Since gaining a fourth star, La Carlina Hotel now serves the best breakfast in town with a big buffet for the heartiest of appetites with every kind of egg dish, sausages and all the trimmings.
Le Chaudron in Plagne centre does a good classic French breakfast - croissants and coffee. Same thing at Les Terrasses in Plagne Soleil with the added bonus that they will do you a hot dish of eggs if you warn them the night before.
Lunch
Le Chalet des Verdons Sud on the slopes (ski-in/ski-out) is on the Champagny side of the resort with a fine south terrace opposite the glacier. Quite sophisticated - not just the standard mountain fare. A nice touch is the slippers they give you to keep your feet warm when you take your ski boots off. Every Thursday evening there is a big blow out menu - reservations only. They fetch you with a big caterpillar machine and take you back to your accommodation, otherwise for lunch you ski, langlauf or snow shoe in. An accordionist is in attendance.
To get there on skis: From La Plagne centre take the Funiplane Grand Rochette. With snowshoes or ski de fond skis you can come from Plagne Centre to the col de Forcle and then down the route de secours to the restaurant. From Champagny take the cable car and from the top you an walk or langlauf to the restaurant.
Le Refuge in Plagne centre is the oldest restaurant in the resort and has been there since La Plagne opened 50 years ago. Photographs of bobsled champions cover the walls in the very local, very French bar out front. In the dining room each table is under a telescopic copper hood, which extracts the smoke while guests barbecue their own steaks at the table.
Dinner
Le Chaudron is in the middle of Plagne Centre with a terrace with 200 seats facing south, presents excellent grilled specialties cooked over an open fire in the middle of the dining room.
Le Matafan has been in Belle Plagne since it opened for business. It is normally full and is very popular. Tables around an open fire, traditional wood décor. A series of eleven different dishes for lunch are on offer, including mountain ham, paté and cheese, or an omelette with bacon, salad and fries. Dinner portions are mountain-sized. There is a separate bar.
Le Forperet in Plagne Montalbert is something of an institution and lost in the wilds. An old Savoyard sheep farm, or bergèrie, serving really exceptional traditional food. Delicious tartiflette, fondu de mandarin with apple and other specialities in front of an open fire. Goats, a cow and sheep are usually in residence to entertain the children in the adjoining chalet. To get there - ski, snowshoe or ask for the free shuttle from Longefoy and Montalbert.
L'Alpage in Belle Plagne is a recommended value-for-money creperie also serving local specialities fondue, tartiflette, gratin de crozet and croziflette you can eat there or take it away. An ideal stopping off point before attacking the après ski scene.
Nightlife
Spitting Feathers is a very lively new bar right in the centre of Plagne Belle Côte and has live music, a large selection of beers, snacks, hot drinks and all live football matches on two TV systems. Nachos, Chips and Plat du Jour at anytime whilst open. Free shuttle service. They also use their website to advertise customers' flats to rent. Open from 12 until 2 a.m.
The No'Blem in Plagne Centre offers concerts and a gathering place for the young crowd. An animated ranch style joint with large TV screens and live bands, for the younger crowd. Internet is also available. Open 12 'til 2 a.m.
There are many late-night bars, video bars with karaoke and concerts for night owls, each with their own atmosphere in the various villages of La Plagne.
