The story
Gault & Millau awarded Altesgericht in Rankweil fourteen points for its dedication to traditional Austrian cooking within a remarkably preserved space. The dining room occupies the oldest surviving court site in the Alpine Rhine valley, housed inside one of the region’s finest early timber-frame structures. This architectural heritage provides a quiet backdrop for a menu that has remained a local favorite for decades. Helmut Benner guides the kitchen with a focus on seasonal clarity and precise technique.
Sous-chef Maike Benner supports the daily execution of dishes that balance comfort with refined regional cuisine. Guests frequently return for the house-marinated Label Rouge salmon served with cool buttermilk. The spring menu highlights an asparagus cream soup finished with what the kitchen calls eyes of brown butter. A grilled entrecote appears alongside creamy morels, a fresh vegetable bouquet, and hand-rolled gnocchi.
Wooden beams and historic stonework frame the seating areas without competing with the food itself. Service staff maintain a relaxed pace that matches the unhurried rhythm of the dining hall. Every meal concludes with a rotating selection of dessert variations prepared from scratch. The approachable presentation keeps regular patrons returning year after year.
Recognition
Details
History
This historic building is one of the best-preserved examples of traditional timber-frame architecture. It is also the oldest surviving judicial site in the Alpine Rhine region. For decades, this address has been a preferred destination for gourmets, both at lunch and dinner. A popular bestseller is the "Romance Menu." The house-cured Label Rouge salmon with buttermilk is just right, as is the asparagus cream soup with "brown nut butter eyes." The grilled entrecôte with creamy chanterelles, a vegetable bouquet, and homemade gnocchi is as good and classic as the head chef herself. Choosing a dessert variation is always recommended here. The friendly service also leaves a particularly lasting impression. Address: Taverneweg 1, 6832 Sulz, Austria Contact: 05522 43 1 11 | info@altesgericht.at | https://www.altesgericht.at/ Opening Hours: Thu–Mon 11:30–13:30 and 17:30–22:00 Team: Helmut Benner, Head Chef | Maike Benner, Sous Chef
Location
