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The gastronomic scene of Austria's westernmost provinces is as varied as its landscape: first-rate gourmet restaurants, traditional inns, rustic local taverns, as well as international chains and ethnic cuisine are all part of the mix. In small towns throughout the region restaurants are often the dining rooms of country inns, and there are plenty of these. Austria used to have a reputation for substantial but stereotypical dishes of meat, dumplings and sauerkraut, but things have changed considerably. Gourmet meals are available at many wonderful restaurants, often at much more reasonable prices than is typical of Europe’s high-class dining scene. That said, in many villages you’ll find inns catering largely to local farm workers, where the old favorites are still the order of the day—prepare to be filled rather than thrilled.
Most hotel restaurants will be closed in the off-season, usually November and April. In ski season breakfast is typically served early enough for you to hit the slopes in good time, and dinner is timed so that exhausted skiers can get an early night in preparation for the next day.
Restaurants range from grand-hotel dining salons to little Wirtshäuser, rustic restaurants where you can enjoy hearty local specialties such as Tyroler Gröstl (a skillet dish made of ham or pork, potatoes, and onions, with caraway seeds, paprika and parsley), Knödel (dumpling) soup, or Schweinsbraten (roast pork with sauerkraut), while sitting on highly polished (and rather hard) wooden seats. Don't forget to enjoy some of the fine Innsbruck coffeehouses, famous for their scrumptious cakes and cappuccino.
One of Innsbruck's go-to gourmet experiences—its 14 Gault Millau points are a fine endorsement—this restaurant in the heart of the old town is known for its obsession with using local ingredients as much as possible, with absolutely no artificial additives. Details of suppliers, farms, and even local hunting grounds for the game on the menu are available for perusal. The interior is modern and the atmosphere is trendy.
In the small village of Aurach about 5 km (3 miles) south of Kitzbühel, Hallerwirt is known for its great Austrian cuisine and charm. Old wooden floors and a ceramic stove in the parlor lend a period flair to this 400-year-old farmhouse. A colorful mix of people gathers here, and young and old enjoy the easygoing vibe. The congenial hosts, Monika and Jürgen Stelzhammer, take time to give everyone some good wine suggestions. The friendly staff serves specialties such as Jerusalem artichoke soup and fillet of lamb.
This little restaurant's location on the seventh floor of the chic Rathausgalerie is as lofty as its reputation. The entire restaurant is encased in glass, providing you with sensational views of the Old City, and thanks to the creative menu, it has gained the reputation of one of Innbruck's best hidden gems. The kitchen offers captivating dishes made from fresh local ingredients. The menu changes often and the desserts are especially good.
If you're not lucky enough to get dinner reservations, score a table at the adjacent Caffee Lichtblick 360.
Stylishly modern, with a functional yet intimate atmosphere, Sitzwohl has built up a solid reputation for superb cuisine, with an emphasis on Mediterranean and Tyrolean dishes. Chanterelle mushroom stew with dumplings or black gnocchi with wild salmon and fennel are favorites here. Lunchtime service is quick and efficient for business diners, but the evenings are more relaxed. In addition, chutneys, jams, and soups are available from the attached deli.
Expect elegant dress and quiet conversations at this high-class restaurant, where Johannes Denk and his creative team have been awarded 17 Gault Millau points and previously held a Michelin star. Freshly picked herbs from the garden accompany almost every dish, from soup to sorbet, and imaginative dishes might include rainbow trout paired with a pig's trotter. Local game is a passion, and food and wine are presented by well-trained, white-gloved staff in one of the four cozy parlors that make up the Kupferstube. Menus range from four courses (€120) to seven courses (€185).
With fine views of the city, an atmospheric bar, and veranda and garden for summer dining, this is one of Innsbruck's most exquisite restaurants. Housed in a former imperial hunting lodge across the River Inn from the city center, it has been earning fine-dining accolades since 1899, thanks to a menu that features Austrian staples with a sophisticated twist. The two-course business lunch is a great way to experience the menu at a reasonable price, with options like Viennese goulash with fried egg or bouillabaisse with garlic bread. The evening menus are always a surprise, with dishes decided by the chef that same day.
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