tasty!

If you’re looking for a welcoming ambience, or something to eat that doesn’t even require you to leave your residence after a hard day on the slopes, then grab a Flash Pizza menu and get adventurous.

The menu is mainly variations on a Mexican theme. Classics such as fajitas and chilli con carne will have you reaching for a glass of milk, but they also do a fine range of salads and steaks if you’re looking for something with a little less kick.

The fajitas are great. With a choice between chicken and beef you really can’t go wrong, but if you’re feeling like something less hot the chicken curry is just on the right side of spicy.
They also do great set menus and platters that are good value and give you a taste of everything on offer, including a lovely brownie at the end.

Bananas deals in uncomplicated and tasty food, served in a buzzing atmosphere. If you’re looking for something a little different from the many Savoyard restaurants in town we’d suggest you try this place out.

The Tête de Solaise is a classic mountain restaurant with everything you would expect when you’re looking for a rest stop. It’s got a great self-service restaurant serving classics like spaghetti bolognaise and steak haché with chips, but also does a very impressive salad or soup, as well as a rather tasty tartiflette.

There is also a dedicated pizzeria, so if you don’t fancy anything on offer in the self-service area then this is a great alternative to consider.

What would any mountain restaurant in Val d’Isère be without a top notch à la carte restaurant to provide for those who aren’t looking to save their pennies. Located in a glass conservatory, this restaurant certainly isn’t short of light and offers attractive views to go with the excellent food.

The Tête de Solaise also likes to have fun. With a great glass bar, it’s a terrific place to grab a meal in the sun or spend the afternoon hitting their volleyball court if you get bored of skiing.

Bar Jacques specialises in French food from the south west of France, so think less cheese and more beans and duck with fantastic sauces that any chef would be proud of. This background might also be behind the great wine list, boasting an extensive selection to go with your meal. They also have chestnut kir which is something you won’t find anywhere else and it’s lovely.

The most popular dishes, I’m told, are the magret du canard, which is duck with great raspberry vinegar that made me want seconds. I love duck, but I’ve never had it with that sauce and it was definitely worthwhile. The cassoulet is also very popular, and something that sets Bar Jacques apart from the French restaurants in town that only serve savoyarde menus. All of that is also on offer, but the option to take the route less travelled is one that I would highly recommend.

My sweet tooth would never forgive me if I didn’t mention the desserts. With crème brulée and peach melba on the menu I wasn’t sure how I would choose, but the crème brulee was the winner and I’ll be back for more.

If you’re looking for a great menu with home-made food, from the foie gras to the pastry, then Bar Jacques is certainly a good place to go. You’ll get a taste of France, along with a lovely atmosphere to round off a very enjoyable evening.

Loop is located in Tignes le Lac right by the piste. It’s an ideal lunch spot for any wandering skiers who are sampling the delights over the other side of the mountain, and offers lots of good, hearty food that will keep you warm and keep you going for the rest of the day.

I went for the chilli bowl, which was a hell of a lot bigger than I thought it would be, and proceeded to eat the whole thing far too quickly because it tasted so good. After half an hour soaking up the sun and trying unsuccessfully to digest it all, I decided to step back into my skis and try to work it off.

Loop is also another place that does a great burger. There are other options, like wraps and sweet chilli beef sandwiches which are very popular amongst the regulars, and naturally it would be impossible not to mention the full English breakfast. Should you find yourself stuck in Tignes overnight, I’d head on down there, before you ski back over, for a breakfast that would make any greasy spoon proud.

Loop is sat in a perfect location, where you can spend some lovely sunny afternoons with what seems like most of the Val D’Isere seasonnaire population. You know something has to be good when people are prepared to travel to get there, and it’s definitely worth the trip.

First thing to mention is that the Danois has no hangups as a restaurant. You aren’t going to be turned away because you haven’t got shoes on or if you’re still wearing ski gear. They are a relaxed bunch and that’s the way they like their restaurant.

I took advantage of one of their set menus for €19 and got a starter, a main and a dessert, my apprehension on being able to eat all of the food was soon quashed as I tucked into my Caesar salad. I’m not really a salad type, but this one held my attention, until the pie showed up. The beef pie (made with Danois’ Red Erik beer) was great, and definitely hit the mark. It’s probably at this point I should have stopped eating, but then people offered me bites of their food and I can highly recommend the duck stir fry and the curry as alternatives if you want something different.

But the best thing about the Danois? Well for me it has to be that going as a big group, they aren’t scared of you, and two bottles of wine in, the service was still great with not a hint of resentment from the staff when we got a bit rowdy and started getting into the toffee vodka and bid our farewells feeling very very full.

Displaying one of the more innovative menus here in Val, serving Asian Fusion cuisine, it definitely hits the mark with something that stands out from the rest, as well as a different atmosphere to most of the other restaurants in town with its modern, chic décor and definite Scandinavian influence.

We had a selection of the starters on offer. Each was fantastic and different to the dish before. From seared salmon to tempura vegetables, everything was of a very high quality and cooked just right (no heavy tempura batter here). The accompanying sauces complimented the food well, and nothing felt out of place.

For the main course it was Korean style rib-eye steak which, like the starters, did not disappoint. Cooked to perfection with excellent presentation, the main course complimented the starters well and completed an all-around excellent culinary experience.

If you’re looking for a restaurant with the look of a flash London eatery with a menu to match that won’t destroy your budget but will impress whoever you bring with you, we’d definitely suggest Victors. It’s worth learning to use chopsticks for!

We’d like to confirm that what you’ve heard is all true and then some, but if hunger takes over when you’re outside dancing on the tables and working on your goggle tan, wander inside and check out the great offerings. La Folie Douce is a self-service restaurant, which is standard on the mountain. If you have to wait a while to get your food, it’s certainly worth it. There is lots on offer, from fresh salads to yoghurt that has been freshly made on a local farm and brought up the mountain.

In terms of main courses, La Folie Douce can offer you the standard spaghetti bolognaise (served in a jar! Slightly more fancy than your average plate) but they also serve dishes like rabbit which, if you put the image of cute bunnies out your mind, tastes marvellous.

They also do a meat of the day, ranging from beef to duck, served with sauce and your choice of side. You can choose from chips, vegetables or pasta bake, all of which could quite easily stand on their own as a meal.

Let’s not forget the party that comes with après at La Folie Douce. If you have a late lunch you might see it warming up, but come 4pm the party is going and the music is pumping as the best way to start your evening kicks off. Dancing on tables in ski boots? It can be done!