Trentino-Alto Adige
by Great British Chefs23 September 2019
Trentino-Alto Adige
by Great British Chefs23 September 2019
You just have to look at the many names of this northern mountainous part of Italy to understand its border-crossing culture. Some call it Trentino-Alto Adige; others Trentino-South Tyrol, Trentino-Südtirol or Trentin-Südtirol. Bordering Austria and Switzerland to the north and the Italian regions of Veneto and Lombardy to the south, it's where Germanic and Italian cultures merge to create something very special.
The region itself is small and mostly covered by the beautiful Dolomite mountains, but it is classed as among one of the wealthiest areas in the European Union. Not bad for a place that was historically very poor, cut off from the rest of Italy and relied almost entirely on local produce due to poor transport links.
Today, Trentino-Alto Adige is famous for two things: skiing and food. We are – obviously – more interested in the latter, and there's a huge amount of food to experience in the area. From the region's many Michelin-starred restaurants to the more humble, traditional and rustic dishes from years gone by, take a look below to learn everything you need about Trentino-Alto Adige's food scene.
Ladin flavour
Mountain life was traditionally hard for the residents of Trentino-Alto Adige – but local cooks took what little ingredients they had and made some truly astounding dishes from them. Get to know more about the local Ladin culture, a small community responsible for some of the region's most beloved recipes.
The food and drink of South Tyrol
Mountain cheeses, stunningly crisp white wines, unique mountain herbs and wild meats come together to make South Tyrol one of the most exciting places to eat. Get to know more about the ingredients and flavours that make a meal in the mountains so special.
Dumpling decadence
Being up in the mountains means robust, hearty dishes are almost always on the menu. From the famous bread-and-meat canederli to the Germany-meets-Italian schlutzkrapfen pasta parcels, if you've got an appetite that needs satisfying, these three recipes are a guaranteed hit.
On tour in South Tyrol
We've visited South Tyrol many times over the years, taking along chefs from the UK to experience its culinary delights. See what we got up to whilst we were there, and take a look at the region's must-visit restaurants if you're planning your own visit. Can't make the trip? Take a look at the two Tyrol-inspired recipes below from the chefs we've taken along.
The chefs of Trentino-Alto Adige
Trentino Alto-Adige is a region jam-packed with Michelin-starred chefs and restaurants, focusing on everything from local produce to international fusion dishes. Get to know more about their stories and see why the area has become so famous for its food.
Norbert Niederkofler
By only using produce from the nearby Dolomite mountains, three-Michelin-starred Norbert Niederkofler gave birth to a cooking philosophy famous across Italy. Despite being very selective about the ingredients he uses, his cuisine is some of the most varied in the country.
Heinrich Schneider
By taking inspiration and ingredients from the countryside of South Tyrol, Heinrich Schneider has become a true champion of the region's incredibly unique cuisine. His two-Michelin-starred restaurant Terra features around fifty different mountain herbs on its menu.
Matteo Metullio
From his hometown of Trieste to the rugged mountains of South Tyrol, Matteo Metullio uses the best produce Italy has to offer and draws on international influences to create truly special cuisine.
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