Clean air, untouched nature, peace, good food. Along the Gadera stream to the Campolongo Pass runs one of the most delightful valleys in the Dolomites, a Unesco World Heritage site. A paradise at 2,000 metres for stays thet can include sport, relax and spirituality, stays in atmospheric “stube” with a comfortable Ladin welcome. Eating and drinking is great, in the panoramic chalets as well as at the area’s gourmet tables.
Eating in Alta Val Badia, the best restaurants
Badia
Maso Alfarëi Hof
Trattoria. A farmstay in the oldest house of Alta Badia, with typical cuisine made with meat and vegetables sourced only at the farm’s home garden. The menu rotates with specialities such as venison goulash with polenta, and canederli and krapfen. Inside, characteristic atmosphere and smiling Ladin hospitality. Photo-worthy panorama.
Maso Alfarëi Hof – s.da Alfarëi, 7 – 339 4692454
Armentarola
Restaurant. The surrounding landscape is true paradise. Like this loving family-run establishment where guests can stay and refresh both tummy and spirit. The menu is territorial with a few variations on the subject, the wine cellar accompanies the meal well. The panoramic terrace is beautiful.
Armentarola – fraz. Armentarola via Pre de Vi, 12 – 0471 849522 –armentarola.com
Maso Runch
Trattoria. A fascinating option for those who wish to bask in the spirit of the place, with the entire local culinary repertoire and the best local products. In front of magnificent views and in a typical stube, the menu may include barley soup, fried ravioli, pork knuckle and ribs, goulash, polenta. There are also comfortable flats to rent.
Maso Runch – fraz. Pedraces via Runch, 11 – 0471 839796 – masorunch.it
Rifugio Santa Croce
Trattoria. One of the oldest chalets in the Dolomites, in a superb panoramic position. Guests come here for a tasty and invigorating break after a nice hike, for tea and a delicious kaisershmarren, or an egg with potatoes and speck, or even polenta. In summer, it’s also possible to stay overnight.
Rifugio Santa Croce – loc. La Crusc, 1 – 0471 839874 – lacrusc.com
La Sieia
Pizzeria. The name means “sawmill”, that once occupied these spaces. Double proposition: on one hand super-typical mountain cuisine, with products from the property's own farmhouse, and on the other a good pizzeria with a more or less territorial style.
La Sieia – fraz. San Cassiano s.da Berto, 61 – 0471 849517 – lasieia.com
Corvara
Rifugio Col Alt
Trattoria. The view from the terrace and from the windows of the characteristic dining room below alone are worth the stop. But that's not all: here there isn’t the “usual” chalet cuisine, but a more tasty and sophisticated menu (without exaggeration) where select ingredients are celebrated. Fine drinking as well, given the owner’s passion and expertise on the subject.
Rifugio Col Alt – Stazione a Monte Cabinovia s.da Col Alt – 0471 836324 – rifugiocolalt.it
L’Ostì
Restaurant. The location is contemporary, warm and typical, with the modern touch of a cuisine that is never trivial, prepared on the basis of the best local produce. There are many bottles, many displayed, with lesser-known Alto Adige, organic and biodynamic labels, and well-chosen Italian and foreign wines.
L’Ostì – s.da Col Alt 10 km 520,27 (incr. via Sassongher, 2) – 333 8194890 – ristorantelosti.it
La Stüa del Rifugio Edelweiss
Restaurant. A typical mountain house, warm and cosy, where the young Comploj (Gigio for everyone), the latest generation in the gourmet kitchen, passes on traditions by injecting freshness and novelty on the basis of numerous training experiences. For a quicker and more typical break, there is the true stube, with self-service and a splendid panoramic terrace.
La Stüa del Rifugio Edelweiss – fraz. Colfosco strada Altonn, 18 – 0471 836024 – rifugioedelweiss.it
La Stüa de Michil at the La Perla Hotel
Restaurant. A bombonnière inside a bombonnière, it is a place with a unique atmosphere: small stube with mismatched tables, soft lighting and traditionally dressed staff. High-level, sustainable cuisine, linked to the territory but at the same time open-minded. The cellar, which is endless, is well worth a visit. At the Murin, “biraria” and tavern, a wide choice of beers and super-typical menu.
La Stüa de Michil dell'Hotel La Perla – s.da Col Alt, 105 – 0471 831000 – laperlacorvara.it
La Valle
Agriturismo Ciablun
Trattoria. An authentic farmhouse where guests can enjoy Ladin recipes made with home-grown products. Family-run, it offers local classics, turtres, canederli, polenta, gulash, cured meat, meats and cheese of their own production. All with a panoramic view. If you can, stay overnight, it’s worth it.
Agriturismo Ciablun – s.da Ciablun, 1 – 349 8360496 – ciablun.it
San Martino in Badia
Ostaria Posta
Trattoria. The Tolpeit family lovingly takes care of this “house”, also hotel, in a former post station. The cuisine, which is seasonal, does, however, have some staples, such as the Tasces, ravioli with cheese and altitude pasture raised butter followed by cranberries, or the Grestl, potato stew, pork fillet tips, fried onions and cabbage salad.
Ostaria Posta – s.da Picolin, 42 – 0474 523128 – ostariaposta.com
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