As winter descends across Europe and travellers begin their seasonal migration to the continent’s most enchanting cities and alpine enclaves, the appetite for exceptional dining grows just as naturally as the desire for new adventures. This year, an exquisite selection of acclaimed restaurants stands ready to welcome guests with inspired menus, elegant spaces, and immersive culinary journeys that elevate the winter travel experience. From Three-Michelin-Star artistry in Courchevel, to the serene world of Japanese Kaiseki in Paris, to panoramic dining in London’s iconic Shard, these destinations promise to make every meal a moment to remember.
High in the snow-dusted peaks of Courchevel, Le 1947 at Cheval Blanc reopens its doors for the season, offering one of the most exclusive dining experiences in the French Alps. Under the creative mastery of Chef Yannick Alléno, the three-Michelin-starred restaurant presents an ever-changing tasting menu defined by precision, seasonality, and imagination. The intimate dining room, envisioned by Sybille de Margerie, sets the stage for an immersive journey where each dish is crafted as a piece of culinary art. With extremely limited seating and a reputation for excellence, securing a reservation becomes part of the rarefied experience.
In the heart of Paris, Hakuba at Cheval Blanc offers a transportive escape into the world of Japanese Kaiseki. Rooted in tradition yet elevated with contemporary finesse, the restaurant celebrates harmony, balance, and the purity of ingredients. Signature dishes such as miso-glazed black cod, A5 Kagoshima Wagyu, sea urchin chawanmushi, and delicate matcha mille-feuille reflect a profound respect for technique and seasonality. The serene interiors echo the architecture of a Japanese sanctuary, creating a dining atmosphere that feels both intimate and ritualistic—a perfect counterpart to winter evenings by the Seine.
Also in Paris, La Bauhinia at Shangri-La brings together French gastronomy and Asian influences in a setting defined by elegance and tranquillity. From sunrise breakfasts to leisurely lunches, weekend teatimes, and refined dinners, the restaurant adapts to the rhythm of the day while maintaining an exquisite attention to detail. Guests are welcomed into a warm, luminous space where seasonal produce takes centre stage, and where the interplay of flavours reflects the property’s heritage of Asian hospitality blended seamlessly with Parisian sophistication.
For travellers seeking a culinary experience above the clouds, T?NG Restaurant at Shangri-La London offers a striking vantage point from level 35 of The Shard. Here, sweeping views of the River Thames, Tower Bridge, and the city skyline create a spectacular backdrop for modern British cuisine enhanced with delicate Asian touches. Whether arriving for a sunrise breakfast or a romantic evening dinner, guests are invited into a space designed to feel like a refined “living room”—welcoming yet elevated, with dishes crafted to both comfort and impress.
Each of these distinguished restaurants brings a unique perspective to winter dining, combining world-class craftsmanship with atmospheres that reflect their surroundings—whether alpine, urban, or riverside. Their menus highlight the season’s most exceptional ingredients, plated with creativity and intention, ensuring a memorable experience for devoted gastronomes and casual travellers alike.
As the season of travel and celebration unfolds, these fine dining destinations invite guests to slow down, savour the moment, and indulge without hesitation. Whether nestled in Courchevel’s winter wonderland, savouring Japanese artistry in Paris, or gazing at London’s skyline from above, wintering in Europe becomes richer, warmer, and infinitely more delicious.
