4 Best Restaurants in Graubünden, Switzerland

In a chic, minimalist Alpine space—a mix of original wood-beamed ceilings, whimsical chandeliers, and cozy throws on the chairs—about a 20-minute train ride or 15-minute drive north of Pontresina, Paolo Casanova devises modern Italian menus using unique local ingredients such as lichen, dandelions, and pine cones, depending on the season. Creative combinations may include deer venison tartare with pickled quail eggs and sage powder, or marmot tortellini with plantain wildflower and mountain pine oil, all beautifully presented and paired with Swiss wines from the fabulous wine list. Order à la carte, or if you can’t decide, you can’t go wrong with the four- or eight-course tasting menu.

For a candlelit, romantic Swiss meal with a truly spectacular view, take the funicular up to the restaurant at the Romantik Hotel Muottas Muragl. The rustic-chic setting and expansive terrace provide perfect outlooks to the lakes and mountains as you dine on local and seasonal specialties. Though there's a large selection of meat and game dishes (in season), fish-lovers and vegetarians will also find satisfying choices. Bring your appetite, because the portions are large and the food is hearty. The large wine list includes lots of fine choices from Graubünden vineyards.

In a 17th-century rustic-luxe Bauernhof (farmhouse) whose raw beams, aged wood, and native carvings have been self-consciously restored, the Chesa Veglia (run by Badrutt's Palace hotel, which is just up the street) is divided into three restaurants: an upscale grill (Grill Chafaö), which uses an original stone oven; a cozy Stübli (Patrizier Stuben); and a pizzeria (Pizzeria Heuboden). Menus include a good range of Continental and local cuisine—with sky-high St. Moritz prices, except for the more casual, family-friendly pizzeria (which, true to St. Moritz style, still uses premium ingredients like truffles and Grison air-dried meat in addition to the classics). The grill, open only in winter, features live piano music in the evenings, and there are two bars where you can people-watch over a drink before or after your meal. When Elizabeth Taylor and other legendary VIPs headed to St. Moritz, this was their favored watering hole, and it still attracts a smart and stylish crowd in season.

The decor fits the name, with a tile floor, old French posters, dried flower bouquets hanging from the ceiling, and newspaper cuttings on the walls. The menu leans French, with sautéed duck liver and bouillabaisse, but there is relatively lighter fare, including salads and sashimi. The larger room is flooded with sunlight and bedecked in greenery with an immense view across the valley, but come sundown the call from the cozier warmth of the front parlor draws those looking for romantic lighting and convivial chatter.