Pizzeria Ristorante Helmhotel — Restaurant in Pustertal - Val Pusteria

We just returned from a wonderful stay at the Helmhotel. Martin, Simona, and the entire staff of the Hotel were extremely welcoming - we’ve never felt so welcomed at a hotel. They worked hard to accommodate any request we had, asked after our day, suggested things to go see - for example, they helped us register, get appropriate skis, told us where to find everything, and drove us over to the Giro delle Cime alpine skiing tour one day. The staff was very invested in their work, seeming to enjoy themselves very much - talking and laughing with the guests. Each day there was a different table setup at dinner, with fun napkin foldings, and the bed were made up in a different folding pattern each day.

We were there to cross country ski, and even though the area did not have much snow, we found some amazing skiing higher up, with lovely long gradual hills, and small restaurants / coffee shops to stop and get a drink.

The hotel food was superb. In the mornings, each person chose which appetizer, entree and dessert they wanted that evening. We took to randomly choosing a meal, because it was always good. Fresh pastas, spetzle, risotto, a variety of meats, always a vegetarian option, delicious sauces - followed by a special regional dessert or great gelato. The house white wine was lovely, as was the Inge house special process drink.

The rooms were recently renovated, with a great view of the tops of a few nearby Dolomites, and morning sunshine flowing in. The beds were very comfortable. And all was very clean and quiet.

The Helmhotel is definitely worth a...

We were extremely disappointed with our visit. Despite being told that a reservation had been made, it became clear during the evening that most of the guests who arrived had not reserved a table—and yet they were seated while we were left waiting. The host’s attitude was dismissive and unkind, especially toward tourists who didn’t speak Italian or German. He spoke rudely and told us the place was full, then seated us at a tiny table for two right by the entrance.

As the evening went on, the restaurant filled up with over 30–40 people, many of whom openly said they hadn’t booked in advance. Meanwhile, we were stuck at the front, eating on high bar stools with dozens of people standing around us, crowding the entrance and our table. It felt chaotic and disrespectful.

The atmosphere was supposed to be the highlight, but it was completely ruined by the poor treatment and lack of organization. The food didn’t make up for it either—the salad was bland and topped with a dry chicken skewer. Honestly, this was one of the worst hospitality experiences we’ve had. It’s a shame we chose...

This restaurant is dishonest, full of hypocrites, and shows no respect for unfamiliar guests. We arrived without a reservation and were told there was no availability, that all tables were booked. They asked us to sit at a table near the door—a very uncomfortable spot. Later, we saw that they let in most of the other customers and arranged tables for them inside the restaurant, even though they hadn’t made reservations. Anyone who lies to their customers does not deserve appreciation. The place is extremely crowded. We witnessed very inappropriate treatment. Their food is not tasty—just average. The salad came with no toppings or additions. Their prices are outrageously high, and the meal we ordered was not worth it. The noise level is unbearable, and the staff are completely uncooperative. Even the person who seems to be the owner or the one welcoming guests is disrespectful and underestimates their...