Torkel

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

Torkel

In the princely Herawingert vineyard north of Vaduz, a medieval wine press house has been transformed into a restaurant that feels both ancient and utterly contemporary. The building, which has belonged to the House of Liechtenstein since 1712, was originally used for vinifying the estate’s grapes. In the 1960s it became a restaurant, and in 2021 a sensitive renovation by architect Bruno Huber opened up the veranda, drawing the surrounding vineyard into the dining room. The result is a space where the landscape and the large, sculptural Torkel tree inside meet in quiet dialogue.

Since 1985, the Berger family has steered this Vaduz institution, with Ivo Berger taking over in 2014. A seventh-generation innkeeper, Berger trained in the grand hotels of Bad Ragaz and later opened his own restaurant in Pfäffikon SZ before returning to his family’s legacy. His kitchen practices a refined modern cuisine, one that earned Torkel a Michelin star for high-quality cooking. The menu changes with the season, and the wine list draws naturally from the surrounding vineyards—an interesting selection that complements the food without fuss.

Torkel is also a place for gatherings: private parties, events, and occasional wine-and-dine evenings with celebrated châteaux are part of its rhythm. The atmosphere is welcoming, with outdoor seating for warmer months and wheelchair access throughout. It’s a restaurant that wears its history lightly, letting the medieval walls and the modern plates speak for themselves.