Where to eat game in Villars: our top picks

In Villars, autumn is synonymous with culinary traditions and gourmet pleasures. It’s the much-awaited season of game, when local restaurants showcase venison, mushrooms, red cabbage, spätzli, and poached pears. From mountain restaurants to refined establishments and village eateries, everyone can find the perfect spot to enjoy an autumn meal. Here is our selection of the best tables to savour game in Villars and nearby for moments of even greater culinary delight.

1. Game in Villars: an unmissable autumn tradition

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Every year, from September to November, game features on the menus of restaurants in Villars and the Alpes Vaudoises. A true gourmet ritual in French-speaking Switzerland, this culinary season celebrates local game and forest flavours.

“Game” refers to traditional dishes made from venison, deer, wild boar, pheasant, or hare, accompanied by typical autumnal ingredients: forest mushrooms, braised red cabbage, caramelised chestnuts, poached pears, spätzli, and rich, fragrant sauces. Squash-based dishes also make an appearance, adding colour and flavour to autumn tables.

Enjoying game in Villars is also about sharing a convivial moment: a generous, comforting meal where the warmth of a mountain inn contrasts with the crisp alpine landscapes. It’s a culinary and emotional experience connecting local produce, tradition, and the joy of being together.

2. Must-visit restaurants to enjoy game in Villars

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Villars offers a diverse culinary scene: from cosy mountain restaurants to more refined establishments that put a modern twist on classic dishes, everyone can find a venue to suit their taste.

• Mountain restaurants for the perfect combination of food and panorama:
  • Restaurant du Lac des Chavonnes: dine by the lake
  • Maison de Montagne de Bretaye: panoramic views
  • Club House Restaurant at the Golf: enjoy your meal with a view of Mont Blanc
  • Auberge du Col de Soud: hearty, flavourful dishes

Nearby, Refuge de Solalex and Miroir d’Argentine Restaurant offer exquisite meals in the enchanting Solalex setting, as well as Refuge Giacomini in Anzeinde, L’Étable, and Refuge de Frience in Gryon.

• Friendly spots in the centre of Villars for village dining:
  • Restaurant des Ecovets
  • The restaurant de l'Alpe Fleurie
  • Le Vieux Villars
  • Not forgetting Café des Alpes, L'Ancolie, La Terrasse and Buffet de la Gare in Gryon

3. What to expect in a traditional game menu

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If you opt for a game menu, you will discover a variety of dishes that showcase the richness of this culinary tradition:

• Starter: a terrine of game, a warm mushroom salad or a venison carpaccio to gently whet the appetite.
• Main course: the star of the season is roast saddle of venison, carved at the table and served with cranberry sauce. You will also find slow-cooked dishes such as venison stew or sliced deer in a rich sauce, tender and full of flavour.
• Side dishes: they are inseparable from the hunting season! Golden spätzli, braised red cabbage, glazed chestnuts, pears in red wine, or a smooth celery or pumpkin purée. These accompaniments create a harmony of textures and sweet-and-savoury flavours that make the game menu truly special.
• Dessert: autumnal treats take centre stage with the famous Mont Blanc (chestnut cream and whipped cream), a plum or blueberry tart, or a pear-based dessert.

A game menu is therefore more than just a meal: it is a complete, generous and festive experience that celebrates local products and the culinary art of the Alpes Vaudoises.

4. Gourmet experiences around game

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Enjoying game in Villars goes beyond dining: it’s a complete experience combining gastronomy, nature, and terroir.

• Autumnal walk before or after the meal: stroll through forests ablaze with colours to whet your appetite or aid digestion. The trail around Lac de Chavonnes or the train ride up to Bretaye offers spectacular views of golden-lit mountains. See all our hiking trails.
• Discover the vineyards of Ollon: just minutes from Villars, meet winemakers and taste local wines. Chablais wines, fruity and elegant, pair perfectly with game dishes. Some cellars even offer picnic baskets or guided tastings. Discover the Ollon vineyard.   
• Shopping in Villars: wander the village streets, browse boutiques for fashion, jewellery, or unique décor items.