Val
Claret
Best
Picks
Couloir
– Live
music is big feature of this bar which has just be refurbished to fit
even more of the hoards that flock there to dance the night away. With
at least 40 different flavours of vodka, including Fisherman’s Friend
and After Eight, your night is guaranteed to go with a bang. Try the
Blueberry Rum Daquiri cocktail. Also has a fantastic restaurant.
Crowded House
– Run by Crystal
, this bar manages to be far more than just a tour
operator haven. All the baggy trouser, studded belt pro snowboarding
crowd hang out here. Table football, crazy theme parties and it’s
proximity to the nightclubs mean that it’s usually heaving with party
people. Watch out for the bed party…
Fish Tank
– This friendly bar at the bottom of the Val Claret
piste is excellent for a vin chaud on the terrace whilst you
wait for the others to catch up. Go there to dance to the live bands; to
watch the sport games on TV or to fill up English-style on bacon and
eggs. Stay away from the Marmite vodka shot!
And
the others . . .
Drop Zone
- French-run bar situated almost next to the slopes. Play pool, drink
beer and hang with your mates. Check out the live music and bands most
nights of the week.
Grizzly’s Bar
– Fancy
sitting round an open fire surrounded by wooden bears drinking a hot
chocolate? Then this ornately decorated bar come shop is probably for
you but beware that you will be paying for the atmosphere.
Le Studio
– Cool
French bar that opened last year. Go there to watch sport on TV in style
with a cocktail or champagne flute in hand. Chill out with a glass of
wine and soak up the ambience.
Yorin
FM Café
– This
crazy bar is owned by the Dutch national radio station Yorin FM. Always
one for those Flugel fuelled nights where you dance all night to the
euro beat.
Open
till 4am. . .
Melting Pot
- Good
funky nightclub with a great music policy and with some real blinding
nights. Drink prices are reasonable with some good Happy Hour deals.
Ladies Night with free champagne is always a messy adventure.
Blue Girl
- This
fun and infamous euro club is guaranteed to make you smile. The club
that most people in resort can never remember being in… it’s that much
fun. Watch out for the pole dancing nights.
Le
Lac
Best
Picks
L’Embuscade
–Very
cool French bar and a favourite of seasonnaires of all nationalities. Go
there to hang out, practice your French and make friends. Great place if
you actually want to feel like you are in France
.
Loop Bar
–
Definitely a bar for those who like a bit of atmosphere, The Loop Bar
has it all. Big music nights, cocktails galore, delicious vodka shots
and of course the crazy pool competitions. Sit on the sun drenched
terrace with a vin chaud and a spot of food or jump around to the
banging tunes. Check out the 241 happy hours between 4pm-6pm
And
the others . . .
Jam Bar
- Living up to its name, the Jam bar manages to be cool and trendy
whilst also being as tiny as a jam jar as well as serving jam flavoured
delights such as Lemon Curd whisky. Added to this eclectic mix, the two
friendly and welcoming owners, Jamie and Morgan, and you have a pretty
fantastic bar Also serves the best bacon baquette in town. Perfect for
taking on the first chair lift!
The
Angel Bar
–
There’s lots of stuff going on here: broadband internet, good cheap
drink deals, paninis… Try the 6 before 6 or the 10 shot challenge games-
almost certain to make you stumble. Great for après-ski and party
nights. Also every week, you can chance your luck at winning a
snowboard… brilliant!
Grotte du Yeti
– This
is one of those crazy bars that is always really busy and the music is
always really pumping but is a little bit weird. Populated by Dutch tour
operator Sportura, the Yeti’s two floors can provide interesting
entertainment.
Alpaka
– Relax
on the comfy sofas and try a few of the renowned cocktails such as the
Tennessee Ice Tea. Popular nights include champagne night and… well
actually every night’s popular!
Open
till 4am . . .
Jacks Club
– Cheesy
and ostensibly crap… BUT if you’ve had too many toffee vodka shots or
Mutzigs (see below) then you will absolutely love this place! Cheesy
music and a pole to show off your moves on makes this one of the
funniest clubs around.
Red Z Winter Club
– Under
new management this year, this nightclub still manages to be the most
expensive club in town but hopefully, these prices will drop and with
some good DJs this club has a lot of potential.
Le
Lavachet
Best
Picks
TC’s Bar
– A
small friendly bar that is the home of many a resort worker. Mutzig (an
evilly strong lager that will make you forget your sorrows, your cares
and your house keys) is on the menu here and thankfully these days,
there is food to wash it down with after your 5th pint. Check out: TC
and his crazy compadres- always good for a laugh especially when they
dress up…
And
the others . . .
Brasero
– Last
year, this was a large French restaurant. This year, having been bought
by an English couple who are planning to turn it into a lounge
bar/restaurant, Brasero could be a very great thing indeed. Promises of
cocktails, tapas and stylish menus have been heard on the grapevine so
we’re waiting with baited breath.
Scotties
– This
year Mark Warner have taken over what used to be Harris/Censored Bar. If
there is as much fun to be had here this year as there generally is in
the Foret Bar?? In Val d’Isere, then we’ll be in for a treat.
Lavachet Lounge -
Once the
good ol’ Petit Pub, this bar is opening up this year to provide
“somewhere for the ladies of Tignes”. We’re hoping this translates to
yummy cocktails and an extensive wine list! As well as this, there will
apparently be internet available.
RESTAURANTS
Val
Claret
Best
Picks:
Le Caveau
–
Perhaps one of the most stylish and atmospheric restaurants in town, The
Caveau never fails to exceed expectations for a special night out. Dine
lavishly and then sit back and enjoy listening to the blues band with a
full stomach. Although not cheap, it is possible to eat on a budget with
their set menus (€24.50/€30). Top tip: the specials here are out of this
world. (Val Claret Centre – 04 79 06
52 32)
And
the others . . .
Expensive
Saint Jacques
– A bit
of a favourite, this Belgian/Savoyard restaurant guarantees a great
night out. As well as the cook-your-own stuff, Saint Jacques specialises
in oysters, mussels (in about 6 different ways) and tuna tartare. Set
menus: €25 / €32. An added extra bonus is the 40+ selection of Belgian
beers they have on offer. Try the Quak beer (it’s better than Mutzig!).(Val
Claret Centre - 04 79 06 48 33)
Mid range
L’Indochine –
The only
oriental restaurant in Tignes, L’Indochine does some great all-you-can
eat buffets for reasonable prices. Sate your Chinese food addiction
here.(Val Claret Centre – 04 79 06
08 07) Traditional Savoyard/ Pizza Restaurants Traditional
Savoyard Restaurants. Raclettes, fondues, tartiflettes… cheese, cheese
and more cheese for a link to the local past.
Petit Savoyard –
All the
usual but with some great salads and fish dishes. (Menus €14 / €17 /
€21.50) (Val Claret Centre – 04 79
06 36 23)
La Pignatta
- Great pizzas in a characterful restaurant that also offers dishes
ranging from tartiflette to fondue.(Val Claret Centre - 04 79 06 32 97)
Restaurant la Poutrerie –
Eat your
fill at the new steak house in the Mover Café. Try the succulent
kangaroo or the huge Yeti steak which at 500g will challenge even the
biggest appetites. Start your meal off with a cocktail and some tapas at
the bar.(Val Claret Centre – 04 79
06 32 64)
Budget
Evolution 2 Café
–
Burgers, paninis, salads and pasta, the Evo2 Café is an ideal choice for
a spot of lunch before you head off again up the mountain. Always busy
and vibrant, sitting outside in the sun makes it a sociable place to
meet up with friends.(Val Claret
Centre – 04 79 40 04 64)
Fish Tank
– Great
for its value for money food. Sit on the sunny terrace and grab a
homemade burger or pasty; calm your hangover with a weekend English
breakfast or pop in for an après ski demi and a snack.(Val
Claret Centre – 04 79 06 46 60)
Pizza 2000
-
Looking for a quick pizza? Well as the name suggests, this restaurant
specialises in pizzas. Always a good choice if you’re in a rush and on a
budget. (Val Claret Centre – 04 79
06 38)
Take away
Royal Kebab -
The one
and only kebab house in resort. Just remember: it may be a kebab shop
but no fighting.(Val Claret Centre)
Le
Lac
Best Picks
Alpaka Lodge–
This hotel restaurant is undergoing a revival this year with the
employment of a fantastic new chef. A nightly three course menu will
definitely leave you satisfied but hopefully with enough energy to move
to the bar for a digestif. We definitely recommend the Sunday night
roast menu! ( Le Lac
Rosset – 04 79 06
45 30)
Bagus Café -
Odd
name, but excellent food. Dishes range from the exotic to the local
staples. A young team provide for an excellent evening out (or lunch
!).(Le Lac - 04 79 06 49 75)
Clin d’Oeil
– One of
the top restaurants in resort, the Clin d’Oeil is intimate, charming and
devoted to giving you an amazing night out. With an ever changing menu
that offers some of the best combinations of French cuisine and choices
from the local vineyards, this restaurant is a must. Menu prices: €35
for a full three course meal / €26 for 2 course / €16 for one course.
(Le Lac Rosset – 04 79 06 59 10)
The
Loop –
Sit on
the sunny terrace at lunchtime or snuggle up to the open fire for a cosy
dinner. Choose from the varied menu of everything from steak frites to
paninis to crispy duck and pancakes. The specials here are always
amazing and a culinary delight. (Le
Lac Rosset – 04 79 06 30 61)
And the others . . .
Expensive
L’Arbina –
The
first floor restaurant of L’Arbina is universally known as a place for
special occasions. With a menu that includes oysters and other such
delicacies, the Arbina attracts some of the more affluent people in
resort.(Le Lac Rosset - 04 79 06 46
83)
Mid range
L’Arbina (downstairs) –
Cheap
Savoyarde food and pizzas(Le Lac
Rosset - 04 79 06 46 83)
La Caleche –
Does a
great version of Coq au Vin with the local Gamay wine as well as
Partridge in mushroom sauce. (Menu €16)(Le Lac Bec Rouge – 04 79 06 50
80)
L’Escale Blanche –
The
usual but with brilliant salads. Try the Salad Escale Blanche.(Le
Lac Rosset - 04 79 06 45 503)
The Tocade
- Wood-fire oven pizzas and value-for-money steaks make the Tocade a
consistent and enjoyable place to eat out, especially with a group of
friends. (Le Lac Bec Rouge – 04 79 06 32 21)
Budget
The Angel Bar
-
‘Design your own’ Paninis on offer as well as jacket potatoes, a welcome
energy boost after a hard day’s skiing.(Le
Lac Bec Rouge - 04 79 06 55 34)
Take away
Tignes Cuisine –
The
perfect meal for when you’re too tired to move. Not only does it deliver
to your front door, but Tignes Cuisine offers a menu from all over the
world. Check out the curries – spiced up to your preference. Also
available to come and cater in your chalet.(Le
Lac Rosset – 04 79 06 44 44)
Le
Lavachet
Best
Picks
La Ferme des 3 Capucines –
Translated as “The Farm”, this restaurant really is a farm. Whilst the
smell of farmyards may not be everybody’s thing a unique atmosphere is
the result and what better place to eat traditional
And
the others . . .
Mid range:
Le Brasero –
Opening
up this year under English management, the Brasero could well become the
hotspot of Le Lavachet. Reasonably priced international dishes should
bring in the crowds. (Le Lavachet –
04 79 06 30 60)
Le Bouchon Montagnard –
A
favourite of the French locals and is always an entertaining and fun
night out. Meet Alain, your host, sit back with a bottle of wine and be
entertained by his amazing repartée. The duck dishes are always better
if Alain is concentrating on the kitchen rather than you.(Le
Lavachet – 04 79 06 51 44)
Scotties Bar –
Under
new management and name
this year, many people will be hoping that Scotties will continue the
tradition of big dinner parties around the Hot Rocks, a hot stone on
which you cook your own food. (Le
Lavachet – 04 79 06 57 33)
Budget:
TC’s Bar –
Big
dinners like mum used to make, English Breakfasts (at the weekend) and
various platters – this is a Lavachet hot spot for sating your appetite.
(Le Lavachet – 04 79 06 46 46)
Take away:
Pizza Mick-
Great
pizzas, as well as roast chicken and friendly service.(Le
Lavachet – 04 79 06 30 97)