St Moritz - Food & Drink
Swiss mountain classics are given a gourmet polish: expect to see more caviar and foie gras than raclettes (melted cheese and pickles) and rösti (fried patties of grated potato).
The restaurant and bar scene is an integral cog in the St Moritz image wheel. The restaurants need to ooze quality and sophistication to sit happily alongside the St Moritz brand. Luckily, they do. The Gault Millau guide currently lists 32 restaurants in the St Moritz area, making this truly a place for gourmet skiing. The restaurants in town share a similar level of sophistication to large metropolises and the food on the hill is nearly as refined, thankfully without losing its mountain integrity. Wash it all down with some fine Swiss wine, virtually unheard of outside Switzerland because the Swiss are quite happy to drink it all rather than export it.
Previously known as La Marmite, Mathis Food Affairs is one of the most extravagant Alpine restaurants. Dine on truffle-laced splendour then select from some of the world's finest cigars; there is also a more affordable self-service restaurant next door. Also on Corviglia is the Paradiso ski hut, serving grilled meats and regional specialities on a large, sunny terrace. Across on the Corvatsch mountain, tuck into raclette (melted cheese and pickles) and steaks at the traditional Alpetta.
It is easy to eat extremely well in St Moritz. Both of the Michelin-starred establishments, Chesa Pirani in nearby La Punt and Jöhri's Talvo in St Moritz itself, are temples of modern gastronomy with prices to match. More down to earth is the Chesa Veglia which does fine, thin-crust pizzas. The best fondues and raclettes in town can be found at the Hotel Schweizerhof. Japanese heavyweights Nobu have installed themselves in Badrutt's Palace Hotel.
The most iconic St Moritz post-skiing experience does not revolve around beers but around sumptuous cakes, strudels and ice-cream washed down with piping hot cups of tea at the 100-year-old Hanselmann's.
Many of the top late-night spots are in the hotels, from the Cresta (popular with the British) and its younger, livelier sibling the Cava at the Steffani to the jumping Stübli at the Schweizerhof. Devil's Place at the Waldhaus Hotel features in the Guinness book of records for having the world's largest range of malt whisky. Wear something smart to visit the casino or the bars in the Carlton, Kulm and Badrutt's Palace. In the latter, King's is a popular disco. If you would rather dance in less formal attire, head to Vivai at the Steffani.
