Trenkerstube
The Trenkerstube is the fine-dining restaurant of the Hotel Cavallino d’Oro in Castelrotto (Kastelruth), a picturesque Ladin village in the Dolomites of South Tyrol. Named after the legendary mountaineer and filmmaker Luis Trenker, the restaurant holds one Michelin star and offers creative Alpine cuisine that combines local South Tyrolean traditions with contemporary technique, set in a warmly panelled historic Stube atmosphere.
At a glance
- Type
- Fine-dining restaurant, one Michelin star
- Period
- Operating within the historic Hotel Cavallino d’Oro, Castelrotto
- Style
- Contemporary Alpine South Tyrolean cuisine
- Location
- Hotel Cavallino d’Oro, Piazza Kraus 1, 39040 Castelrotto (BZ), South Tyrol
- Coordinates
- 46.6860° N, 11.1562° E
Overview
Castelrotto sits at 1,060 metres above sea level on the Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm) plateau in the central Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Trenkerstube translates the region’s deep-rooted culinary culture — rye bread, smoked meats, wild game, mountain dairy, and Ladin-inflected preparations — into a refined tasting experience. The room itself is a traditional wooden Stube, a characteristic South Tyrolean dining chamber with carved panelling and tiled stove.
History
The Hotel Cavallino d’Oro (Goldenes Rössl) is one of the oldest hospitality establishments in the Dolomites, with roots reaching back centuries in the central square of Castelrotto. The Trenkerstube was developed as its gourmet dining proposition, taking the name of Luis Trenker (1892–1990), the South Tyrolean-born mountaineer, actor, and filmmaker who became an icon of Alpine adventure culture. The restaurant’s Michelin recognition cemented its position as a destination for visitors to the Alpe di Siusi area.
What you see
The Stube interior features carved pine panelling, traditional green-tiled heating stoves, and a collection of references to Trenker’s mountain world. Seasonal menus emphasise local Speck di Alto Adige, aged cheeses from Alpine pastures, venison and chamois from surrounding forests, and hand-rolled pasta varieties from the Ladin tradition. The wine list focuses on South Tyrolean DOC whites — Gewürztraminer, Pinot Grigio, and Pinot Bianco — alongside a curated Austrian and northern Italian selection.
Cultural significance
The Trenkerstube represents South Tyrol’s successful synthesis of its German-speaking Alpine heritage, Ladin cultural identity, and Italian regional gastronomy into a distinctive culinary voice. The region holds more Michelin stars per capita than almost any other in Italy, and restaurants like the Trenkerstube are central to that reputation. The setting also places the meal within a living heritage landscape: Castelrotto’s bell tower, one of the tallest in the Dolomites, chimes across the same piazza where guests arrive.
Practical information
The Trenkerstube operates for dinner within the Hotel Cavallino d’Oro; check the hotel’s official website for current seasonal hours, as the restaurant may follow the hotel’s opening and closing periods. Reservations are required. Smart casual dress is appropriate. The hotel also offers guest accommodation for those wishing to extend their stay in the Alpe di Siusi area.
Getting there
Castelrotto is reached by car from the A22 Brenner motorway, exiting at Bolzano Nord or Chiusa and following signs for Castelrotto/Kastelruth (approximately 25 km from Bolzano). A regular bus service (SAD) connects Bolzano to Castelrotto. The Alpe di Siusi cable car terminus is a short drive from the village, providing access to the high plateau for walkers and skiers. The nearest airports are Bolzano (BZO) and Innsbruck (INN).