One table · many stations · to share
Tavolata in Klagenfurt
The tavolata is Italy at its loveliest: one long table, many bowls and stations, everyone shares. Instead of a fixed menu the food travels across the table – sociable, generous and easy-going. Ideal for larger groups who want to spend a whole evening together, with no order slips and no rush. At our place by the Kreuzbergl there's exactly the room for it.
What is a tavolata?
Food that brings people together
“Tavolata” comes from the Italian tavola, the table – and means just that: a big, set table you stay seated at for hours. Instead of everyone ordering their own plate, the food arrives in bowls and on platters in the middle. You pass it around, help yourself, try a bit of everything. Anyone who has been a guest at a large Italian family knows the feeling: nobody eats on their own, the whole table eats together.
In Italy the tavolata is less a particular dish than a way of eating. It belongs to festivals, long Sundays and summer evenings, when neighbours and relatives gather around a single long table – sometimes right in the middle of the village street, sometimes in the courtyard under the vines. The appeal isn't the individual course but the abundance and the pace: there's no cue for “main course now”, the food simply keeps coming as long as the group is seated.
That's exactly the feeling we bring to your celebration. Nobody has to work through a menu beforehand, nobody waits for the last person to order – you sit down, and the table fills up. That takes any stiffness out of the evening: conversations strike up across the bowls, neighbours swap recommendations, and even a big, mixed group quickly clicks.
With us the tavolata comes as a generous sharing buffet with stations – perfect for birthdays, company events and family gatherings from around 15 guests.
Buffet & stations
Sharing buffet “Tavolata”
from €45 pp · from 15 guests
- Generous antipasti buffet
- Pizza & pasta to share
- Fish & meat stations
- Dessert buffet
We agree the finer details – exact stations, drinks, special requests – with you personally after your enquiry.
How it works
A tavolata with us – step by step
A tavolata thrives on a certain crowd. From around 15 guests the long table really comes into its own – at the upper end, groups of up to about 80 celebrate with us. To keep the evening running smoothly, we plan the buffet together with you in advance, rather than ordering individually à la carte at the table. That way the kitchen is prepared and you don't have to worry about a thing.
- You tell us the occasion, preferred date and approximate number of guests – we suggest suitable stations and a flow for the evening.
- We agree the selection: which antipasti, which pasta and pizza, whether a fish or meat station, plus the dessert buffet. We note any special requests and intolerances as we go.
- On the night the long table is set and ready; the food comes in bowls and across stations to share in the middle.
- Nobody orders individually: you eat together and at your own pace, from the antipasti to the dolci.
For larger celebrations you can pre-select the courses with your group – after your enquiry we send you a personal menu-selection link, where each guest can enter their choice and any allergies directly. That way the kitchen knows exactly what to expect on the night, and you have one less thing to organise.
A tavolata suits almost any occasion with a larger group: milestone birthdays and family celebrations, company and team events, or simply a long evening among friends. You'll find an overview of all packages and the enquiry form on the Celebrations & groups page.
In the mood for company?
Your own tavolata or a public evening
You can enquire about your own tavolata for the group – or join one of our tavolata and sharing evenings when one is coming up. In fine weather the table moves outside to the pond; just note that in your enquiry and we'll keep the right area free for you. Inside or out, the same holds true: one table, many hands, one long evening.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions about the tavolata
From how many guests is it a group?
From around 8 guests we are happy to plan a shared menu or buffet. Smaller groups are of course welcome à la carte too.
How large can our celebration be?
We host celebrations of up to around 80 guests. To keep everything running smoothly at that size, large groups dine from a shared set menu instead of à la carte – we put it together with you in advance.
Can we reserve the terrace at the pond?
In fine weather, gladly. Just note in your enquiry that you'd like to sit outside and we'll keep the right area for you.
Is a deposit required?
From 9 guests a deposit of €15 per person is required. It secures your booking and is fully credited towards your bill during your visit. You'll receive the bank details by email once we've fixed the details together. If you cancel at least 48 hours before the date, the deposit is refunded or, if you prefer, issued as a voucher. Please let us know the expected number of guests about 7 days in advance; you can adjust the exact number up to 1 day before – after that it is binding, and for guests missing at short notice the deposit may be retained proportionally.
How quickly will we hear back?
Right after submitting you'll get a confirmation by email. We personally get back to you, usually within one to two days, with a proposal.
Reserve the long table
Tell us what you're celebrating, for when and for how many – we'll usually get back to you within one to two days with a concrete proposal for your tavolata. No obligation, and without having to settle every detail just yet.