Valais is Switzerland's third-largest and most dramatically alpine canton, home to 40 of the Alps' 52 four-thousand-metre peaks including the iconic Matterhorn. With the driest climate in Switzerland, over 300 sunny days a year, and the country's largest wine-growing region, it offers an extraordinary blend of high-altitude adventure, luxury resorts, and centuries-old culture.
Valais has one of Switzerland's most distinctive regional cuisines, rooted in alpine traditions of preservation and communal eating. Raclette — cheese melted and scraped onto potatoes, pickles, and dried meats — originated in Valais and remains the defining dish. Fondue (cheese and bourguignon varieties), Alplermagronen (alpine macaroni), and Tête de moine cheese are other staples. The canton is Switzerland's premier wine region, producing unique varietals like Fendant (Chasselas), Humagne Rouge, Petite Arvine, and the extraordinary Vin des Glaciers aged at altitude. Game dishes featuring venison and chamois appear in autumn, while asparagus season in spring is celebrated across the region.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define Valais.
Raclette Valaisanne
The iconic dish of Valais: raw-milk cheese melted before an open fire or on a raclette grill, scraped onto potatoes, gherkins, and silver-skin onions, accompanied by dried meats
Where to try: Chez Heini (Zermatt), Saas-Fee Raclette Stubie, or any traditional restaurant
Price: CHF 25–35 per person
Fondue Moitié-Moitié
A blend of Gruyère and Vacherin Fribourgeois cheeses melted with white wine and kirsch, served with cubed bread for dipping
Where to try: Available across Valais, particularly good at Chez Heini and La Grange
Price: CHF 22–30 per person
Assiette Valaisanne
A generous cold platter of local dried meats (viande séchée du Valais), rye bread, and cheeses — the quintessential Valaisan appetiser
Where to try: Almost every restaurant in Valais
Price: CHF 18–28
Viande Séchée du Valais
Air-dried beef aged in mountain air for months, sliced paper-thin and intensely flavourful — Valais' most famous preserved meat product with AOC status
Where to try: Available at butchers, markets, and most restaurants throughout Valais
Price: CHF 8–16 for a portion
Alplermagronen
Hearty alpine macaroni with potatoes, cheese, cream, and crispy onions — the traditional dish of alpine herdsmen, now served at mountain restaurants throughout Valais
Where to try: Mountain restaurants including Riffelhaus (Zermatt) and Restaurant Belalp
Price: CHF 18–24
Vin des Glaciers
A unique Valais wine (Rèze grape) aged for decades in larch-wood barrels in the high mountain villages of Val d'Anniviers, with an oxidative, nutty character
Where to try: Auberge de Grimentz and specialist wine shops in Val d'Anniviers
Price: CHF 25–80 per bottle
Tête de Moine
A semi-hard Swiss cheese traditionally from the Jura but widely served in Valais, scraped into rosettes using a girolle tool for visual presentation
Where to try: Le Fendant (Sion) and Auberge de Grimentz
Price: CHF 14–20
Brisolée
A Valaisan autumn tradition: roasted chestnuts served with cheese, dried meats, fresh fruit, and new wine — a seasonal celebration dish found from October
Where to try: Traditional restaurants in October–November
Price: CHF 20–30 per person
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Alpine Gourmet Prato Borni
The Michelin-starred restaurant at the Zermatterhof Grand Hotel offers creative Alpine cuisine with impeccable service and a cellar of over 400 Valais wines. Chef Martin Göschel presents seasonal tasting menus inspired by mountain traditions.
Known for: Michelin-starred seasonal Alpine cuisine with Valais wine pairings
Bahnhofstrasse 55, 3920 Zermatt, Valais
Restaurant Findeln
Perched between the Sunnegga and Blauherd ski areas with breathtaking Matterhorn views, Findeln offers refined mountain cuisine using the finest seasonal ingredients. A magical dining experience accessible by ski in winter or on foot in summer.
Known for: Spectacular Matterhorn views with refined mountain cuisine
Findeln, 3920 Zermatt, Valais
Chez Heini
A beloved local institution in Zermatt serving hearty traditional Valaisan cuisine including raclette, fondue, and seasonal specialities. The rustic timber interior and warm atmosphere make it a favourite with locals and returning visitors alike.
Known for: Authentic raclette and traditional Walliser dishes
Kirchstrasse 32, 3920 Zermatt, Valais
Le Gitan
Le Gitan is a Zermatt institution known for its wood-fired grills and generous Valaisan specialities. The lively, informal atmosphere and central location on the main street make it a perfect post-ski dinner destination.
Known for: Wood-fired grills and Valaisan charcuterie
Bahnhofstrasse 64, 3920 Zermatt, Valais
Spycher
Set in a beautifully converted Valaisan granary (spycher) in Zermatt, this cosy restaurant serves honest alpine food at reasonable prices by Zermatt standards. Soup, pasta, and traditional rösti dishes are perennial favourites.
Known for: Affordable alpine comfort food in an atmospheric granary
Steinmattstrasse 34, 3920 Zermatt, Valais
Grill-Room Grand Hôtel du Rhône
The flagship restaurant of Sion's Grand Hôtel du Rhône showcases the best of Valais produce — local beef, seasonal game, and wine region specialities — in an elegantly restored belle-époque dining room.
Known for: Valais beef and seasonal game with exceptional regional wine list
Rue du Scex 10, 1950 Sion, Valais
La Bergerie
A popular bistro in Sion's old town offering traditional Valaisan cooking at accessible prices. Top billing goes to local beef dishes and Spätzle, with a solid selection of Valais wines by the glass.
Known for: Traditional Valaisan platters and fondue in the old town
Rue des Tanneries 3, 1950 Sion, Valais
Café du Commerce
A classic Swiss café in the centre of Sion beloved by locals for its generous lunch menus, daily specials on a chalkboard, and friendly service. Excellent value with a convivial atmosphere.
Known for: Affordable daily specials and classic Swiss café food
Rue de Lausanne 21, 1950 Sion, Valais
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Traditional Valaisan
Chez Heini
Walliserstube
Saas-Fee Raclette Stubie
Auberge de Grimentz
French
Restaurant du Château
Le Temps Libre
Restaurant Hotel Bellevue
Alpine Mountain Restaurant
Riffelhaus Restaurant
Restaurant Belalp
Bistro
La Bergerie
Le Fendant
Brasserie
Restaurant du Grand-Quai
Brasserie du Grand-Pont
Creative Alpine
Restaurant Findeln
Zum See
Italian
Saas-Fee Pizzeria Don Ciccio
Grotto Ticinese
Alpine Comfort Food
Spycher
Alpine Farm Restaurant
Chez Vrony
Alpine Gourmet
Alpine Gourmet Prato Borni
Artisan Bakery
Zermatt Bakery
Bakery And Café
Boulangerie du Rhône
Burgers And Grills
La Vache
Café And Brunch
Café Verbier
Contemporary Swiss
La Porte d'Octodure
European
Palladium
Grills And Valaisan
Le Gitan
Modern Alpine
La Table du Farinet
Street Food
Verbier Street Food Stall
Swiss Café
Café du Commerce
Swiss Café And Bakery
Café des Alpes
Swiss Regional
Grill-Room Grand Hôtel du Rhône
Traditional Swiss
Restaurant Glacier du Rhône
Valaisan Regional
La Grange
Village Café
Café de la Poste
Wine Bar
Crans-Montana Wine Bar
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Saucisse de Valais grillée
Local Valaisan pork sausage grilled over charcoal and served in a bread roll, found at market stalls and village fairs
Find it at: Markets and festivals throughout Valais
Pain de seigle
Dense, flavourful traditional Valaisan rye bread sold at bakeries throughout the canton, often served with dried meats and cheese
Find it at: Bakeries across Valais, especially Boulangerie du Rhône, Sion
Merguez en baguette
North African-spiced lamb sausage in a baguette, popular at ski resort street stalls especially in Verbier
Find it at: Verbier Place Centrale street stalls during ski season
Roasted chestnuts (marrons)
Fresh chestnuts roasted over open flames sold by street vendors throughout Valais during autumn — a seasonal must-try
Find it at: Sion and Martigny markets, October–November
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Sion Saturday Market
Valais' biggest weekly market held in Place du Midi and surrounding streets, featuring local cheese, dried meats, wine, vegetables, flowers, and crafts from regional producers
Hours: Sat 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Martigny Thursday Market
A lively weekly market in Martigny's town centre with local produce, honey, dried meats, and seasonal specialities
Hours: Thu 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Brig Saturday Market
A traditional market in the Sebastiansplatz of Brig offering local farm produce, fresh vegetables, and Valaisan specialities
Hours: Sat 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Autumn Wine Harvest Markets
During September and October, villages throughout the Valais wine country hold grape harvest festivals with wine, food stalls, and music
Hours: Weekends in September–October
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Lunch (12:00–2:00 PM) is the main meal of the day — many restaurants offer excellent set menus at lunch for CHF 18–25
Raclette and fondue are typically dinner dishes and rarely served at lunch
Valais wine is excellent and locally produced — order Fendant (white), Petite Arvine (white), or Pinot Noir (red) with confidence
Tipping is not expected but rounding up or leaving 5–10% is appreciated for good service
Many mountain restaurants require reservations during peak ski season — book ahead for Zum See and Findeln
- Vegetarian
- Raclette and fondue are naturally vegetarian (without the dried meats). Most restaurants have vegetarian options but selection may be limited in alpine villages.
- Halal
- Halal options are limited in Valais; larger supermarkets in Sion and Martigny carry some halal products. Ask at your hotel for recommendations.
- Gluten free
- Rye bread (pain de seigle) contains gluten. Potatoes and cheese dishes (raclette) are naturally gluten-free. Ask staff — awareness is improving.
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | CHF 15–25 per meal | Bakery lunches, daily specials at local cafés, and supermarket picnics from Migros or Coop |
| Mid-range | CHF 35–65 per meal | Sit-down restaurants with raclette, fondue, or main course plus a glass of Valais wine |
| Upscale | CHF 100+ per meal | Tasting menus at Michelin-starred or GaultMillau-recognised restaurants including Alpine Gourmet Prato Borni, Palladium, and La Porte d'Octodure |