Restaurant Soraiser — Ladin Cuisine
Tucked into the hamlet of Santa Cristina just 3 km from Selva, Soraiser is one of the most respected kitchens in Val Gardena for authentic Ladin cooking — the indigenous mountain cuisine that predates Italian and Austrian influences alike. Book ahead; locals fill it fast.
What to Order
Start with Schlutzkrapfen, half-moon pasta stuffed with spinach and ricotta and dressed in brown butter and Parmesan — it is the Ladin equivalent of a perfect plate of ravioli and utterly addictive. Follow with Canederli in broth (large bread dumplings simmered in rich beef stock), a dish that tastes like the mountains themselves.
For a main, the venison goulash slow-cooked with juniper berries and served with Spätzle (egg-flour dumplings) is a benchmark of the region. Pair everything with a glass of Alto Adige Pinot Nero from the wine list, which leans heavily on local South Tyrolean producers.
The Atmosphere
The dining room is all pine-panelled walls, antler chandeliers and linen tablecloths — rustic but never kitschy. In summer, a small terrace faces the Sassolungo massif, making it one of the best sunset-dinner spots in the valley.
Service is warm and unhurried; the owners often stop by tables to explain the Ladin heritage of each dish, which transforms a meal into a genuine cultural experience. Reservations by phone or email are strongly advised on weekends.
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