Discover Werfen, Austria: Medieval Castle, Ice Cave, and Restaurant Obauer
The historic village of Werfen, 30 miles south of Salzburg, is known for the medieval Hohenwerfen Castle. It’s also famous for the Eisriesenwelt, the largest ice cave in the world. My husband and I visit Werfen for another reason, we have lunch at two Michelin star restaurant Obauer.
We love traveling to Europe for its diverse cultures, history, architecture, and historic sights. We also like its many unique dining experiences. We visit both charming little cafes and fine dining restaurants. One of our favorite places to enjoy all of that is in Austria.
If you are visiting Austria for the first time, you will surely want to visit Vienna and Salzburg. When you stay in Salzburg, plan a day trip to nearby Werfen. You should visit the ancient Hohenwerfen castle. Visitors can enjoy its falconry demonstrations and many concerts and festivals held there, primarily in the summer.
The beauty of the surrounding area is amazing. The picnic scene in the movie The Sound of Music was filmed above the castle. This location served as the backdrop for movie’s famous “Do-Re-Mi song”. It was also the setting for the 1968 spy thriller Where Eagles Dare.
Nature and adventure enthusiasts from around the world visit Werfen from May to October. They come to explore the enormous Eisriesenwelt ice cave. The cave’s grandeur captivates visitors. Its frigid beauty is a testament to the extraordinary wonders that are hidden beneath the Earth’s surface.
For people who appreciate good food like my husband and I do, restaurant Obauer is a must-visit while in Werfen. It is known as one of the best restaurants in Europe.
For over four decades, the Obauer brothers, Karl and Rudi, have received many awards. Travel and restaurant guides have consistently honored their cooking. They serve beautifully prepared classic dishes with a contemporary twist, blending traditional Austrian flavors with modern techniques.
The restaurant has received 5 hoods and 19 points out of 20 from the haute cuisine guide Gault Millau. The guide awarded them “Chefs of the Decade” 2003-2012.
Obauer is among the 50 best restaurants worldwide in La Liste 2025.
Among its many accolades, the restaurant was just awarded 2 MICHELIN Stars. Congratulations to brothers Karl and Rudi Obauer, it is well deserved.
This recognition makes Obauer one of the most popular restaurants in Austria. Despite their popularity, the chefs have a down-to-earth attitude. You will often see them in the dining room speaking to guests. Their restaurant has a much more relaxed ambiance than many similar fine dining restaurants.
The restaurant is set within historic walls that date back to the 15th century. It features a simple contemporary design that is modern yet elegant in its style. Alfresco dining is available in the summer months in the charming rear garden.
The friendly serving staff and chefs speak fluent English and the daily menu is available in English as well. They are happy to go over the menu if you have questions. You can order from set menus or an a la carte menu. They are also happy to make substitution.
My husband is a big fan of the chefs and loves their creative cooking. He has a favorite dish that he orders every time we visit. Instead of the first course on the four course lunch he asks for the variation of foie gras. It is accompanied by a glass of Chateau d’Yquem wine. This year we both had the same meal and it was wonderful.
Click on any photo to enlarge and see a slide show.
Before we leave, the chefs are always happy to pose for a photograph. They also give us a small “thank you” gift from the Obauer kitchen. This time, it was delicious jars of homemade jam. I also have an autographed copy of one of their cookbooks and an apron as remembrances from past visits.
The excellent food always amazed us. The attentive and friendly service exceeds our expectations. It is easy to see why Restaurant Obauer received two MICHELIN Stars.
****
If you are ever in Salzburg, please make a day trip to Werfen. If you are adventurous visit the ice cave or for the less energetic head to the castle. But take my word, you should make reservations for a meal at Obauer. Chefs Karl and Rudi Obauer are two of the nicest people you will ever meet. They will spoil you with their delicious food.
What a wonderful restaurant!
How amazing! I bet they used the ice cave for refridgeration in the old days. I want the foie gras and Chateau d’Yquem too! I’ve got a huge pheasant tonight (1.2kg) with lots of yellow fat under the skin, from eating corn. This fat does have a similarity in taste to foie gras.
That is something that you can call magical
Wow, that ice cave is gorgeous! Do you know if it has been impacted at all by our warming planet?
That’s some amazing food! And that Ice Cave is absolutely gorgeous, gives me chills thinking about it, but gorgeous!
This sounds fabulous! 🙂
I can understand the desire for foie gras each time you visit.
Karen, the ice cave is amazing! We were in Salzburg and Vienna in 2023, a trip to Werfen and that fabulous restaurant would have been great. Thanks for sharing!
Oh my stars! It looks so wonderful–such lovely trip. Thanks for taking us along with you!!
Artfully created food – what a surprise with each course! The ice cave looks very intriguing and inviting!
What an amazing experience and it must be good if you keep going back.
wow What a wonderful experience!
angiesrecipes
http://angiesrecipes.blogspot.com
The ice caves look fascinating… and COLD! I bet that is wonderfully refreshing on a hot summer’s day!
Wow! That ice cave! It’s so magical. How wonderful that you got to see it. And what incredible food.
oh my goodness! What beautiful food! (Although still not a fan of foam.) And a beautiful setting.
What wonderful sites and beautiful looking foods!
Such beautiful food! As I always tell you Karen, I love arm chair traveling with you, you go to the most wonderful places!
Jenna
This looks like the most beautiful holiday, Karen. I love the scenery in Sound of Music so seeing it in person would be fabulous. That ice cave is gorgeous but after spending all day in ER yesterday with a head injury from an ice fall, I’m not keen on ice! But that restaurant! How glorious — and what a treat to know the chefs. The photos are simply wonderful. They sound like lovely people as well as fine chefs.
Wow, talk about a bucket list experience! That ice cave especially is unreal.
It looks amazing!!
The ice cave looks extraordinary and I’m happy to take your word about the wonderful food, Karen.
The ice cave is fascinating to me, Karen. What a wonderful discovery. And you always know how to entice us with the most beautiful cuisine! 😉
The ice caves are magical! The restaurant chefs are creating some beautiful dishes and their pride shows. Wishing we were there with you. Healthy World Cuisine.
Those photos with the chefs are really fun! I hope you have those in a frame somewhere. 🙂 Hohenwerfen Castle is stunning, and that ice cave is absolutely gorgeous…but like you I’m drawn in by the food. Sounds like a delicious meal for sure!
You have such exquisite travels! I love that picture of the ice cave.
we’ve been to vienna and salzburg. and we did the sound of music bus tour – great fun! we loved austria.
cheers
sherry https://sherryspickings.blogspot.com/
not sure my comment went thru. just saying we loved salzburg and vienna and loved the sound of music tour!
sherry https://sherryspickings.blogspot.com/
Wonderful! I lived in Austria for a few years when I was in my thirties. It has some of the most spectacular countryside I’ve ever seen.
You always have such good advice on where to go and what to see. We were in Salzburg many years ago and Vienna just a couple of years ago. It was a memorable trip.
We were in Salzberg for a few hours last year. I wish I had known about the ice cave. We would definitely have visited. The food looks amazing.
Sounds like an unforgettable experience! Werfen itself is a gem, but pairing it with a meal at Obauer takes it to another level. The combination of history, natural beauty, and exceptional food is exactly why Austria is such a fantastic destination. Love that place, been to Salzburg but never to Werfen, definitely will be doing that trip once I have the chance again, maybe next year!
Looks like another great visit Karen. We went to an ice cave in Arizona/New Mexico which is mind-boggling since there is ice all year in a somewhat desert climate. Not as pretty though.
What a beautiful article. We have dear friends in Austria who stood with us at our wedding in Italy so have been there often. We love the beauty there and this makes me want to return soon.
The first thing that came to mind when I saw your opening photo was the location for ‘The Sound of Music’- (maybe the opening scene where Julie Andrews whirls around herself while the music plays)? We’re going to spend a month in Paris during August- maybe we’ll zip on over to Austria for a few days!
What a fabulous trip! Beautiful village.