The story
Gasthof Zum Dorfschmied in Klein St. Paul serves authentic Kärntner farmhouse cuisine guided by Josef Müller, who directs the Haubenküche and builds menus around produce harvested from the property’s own fields. His wife Julia manages guest relations while honoring the methods taught by her father, Josef Müller sen., who led the establishment until 2022. The Gault&Millau guide awarded this dedicated operation a 12.5 rating for 2026, specifically highlighting how the family’s dual role as innkeepers and farmers guarantees consistent quality.
The regional kitchen relies on straightforward techniques that let the ingredients speak. Slow roasted cuts arrive with deeply flavored broths and precisely portioned filets that reflect careful butchery standards. Summer service shifts to the Buschenschank format between late July and mid August, while autumn brings the traditional Ganslessen. A Schlachtschmaus appears when the farm’s annual harvest cycle allows for fresh preparations.
Nineteen private rooms occupy the upper floors, providing rest stops for cyclists using the local E-Bike network and riders following curated motorcycle itineraries through Carinthia and Slovenia. Livestock graze near the dining terrace throughout the warmer months, and children move freely across the paved courtyard. This active household rhythm dictates the unhurried pace of lunch and dinner service. Guests experience a working estate rather than a static hospitality venue.
Recognition
Ambience
Details
History
The Müllers are passionate innkeepers and farmers with their own agricultural business, offering their guests a cozy place to stay – indeed, 19 rooms are part of the house in Klein St. Paul, Carinthia. A house that comes alive – with people, animals, children and grandchildren. The farm operated by the Müllers supplies the finest quality produce for the kitchen. From these ingredients, the kitchen prepares wonderfully aromatic roasts, deeply flavorful soups, and delicate filets. Special offerings include traditional slaughter feasts, wine tavern dining, or roast goose dinners. Address: Marktstraße 16, 9373 Klein St. Paul, Austria. Contact: 04264 22 80, zumdorfschmied@aon.at, https://www.zumdorfschmied.at/. Team: Josef Müller, Chef; Julia Müller-Meindl, Maître d'.
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