Where to eat in San Candido, the best restaurants picked by Gambero Rosso

San Candido in Alta Val Pusteria is part of the Tre Cime Nature Park area. From December 1st in the pedestrian area around the church of San Michele, the Christmas Market takes place, a great attraction for tourists and inhabitants of the town, which will close on Epiphany. In addition to handicrafts, visitors can buy typical sweets such as “lebkuchen” (gingerbread biscuits) or “zelten” (sweet fruit bread). However, December 1st is also the opening day of the ski lifts, and until April 7th, 2024, sports enthusiasts will be able to enjoy wonderful slopes.

Where to eat in San Candido, the best restaurants

Atto Suites & Cuisine

Restaurant. A modern design structure with flats of different sizes and types, plus a restaurant in which a young, smart brigade operates. His is the merit of creating very interesting dishes, and not only on the menu: quail breast, red onion, polenta; chestnut cream, veal sweetbreads, tonka bean, chervil; kamut tagliatelle with trout carbonara; shoulder of veal, cauliflower, carrots, walnuts; cooked apple semifreddo, cranberries, cinnamon and Calvados. You can also come just for an aperitif. Theme evenings are organised.

Atto Suites & Cuisine – via dei Tintori, 6 – 0474 431431 – attosuites.com

Helmhotel

Restaurant. Attached to a comfortable family-run 3-star hotel, about ten minutes from San Candido and about 300 metres from the Monte Elmo cable car, this restaurant is furnished in typical style and made even cosier by the lit fireplace and candlelit tables. The menu includes well-made, tasty dishes and homemade desserts. Surprisingly, there is also a good long-rising pizza, garnished with quality ingredients and baked in a wood-fired oven. South Tyrolean labels predominate in the wine cellar.

Helmhotel – frazione Versciaco via Bolzano, 2 – 0474 910042 – helmhotel.com

Jora Mountain Dining

Restaurant. The splendid location, at an altitude of 1,325 metres in the centre of the Monte Baranci ski and hiking complex, is breathtaking and would be enough in itself to justify a visit. You are welcomed by the Holzner family, a loving ambience with attention to every detail and above all the excellent cuisine of Markus, who has fully embraced the philosophy of sustainability. The raw materials come from small farmers and neighbourhood producers and form the basis of dishes that are beautiful to the eye and delicious to the taste. Appropriate wines can be booked.

Jora Mountain Dining – via Pascolo, 6 – 335 6561256 –  jora.it

Kleinmarerhof

Trattoria. Surrounded by greenery, it offers a spectacular view of the peaks of the Baranci, the Tre Scarpieri group and Monte Elmo. Take a seat in the two characteristic stuben or, weather permitting, in the open-air area to satisfy the spirit and the palate with a cuisine based mainly on home-grown ingredients: fruit, vegetables, herbs, beef, veal and pork. Comfortable and quiet rooms are available, with the added bonus of a super breakfast. Visits to the farm and excursions are organised. Booking.

Kleinmarerhof – frazione Versciaco via Marer, 2 – 0474 910001 – kleinmarer.it

Senfter’s Cafè Bistro

Bistro. The name Senfter in San Candido (and not only) is synonymous with quality charcuterie production, starting with the world-famous speck Igp. In addition to the farm, the butcher-gastronomy shop and a residence, Senfter is a modern café and bistro, with non-stop opening hours from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. People come here for breakfast or a snack or an aperitif or a proper meal, punctuated by tasty traditional dishes whose main ingredients include meat and the aforementioned house speck.

Senfter’s Cafè Bistro – via Mercato Vecchio, 4 – 0474 913257  - senfter-metzgerei.it

Stauderhof

Trattoria. A typical farm just a few minutes from the centre, at an altitude of 1,463 metres, with a view of the Three Peaks, houses this restaurant, which can also be reached on foot. The culinary offer is based on authenticity and tradition, in a menu that is not very extensive but offers plenty of satisfaction: a mixture of cold meats and cheeses, canederli with goulash, spätzli, tagliatelle with game ragout, eggs, potatoes and speck... And to finish, a slice of good homemade strudel and the typical kaiserschmarrn with blueberry jam are a must. Best to book in advance.

Stauderhof – via Monte San Candido – 0474 910007

Uhrmacher’s Weinstube

Wine Bar. Otherwise known as Enoiteca dell'Orologiaio, it is a delightful, warm and atmospheric place. The wine selection, curated by owner Toni Lercher, satisfies every desire and curiosity, ranging from the region to the rest of Italy and beyond (we are talking about 600 references and 200 spirits). What is more, there is an extensive wine cellar. To accompany this, there is the 'farmer's toast', the 'Tyrolean snack' (a rich platter of cold meats, cheeses and delicacies), a few maison dishes and desserts. If desired, there is the opportunity to buy bottles and gastronomic specialities.

Uhrmacher’s Weinstube – via dei Tintori, 1 – 0474 913158 – enoro.it

Wachtler

Bistrot. The sign bears the name of the family that runs it and includes a comfortable residence, a workshop, a museum and a lovely bistro with a panoramic terrace. Everything here speaks of sustainability and love for the environment, from the natural materials used to build the structure to the herb garden and the ingredients chosen to prepare a different menu every day. Open from 8.30 a.m. to 10 p.m. makes it a suitable stop for every moment of the day, from breakfast to appetisers and dinner.

Wachtler – via P. P. Rainer, 11/B – 0474 913462 – wachtler.com