5 Mountain Restaurants with Jaw-Dropping Views

While many people prefer to escape frigid winter weather by traveling to tropical climates, others embrace the winter season by spending time in the snow-covered mountains. Activities like skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing are great ways to take advantage of the seasonal shift in climate. And when you’re exhausted from the all the strenuous exercise, you’ll likely be eager to check out a local Restaurant for some much-needed food. But not all mountain-side restaurants are created equally. The following list includes 5 mountain-side restaurants that have spectacular views. 

Piz Gloria – Murren, Switzerland

Piz Gloria provides diners with a stunning 360° view of the Bernese Alps. Situated 9,744 feet above sea level and atop Schlithorn summit, the restaurant overlooks the Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau. Patrons take a 32-minute aerial cableway to ascend Schlithorn summit and arrive at Piz Gloria. Spinning on its axis, the restaurant makes a complete revolution once every 45 minutes and showcases over 200 surrounding mountain peaks. Outside the restaurant is a skyline view platform that gives patrons clearer views of surrounding mountains. A location for the James Bond movie On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, Piz Gloria commemorates its rich history with a 007 Walk of Fame. A skyline top shop offers visitors every souvenir they could want.

Flagstaff House Restaurant – Boulder, Colorado

The Flagstaff House Restaurant sits atop Flagstaff Mountain in Boulder, Colorado and is family-run by Don Monette and his sons. Situated 6,000 feet above sea level, the restaurant is a great choice for winter- and wine-lovers alike. With a wine cellar that has over 15,000 bottles, the Boulder establishment has received the Wine Spectator’s Grand Award every year since 1983. The award is given to restaurants that have one of the 10 best wine lists in the world. A meal can be quite costly at The Flagstaff House Restaurant, so be sure to scout out the menu beforehand.  

Allred’s Restaurant – Telluride, Colorado

Located at the top of a free gondola, Allred’s Restaurant is an amazing 10,551 feet above sea level. Views of the spectacular box canyon leaves diners in awe as they attempt to eat amongst the beauty. A warm wood décor is complimented by large overhead beams and elegant antler chandeliers. Most food at Allred’s Restaurant is locally sourced from within Colorado, including the Bourbon Marinated Elk Loin and the classic Rack of Lamb. Perhaps the most amazing part about the restaurant is you won’t have to break the bank to dine there. A gourmet burger with a side of fries is available at the bar for a very reasonable $10.

Edgewood Restaurant – Stateline, NV

Boasting a view that overlooks Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada mountains behind it, Edgewood Restaurant was chosen as one of OpenTable diners’ “100 Most Scenic Restaurants in America for 2017.”  Edgewood matches its traditional French cuisine with a diverse wine selection to give diners a fully satisfying experience. If you’re not too busy taking in the outdoor surroundings, you might just notice the restaurant’s impressive high ceilings, unique lighting pattern, and elegant lodge feel. Dine at the right time and you can catch the sun setting over the lake and mountains.

Eagle’s Eye Restaurant – Golden, Canada

Located 7,700 ft. above sea level, Eagle’s Eye Restaurant is part of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. The restaurant features a relatively simple dinner menu that offers entrees like rib eye steak, beef tenderloin, and pesto pasta. Sandwiches include a vegetarian wrap, vegan burger, and Alberta beef burger. The lunch menu is a bit more extensive, offering a variety of spiked hot beverages and other drinks. But the restaurant’s main attraction is its breathtaking view that overlooks Terminator Peak. Open for dinner on Friday and Saturday nights, Eagle’s Eye Restaurant recommends that diners make reservations in advance.  

Not everyone will have access to the listed locations, but it’s always nice to see what’s out there. If you want a similar experience to dining at one of these restaurants, pick a local ski or mountain range and find a restaurant close by. Just making the drive and appreciating the beauty of a snow-covered mountain will help make winter seem just a little less cold.