The story
Saluti in Matrei in Osttirol operates as an Austrian-Italian kitchen where culinary ambition meets everyday comfort. Owner and head chef Ernst Moser guides this dual concept, balancing a traditional wood-fired pizzeria with a formal tasting menu. Gault&Millau awarded the venue fifteen points for recognizing how he merges these contrasting styles without losing focus. Moser treats preparation as a deliberate craft, drawing on regional ingredients while keeping pricing accessible for regular visitors.
The tasting menu features roasted goose leg slowly cooked until tender, then layered over fermented red cabbage and toasted hazelnuts. Alpine pork appears alongside earthy root vegetables that highlight mountain farming traditions within this Tyrolean-Italian cooking style. A Spanish octopus dish rests on smooth sweet potato cream, accompanied by tart green tomatoes for brightness. Dinners often conclude with a rich chocolate mousse finished with salted caramel ice cream and a slice of chilled pineapple.
Rustic wooden furnishings create a relaxed foundation for the more refined service that follows. Guests easily shift from casual bread and cheese to structured courses as the evening progresses. The cellar holds a broad selection of Austrian, German, French, and Italian bottles ready for careful matching across the Italian-Austrian menu. Moser personally studies each label to align acidity and tannin with the day’s specific preparations. Patrons consistently note the attentive staff who guide conversations without interrupting the meal.
Recognition
Ambience
Details
History
The Tennisstüberl in Matrei surprises with contrasts. A simple pizzeria with rustic décor meets fine dining and exceptional wines that delight even seasoned connoisseurs. The clientele? A mix of gourmets and relaxed pizza lovers. Experienced chef Ernst Moser crafts, in his reasonably priced menus, baked goose confit atop red cabbage kimchi and hazelnuts, alpine pork, and octopus with sweet potato purée and green tomatoes – ingeniously combined and flawlessly executed. The veal shank braised in Merlot and the Felchlin chocolate mousse with salted caramel ice cream and mint pineapple also deliver pure indulgence. The service? Warm and attentive. A venue that charmingly blends down-to-earth authenticity with sophistication – an address well worth remembering. Address: Griesstraße 10, 9971 Matrei in Osttirol, Austria Contact: 04875 67 26 pizzeriasaluti@aon.at https://www.saluti-matrei.com/ Opening hours: Wed–Sat 17:30–22:00, Sun 12:00–14:00 and 17:30–22:00 Team: Variable Ernst Moser, Chef
Location
