Grandvalira - eat, drink, party
Besides its cheap booze, the ace up Grandvalira’s sleeve is its unique Catalan cuisine. This includes heart-warming soups and fire-grilled meat such as rabbit and chicken, escudella (a mixed meat stew with broad beans and potatoes), smoky grilled onions, tomatoes cooked in olive oil and garlic, cheese drizzled with honey, and mountain trout. A long way away from the old raclette and fondue!
Mountain restaurants
On the slopes, eateries range from smart dining rooms with sun terraces to traditional bordes—former mountain huts or refuges that have been transformed into restaurants. Inside these stone-and-timber buildings, skiers can feast on seasonal dishes prepared using local recipes, as well as more general European cuisine.
One of Grandvalira's many mountaintop sun terracesPhoto: OT Grandvalira
Roc de les Bruixes (+376 753 181), in the Canillo sector, serves fondues, grilled meats and other Pyrenean classics. Racó de Solanelles (+376 603 252), reached by the Funicamp from Encamp, offers Argentinian-style grilled meats. On the slopes near Pas de la Casa, Coll Blanc KSB (+376 679 530) specialises in French cuisine, with dishes such as duck breast and cassoulet, while CBbC Costa Rodona (+376 684 351) is for a quick self-service lunch. Pi de Migdia (+376 890 734), at the top of the El Tarter gondola, offers table service and a laid-back atmosphere.
The culinary highlight, however, is Refugi del Llac de Pessons (+376 759 015) at Grau Roig, which offers traditional mountain food beside a lake.
Restaurants in town
In Soldeu, La Cort de Popaire (+376 851 211) is in a traditional stone barn and known for its meats grilled on an open fire. La Fontanella (+376 872 787) in Hotel Piolets serves pasta and pizza, while long-running Fat Albert’s (+376 851 765)—known locally as Fatty’s—is rated for its wood-fired pizzas. Sol i Neu (+376 851 325), at the foot of the Soldeu slopes, has a sun terrace and serves snacks and à la carte dishes. Hotel Bruxelles (+376 851 010) is convenient for lunchtime pizzas.
In El Tarter, Dylan’s (+376 852 553) offers American and European dishes, while nearby Restaurant Manacor (+376 342 859) specialises in grilled meats. La Llar de l’Artesà (+376 851 078), just out of town at Bordes d’Envalira, serves traditional Andorran dishes, and Borda de l’Horto (+376 851 622), near Ransol, is known for mountain dishes and meats grilled over an open fire.
Meanwhile, in Pas de la Casa, El Provençal (+376 856 006) serves Alpine dishes such as raclette and fondue; El Marsellès (+33 6 07 45 64 54) has steaks, seafood, pizzas and mountain cooking. For burgers and BBQ, head to Underground Sports Bar & Grill (+376 397 227), and for classic French cooking, try Chez Paolo Pas (+376 855 322).
Grandvalira is famous for its good-value-for-money nights outPhoto: OT Grandvalira
Après-ski and nightlife
In the 90s and 2000s, Grandvalira’s low alcohol prices led to it becoming a magnet for young skiers—prompting an après-ski scene dubbed “Ibiza on the snow”.
While the resort has toned down its party image to focus on high-quality skiing, it still has a lively lunchtime front de neige. L’Abarset (+376 623 289) is one popular destination, located right next to El Tarter’s gondola, while the new San Miguel sun terrace in Pas de la Casa is another. Out of all of Grandvalira’s base villages, Pas de la Casa has retained the resort’s original party vibe the best, with long-running venues including Paddy’s Irish Bar (+376 855 227), Milwaukee (+376 855 975), and Billboard Nightclub (+33 6 19 37 93 33).
For something a touch more elegant, Grau Roig has the Jean Lenon Wine & Meat Bar (+376 890 733), which in past seasons has hosted jazz nights and wine-tasting under the full moon.