The Saanen tradition
French in Saanen, and why it's worth the detour
French cooking in Saanen is mostly bistro territory — smaller, more casual dining rooms with shorter menus, often in historic chalet buildings. The standout is Brasserie zur Simme chez Marco, a decades-established brasserie-style restaurant in the village core. Several hotel restaurants (Sonnenhof among them) cook in the French-Swiss tradition with more local-Alpine sourcing. Overall, Saanen French is excellent value — the 30-40% discount versus Gstaad village is particularly meaningful at this mid-range level.
History & context
Saanen sat on the trade route between the German-Swiss and French-Swiss worlds for centuries, and its food culture has always straddled both. French technique arrived with the tourist hotels of the late 19th century. Brasserie zur Simme opened as a village pub-restaurant and transitioned toward a more explicit French-brasserie style over the decades under Marco's stewardship.
What to order
Saanen French classics: steak tartare, côte de boeuf with pommes gratin dauphinois, sole meunière, blanquette de veau, mousse au chocolat. At Sonnenhof: more refined French-Swiss — Alpine lamb with local herbs, river trout beurre blanc, Saanenland cheese course. Wine lists are strong on the Lavaux (Dézaley especially) with a good cross-section of French Burgundy.
Booking & practical
Saanen French bookings are generally easier than Gstaad equivalents — 2-4 days ahead is enough in peak winter. Parking free. Dress code smart-casual everywhere. Several restaurants close Sunday and Monday.
