The 20 Alpine Refuges with the Best Mountain Cuisine in Italy

Lunch at a mountain refuge is one of the finest moments of a day on the snow. But not all refuges are equal: some have elevated mountain cooking to a genuine culinary art, with dishes that are worth the journey on their own. Here are the 20 refuges where eating is an unforgettable experience.

How we selected them

Our selection criteria:

Quality of cooking: local ingredients, careful preparation, traditional dishes reinvented
Atmosphere: wooden furnishings, genuine warmth, authentic welcome
Accessibility: reachable on skis or with a short walk
Views: the vista from the refuge is part of the experience

Trentino-Alto Adige

1. Rifugio Oberholz / Obereggen

At 2,096 m above Obereggen, a masterpiece of modern Alpine architecture with panoramic windows overlooking the Dolomites:

Specialities: speck dumplings in broth, Kaiserschmarrn
Why go: contemporary design combined with traditional cooking. One of the most photographed refuges in the Dolomites

2. Rifugio Comici / Val Gardena

At the foot of the Sassolungo, in the heart of the Val Gardena resort:

Specialities: Schlutzkrapfen (Tyrolean half-moon pasta), homemade apple strudel
Why go: spectacular position, sunny terrace overlooking the Sella and Sassolungo

3. Utia de Borz / Alta Badia

In Alta Badia, authentic Ladin cuisine at 2,006 m:

Specialities: turtres (Ladin fritters), cajinci (spinach and ricotta ravioli)
Why go: true Ladin cooking in an original setting

4. Rifugio Scoiattoli / Cortina

At the Cinque Torri above Cortina d’Ampezzo:

Specialities: casunziei (Ampezzo beetroot ravioli), polenta and venison
Why go: 360-degree panorama of the Tofane, Marmolada and Cinque Torri

5. Rifugio Fuciade / Passo San Pellegrino

Near San Pellegrino, one of the most romantic refuges in the Dolomites:

Specialities: venison goulash, fondue with polenta
Why go: isolation, silence and an atmosphere from another time

6. Malga Panna / Madonna di Campiglio

In the Campiglio area, a Michelin star at altitude:

Specialities: Teroldego risotto, Arctic char
Why go: fine dining in an authentic mountain setting

Valle d’Aosta

7. Rifugio Maison Vieille / Courmayeur

At 1,956 m above Courmayeur, with views of Mont Blanc:

Specialities: Valdostan fondue, polenta concia, crema di Cogne
Why go: the finest Aosta Valley fondue with a view of the roof of Europe

8. Rifugio Guide del Cervino / Cervinia

At 3,480 m on the Plateau Rosa, above Cervinia:

Specialities: hot soups, polenta with alpine cheeses
Why go: the highest refuge in Italy reachable on skis

9. Lo Riondet / La Thuile

In the La Thuile area:

Specialities: seupa a la vapelenentse, Valdostan carbonnade
Why go: genuine Aosta Valley cooking, generous portions

Piedmont

10. Rifugio Moro / Alpe di Mera

At Alpe di Mera, in the heart of the Valsesia:

Specialities: bagna cauda, Castelmagno risotto, Chianina beef brasato
Why go: outstanding Piedmontese cuisine in a simple setting

11. Chalet Ciao Pais / Bardonecchia

In the Bardonecchia area:

Specialities: ravioles (Piedmontese ravioli), Arctic char in the Genoese style
Why go: a fusion of Occitan and Piedmontese traditions

Lombardy

12. Rifugio Berni / Bormio

At altitude above Bormio, with views of the Stelvio piste:

Specialities: Valtellina pizzoccheri, Valtellina bresaola, sciatt
Why go: the finest Valtellina cooking with a view of the Olympic piste

13. Rifugio Carate / Madesimo

At Madesimo, in the heart of the Val Chiavenna:

Specialities: truffle pizzoccheri, polenta and brasato
Why go: culinary innovation in a historic refuge

Veneto and Friuli

14. Baita Fraina / Cortina

In the Cortina basin:

Specialities: casunziei, frico with polenta, roast roe deer
Why go: the gastronomic reference point of Cortina

15. Rifugio Gilberti / Sella Nevea

At Sella Nevea, in the heart of the Julian Alps:

Specialities: Triestine jota, goulash, strudel
Why go: a unique blend of Friulian and Central European cuisines

Central and Southern Italy

16. Rifugio Franchetti / Gran Sasso

Near Campo Imperatore:

Specialities: arrosticini, pasta alla chitarra with lamb ragu
Why go: the most authentic Abruzzese cooking at 2,433 m

17. Capanna Bill / Abetone

At Abetone, a reference for Tuscan mountain cooking:

Specialities: pappardelle with wild boar, chestnut cake, ribollita
Why go: Tuscany in winter white

18. Rifugio La Montanara / Roccaraso

At Roccaraso:

Specialities: sagne e fagioli, grilled lamb, bocconotti pastries
Why go: Abruzzese tradition in a warm, welcoming setting

19. Baita 2000 / Etna Nord

On Etna Nord, a unique experience:

Specialities: pasta alla Norma, arancini, cannoli siciliani
Why go: Sicilian cooking on an active volcano, with sea views

20. Ristorante Sapori / Gambarie

At Gambarie in Calabria:

Specialities: fileja with ‘nduja, Calabrian soppressata, pitta ‘mpigliata
Why go: discovering Calabrian mountain gastronomy

Tips for dining at a refuge

Book ahead on weekends and during holidays: seats are limited
Arrive early (by 12:30) to avoid queues
Try the local dishes: every refuge has its regional speciality
Budget: a full lunch at a refuge costs 20-40 EUR per person
Bring cash: not all refuges accept credit cards, especially at high altitude

To find resorts with the best refuges, explore our resort pages.