Fine Dining & Après-Ski: Les Deux Alpes vs Alpe d’Huez
Highlights of restaurant scene
Les Deux Alpes Offers everything from hearty mountain fare to inventive haute cuisine. On‑mountain chalets such as La Patache and Le Diable au Coeur serve tartiflette, grilled meats and pasta; La Bergerie Kanata and La Troïka specialise in rustic savoyarde dishes. Higher up, La Fée (2 440 m) dishes up omelettes and steak with panoramic views. In town, La Grange pairs seafood with montagnard classics like fondue and raclette, La Porte d’à Côté offers French specialities using local produce and Crêpes à Gogo serves regional specialities in a cosy environment. The star attraction is Le P’tit Polyte, the only Michelin-starred restaurant in either resort, offering inventive tasting menus and fine wine pairings.
The variety of dining options—from snack bars to Michelin-starred gastronomy—makes Les Deux Alpes an attractive destination for gourmets. The Michelin‑starred Le P’tit Polyte adds prestige. Mountain restaurants offer authentic Alpine dishes, accompanied by sunny terraces.
Alpe d’Huez has no Michelin-starred restaurants yet, but the Michelin guide recognises several and offer refined dining. La Ferme d’Hubert (Grande Rousses Hotel) focuses on local produce and traditional cooking; its chic interior and sunny terrace allow for ski-in/ski-out lunches. La Folie Douce Petite Cuisine at the top of the Marmottes lift delivers efficient self‑service meals and an energetic après‑ski atmosphere. Le Roy Ladre in the old town serves wood-fired pizzas, pasta, and steaks; Au Montagnard is a classic bistro offering fondue, tartiflette, and pierrade. Bistro Les 2 Mules offers gourmet French/Asian fusion cuisine, featuring a two-course lunch menu and a more elaborate evening menu. Chalet du Lac Besson and La Plage des Neiges are scenic mountain restaurants serving traditional Savoyard dishes and home-cooked meals. The resort’s own Le Chamois d’Or restaurant prides itself on refined dishes made with fresh, local ingredients; guests can enjoy burgers, trout gravlax or chickpea‑spinach curry for lunch and elegant dinners in a hushed ambience.
Though there are no Michelin stars, Alpe d’Huez offers a broad range of high‑quality dining experiences—from modern Alpine cuisine at La Ferme d’Hubert to gourmet fusion at Bistro Les 2 Mules. Mountain restaurants such as La Plage des Neiges and Chalet du Lac Besson combine good food with spectacular views.
Bars, après‑ski and nightlife
Les Deux Alpes
Known for its lively après‑ski scene. Pano Bar at 2 600 m is the biggest attraction, with DJs and dancing from mid‑afternoon. Umbrella Bar near the Coolidge slope and Smokey Joes in the main square offer live music and craft beers. The resort’s main street is lined with pubs and bars such as Windsor Pub, Secret Bar, Polar Bear Pub, Red Frog, Motown Café and Lutins Bar, while late‑night spots include The Jukebox, Melt‑In Art, K‑ré Shooter Bar, The Spot and Rhumerie. For a more sophisticated drink, Wine Not? provides tapas and fine wines, whereas K.ré Shooter Lounge serves over 150 cocktails.
Les Deux Alpes offers a broad spectrum of nightlife—from wild DJ‑driven afternoons on the mountain to pubs, live‑music bars and late‑night clubs in the village. The variety caters to young party‑goers but also includes wine bars and cocktail lounges for a more refined evening.
Alpe d’Huez
One of the liveliest resorts in the French Alps. The headline act is La Folie Douce; like its sister venues in Val d’Isère and Val Thorens, it hosts wild après‑ski parties with DJs, dancing on tables and a festive atmosphere from 3 pm. In town, Smithy’s Tavern (British‑run) combines live music with Tex‑Mex food and homemade burgers. Underground Bar offers live music from the owners’ band and a friendly atmosphere. For late‑night dancing, L’Igloo is a nightclub with top DJs and themed nights; it opens at midnight and stays open until the early hours. The resort also has numerous other venues: Le Old Bar, L’Agua Bar (sushi and yakitori), Le Sporting Nightclub (bar, restaurant and club with glitter balls and DJs), FreeRide Café, Caves de l’Alpe (nightclub with no cover charge), La Grotte du Yeti (raucous party bar), The Underground Bar, L’Igloo Nightclub, Sphere Bar, Le Zoo Music Bar and Eight Bar, which shows how varied the nightlife is.
Alpe d’Huez rivals Les Deux Alpes for après‑ski intensity. The presence of La Folie Douce brings major‑resort style parties, while the town’s bars and two nightclubs offer everything from live music to dance‑floor anthems. Some venues, such as L’Agua Bar and Sphere Bar, cater to quieter evenings with sushi and cocktails.
Summary and take‑aways
Fine dining: Les Deux Alpes stands out with its Michelin‑starred Le P’tit Polyte, making it the more prestigious gourmet destination. Alpe d’Huez lacks a star but compensates with a broad selection of refined restaurants (e.g. La Ferme d’Hubert, Bistro Les 2 Mules, Le Chamois d’Or). Investors or buyers looking for a culinary prestige factor might prefer Les Deux Alpes, whereas those seeking variety and modern Alpine cuisine will find plenty in Alpe d’Huezskiweekends.comskisolutions.com.
Mountain dining: Both resorts offer attractive on‑piste restaurants with sun‑soaked terraces. Les Deux Alpes’ La Patache and La Fée cater to traditionalists, while Alpe d’Huez’s La Folie Douce Petite Cuisine and Chalet du Lac Besson combine good food with lively après‑ski atmospheresskiweekends.comskisolutions.com.
Nightlife: Both resorts are lively, but Alpe d’Huez has a broader selection of bars and clubs, including the internationally renowned La Folie Douce and multiple nightclubsskisolutions.com. Les Deux Alpes has a compact yet energetic scene centred on Pano Bar, the Umbrella Bar and a string of pubs along the main streetsee2alpes.com. Buyers seeking a resort with high‑energy après‑ski and diverse nightlife options might favour Alpe d’Huez.
Lifestyle implications for property investors: A vibrant restaurant and nightlife scene can bolster rental demand. Les Deux Alpes appeals to gastronomes and offers a mix of rustic Savoyard and Michelin‑starred dining. Alpe d’Huez draws those who want varied dining and world‑class partying. When advising UK clients, emphasise that both resorts cater to families and mixed‑ability skiers, but their culinary and nightlife offerings differ—Les Deux Alpes leans towards traditional food and a single high‑end restaurant, while Alpe d’Huez boasts modern bistros and a broader après‑ski spectrumskiweekends.comskisolutions.com.