Gault Millau awards a total of 12 toques to the Saalfelden Leogang region

Ten of these toques were awarded in the municipality of Leogang, which has just 3,300 inhabitants and can now rightly call itself a “toque village”. The toques, or chef's hats, awarded by Gault Millau are roughly equivalent in Austria to the Michelin Guide stars in Germany.

Three toques for Michael Helfrich's restaurant at the Forsthofgut in Leogang

Eating really well. What sounds so simple is, according to Gault Millau, the restaurant with the highest accolade in the region: “Echt.Gut.Essen” at the Forsthofgut nature hotel in Leogang. Toque-awarded chef Michael Helfrich was even able to win another toque in his small à la carte restaurant, where he can serve a maximum of ten guests, and has now been awarded 3 toques and 15 out of a possible 20 points. “We are proud to be part of the Haubendorf Leogang and to belong to a region that is constantly evolving in culinary terms,” comments Michael Helfrich on the award. Gault Millau writes about his cuisine: “The fireworks of extraordinary dishes started with risotto and smoked eel with raisins and cashew nuts marinated in white wine - remarkable. ... The creativity continued with the marinated pineapple with salty caramel, macadamia nuts and homemade vanilla ice cream.”

Innovative local delicacies - the Riederalm in Leogang receives two toques for the first time

The gourmet restaurant Riederalm in the Good Life Resort of the same name at the valley station of the Asitzbahn was included in the Leogang toque-awarded restaurants for the first time. With his self-proclaimed “The Epic Slow Food Leogang”, a modern interpretation of Alpine cuisine, head chef Andreas Herbst was able to cook up two toques and 13.5 points from a standing start. Herbst uses regional products of the highest quality from nearby producers as well as herbs from his own garden for his cuisine. Local delicacies prepared in innovative ways and exquisite gourmet cuisine with Pinzgau nuances characterize the daily changing dishes, such as Leogang potatoes from the Ziefergut with garden herbs, lamb on milk doughnut bread with Jerusalem artichokes or confit farm duck with honey wine varnish. 

Front cooking for high culinary standards in the 2-toque restaurant ESS:ENZ at the Puradies Hotel

In the ESS:ENZ restaurant in the Embachalm in the chalet village of the 4*S PURADIES Hotel & Chalets in Leogang, dishes are created using local produce and the hotel's own organic farm. The pure and innovative concept meets the highest culinary standards, culminating in front cooking, and has also been awarded two toques and 13 points for the first time. In addition to char variations and the Embachhof's own veal, the ESS:ENZ offers monthly changing specials such as sushi or barbecue evenings.

The Kirchenwirt in Leogang: two-toque cuisine in a listed ambience

K1326 is the name of the two toques and 14.5 points restaurant at the Kirchenwirt in Leogang. The 700-year-old house is Salzburg's oldest village inn, with a document dating back to 1326. The reference to the Middle Ages can be felt in every corner - on the marble floor, on the well-worn wooden stairs, on the wood paneling and on the ancient wooden ceilings. The history of the building also shapes the work of head chef Stefan Birnbacher, for example the “Back to the roots” menu is both historical and vegetarian. “Leek marries with cucumber, ... then a sumptuous lentil soup with goat's cream cheese. A golden trout looked unusually sweet accompanied by Jerusalem artichoke cream, and a baked apple finished with a beautiful wintery touch,” is the verdict of Gault Millau.

A toque for the cuisine at the Forsthofalm at over 1,000 meters

The Holzhotel Forsthofalm is located in Leogang at 1,050 meters above sea level - ideal for skiers in winter and hikers in summer. The Forsthofalm is interesting for gourmets all year round, as Thomas Hilpold's colorful and flavorful cuisine has been awarded a toque and 12 points. For example, steaks covered in alpine herbs are served from the charcoal grill, as well as vegetarian and vegan dishes. The high-quality organic products used are reflected in the good taste.

The only award-winning restaurant in Saalfelden: Lukas Ziesel's Völlerei

With two toques and 13 points, Völlerei is the only toque-awarded restaurant in the town of Saalfelden. The restaurant with the melodious name is located in the vaults of Hotel Die Hindenburg. Owners Lukas Ziesel and Harald Salzmann serve regional yet modern, uncomplicated menus - from veal head to minced Pinzgau beef to roasted white chocolate.

Best bar, best nature and best insider tip hotels: for Gault Millau, the region has a lot more to offer 

The Gault Millau critics have found even more interesting places in the Saalfelden Leogang region. For example, the Krallerhof was recognized as one of the best wellness hotels, the mama thresl as one of the best insider tip hotels and the Völlerei in Saalfelden as the best bar in SalzburgerLand. According to Gault Millau, the best family hotels in Austria include the Riederalm and the Puradies in Leogang. The Forsthofgut and Forsthofalm are among the best nature hotels.