
Travel diary
Published on 30.09.2026

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As the forests turn ochre and gold, temperatures begin to drop and the alpine pastures slowly empty, a new season also begins on the plate. Game dishes return to restaurants across the Alpes Vaudoises, accompanied by their traditional autumn garnishes.
Roe deer, venison and wild boar are served alongside spätzli, chestnuts, cranberries, mushrooms, red cabbage and poached pears. From gourmet restaurants to mountain restaurants, each chef puts their own spin on this tradition.
From Leysin to Les Diablerets, Villars to Gryon, via Bex, Aigle and the Col des Mosses, discover our favourite places to enjoy game dishes in the Alpes Vaudoises this autumn.
What can you expect from a traditional game dish? Saddle of roe deer is one of the season’s great classics, often served with cranberry sauce. Game terrines, venison carpaccio, roe deer stew or sliced venison offer a variety of flavours and textures.
The accompaniments are just as much a part of the tradition: spätzli, cabbage, chestnuts, fruit and mushrooms come together in generous dishes filled with infinitely autumnal flavours.
Autumn flavours can also be enjoyed down in the valley. In a quiet neighbourhood of Aigle, Restaurant de la Fontaine serves refined cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere.
With 13 Gault&Millau points, Cynthia and Julien offer a varied, seasonal menu, driven by creativity and a passion for good food. An address worth remembering to discover the season’s autumn dishes, just a few steps from Aigle’s vineyards.
In Bex, the season can be savoured both in the heart of town and at the foot of the mountains.
With 16 Gault&Millau points, Café Suisse offers a fine dining experience. Chef Marie Robert and her all-female team create colourful, creative cuisine, where flavour and presentation are equally important.
Want to bring your plate a little closer to the mountains? Head to the Auberge de Pont-de-Nant. At 1,253 metres above sea level, at the gateway to the Vallon de Nant nature reserve and at the foot of the Grand Muveran, the restaurant showcases seasonal produce in a particularly unspoilt setting.
In Solalex, the Restaurant Miroir d'Argentine enjoys an unforgettable setting: imagine a plate filled with autumn flavours, surrounded by an impressive mountain cirque.
The cuisine is authentic and creative, with particular attention paid to local produce and seasonality. Ingredients are sometimes prepared simply, sometimes reimagined, but always with respect for their character.
A gourmet stop that becomes even more special when the cliffs and alpine pastures of Solalex take on their autumn hues.

Game dish at Le Miroir d’Argentine © Damien Bozzini
In Le Sépey, Restaurant Le Cerf combines a cosy chalet atmosphere with generous cuisine. Known in particular for its many variations of rösti, the restaurant complements its mountain specialities with dishes that change with the seasons.
A few kilometres further up, at the Col des Mosses, Restaurant Le Relais Alpin places seasonality at the heart of its menu. Asparagus and strawberries in spring, lighter dishes in summer… followed by the must-try game dishes of autumn. All served in a warm alpine atmosphere, at an altitude of 1,450 metres.
Here, game cuisine embraces tradition: comforting food, a mountain setting and the pleasure of gathering together around the table as the days grow shorter.
In Les Diablerets, autumn can also be savoured on the plate. Several restaurants put game in the spotlight, each offering their own take on game cuisine, from traditional recipes to more original interpretations.
At the Auberge du Lac Retaud restaurant, game takes a classic turn with saddle of roe deer and autumn garnishes, while La Potinière reinvents seasonal flavours with creativity and a modern touch.
Looking for something beyond the classics? Game also lends itself to more unexpected creations. Chez Lacroix serves its signature “Chaudron du braconnier”, a Burgundy fondue with venison fillet, while La Belle Descente offers a pulled venison burger: two ways to discover game dishes from a different angle while still enjoying the flavours of autumn.
One thing is certain: in Les Diablerets, game cuisine is far from limited to a single recipe. Saddle of roe deer, fondue or burgers offer plenty of variety from one restaurant to the next, whatever you fancy.
The charming village of Gryon also offers plenty of options for an autumn foodie getaway.
At Café-Restaurant L'Etable, the setting immediately sets the tone: the restaurant occupies a converted former cowshed surrounded by alpine pastures. Regional cuisine is given a fresh twist, with specialities such as mushroom casserole served on rösti or pork knuckle with Alpine honey. In autumn, game dishes also make their way onto the menu.
L'Ancolie offers a more gastronomic experience. Awarded 13 Gault&Millau points, the restaurant focuses on high-quality ingredients, prepared with precision and accompanied by a carefully selected range of wines.
Finally, higher up the mountain, Chez Gipsy brings you even closer to the peaks. Local cuisine, a large terrace and panoramic Alpine views set the scene at this restaurant nestled in the heart of the mountains.
In Leysin, start at Restaurant Les Fers. Perched above the village, this chalet is run by Christophe and Nadine Rod and offers a warm, welcoming setting with stunning views. Awarded 13 Gault&Millau points, the chef serves seasonal cuisine combining originality and expertise. A perfect opportunity to combine autumn flavours with a spectacular panorama of the Alpes Vaudoises.
Further down in the village, Station Rock Café offers a completely different atmosphere. Just a few steps from Feydey station, modern local cuisine, regional produce and culinary creativity come together in a decidedly contemporary setting with music at its heart.

Game dishes at Restaurant Les Fers © Charlotte Falcy
In Villars, autumn makes its way onto the plate, with game dishes served in a variety of settings. For a typical mountain atmosphere, step inside Vieux Villars: in the heart of the resort, this Swiss chalet-style restaurant serves generous, traditional cuisine.
Just a few steps away, the setting changes at Maison 1913, the Villars Palace’s signature rotisserie. Here, local flavours take centre stage, with generous cuisine based on local produce selected according to the seasons.
Restaurant Alpe Fleurie completes this gourmet escape in the centre of Villars. Facing the Dents du Midi, its menu also evolves with the seasons, combining regional specialities, local produce and more refined creations.
To combine a meal with an escape into nature, head to the Restaurant du Lac des Chavonnes, located at 1,690 metres above sea level on the shores of the lake of the same name. Traditional cuisine, regional dishes and wild mushrooms can be enjoyed in a picture-postcard setting.
The perfect excuse to combine two pleasures: a walk among the autumn colours before sitting down to eat.
Whether it’s a mountain chalet, gourmet restaurant, village restaurant or inn nestled in the heart of nature, game dishes come in many different forms across the Alpes Vaudoises. This variety is the perfect reason to explore the region as the landscapes take on their autumn colours.
As game menus are seasonal and may change depending on availability, check each restaurant’s menu and serving period before your visit.
All that’s left is to choose: saddle of roe deer with spätzli, a slow-cooked game stew or a contemporary take on game?