Rudolf “Rudi” Obauer is one half of Austria’s celebrated Obauer brothers, who together run the two-Michelin-star Restaurant-Hotel Obauer in the small Salzburg town of Werfen. For more than four decades he and his brother Karl have set the standard for modern Austrian fine dining, turning a family house at the foot of a medieval castle into one of the most admired restaurants in the country.
Rudi Obauer is known for cooking that updates Austrian tradition with creativity and precision, drawing on the produce of the surrounding alpine region. Alongside his brother, he has made Werfen an essential destination for gourmets travelling through the Salzburg countryside.
TL;DR
- Austrian chef, co-owner of Restaurant-Hotel Obauer in Werfen
- Runs the restaurant with his brother Karl Obauer since 1979
- Holds two Michelin stars and top ratings in every major guide
- Known for modern, creative reinterpretations of Austrian cuisine
- Signature dishes include trout strudel and game specialities
Rudolf Obauer key facts
| Nationality | Austrian |
| Restaurant | Restaurant-Hotel Obauer, Werfen |
| With | Brother Karl Obauer, since 1979 |
| Rating | Two Michelin stars |
| Known for | Modern Austrian cuisine |
The restaurant in Werfen
Restaurant Obauer sits in the centre of Werfen, a town in the Salzburg region best known for the dramatic Hohenwerfen Castle that overlooks it. Rudi and Karl Obauer have run the establishment since 1979, building it over the decades into one of Austria’s most decorated kitchens. The two brothers share the cooking, and their partnership has become one of the defining stories of modern Austrian gastronomy.
Cooking style
Rudi Obauer’s cuisine is rooted in classic Austrian cooking but shaped by modern influences and impeccable ingredients. The brothers are celebrated for dishes such as trout strudel with Veltliner sauce and mushroom puree, char with tomatoes and wild raspberries, and game and offal specialities like smoked deer liver with fried foie gras. Their cooking balances tradition and creativity, and their consistency year after year has earned them the highest nominations from national and international guides.
Recognition
Restaurant Obauer holds two Michelin stars and is regularly ranked among the very best restaurants in Austria. Many critics consider the Obauer brothers the most successful chefs in the country, and their work has helped shape the reputation of Austrian fine dining internationally. A new generation of the family is now involved in the restaurant’s service, ensuring the Obauer name continues.
Signature style
What distinguishes Rudi Obauer’s cooking is its combination of alpine roots and refined technique. He and Karl work with the trout, game, herbs and produce of the surrounding region, treating humble local ingredients with the seriousness of haute cuisine while retaining their honest, recognisable character. The result is a distinctly Austrian style of fine dining that feels both grounded and inventive.
Rudolf Obauer in context
Rudi Obauer is a leading figure of Austrian fine dining, working in partnership with his brother Karl Obauer and standing among the country’s top chefs alongside Thomas Dorfer.
Follow Restaurant Obauer
Restaurant-Hotel Obauer – official site
Rudolf Obauer FAQ
Who is Rudolf Obauer?
An Austrian chef and co-owner of the two-Michelin-star Restaurant Obauer in Werfen.
Who does he cook with?
His brother Karl Obauer, with whom he has run the restaurant since 1979.
How many Michelin stars does the restaurant have?
Two.
What kind of food does he cook?
Modern, creative reinterpretations of classic Austrian cuisine.
Where is the restaurant?
In Werfen, in the Salzburg region of Austria.
