Many guidebooks rave about this place. It is true gourmet quality food but at the same price you…read morepay for very indifferent fare in nearby Verbier. It used to be run by a famous chef and now it is a young family and the food remains top quality. I grew up in hotels and am not easily impressed. My most recent meal here was game and it was one of the most delicious I ever had. I started visiting here about 20 years ago when we used to ski into the village from Verbier's satellite lifts in Bruson. I have also skied here from the tiny resort of Champex Lac, but conditions rarely allow that. So normally it is a half hour drive from Verbier. There is a fancy dining room with paintings but I prefer what used to be the more rustic bistro. The linen and table layout is what you would expect from a top class restaurant [unlike in Verbier where you can get flimsy cutlery and paper napkins at fifty dollars a plate]. The presentation is quite elaborate, and I am no fan of contrived presentation. Also I am no gourmet, but really anyone could taste the perfection of these dishes. It makes you realize how bad some other places are. I mean, I did not know food could taste this good. I have been maybe ten times over 20 years, twice in the past 12 months. It is the only place anywhere near Verbier I look forward to, especially as I can only afford it when someone else is paying. Once we had a lunch with many 'tasting' courses, very elaborate, and it was only fifty bucks a head, without wine. But in the evening you would certainly pay a hundred with wine. They give you several desserts and then a bunch of chocolate at the end as a gift. The distance saves you from the worst of Verbier's nouveau riche, who are too drunk to make the mountain drive. At lunch once there was a group of old people from a local club and in the evenings it seemed to me not at all touristy. I see at the moment the only other review is in French, so useless.

Dinner starts at 7pm here. There weren't many restaurant options in Champex, but this was the…read morehighest rated on Yelp so we decided to give it a shot. There were only about 5 items in the menu and we ended up ordering 3 of them. Baby chicken with yogurt and spicy sauce, trout and this basil carrot salad, and tomato mozzarella salad. The trout dish was by far my favorite dish of the night. It was so fresh and didn't have any fishy taste. We picked the entire fish clean, eyes, cheek, any white meat that we could find. The tomato mozzarella salad was also delicious. Fresh mozzarella and the taste was pretty light, which went well with the tomato and salad. Great dish to start the night. The baby chicken was quite good also. It paired very well with the spicy sauce. The yogurt sauce was a bit too sour for me and overpowered the chicken taste. Also ordered their local beer to try out. It started off pretty light and smooth, but became very bitter after having the chicken. There was also complimentary bread that was fresh from the oven and well seasoned. This place doesn't have a set menu as their menu is written onto a glass wall.

Guess with my 5-star rating, that makes Ptarmigan the highest rated restaurant in Champex. Very…read morewell deserved. Their BBQ pork belly was amazing!! A substantial slab of pork belly, the lingering smokiness and sweet, acidic BBQ sauce let me know that while I'm in Switzerland, there's still access to big, bold, meaty flavors. Paired with an Asian slaw and a baked sweet potato (yes, and odd mix, but it really worked!). And washed it down with a beautiful local rosé. And with a view of Lac du Champex that simply can't be beat!! It's a shame it my last night here, but the TMB calls!!

From the owner: Plats du terroir comme la Fondue la croûte au fromage Plats…read morede saison comme les asperges les huîtres Tartare gambas à la plancha etc

An average restaurant. Between 2 and 3 stars, maybe. It is very nicely located, on the shore of the…read morelake, but you kind of feel it is a tourist-oriented restaurant. The food was average. More quality and less quantity would be good. Update (September 10, 2012). I still stand by this review. We went there again yesterday. The place was full. We were told that it would take half an hour to be served, which was honest and, unfortunately, accurate. The boss (a blond woman, about 50 year old) was continually giving orders to the employees, sometimes in a curtly manner, in front of the customers. My dish was okay. My wife had the daily special (tagliatelle with mushrooms), but the dish got cold quickly (the plate was not hot enough). So I can confirm: this restaurant deserves 3 stars, because it is fantastically located. Just don't go there for the food.

We loved our dinner here after a day of skiing. Charming Swiss feel and excellent food. The beef on…read moregallows is the house speciality and you should not miss it. Unique experience/steak preparation, and it was excellent. We also thoroughly enjoyed the chocolate fondue dessert. Our 11 year olds left happy as did the adults.

Amazing soup/salad. Amazing everything!…read more I love this place, it doesn't get too busy either so you can actual sit and relax after a nice ski. GO HERE!

Lovely large seating area outside. Ultra fast service! Food is delicious. The gluhwein is a bit…read moresweet, depending on your preference. Hazelnut soup is divine!