The Buvette Report

Alpage de Blaitière is a working sheep farm reached by a 90-minute, very steep hike behind the Aiguille du Midi gondola station.

▲ Best at opening — too busy midday to work

This is the one that started the whole experiment. The trail starts right behind the Aiguille du Midi gondola, by the parking lot, and climbs hard through forest before it breaks into open pasture and the valley opens up underneath you. Arrive at 10:30am and it's just you, the sheep, and a wheel of cheese being cut to order. Haven't been mid-day, but would expect it to be a bit busier.

StartBehind the Aiguille du Midi gondola, by the parking lot.

Hike up~90 min, very steep

Elevation gain~670m (2,200 ft)

Credit cardAccepts credit card

Known forCheese made on site — sheep or goat milk depending on the source — plus charcuterie platters and coffee.

HoursOpens 10am. Season runs June 1 – November 17 (weather dependent); closing time unconfirmed.

ReservationsNot needed for a snack stop.

Websitefacebook.com/alpage.de.blaitiere

Refuge de Loriaz is a guarded mountain refuge at 2,020m, about a 2-hour hike from the Le Couteray parking area near Le Buet.

▲ Best at opening — too busy midday to work

Recommend the mini ravioli — that's the one to order. It's a proper 2-hour climb through forest and alpine meadow to a stone refuge with views straight at the Aiguille Verte and the Mont-Blanc massif — the kind of place worth booking ahead for, especially if lunch turns into staying the night.

StartLe Couteray parking, past Le Buet village and Col des Montets.

Hike up~2 hrs, forest & alpine meadow

Elevation gain~600m (~1,970 ft)

Credit cardCash only

Known forRecommend the mini ravioli (ravioles), plus traditional Savoyard cuisine. Half board available.

HoursStaffed in summer, exact dates vary year to year — confirm with the refuge directly. Lunch service starts 11:30am.

ReservationsBook ahead during busy weeks, especially to stay over.

Websiterefuge-loriaz.com

Chalet de la Floria is a flower-covered stone chalet reached by a 45-minute hike, and it's cash-only.

Probably the most accessible hike-to restaurant in the mountains above Chamonix — up the Petit Balcon Sud, or straight up from Les Nants beside the tennis court. Families go, but you'll likely carry your kid once or twice — it's a steep 10-15 minutes right before arriving. Generally they have an incredible ham omelet, and absolutely no chance of opening a laptop once the lunch crowd shows up. Very busy. Quiet in the mornings, but at lunch you'll likely want a reservation in August, or just wait 15 minutes.

StartPetit Balcon Sud trail, or from Les Nants (beside the tennis court).

Hike up~45 min

Elevation gain~300m (~1,000 ft)

Credit cardCash only

Known forHam omelet.

HoursOpen late May – November 1 (weekends only in early May), roughly mid-morning to late afternoon. Look for the white flag above the trees — it signals whether they're open.

ReservationsQuiet in the mornings. Busy at lunch — want a reservation in August, or wait ~15 minutes.

Websitefacebook.com/pages/Chalet-De-La-Floria-Chamonix/365735106833449

Crèmerie du Glacier is the easiest of the seven — a 15-minute, near-flat walk from Argentière, open since 1926.

Started out serving milk-based drinks in 1926, which is where the name comes from. Now it's known for fondue. Walked past on the Grand Balcon Nord hike but didn't go in — too early, it was closed. Still on the list. Laptop score is a prediction, since we haven't been yet.

StartIn front of MBC (Micro Brasserie de Chamonix), at the ski touring hut in Argentière.

Hike up~15 min, easy

Elevation gain~65m (~215 ft)

Credit cardUnknown

Known forFondue.

HoursSummer: late June – mid-September (reservations taken from 10am, closes around sunset). Winter: mid-December – mid-May, closed Wednesdays.

ReservationsNot needed, casual spot.

Websitelacremerieduglacier.fr