THE FLAVOURS OF THE MOUNTAINS: 5 LOCAL DISHES YOU HAVE TO EXPERIENCE
Discover the Alps with its dishes!
If you’re planning a holiday in the mountains and wondering what to eat in the Alps, the answer is simple: let yourself be guided by the flavours of mountain huts and alpine lodges. Here, food is not just nourishment, it’s an essential part of the experience.
When you walk along the trails of the Dolomites or reach a mountain hut after a scenic hike, you immediately realize that mountain cuisine plays a special role. It completes the day and transforms a simple excursion into an authentic memory.
The dishes you find today come from an ancient history with deep roots. For centuries, life in the Trentino-Alto Adige and in the Dolomites was tied to agriculture and livestock farming. Families lived on what they had, and there was no room for waste. Every ingredient was used to its fullest. From this culture comes a cuisine that is simple, yet rich in meaning.
The alpine cuisine is humble and hearty, based on essential ingredients such as polenta, potatoes, cheese, cured meats, and stale bread. The cold climate, present for much of the year, has deeply influenced the recipes, leading to the creation of warm, nourishing dishes.
It’s not a coincidence that among the most representative specialties are canederli, strangolapreti, and tortei di patate.
These dishes tell the story of pastures, alpine huts, and a farming tradition passed down through generations. It is precisely this authenticity that makes Trentino cuisine so special.
These are just some of the many traditional alpine dishes you can find among our summer and winter offerings. One example is a tour through the mountain huts of Trentino, where you would have the opportunity to walk for three days among the huts and alpine pastures of Val di Rabbi, discovering local products and traditional dishes.
And mountain cuisine doesn’t stop in summer. Even in winter, you can enjoy an itinerary between mountain huts serving traditional food, perhaps on skis, like in our gourmet ski safari program, where tradition meets innovation. Through this tour, you can explore the different facets of Alpine cuisine, crossing various areas of Trentino, starting from Val Gardena and reaching Alta Badia and Val di Fassa.
In both seasons, you’ll discover that some dishes simply cannot be missed. They define Trentino cuisine and are something every hiker should try at least once.
1. I CANEDERLI
When talking about typical alpine dishes, one of the most iconic specialties is canederli, the true stars of mountain cuisine.
The name comes from the German word knödel (“dumpling”), but in Trentino they have developed their own identity, becoming a must-try dish for a high-altitude gastronomic experience.
They are large dumplings made from stale bread, traditionally served as a first course. Ingredients such as Trentino speck, cheese, or spinach are added, creating different variations of the recipe.
Canederli can be served in broth or with melted butter and sage. They originated as a “leftover” recipe from mountain farming culture, where nothing was wasted and every ingredient was valued.
Their irregular spherical shape and soft texture make them perfect for warm, nourishing meals, ideal after a day of trekking or during a stop at a mountain hut.
2. LA POLENTA
Polenta could be described as the ultimate comfort food of traditional Trentino cuisine.
In times of war, it was widely used by poorer communities because it was highly nutritious, filling, and inexpensive. Today, it is not only seen as a traditional dish but has also been rediscovered by top chefs and brought back to the tables of the best restaurants.
The most famous is polenta from Storo, often called “red gold” due to the characteristic colour of its grains. It stands out for its traditional stone grinding, natural drying process, and its distinctive, rich flavour.
From classic yellow corn polenta to the characteristic black polenta made with buckwheat, there are countless recipes featuring this versatile dish. It’s often served with game, mushrooms, cheese, or alpine butter.
It’s a warm dish, perfect when temperatures drop or when you need to regain energy after a long hike. In short, it’s a must for a true alpine hut experience!
Many mountain huts still prepare it in a copper pot, as tradition dictates, stirring it slowly over the fire. It’s one of those dishes that shows how deeply Trentino cuisine is connected to tradition and mountain life.
3. TORTEI DI PATATE
Sitting at a wooden table with a mountain view, sharing freshly fried tortei di patate, is one of the most authentic and enjoyable experiences after hours of hiking or a great day of skiing.
It’s a seemingly simple dish, yet it takes on different nuances and flavours from village to village. These are fritters made from grated raw potatoes, fried until golden and crispy. The result is a simple, but incredibly tasty dish.
Tortei are almost always served with a large platter of accompaniments, including, of course, speck. You’ll also find local cured meats, alpine cheeses, beans, cabbage, or sauerkraut.
In many alpine huts, they are also served with lingonberries or jams. This contrast between savoury and sweet makes the dish even more irresistible!
Tortei are a true institution in alpine hut experiences in Trentino. If you take part in a hut to hut tour or a food-focused trek, there’s a very good chance this dish will be one of the highlights.
4. LO SPECK
When talking about typical mountain dishes, you can’t forget the local products that accompany them. Among these, one of the most iconic is Trentino speck.
It is a smoked and cured ham and one of the most representative ingredients of Alpine gastronomy. In mountain huts and alpine lodges, it is often served as an appetizer or as an energy-boosting snack during excursions.
The best way to enjoy it is on a traditional mountain platter, alongside rye bread, alpine cheeses, jams, and pickled vegetables. It’s a simple yet perfect meal for any time of the day.
If you plan a gastronomic experience among the alpine huts of the Dolomites, you’ll notice that speck acts almost like a common thread throughout the journey. Each hut has its own way of serving and pairing it with local products.
It’s one of those flavours that stays with you, because it tells the story of the region in an authentic way.
5. LO STRUDEL DI MELE
Among the must-try dishes in Trentino, you can’t forget the perfect dessert to end any excursion: apple strudel.
The most interesting thing about strudel is that almost every community has its own recipe, but they all share a warm, fragrant filling of apples, raisins, pine nuts, and cinnamon, wrapped in a thin, crispy pastry.
Apple strudel is often served as a snack during excursions, strictly accompanied by fresh mountain cream. After a long walk along the Dolomites’ trails, there’s nothing better, whether in summer or winter, it’s the perfect dessert for any occasion!
Discovering Trentino cuisine adds real value to your mountain trip, it’s a way to truly connect with the region and its traditions.
Between mountain huts and alpine lodges, every dish is born from simple, local ingredients and from traditions that are still alive today. These are the secrets of mountain cuisine.
Whether you’re spending a day skiing or finishing a long hike, take a moment to sit down at the table and become part of the experience. Because in the Dolomites, the most beautiful memories are not only the landscapes, but also the flavours that define them.