9 Best Local Restaurants in Annecy

Le Fréti is a cheese lover’s dream – it even has its own cellar where the cheeses are laid down to age. This place has been an Annecy institution for over 4 decades, serving up 16 different fondues – tomato, herb, mushroom and even champagne are just some of your options. The menu also includes a good choice of locally-sourced charcuterie and other Savoyard favourites such as raclette.

The house speciality is Le Brisgotte. This is hot crusty bread hollowed out and filled with a Swiss cheese called Vacherin Fribourgeois. When you’ve devoured the fondue, you can set about tackling the bread.

Ô Savoyard is a cosy restaurant overlooking the Thiou canal in Annecy. As the name suggests, it serves up great Savoyard cuisine. The decor is pleasantly rustic, with a statement wooden ceiling above an eclectic collection of farmhouse-themed knick-knacks.

The food is traditional, focused on local dishes such as tartiflette, which combines potato, onion, lardons and copious amounts of cheese. You’ll also find fondue on the menu, alongside baked trout, pork stew, sausages and potato doughnuts. There’s a good chance that by the time you’ve finished, you’d be hard pushed to squeeze in some ice cream, let alone more filling desserts such as apple crepes or profiteroles.

L’Estaminet is the place to come if you crave Belgian comfort food while in Annecy. It has several variations on mussels, hearty dishes such as Flemish beef stew and, of course, plenty of Belgian beer to wash it all down. Save room for dessert: there are various tarts, crème brûlée, tarte Tatin and a whole host of ice cream flavours to work your way through.

One of its chief selling points – in summer, at least – is its canalside terrace, though the cosy interior comes into its own when the weather’s colder.

Tête de Cochon is a popular spot in Annecy for those with a healthy appetite. Platters piled with cheese, cooked meats and tartines (toast topped with all manner of ingredients) await hungry diners. The vibe is laidback, the service warm and welcoming.

With no telephone and no reservations, you’ll have to take a chance on securing a table. But even if you can’t grab a spare stool inside, there’s a good chance in summer they’ll be able to accommodate you outside with tables set up on the pavement.

Café Brunet opened in 1875, and this Annecy bistro has been a favourite with locals for as long as anyone can remember. It’s best to come in summer when you can eat under the dappled shade of the trees in its courtyard. Inside, though pleasant enough, doesn’t have the same charm.

At busy times, the service can be a little rushed, but the food’s excellent. You might see grilled hake, succulent veal or a hearty casserole on the chalked-up menu.

Bon Pain Bon Vin is a French dining spot in Annecy with a name that translates as ‘good bread, good wine’. That’s just what you’ll get if you eat here. The place has a retro vibe, not least because of the vintage moped that’s mounted on the wooden ceiling.

Russet window frames and red gingham napkins set the scene for this down-to-earth place, but modern accents such as the stainless steel bar top keep it contemporary. The food’s also worth coming for: platters laden with cooked meats and cheese alongside a menu brimming with France’s answer to tapas. Come with friends and graze until you’re full.

La Buvette de Marché is a laidback bar that enjoys one of the most enviable locations in Annecy. On market days, stallholders ply their trade just steps from its tables, making this the ideal place for people-watching. The café opens earlier, so you can have breakfast before you browse.

As the day wears on, the menu becomes more substantial. At midday, come here to devour a crusty loaf served with cooked meats and cheese. Return for dinner and tuck into a bowl of mussels or a hearty sausage stew to keep hunger at bay.

Brasserie Irma marries traditional dishes with contemporary decor right on the shore of Lake Annecy. Oversized picture windows bring the outside in, but to truly capitalise on the location, come when it’s warm enough to eat on the spacious terrace.

This modish restaurant falls under the Paul Bocuse umbrella. He was a talented chef who gained his first Michelin star in 1958 and with this place, his son Jerome honours not only the exceptional talent of his father but also his mother, whose name was Irma. Meat lovers can opt for the fillet of beef that’s pan-fried ‘Rossini style’, while the quenelle (creamed fish) with watercress sauce will please pescatarians.

La Denti is a restaurant with a small menu and which is a bit of a trek from Annecy’s touristy old town – it’s why locals love it. Named after a Mediterranean fish, the food at this place is considered worthy of its Michelin’s Bib Gourmand.

The slim but interesting set menu focuses on seasonal fresh produce. You might order grilled squid, or lieu jaune (pollack) with seasonal vegetables, followed by a dessert showcasing fresh strawberries or chocolate. Whatever is on the menu, you can be sure it will be a work of art on the plate.