Obauer Brothers to Close Celebrated Austrian Restaurant After 47 Years

Falstaff magazine once described their enduring success as an "almost incomparable success story in the art of cooking." The Obauers were named "Chefs of the Year" in 2011 and "Chefs of the Decade" for 2004–2013.

Legacy of Excellence

The Obauer restaurant in Werfen, Salzburg, has consistently ranked among the world’s best. In the 2026 Michelin Guide for Austria, it held two stars, while Gault Millau awarded it 19 out of 20 points and five hauben. Falstaff included it in its list of Austria’s 100-point restaurants, and La Liste ranked it among the top 50 globally.

In a past interview with KURIER, Rudi Obauer reflected on their philosophy: "We have proven over decades that good cuisine is something completely normal." Yet he noted that some first-time guests still remarked, "It’s just normal here," underscoring their unpretentious approach to fine dining.

The brothers attributed their retirement to age, stating they would "step into so-called retirement for reasons of age." Their departure marks the end of an era that shaped Austria’s culinary landscape.