Supernova is the newest concept store and café in Val Thorens. Amélie Simond, a professional free ride skier from town, opened this organic bistro in December of 2017. With it, she has given her ski town some vegetarian and fresh alternatives that offset the otherwise dominant Savoyard cuisine here.
Supernova is in the upper half of town, in Galerie Peclet. It has a refreshing and relaxed atmosphere. All sorts of people come here. Old to young, families, guy-friends just like gal-friends, skiers in snow suits and arriving visitors wearing street fashion (like it’s sold next door). Whether you come for a superfood smoothie to go, enjoy homemade lunches, or drink a coffee alongside “guilt-free” treats – anyone is welcomed here, at Val Thorens’ new café star.
Breakfast: Avocado Toast & Granola
One snowy Saturday we, like many others, came for breakfast. Being used to a toast with hummus, avocado and a fried egg, that’s what we ordered. A slight misunderstanding it was. Supernova’s interpretation is three literal toast portions: One with a perfectly fried organic egg, another with smooth, ripe avocado, and the third topped by delicious hummus, drips of olive oil and French piment. This isn’t our usual type of bread-topping ratio, but still it was wonderful. Every ingredient was perfected, just like the fresh side salad with gomasio and an awesome vinaigrette. We also appreciated their own style of presentation, which gave it its own personal flair.
One morning we passed by for the homemade granola. It is full of toasted buckwheat, almonds, cashews and a few dried apricots. The portion is a push-start to a hard day of skiing, it kept us satisfied for half the day. One its own, its a nut and crunch explosion that keeps you chewing. But we especially liked it as an accompaniment, with some fruit, to our warm porridge. Thus I kept coming back, and took some home, which then enhanced our daily breakfast bowls.
Changing Homemade Lunches
Supernova doesn’t get any less busy at noon. Here they offer daily changing menus: from soups, salads, sandwiches, to curries, buddha bowls, lasagna, or golden burgers. You can peek at everything in the vitrine to get an idea what you would like, and just as easily take dishes to go, like the salad/buddha bowls.
I tried the broccoli-sweet potato soup which comes with a side of toast, grated mountain cheese and kale chips. Those kale chips I’m telling, they had some sort of topping. I think it was cashew-butter with paprika and flaky salt. That was amazing.
From Raw-Vegan Cakes to Spongy Bread Pudding
Whether you interpret these sweets as a breakfast, a lunch-dessert, or choose them for your coffee and cake hour – Supernova doesn’t lack creativity for any. Thanks to the wonderful chef, who had her own restaurant on Mallorca, all desserts here are special. She knows the business of raw-vegan desserts, and merges this into local classics: the lemon-meringue pie, walnut cake, or blueberry tartlet.
But there are just as many internationally inspired desserts. Every one I tried was superb.The speculoos tiramisu lingered on my tongue with its incredible juicyness. It’s one of the best tiramisus I’ve eaten in a long time. We also got the avocado-lime bread pudding, a combination I’ve never seen before. It’s sponginesss didn’t disappoint. The same flavoured raw-vegan pie was also super – fluffy, creamy and fresh with a great zing. Yes, I had it for breakfast with my Matcha Latte, why not?
Worthwhile Drinks
Supernova doesn’t only offer refreshing, different food from organic and plant-based sources. Their drinks are just as unique in town. That aforementioned Matcha Latte is only one of many drinks that I would order. Another one is the Karma Kombucha, a French Kombucha brand that makes them better than any I have found since Portland. I also enjoyed the glowing tropical drinks amidst the snow and cheese in town. These fresh juices and smoothies range from pineapple-coconut-spirulina to cacao-banana-goji. Lastly, if my mom would have come, she would have tested the organic local craft beers. But she didn’t, so I’ll wait for you to tell me what you think!
Whether you come to Supernova in the full or empty hour – and if only for a juice or a pastry – your order might take time. So if you have it, I recommend a visit. It will more than just distract from the usual skiing diet. At Val Thorens’ only plant-based café you will get a freshly made organic meal, by especially kind service in a casual and individual atmosphere.
Where? Galerie Peclet, in the upper part of Val Thorens, Les 3 Vallées
When? daily 8:00-19:30
How much? granola 7€, avocado-hummus toasts 9€, sweet treats, 5-6€, cappuccino 4€ – These prices are very reasonable for Val Thorens!
My favorites: breakfast toasts, speculoos tiramisu, coconut-cacao energy ball, bread-pudding
Diets: all vegetarian & organic, partially vegan, raw (e.g. desserts), and gluten-free (e.g. granola)
Other Info: Supernova facebook, no wi-fi // no bathrooms (clean, public ones 200m away) // read more on the French skiing blog Mont Paradis
Do you want more recommendations for where to eat in Val Thorens? Check out my other posts!
- Alpen Art Restaurant & Co: casual gourmet food, eclectic, modern with twists on local traditions
- Chez Pépé Nicolas: traditional and authentic lunches on the slope (talking Beaufort Fondue)
I agree, this was a great place. Okay, the coffee (espresso style drinks) was a bit on the milky side for me, but the staff was great, and as you say the contrast with the local cuisine really adds a lot to the Val Thorens’ eating scene. I especially like the fact that it, like many of the better places in VT, was so unpretentious and all things considered the prices were reasonable. The Kombucha’s were huge and lasted us four days with proper rationing, So a great addition to the VT scene, and another great local place run by creative and kind young people worth supporting!
Your pictures are fabulous by the way.