Last summer, the new gourmet café run by the Embassy pastry shop of Cortina opened on the deck next to the mountain station of the Lagazuoi cable car, at 2732 m asl, at the entrance of the Lagazuoi Expo Dolomiti. Just its name is guarantee of high quality artisanal pastries, savory products, and tasty snacks.
Nestled on the top of Mount Lagazuoi, at 2752 m of altitude, above Passo Falzarego, is the highest mountain guesthouse in Cortina. Its world renowned scenic terrace offers breathtaking views over the surrounding peaks and the legendary Dolomite sunsets. Located at the top of the ski slopes, it’s the perfect venue to visit WW1 emplacements and, of course, for skiing. After an amazing hiking or skiing day, guests can relax in the hot Finnish sauna built in larch wood, the highest in the Dolomites. The cuisine offers traditional Ladin dishes with Venetian and South Tyrolean influences. Guests will be able to take in the stunning views through the large windows of the dining hall while tasting a delicious polenta and venison dish to finish with a traditional strudel dessert, while enjoying a glass of wine from the well stocked wine list featuring interesting labels.
Baita Bai de Dones is located next to the valley station of the state-of-the-art 5 Torri chairlift. Next to the ski slopes, it’s the perfect rest stop between a descent along the ski run and a ride up. Bai de Dones, the name of the Baita, literally meaning the “bath of the women”, comes from the nearby romantic little lake. The legend has it that this water body used to be inhabited by the "Anguàne", wonderful goat-footed girls, servants of Silvanus, the god of the woods. Being extremely shy, they do not like being observed while washing their lord’s linen. The quote “ whenever a woman thought to be evil is doing the laundry, the weather will turn to worse” might have originated from this very legend. If you stop at Bai de Dones for a coffee or an aperitif, you will see an “anguàna” represented above the entrance door.
Fine food and wine art is taken very seriously in the 5 Torri area. Rifugio Scoiattoli boasts an excellent restaurant and a delicious selection of home-made cakes which are definitely worth a stop in between skiing runs. On the brightest days, guests may dine on the wonderful, sunny terrace surrounded by a unique natural environment.
The “Delicious” area offers a wide selection of ski runs for beginners and expert skiers alike, and above all, unforgettable views over the surrounding mountains. A further reason to lure skiers in this area is Rifugio Averau, which has written the history of Cortina’s fine food. Matteo Siorpaes, sommelier, takes care of both the cuisine, famed for its quality and attention to detail, and the wine list. The delicious experience is further enhanced if you choose to dine on the covered scenic terrace by the large round table with a fire-pit.
Col Gallina ski area prides itself for being the first to open for the winter season in Cortina with its ski run and the namesake mountain guesthouse. This strategic, scenic, and welcoming site is nestled at the foot of Mount Lagazuoi on Passo Falzarego and combines wilderness, entertainment, and genuine hospitality. The large deck of the guesthouse, facing the Col Gallina ski runs, is perfect for a short rest stop - might be an energizing breakfast or just a coffee - before beginning your skiing adventures. Here, there is also the ARTVA (Avalanche beacon) test field, run by the M’Over ski school together with the Mountain Rescue Team, to practise emergency rescue in the event of avalanches. Please contact Cortina Alpine Guides in advance to register.
Gourmet Restaurant, après ski, champagne & oyster bar, wine, and premium cocktails: this is the all-round offer of Ampezzo hospitality, from breakfast to dinner, by Chalet Tofana. Another strong point in favour of the venue is certainly its location in one of Cortina’s most beautiful ski hot spots, next to the valley station of Socrepes chairlift leading to the Tofane ski area.
Fine food and wine landmark for skiers and mountain enthusiasts alike, Masi Wine Bar is great for a rest stop to enjoy a good glass of Amarone wine while taking in the views of Druscié A and B ski runs, stages of World Cup and Winter Olympics races. All their fine food “temptations” are inspired by the wine: Masi’s wide selection pairs traditional dishes from the Veneto cuisine where wine becomes an ingredient, such as the Valpolicella cured meats aged in Campofiorin wine or risotto with Amarone Costasera and shaved Monte Veronese cheese. Above Masi is a large terrace and another historical restaurant: Col Druscié, at 1778 m offering traditional and Italian high quality cuisine.
