A TASTE OF TIROL
Breathtaking mountainscapes, epic slopes and top-quality produce – the Austrian Tirol is a natural wonderland. We’ve got you covered with authentic places to stop for an Alpine feast
In this corner of western Austria, nature comes first. Cows graze on meadows of heather, lush forests provide wild herbs and azure lakes are teeming with fish – and, as small farms prioritise quality and sustainable agriculture, the phrase ‘farm-to-table’ is taken to another level here. Many mountain huts and restaurants showcase their passion for local produce under the Tiroler Wirtshauskultur initiative, fusing traditional decor with authentic cuisine year-round. With winter around the corner, it’s time to dust off your skiing gear and fuel up on the best of Tirol.
Kick off your gourmet travels in quaint St Johann, where family-run Angerer Alm angereralm.at serve classy Alpine dishes by the fireplace, with standout mountain panoramas from their terrace at the top of the Harschbichlbahn. Expect local venison, herbs straight from the garden, excellent wine and a great night’s sleep in rustic, wood-clad rooms. Views of a similar calibre await at Gipfelalm Hohe Salve hohe-salve.at the highest revolving restaurant in Austria. Their bacon-filled knödel are a must before you set off to conquer the SkiWelt slopes below.
If Kaltenbach, Hochfügen-Hochzillertal or Zell am Ziller are on your agenda, make a pit stop in Stumm im Zillertal at 500-yearold Landgasthof Linde landgasthof-linde.at for hyper-sustainable fare. A homely atmos of history awaits at Sigwart’s Tiroler Weinstuben tiroler-weinstuben.at in Brixlegg too – a community hub since 1774, it’s a stone’s throw from the pistes of Ski Juwel and ranks high in the Gault&Millau restaurant guide. Don’t miss smoked trout with organic cucumber and horseradish.
Further west, tucked between 13 ski resorts, sits Innsbruck’s Old Town. A seasonal menu at Die Wilderin diewilderin.at puts warming, modern twists on traditional Austrian plates to the fore – steak tartare, cheese platters and plum crumble are top picks.
Over in St Anton you’ll find Verwallstube verwallstube.at towering over the slopes at an impressive 2,085m elevation. Sunsets over the Arlberg massif come with live piano soundtracks, award-winning wines and seafood specials worthy of another of the Gault&Millau‘s restaurant recommendations.
Wherever your trip takes you, keep an eye out for the Bewusst Tirol sign in hotels and restaurants – it guarantees use of the freshest, highest-quality ingredients. To find out more and start planning, head over to visittirol.co.uk