Why our kitchen is the heart of the Pfeffermühle

“Good cuisine is the foundation of all happiness”—this statement comes from the French master chef Georges Auguste Escoffier (1846–1935), who was creating moments of culinary joy long before our time—and yet his quote applies perfectly to the Pfeffermühle. For without our kitchen, our hotel in St. Anton am Arlberg would not exist. It all began with our kitchen, our tavern, and our creative culinary delights. Moments of culinary joy are firmly embedded in the DNA of the Pfeffermühle, and the tavern remains the heart of our Tyrolean hotel. That’s why we’re now taking a peek into the inner sanctum of our kitchen team. Together, we’ll get to look over their shoulders, discover their favorite recipes, and learn firsthand why the tables at the Pfeffermühle’s restaurant are so highly sought after.

One team, one mission: moments of culinary bliss 

It’s clear that without our Patrick, nothing runs in the Pfeffermühle kitchen: Since 2019, this dedicated Styrian has been our head chef. Yet it feels to us as though he has always been an integral part of our inn on the Arlberg. We can’t really remember a kitchen without Patrick anymore. His passion for culinary delights runs in his blood: His father is a trained chef, and Patrick’s family runs their own inn in Styria. After formative years in German-speaking countries abroad and two other restaurants in St. Anton, the enthusiastic snowboarder eventually found his way to us at the Pfeffermühle on the Arlberg. A stroke of luck for us—and for him: For in St. Anton in Tyrol, he has not only found his dream job but also his dream wife. His greatest passion—besides his family—is his urge to try new things. No dish is safe from his creativity: The goal is always to find the perfect nuances of flavor, to cleverly highlight regional tastes, and to bring a sense of wonder to the eyes of guests of all ages.

To accomplish the mission of “culinary moments of joy” at the Pfeffermühle in St. Anton am Arlberg all year round, Patrick is supported by a well-coordinated team. Some of our staff in the kitchen and front of house have been an integral part of the Wirtshaus zur Pfeffermühle for eight years now.

What is particularly close to our kitchen team’s heart

The precious Tyrolean mountain herbs, the fresh spring water, the colorful vegetables, the fragrant hay, and animal-friendly farming practices—the secrets to the high quality of our food lie in the pristine nature of the Arlberg. You can simply taste exactly that in our restaurant, no matter which dish you choose. In addition to a varied menu that is always adapted to seasonal produce, our inn offers weekly highlights such as fondue night on Wednesdays or the chocolate fountain on Fridays. Every day, an absolute breakfast dream awaits you with a huge selection of regional delicacies like porridge, waffles, and fresh juices, as well as à la carte treats.

So, something special is always on the menu here at the Pfeffermühle. That’s why our restaurant is so popular, especially with the locals.   

Vegetarian, vegan & the feeling of never having to go without

 Here at the Pfeffermühle in St. Anton, we don’t just offer “alternatives” for vegetarians and vegans. Our kitchen team is passionate about serving all guests a high-quality menu. Whether it’s avoiding meat or dairy products: no one in our restaurant feels like they’re missing out on anything. The same goes for allergies and intolerances, which our kitchen addresses individually.

The best is saved for last: Our personal culinary highlights

Among the “all-time favorites” of our kitchen team—and the entire Pfeffermühle—are undoubtedly the legendary carrot-ginger soup, the pink-roasted veal boiled beef, the beef carpaccio with marinated leafy greens, Parmesan, and pesto, as well as the Kaiserschmarrn, which is served in many sophisticated variations. From our own experience, we can attest: just a few ingredients can fundamentally transform the entire taste experience. And so it often happens that guests leave our Pfeffermühle with the realization: “Not all Kaiserschmarrn is created equal.”

So that you can have a piece of Pfeffermühle—and with it, the flavors of the Arlberg—at home anytime, you’ll soon find some of our favorite recipes to try at home on our website—so be sure to check back! 

The Klimmer Family & Team