Wandering tastebuds

Asian mysteries
When it comes to dining, Asian options — and especially Japanese restaurants — are always popular, and Zermatt is no exception. Shogun, at the Hotel Continental, offers all the Japanese classics you know and love: edamame, gyoza, ramen, salmon teriyaki and, of course, mochi for dessert. The three chef’s menus are also reasonably priced.

At its new location inside the Schweizerhof Hotel, Myoko (13 points with Gault&Millau) features dedicated menus for a prix-fixe option or teppanyaki along with a sushi counter. Enjoy watching the impressive juggling of the grill chef while other chefs expertly roll and cut nigiri, sashimi, maki and temaki. The high-quality ingredients are flawless, the dishware is elegant, and the eel is always grilled to perfection. You can expect a similar culinary concept at Fuji of Zermatt, inside the Hotel Albana Real, which is also home to Rua Thai, Zermatt’s only Thai restaurant. Your tastebuds will sing with the fresh pop of coriander, Thai basil, mint, lime, tofu, peppers and sauces made with oysters or tamarind. When it comes to curries, you can expect the full gambit of colourful options: sweet & sour, yellow, red and green — which range from mildly spice to fiery hot.

Move from Thailand to China in just a few steps (600 m to be exact). Near the train station, China Garden received 14 points from Gault&Millau — the highest rating awarded to a Zermatt ethnic restaurant. Red lacquered furniture, blue and white dishware, and Chinese chefs that specialize in spicy Sichuan cuisine await, with dishes that span from sweet-sour to sour-spicy, including dumplings and dim sum (steamed and fried), crispy duck or beef, ginger leeks and bean sprouts. The wine list is distinctly from Valais.

Just a minute away is Golden India, which offers Indian cuisine for vegetarians and meat-lovers alike. The establishment’s Punjab and Northern-Indian influences are reflected in the menu that features biryani and tandoori dishes (chicken or lamb that’s marinated in yoghurt with spices and slowly cooked over embers inside a traditional clay oven). The result is tender, juicy meats that are served with a variety of crunchy naans (non-leavened bread). Consider getting a Cobra beer or a lassi to help wash down your meal.

If you’d rather not have to choose, head to the aptly named Bazaar (by Cervo), which was awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand and which pulls its inspiration from multiple locations along the Silk Road. Favourites like hummus, grilled eggplant, Tibetan momos and dim sum await to delight your tastebuds. Or if you’re feeling adventurous, you can try the khatchapouri (a Georgian cheese bread) or a small bowl of Lebanese muhammara (a dip made of walnuts, red bell peppers, pomegranate molasses and lime). The menu is so healthy it could have been prescribed by your doctor, as it’s largely vegetarian and organic. In fact, all the meat dishes are listed in the “Sin” section of the menu!

In a similar cosy and chill vibe (although slightly less trendy), Manud also boats a variety of Asian flavours, ranging from rice bowls and Thai coconut-milk curries to legendary bahn mi sandwiches or the cashew and coriander salad. Not to mention, there’s also waffles for breakfast, Valais-inspired cocktails and local wines on the menu.

American digressions
What about American food? If you want burgers, nachos and beer, don’t miss the Brown Cow Pub at Hotel Post, Republic Zermatt or Dude (which also serves juicy ribs). For something less commonplace, La Muña (13 points from Gault&Millau) at Hotel Schweizerhof features Latin America’s Nikkei cuisine — a joyful fusion of Peruvian and Japanese cooking. The restaurant is only open for dinner in the winter, with a menu that features both raw dishes and hot main courses. Here ceviche and fish carpaccio embrace wakame, black garlic and jalapeño, while the black cod is marinated in an ocean of miso.

Meanwhile at 1818 Eat & Drink, the wood décor may feel distinctly Valais inspired, but the Colombian chef and his Peruvian acolyte bring a host of South American flavours to the table. Here, the rotating small plate menu is meant to be shared by everyone at the table. Expect surprising dishes like octopus with chamoy (a marinated fruit sauce), fried cassava, elote (Mexican corn on the cob), or chirimoya with dulce de leche for dessert. Gault&Millau must have been impressed since they gave the restaurant a strong 14-point rating.

Mediterranean detours
Moving on to the Mediterranean, at apasTAPAS inside the Hotel Sonne, you’ll be whisked away to Barcelona with the patatas bravas, gambas al ajillo, croquetas and pimientos de Padrón. But the tapas menu also includes small-plate dishes from Valais and even Asia. The wine list, however, has a strong Iberian focus. The bar at the Ambassador offers a similar experience: no passport (not even a diplomatic one) is required to dabble in the tapas while the fire crackles warmly in the background.

It should come as no surprise that Italian restaurants also abound in Zermatt. The Michelin-starred Ristorante Capri at the Mont Cervin Palace received a (local record) 17 points from Gault&Millau, and offers a sophisticated experience led by the chef and sommelier from Il Riccio (the award-winning restaurant on Capri). At the same establishment, you can also enjoy seafood at its finest with another Caprese chef at Le Restaurant.

Other local Italian favourites include Madre Nostra (by Cervo), with 14 points from Gault&Millau, which is led by a Roman chef and boasts an exceptional terrace that rubs shoulders with the Matterhorn. The Vivanda (at the Unique Hotel Post) is notable for its carefully selected ingredients and its charcoal grill that will delight meat lovers.

For a classic Italian meal that’s complete with antipasti, pasta, meats, fish and maybe even pizza, your options abound! At the Hotel Tannenhof, the Golden Lok welcomes guests below ground to dine alongside one of the first Gornergrat Railway locomotives (now gilded). The unpretentious Osteria Bella Italia serves large portions of delicious homemade pasta with a smile. Come as a stranger and leave as a friend at Le Chalet da Giuseppe, where you’ll also be entertained by the décor of vintage photos, souvenirs, postcards… and even a few dubious posters in the bathrooms. Expect to enjoy the folklore, the straightforward menu and the bottle of grappa that’s brought to the table at the end of your meal. Meanwhile, the cooking at La Table du Carina is fresh and simple, with an emphasis on seasonal produce. Don’t forget to ask about the weekly dessert that’s always made with love.

Solo per la pizza? The locals’ favourite spots include Vieux Valais da Nico, with a wood-fired oven and a team that hails from Campania, and Grampi’s, which features an Italian menu that offers much more than just pizza. Speaking of, you can even get a delicious pizza high up on the Rothorn at 3,100 m! But that’s another story…