AUBERGE DES GLIERES

Benoît Vidal is the Catalan chef behind this restaurant done out in a slick contemporary style in the Annecy area. Having completed stints with Michel Trama and Michel Guérard, he has created a light, poetic brand of cuisine that is rooted in the culinary traditions of Savoie, his adopted home. He brings a sense of precision and his own personal style to bear on the rigorously sourced ingredients, elevating them with sound technical skill and elaborate presentations. The strength of this chef may well lie in his pared-down, apparently simple creations showcasing pike, trout and crayfish with u

This spruce establishment in the upper reaches of Annecy is home to Franck Derouet and his associate Thomas Lorival. They fashion a culinary lineup whose veggie and lake-focused slant is clearly founded on a locavore philosophy as everything comes from their own garden or within a 100km radius. Each dish is sprinkled with seasonal fruit, vegetables, flowers and herbs, adding a distinctive poetic and modern art flourish. Their work with fish from the lake involves in-depth reflection about texture and cooking methods, resulting in dishes like raw fera (lake fish) enhanced by a powerful garum, f

Breton chef Yoann Conte discovered the meaning of brotherhood and the importance of food on the high seas. He is committed to creating "unpolished" and sincere dishes within the fine dining context. An extreme hiker in his spare time, his lakeside garden benefits from his herbalist know-how. His cooking is in his likeness: physical, down-to-earth, adventurous and with a wry sense of humour. Supported by a highly motivated team, he tirelessly refines two set menus with distinct themes: "Adopted Land" which highlights the Alpine terroir, "Native Brittany" which celebrates his homeland with preci

The Auberge du Père Bise is buzzier than ever under the impetus of Jean Sulpice and his wife, Magali, who have recently masterminded a top-to-toe makeover of the premises! A keen sportsman, the chef serves delicate food that is healthy and light in a single set menu. Wild herbs, flowers and plants add contrast and colour to his creative, incisive dishes, which star a delicious roll call of fish from the lake. Served in beautiful ceramic tableware, this poetic experience unfolds in an elegant contemporary dining space overlooking the terrace and the crystal-clear waters of Lake Annecy in a sett

Home to the post office, bread shop and bistro, this regional-style building embodies the convivial spirit and hospitality of this mountain village. In the morning, locals stop by to pick up their bread while it's still warm or post a letter at the counter decorated with vintage postcards. The wood-panelled interior, Baumann chairs and Badonviller plates may exude the warmth of a traditional inn, but the cuisine cooked up by the young chef-owner is contemporary: butternut squash soup, pattypan squash and hazelnut cazette salad, pork belly cooked in beer, local-style affogato with meadowsweet a

The huge conservatory of this Rotonde commands a splendid panoramic view over Annecy Lake, sweeping diners off their feet, even before their first bite! Originally from Arcachon, Eric Prowalski adds flavours from southwest France to recipes which highlight sustainably grown local produce. This skilled craftsman deftly unfolds a repertory in which creativity never hampers the flavour, developing a delicious "dialogue" between his adopted land and his homeland. The understated interior showcases a subtle blend of warm materials such as leather and oak.

Forclaz Pass (1 147m) is not just a paradise for paragliders, but also for fine food lovers, thanks to this restaurant, which has been refurbished and extended without losing its snug Alpine appeal. Chef Florian Favario adds an increasingly creative spin to cuisine based on the best of local produce (eg lamb and piglets, home-grown vegetables, seasonal fruit). He masterfully combines wildflowers, plants and herbs, such as thyme, sage, oregano, agastache, hyssop, mint flower etc. The resulting feast of extraordinary scents elevates dishes that are already at the apex of culinary technique and k