What a cheese

Käsknöpfle - simply delicious!

The mere thought of this dish awakens in most Liechtensteiners the anticipation of a wonderful meal and at the same time is the basis for animated discussions. Because not all Käsknöpfle are the same. For decades, the cheese mixture of the Oehri-Biedermann family from the "Wirthschaft zum Löwen" in Hinterschellenberg has been considered particularly successful and tasty.

"The best? There is no one recipe. Some people like it this way, others like it that way. If the guests like it so much that they recommend us to others, that's praise enough for me. Satisfied guests are the best recognition. Besides, it's not "my" Käsknöpfle recipe. It comes from my wife. And she took it over from her mother, who in turn got it from her mother."

For generations, the recipe has been passed down from mother to daughter, but the ingredients and preparation have not changed since then. Why should they? People like the Käsknöpfle just the way they have been prepared for decades. Tradition obliges. A motto that should be emblazoned on the front door of the "Wirthschaft zum Löwen" in tranquil Hinterschellenberg, which opened in 1847.

The former farm, built more than 450 years ago, was lavishly and tastefully restored in 1975 and is now a listed building. The restaurant has three cozy parlors with a total of 75 seats and two terraces with another 60 seats. From the inviting, large terrace, the view sweeps over the Ruggeller Riet across to the Swiss Rhine Valley and on to Vorarlberg, the green border is visible with the naked eye. From spring to autumn, the "Löwen" is a popular stop for hikers and cyclists.

The guests most often ask for the typical "Käsknöpfle" (cheese dumplings). In addition to down-to-earth home cooking, however, the "Löwen" also offers varied, seasonal, modern fare - a balancing act between tradition and modernity. What all dishes have in common: fresh regional ingredients of the best quality, because they form the basis of the recipes and have always been a sign of solidarity with the cuisine of the region.