An outdoor table can still be enjoyable in winter when the setting, food and timing are adapted to the colder weather. A sunny lunch after a walk, an afternoon meal in the snow or dinner beside a fire can bring outdoor dining into a season usually associated with eating indoors.

The middle of the day is often the easiest time to plan it. Temperatures are generally more comfortable and there is still enough daylight to enjoy the surroundings. In mountain destinations, lunch outside can work particularly well after skiing, snowshoeing or a winter walk.

Warm food quickly becomes more appealing. Soup, baked potatoes, roasted vegetables, stews and dishes prepared over a fire are easier to appreciate outside than food that becomes cold within minutes. Bread, cheese and charcuterie can be added without much preparation.

Hot drinks deserve a place on the table too. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate or warm apple juice can be kept in insulated flasks so guests can refill their cups throughout the meal.

Comfort matters more in winter. Blankets placed over chairs, cushions, warm clothing and somewhere protected from wind can extend the amount of time everyone wants to stay outside. A fire pit or outdoor heater can help where they are permitted and suitable for the setting.

The table itself can follow the season without requiring elaborate decoration. Evergreen branches, pine cones and winter greenery work naturally outdoors, while candles and lanterns become useful as daylight starts to disappear.

A winter outdoor meal can also be part of a stay rather than something organised at home. Mountain cabins, chalets, ski hotels and countryside properties sometimes have terraces or outdoor areas designed to remain usable during the colder months.

The aim is not to recreate a summer dinner in the snow. Winter brings its own way of eating outside: warmer food, shorter meals, plenty of layers and a table that makes the most of a clear winter day.

Stay Inspiration | L'Alpaga, Megève

Experience winter in the French Alps with a stay at L'Alpaga in Megève. Surrounded by mountain scenery, this collection of Alpine chalets offers a setting for enjoying seasonal cuisine, winter walks and sunny moments outdoors. An appealing base for those who appreciate mountain living during the colder months.

→ Explore L'Alpaga with Les Couleurs du Monde Travel

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