The Tour du Mont Blanc offers a unique blend of French, Italian, and Swiss influences as you traverse the Alps. It’s more than just a hike; it is an exploration of nature, culture, and cuisine. Among the many highlights of this adventure, the most unique is the opportunity to take breaks every few hours at mountain refuges, savoring warm drinks, local spirits, and regional delicacies that add to the rich experience of this trail.
Whether you’re camping, staying in refuges, or a mix of both, the traditional food along the trail adds to the depth of the journey. Keep an eye out for some of these famous dishes along the route.
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1. Tartiflette at Refuge de Nant Borrant
This Refuge Hut in Les Contamines (1459m) provides traditional French cooking, local produce, a la carte options, as well as the plat du jour (dish of the day). Tartiflette, a common dish served at this refuge, is rich and hearty, served with local Reblochon cheese, onion, and small strips of bacon. The ingredients are then baked together in a casserole style, and topped with more cheese.
The plat du jour also comes with a set 5-course menu for around 18 euros. This refuge is all-inclusive for those staying the night. The set course menu was perfect for a chilly, high alpine evening, and just wild camping near the refuge. The first course was a hearty potato leek soup with a creamy broth. Next, a local cheese from a nearby fromagerie in Les Contamines. For the third course, “Diot au vin Rouge,” a pork sausage cooked in a red wine broth (pictured below), giving it a distinct color and flavor. Then, the main course, the regionally famous Tartiflette (also pictured). Lastly, the dinner was finished with a mixed berry Tartelette (not to be confused with the Tartiflette), and served with ice cream.
2. Daily Chef’s Special Inside the Le Peuty Yurt
The second can’t-miss culinary experience along the TMB is the 5-course set dinner inside the yurt at Refuge le Peuty. The menu changes daily, but always includes wine and dessert for just over 20 euros. This is a great value for an unforgettable meal. Whether you are staying at Refuge le Peuty, one of the accommodations in Trient, or camping near Le Peuty, you can reserve your spot for dinner upon arriving in the afternoon. The refuge only offers reserved seating, so be sure to stop by as soon as you finish hiking. The yurt provides a cozy ambiance and the food and service are top notch. They also offer a-la-carte snacks, but I recommend treating yourself to the full dinner! We were camping in the rain when we visited, and the yurt provided the best escape to cozy up with good food, people, and wine.
3. Polenta with Sausages at Rifugio Elisabetta
To make the most of this experience, I recommend that you sit on the terrace at Refugio Elisabetta (pictured below) overlooking Glacier de la Lex and try the polenta with sausage, topped with cheese. A staple in Italian alpine cuisine, this is a hearty and comforting meal, and you’ll get a giant portion for around 15 euros. After lunch, enjoy a creamy cappuccino or hot chocolate — one of the best of the Tour! There’s no better way to fuel the remainder of the day’s miles! If you’re done for the day, a nap in the sun is the perfect way to round out this satisfying lunch.
Rifugio Elisabetta can get crowded during lunchtime, so plan to stop for awhile and get cozy with your fellow hikers. It’s also necessary to bring cash to pay for your meal. The refuge is one few huts providing fast and free Wi-Fi, an added bonus if you find yourself hanging out there for a few hours.
4. Fondue and Rösti at Refuge de la Croix du Bonhomme
The classic Swiss fondue is perfect for a communal meal after a long day on the trail. The melted cheese served with bread and soft potatoes is both comforting and satisfying. You can experiment with other vessels, such as sausage, vegetables, and even fruit, but this is controversial… Some locals say it should be served with solely bread in the traditional way! The typical price per person is around 15 euros (they will either accept CHF or euros).
Rösti is another common dish in this part of the world. It consists of sauteed or pan-fried potato pancakes, often served with eggs, raclette cheese and bacon. It’s a warm and filling option that showcases the simplicity and heartiness of mountain food in the Swiss Alps. Raclette cheese is a staple in this region, and although summer is not the season for doing a full raclette meal, getting a Rösti meal offers a great opportunity to try this special cheese. You can find this dish at most of the Swiss refuges for around 12-15 euros.
In my opinion, this dish is best on a cold and rainy day. I noticed most Swiss refuges offer fondue, so wait for the right moment, you don’t want to get ‘cheese belly’ mid-day on the trail with the hot sun beating down on you. We linked up with a Scottish group for dinner and Refuge de la Croix du Bonhomme, and it was enjoyable to sit and socialize around the communal caquelon (fondue pot). We ordered a bottle or white wine with the meal, and in traditional Swiss fashion, finished the dinner with a regional pear schnapps.
5. Fleisch & Chäs Plättli at Refuge du Col de Balme
We enjoyed this simple combination of meat and cheese at the atmospheric Refuge du Col de Balme right on the border of France and Switzerland. We paid just 12 euros for the Plättli plus another 8 for a hearty bowl of lentil soup. The typical cheeses in this dish consist of Gruyere, Emmental, and Appenzeller (this is a very stinky one). Refuge du Col de Balme has some of the best views of Mont Blanc, so be sure to enjoy the food at one of the picnic tables outside. Head up-this is a cash-only refuge.
Guest Post by Addie Drinkwater
I began the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) trek in August 2024, a month after leaving my nursing job in the U.S. in search of a new challenge and fresh perspective. With minimal planning, a lightweight tent, and a new friend by my side, we hit the trail. When we arrived in Chamonix, the weather forecast predicted rain for all ten days of our hike—it seemed almost comical. We managed to book a few refuge stays thanks to last-minute cancellations and planned to camp for the rest of the journey. Despite contemplating postponing the trek due to the relentless weather, I’m grateful we persevered. We later re-named our journey “The Tour du Cappuccino,” as the frequent warm coffee breaks and delicious meals at the refuges became the highlights of our trip. These moments of alpine comfort foods and camaraderie not only helped us brave the rain but also made the entire experience unforgettable.
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Tour du Mont Blanc Refuge Guide
Familiarize yourself with the mountain huts along the TMB.
Learn when to make bookings, what to expect, and more!
Stages of the TMB
Read a detailed description of each of the traditional 11 stages of the TMB.
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Tour du Mont Blanc Gear List
Before commiting to having your luggage transferred it is worth consulting a good gear list to be sure you are only packing what you need.
