My Favourite Restaurant on the Ritten
Pippo's Mountain Lodge in Oberbozen
“Small but exceptional!” – this is how host Philip Benincà, better known as Pippo, describes his lodge in Oberbozen.
The lodge offers eight rooms and suites with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, a wellness area, and a panoramic terrace. Inviting dining rooms and a terrace with a relaxing chill-out lounge complete the experience.
Shortly after opening in spring 2021, Philip, his wife Alexandra, their team, and then head chef Walter Lobis welcomed and delighted numerous guests, especially locals from the Ritten plateau. As the website puts it: “Give your calories a new home and indulge in honest, high-quality cuisine inspired by South Tyrol and the world – whether on our sunny terrace, in the panoramic dining room, or in our traditional Stube.” Freshness, seasonal ingredients, and regional produce remain the guiding principles of the kitchen, where today head chef Mario, together with his young team of aspiring chefs – affectionately known here as the “apprentice cooks” – creates dishes full of flavour.
How did the name Pippo’s Mountain Lodge come about? “My friends call me Pippo,” explains Philip Benincà. “The name reflects the idea that everyone is welcome here and should feel at home. We serve high-quality food and drinks, but we’re just as happy when hikers stop by to relax on our terrace, recharge their batteries, and enjoy the view.”
Whether it’s a late breakfast, an aperitif, a gourmet dinner, or simply a coffee with a slice of homemade cake, everyone is welcome at Pippo’s Mountain Lodge. As one regular guest puts it: “Pippo’s Mountain Lodge combines outstanding quality with a relaxed, informal atmosphere – the perfect combination for becoming a favourite place to return to.”
For the past eleven years, Philip and Alexandra have also been running Chalet Grumer, offering seven spacious suites surrounded by peaceful nature – an ideal retreat for anyone seeking relaxation. A few years ago, they had the opportunity to purchase the historic Stickler Farm in Oberbozen. “For us, it was the fulfilment of a dream: creating a place where both we and our guests could truly feel at home,” they say.
With his small horse breeding farm, Philip also fulfilled a childhood dream. Since 2023, together with horse therapy specialist Steffi, the lodge has been offering equine-assisted therapy. Philip is full of ideas, but his philosophy remains “step by step”, ensuring that everything is developed while maintaining the highest standards of quality.
“We have created a place where the feeling of ‘It’s wonderful to have you here’ can be experienced in every detail, and where a true sense of freedom finds a place in the hearts of our guests,” says Philip Benincà.
Arrive. Unwind. Recharge. That’s all it takes.
The lodge offers eight rooms and suites with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, a wellness area, and a panoramic terrace. Inviting dining rooms and a terrace with a relaxing chill-out lounge complete the experience.
Shortly after opening in spring 2021, Philip, his wife Alexandra, their team, and then head chef Walter Lobis welcomed and delighted numerous guests, especially locals from the Ritten plateau. As the website puts it: “Give your calories a new home and indulge in honest, high-quality cuisine inspired by South Tyrol and the world – whether on our sunny terrace, in the panoramic dining room, or in our traditional Stube.” Freshness, seasonal ingredients, and regional produce remain the guiding principles of the kitchen, where today head chef Mario, together with his young team of aspiring chefs – affectionately known here as the “apprentice cooks” – creates dishes full of flavour.
How did the name Pippo’s Mountain Lodge come about? “My friends call me Pippo,” explains Philip Benincà. “The name reflects the idea that everyone is welcome here and should feel at home. We serve high-quality food and drinks, but we’re just as happy when hikers stop by to relax on our terrace, recharge their batteries, and enjoy the view.”
Whether it’s a late breakfast, an aperitif, a gourmet dinner, or simply a coffee with a slice of homemade cake, everyone is welcome at Pippo’s Mountain Lodge. As one regular guest puts it: “Pippo’s Mountain Lodge combines outstanding quality with a relaxed, informal atmosphere – the perfect combination for becoming a favourite place to return to.”
For the past eleven years, Philip and Alexandra have also been running Chalet Grumer, offering seven spacious suites surrounded by peaceful nature – an ideal retreat for anyone seeking relaxation. A few years ago, they had the opportunity to purchase the historic Stickler Farm in Oberbozen. “For us, it was the fulfilment of a dream: creating a place where both we and our guests could truly feel at home,” they say.
With his small horse breeding farm, Philip also fulfilled a childhood dream. Since 2023, together with horse therapy specialist Steffi, the lodge has been offering equine-assisted therapy. Philip is full of ideas, but his philosophy remains “step by step”, ensuring that everything is developed while maintaining the highest standards of quality.
“We have created a place where the feeling of ‘It’s wonderful to have you here’ can be experienced in every detail, and where a true sense of freedom finds a place in the hearts of our guests,” says Philip Benincà.
Arrive. Unwind. Recharge. That’s all it takes.
