Where to Eat in Tirol: My 33 Favourite Inns & Restaurants

Setting the criteria for my personal “best of” list was the easy bit. I’ve eaten my way around the country—and anywhere I felt compelled to revisit again and again was instantly in. I always loved classic Tirolean cuisine, long before the “slow food” and farm-to-table movements became popular. To me, Tirol serves up some of the best, and freshest, food in the world and there’s an endless selection of delicious meals prepared with local ingredients. However, in the list below you’ll find it all, from seasoned stalwarts never falling out of fashion to tasty newcomers doing bold new things in the kitchen, such as sous-vide or vacuum cooking. All restaurants listed are brandishing the “Tiroler Wirtshaus” (“Tirolean Inn”) logo, indicating locally grown produce on their menus, and all are owner-operated; many owners are chefs by the way. What they all have in common is that they serve some of the best dishes in Tirol at fair prices, with service befitting the setting. In short, if you’re looking for a great meal, you’ve come to the right place.

By the way, the descriptions are all divided up neatly from west to east (Außerfern, Tirol Oberland, Inntal, Unterland, and East Tirol)

1. Wirtshaus Rimmelstube, Berwang

Meat, meat, meat—and mouth-watering farm-to-fork experiences! Locally raised lamb, game and air-cured specialties are the kitchen’s calling card.

The natural setting offers a true Tirol experience.  http://www.rimmlstube.at/

2. Gasthof Kreuz, Rieden (near Reutte)

Serving a traditional Goose Day dinner, sourced from neighbouring Allgäu Region. Organic, sustainable, and unforgettable, they have created a new twist on the traditional goose dinner.

http://www.tiroler-wirtshaus.at/tiroler-wirtshaus.html?innID=109

3. Gasthof Der Stern, Steeg

The dedicated and innovative chefs serve excellent products from the dairy in Steeg, where artisan cheese is crafted with milk from pastured dairy cows. The inn is an exceedingly charming venue, one you will want to revisit again and again.

http://www.gasthof-stern.at/

4. Hotel Tannenhof, Ischgl

Sourcing the best locally produced and delicate Paznaun Alpine Cheese; cheese and leek filled pastry and excellent veal are their house specialities.

http://www.tannenhof-ischgl.com/

5. Gasthaus Traube, Pfunds

The new has grown around the old to create a very special place. The innkeepers started out with a vision to bring locally sourced, innovative cuisine to Pfunds, with new renditions on old classics.

http://www.traube-pfunds.at/

6. Gasthof Berghof, Pfunds

A special recommendation!

Beautiful location and wonderful cuisine. Wild game meats, ‘Kalbsbeuschl‘, a traditional dish of veal offal, and raspberry ice cream are the specialties on the menu.

They serve milk and cheese from a pastured dairy cow.

The owners are a family of mountain guides who offer guided herb walks. A great place to spend the night and indulge in culinary excellence.

http://www.berghof-pfunds.com/

7. Hotel Gasthof Lammwirt, Jerzens

Specialty wild game meats and ‘Kalbsbeuschl‘, a traditional dish of veal offal. The owner is a passionate hunter himself.

http://www.lammwirt.com/

8. Restaurant Alt Längenfeld, Längenfeld

Meat comes from their own butcher’s shop, specialising in locally farmed high quality meats.

9. Gasthof Neurauter, Hatting

If it’s classic, down home Tirolean fare you’re after, this is your place. Ideally located on the Inntal Cycle Path.

http://www.gasthof-neurauter.at/

10. Restaurant Forellenhof, Leutasch

You’ll hear locals sing the praises of this local gem for its local fish dishes (char and trout), sourced locally from Leutasch Fishery. Fish is cooked sous-vide, making it extremely juicy and tender.

http://www.forellen-hof.at/

11. Gasthof Kühtaierhof, Leutasch

What a picture postcard place! Specialty wild game meats and a variety of products grown or raised right here on the farm are on the menu.

Specializing in classical cuisine. Serving the best Kaiserschmarren in the country, a fluffy shredded pancake (supported by a guest book entry of Tirol’s Provincial Governor).

12. Gasthof Hirschen, Reith bei Seefeld

Fine dining restaurant located directly on the main road. Behind the unassuming frontage, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to discover a warm and inviting place that serves excellent food.

http://www.gasthof-hirschen.com/

13. Triendlsäge, Seefeld

A wonderful inn that serves up hearty Tirolean specialties (try their dumplings!) on the outskirts of Seefeld. Triendlsäge provides the perfect rest stops for hikers in the summer and in the winter.

http://www.triendlsaege.at/index.php/de/

14. Gasthof Gröbenhof, Fulpmes

Serves the finest Tirolean cuisine for miles around, with dedicated and impeccable service befitting the picture-postcard setting.

http://www.groebenhof.at/

15. Gasthof Post, Hinterriss

A lovely inn situated at the heart of Karwendel Alpine Park. Fish caught straight from their own pond and specialty wild game meats are the kitchen’s calling card. Strongly recommended: visit in fall and take a walk to nearby Großer Ahornboden, a plateau that is dotted by centuries-old sycamore maples. In autumn, this majestic scenery turns ablaze with fall foliage colours in a most breathtaking fashion

http://www.post-hinterriss.info/

16. Gasthof Schloss Mitterhart, Vomp bei Schwaz

Located inside the Mitterhart Castle, the inn showcases locally inspired dishes and innovative classics in a warm and inviting setting. Make sure to sit in the magnificent garden in the summer. Moreover, the castle is located on the Inntal Cycle Path, making it a perfect rest stop for cyclists.

http://www.schloss-mitterhart.at/wp/

17. Gasthof Post, Strass im Zillertal

Situated at the entrance to Zillertal Valley, this country inn welcomes you to settle in and try a few new flavours. It is run by a family who owns a farm, and you can bet freshness is paramount here.

http://www.gopost.at/

18. Gasthof Karlsteg, Ginzling – Zillertal

Contemporary regional cuisine is crafted from the finest and freshest local ingredients. Served at what is considered the perfect base for exploring the Berlin High Trail. But maybe you just want to stay a little bit longer, indulging in the excellent food.

http://www.karlsteg.at/

19. Gasthof Dorfwirt, Wiesing (near Jenbach)

A classic Tirolean Inn that offers honest homemade food in a simple laid back atmosphere. An ideal destination for a cycling trip.

20. Gasthaus Roßmoos, Alpbach

The owners run a farm, and you can bet they are using the best ingredients found right here. Dining here on the outdoor patio at sunset, when the Alpenglow has the peaks aflame with orange light, creates memories that will stay with you forever. A place where you’ll occasionally spot celebrities, especially during the days of the European Forums Alpbach.

http://www.rossmoos.at/

21. Vorderkaiserfelden Hütte, Kufstein/Ebbs

A gentle climb across scenic Kaisertal Valley—and the efforts are highly rewarded with superb dumplings or juicy Tirol Grey Alpine Steer steaks served at this cosy cabin.

http://www.vorderkaiserfelden.com/

22. Gasthof Tiroler Hof, Kufstein

It’s not in the most beautiful location, but the food here is adorable. This is where I have had the best broth with liver dumplings. Ever.

http://www.tirolerhof-kufstein.at/

23. Gasthaus Auracher Löchl, Kufstein

Few lodging properties can match up to the long pedigree of “Auracher Löchl”. Savour the taste and variety of their hearty fare, served in quaint parlours.

http://www.auracher-loechl.at/

24. Gasthof Alpenhof, Walchsee

My number one restaurant for refined Tirolean cuisine at Kaiserwinkl Region, located in Walchsee.

 25. Alpengasthaus Stallhäusl, Söll

A simple and quaint inn, serving a delicious variety of homemade pastries and local specialties such as “Brodakrapfen”, dumplings and “Schlutzkrapfen”.

http://www.stallhaeusl.at/

26. Berggasthaus Staudachstub’n, Kirchberg

Located in the outskirts of Kirchberg in a sunny foothill location, this mountain inn is run by a family who owns a farm and raises Highland cattle. They create some serious flavours and incredible dishes with the best local ingredients, including wonderful herbs and high quality beef.

http://www.tiroler-wirtshaus.at/tiroler-wirtshaus.html?innID=153

27. Alpengasthaus Stangl Alm, Oberndorf

Situated at Kitzbühel Horn Peak, offering stunning views of the scenic environs. Their worth-the-drive specialties include Cordon Bleu Tirol-style (filled with grey cheese and bacon) and mouth-watering strudels and pies.

http://stanglalm.wordpress.com/

28. Gasthof Neuwirt, Kirchdorf     

You will find this amazing inn in the outskirts of Kirchdorf. I love their “Melzergulasch” and wild game dishes.

http://www.neuwirt-tirol.net/

29. Brennhütte, Waidring

A cozy cabin and mountain dining in style – open during the warm summer months only. Wood-oven cooked Kaiserschmarren and Schnitzel are just a few of the treats that await you here, up on the mountain.

30. Gasthof Bärenbichl, Jochberg

“Moosbeernocken”, a delicious dessert of wild-growing mountain blueberries in a pancake-like form, is their house specialty, along with classic dishes prepared with the finest ingredients.

http://members.aon.at/aaufschn/

31. Gaskogelhütte, Westendorf

A day spent playing in the great outdoors of Inner Windautal Valley calls for a hearty, soul-warming meal. That’s where the rustic Gaskogelhütte comes in. Wild game is a must-taste!

http://gamskogelhuette.com/

 32. Gasthof Islitzer, Prägraten am Großvenediger

Uniquely situated and famous for wild game and lamb specialties, Islitzer Inn’s natural setting offers a true East Tirol experience.

http://www.islitzer.at/new/

33. Naturhotel Gasthof Tandler, St. Jakob i. Defereggental

Another wonderful inn in beautiful East Tirol that features locally inspired dishes and mountain-infused fare.

http://www.tandler.at/