Charbonniere - Menthon-Saint-Bernard

A real treat, genuine local racket with cheese from the farm, good service and nice to be the only English speaking guests.

Super neat that where you eat overlooks the cow pens. With that proximity comes the smell of cows. All food comes from their farm, including the fruit you get at the end of the meal.

This is a Savoyard restaurant, basic but excellent, situated above a cowshed with views (through glass) down to the moo's below. A good earthy smell, simple long tables and wooden benches, local cheese dishes (fondue, raclette, tartiflette). with ham and saucisson, and wine which is paid for according to how much of the bottle you drink. Best in winter after a day's skiing as there is a vast amount to eat. A cheap and cheerful restaurant near the Chateau de Menthon St. Bernard. Perfect for groups but also couples and your dog is welcome too ! I love it.

La Charbonnière is a farm on the side of a mountain overlooking the Chateau de Menthon St. Bernard. It serves traditional Haute-Savoyard food based on cheese such as fondue, raclette and tartiflette. Its major attraction is that while one eats one can see the cows just underneath in their winter quarters. The whole place is very simple and smells of cheese. and cows. One sits at long tables on benches and the atmosphere is very convivial. Bottles of wine are placed on the tables and one pays for whatever one consumes. The food is simple but delicious - however it is heavy so not recommended on a hot day. The restaurant also sells home-made cheese of different varieties. This place is an absolute must for a genuine alpine experience.

The food is usually good, except when they bring you the worst of the fruit and the leftover ends of cheese because you're the foreigners. There is one older woman who has been rude without exception, not just ignoring us, but being actively rude and telling us that the scraps of cheese left on the cheese plate are all that's left when we can see that other tables are much better served. To be honest, we just can't bear to go there any more, even though our visitors tend to enjoy the dinner over the cow stall farm atmosphere.