Simple et Meilleur

The story

Simple et Meilleur: Bib Gourmand mountain bistro in Saint-Martin-de-Belleville

A Savoyard Bistro in the Heart of the 3 Vallées

In the authentic mountain village of Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, at the edge of the vast 3 Vallées ski domain, René and Maxime Meilleur run a bistro that lives up to its name: Simple et Meilleur. This is a place where the cooking is honest and generous, rooted in the traditions and produce of Savoie. The setting—a warm, convivial space of old wooden tables and stone—invites lingering after a day on the slopes or a hike through the Vanoise massif. It is this commitment to quality, unpretentious food that earned the restaurant its Michelin Bib Gourmand award, recognising good cuisine at a reasonable price.

The Kitchen: Celebrating Savoie’s Best Ingredients

The menu changes with the seasons, but always highlights local products. In winter, you might share a reblochon fondue baked into bread, steamed potatoes wrapped in cured fat, or a classic veal blanquette. Come summer, the offerings shift to plates of charcuterie with raw vegetables, house-made terrine, or rainbow trout confit with a seasonal garnish. Other dishes mentioned include raclette made with raw cow’s or goat’s milk, seasonal tomatoes with brebis sérac, and a dessert of strawberries with meringue shards. It is a menu built on the flavours of the Savoyard terroir—mountain honey, local cheeses, and fresh lake fish—prepared simply and with respect.

An Authentic Mountain Meeting Place

Located in the Caseblanche quarter, the restaurant is a true mountain bistro—a place for sharing and discovery. Open for lunch and dinner during the winter and summer seasons, it also houses a wine bar open in the afternoons and a bakery for fresh bread and pastries in the morning. Whether you are finishing a day of skiing or arriving from a hike in the national park, the atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming. For those seeking an extension of this experience, the same family runs the nearby La Bouitte, a five-star Relais & Châteaux hotel and two-Michelin-star restaurant. Here at Simple et Meilleur, however, the focus remains on straightforward, satisfying French cuisine that tastes of its place.