The capital of Tyrol uniquely combines traditional Austrian cuisine with modern cuisine and international influences. Whether in rustic inns serving hearty Tyrolean specialties or in elegant restaurants serving innovative haute cuisine – our restaurant tips for Innsbruck offer the right culinary experience for every taste and every occasion.
From hearty delicacies to sweet temptations, the restaurant scene in the Alpine metropolis combines tradition, regionality and creativity.
Ottoburg Castle is located at the entrance to the historic old town of Innsbruck. In 1497, the later Emperor Maximilian I lent this building to Prince Rudolf of Anhalt-Bernburg, who used it as a residential building. After his death, the building was used by bourgeois owners.
The building has 4-5 storeys and a polygonal floor plan. A bay window was once the connection to the city wall and the Inntor. From the outside, the 90 red-white-red wooden shutters are particularly eye-catching and make the tower a striking landmark in the city.
Today, the Ottoburg is home to a restaurant called “Ottoburg”, one of the most traditional restaurant tips for Innsbruck. Typical Tyrolean cuisine and Austrian specialties are served here. In good weather, you can sit out on the large terrace. The differently furnished parlors in the restaurant are particularly beautiful. These are located on the different floors of the tower, are very cozy and some offer a great view of the old town.
We enjoyed our dinner on the terrace in pleasant temperatures. Patrick chose the cheese spaetzle with fried onions and a side salad. A huge portion with great little spaetzle that tasted excellent. I had homemade Schlutzkrapfen with potato and spinach filling in brown butter and a little parmesan. Even though there was a little too much butter on the plate for my taste, I loved the dish! Wonderfully balanced flavors, the Schlutzkrapfen had a pleasant bite and the filling was perfect.
We enjoyed it and we can recommend the Ottoburg!
Address
Herzog-Friedrich-Straße 1, 6020 Innsbruck, Österreich
FRANZS Bier + Bar + Beisl
In the heart of Innsbruck’s old town is another restaurant tip for Innsbruck, the “Franzs”. Here, everything revolves around beer, bar and hearty food.
The selection of beers is very good. There are beers from various suppliers, for example from Salzburg and Bavaria. I chose a 4.8% Obertrumer Märzen from the Salzburg region. A full-bodied beer that went perfectly with my beer snack consisting of chips, chicken fingers and baked mushrooms.
Patrick opted for a schnitzel with potato salad, accompanied by a wheat beer from Wildbräu in the Munich region.
We ended the day comfortably on the terrace.
Address:
Herzog-Friedrich-Straße 11, 6020 Innsbruck
Strudel paradise in the Tyrolean Alps: Strudelcafé Kröll in Innsbruck
The Strudelcafé Kröll is an institution in Innsbruck and a must for anyone who wants to experience Austria’s culinary tradition at its best.
For years, this café has been enchanting locals and tourists alike with its unique selection of savory and sweet strudel varieties.
The secret of the strudels at Café Kröll lies in the perfect craftsmanship and the use of regional and fresh ingredients. Each strudel is made by hand, the dough is rolled out so thinly that you can almost see through it – an art that has been practiced by the Kröll family for generations. The fillings are rich and perfectly balanced in taste, so that every bite is an experience.
The Strudelcafé Kröll is known for its sweet strudels, which are prepared according to traditional recipes. The aroma of freshly baked strudel that fills the premises is hard to resist. The classic par excellence is the apple strudel, filled with juicy apples, cinnamon, raisins and a pinch of vanilla, wrapped in wafer-thin, crispy strudel dough.
Guests can choose between the classic version with powdered sugar or a creamy vanilla sauce – a must for every visit to Kröll. But Kröll doesn’t just serve the classics. Creative sweet variations such as curd cheese strudel, filled with fine quark and refined with lemon zest, or the tempting chocolate and banana strudel also delight connoisseurs who like to experiment. The winter poppy seed strudel, filled with an intensely aromatic poppy seed filling and rounded off with a hint of rum, is particularly popular in the colder months. If you can’t make up your mind, simply order the Strudel Tris. Here you are served 3 different sweet strudels and are sure to find your favorite.
In addition to the sweet temptations, Strudelcafé Kröll also offers an impressive selection of savory strudel variations that show that strudel doesn’t just have to be a dessert. Particularly noteworthy is the spinach and feta strudel, in which spicy feta cheese and fresh spinach leaves come together in perfect harmony. For meat lovers, there is the Tyrolean bacon and cheese strudel, filled with tangy mountain cheese and regional bacon – a tribute to Tyrolean cuisine. Vegetarians get their money’s worth with variations such as the vegetable and herb strudel, which combines seasonal vegetables and fresh herbs. Here, too, you have the opportunity to try different variations of a Strudel Tris.
After trying six different strudels, we decided for ourselves – savory strudels are nice, sweet strudels are simply a hit! We would always prefer sweet strudel.
Address
Hofgasse 6, 6020 Innsbruck
Tomaselli Gelateria: A slice of Italian dolce vita in Innsbruck
Since it was founded, Gelateria Tomaselli has firmly established itself in the hearts of Innsbruck locals and their guests. What sets the Tomaselli ice cream parlor apart is its love of craftsmanship. Here, ice cream is made according to genuine Italian recipes: without artificial additives and with the greatest care in the selection of ingredients. The result is an ice cream that not only impresses with its creaminess, but also with its intense and authentic flavors.
Gelateria Tomaselli focuses on quality and regionality – without forgetting its Italian roots. The milk and cream used for the creamy varieties come from Tyrolean farms. Sugar is used sparingly to bring out the natural flavors of the ingredients. Only sun-ripened fruit is used for the fruity sorbets, which vary depending on the season.
The highlight of Gelateria Tomaselli is its large selection of flavors, which includes both classics and unusual creations. In addition to traditional flavors such as stracciatella, pistachio and dark chocolate, there are also innovative and seasonal combinations such as lemon-basil and blueberry-yogurt. Every week there is a very special ice cream flavor to match the season. So it’s worth popping in from time to time to enjoy the ice cream. It really tastes fantastic!
Address
Maria-Theresien-Straße 27, 6020 Innsbruck
Eisgrotte
There are many small ice cream parlors in Innsbruck. During a stroll through the city, I was overcome by an ice cream craving and so we took a short break at the ice cream grotto. Here you can not only get an “ice cream to go”, but also order ice cream sundaes. When we looked at the tables of other guests, these looked very good and, above all, very substantial.
We opted for the “to go” version and chose scoops in paper cups. I would describe the selection of flavors as fairly standard. From vanilla to chocolate, there are the most popular ice cream flavors. Our selection was tasty, but not exceptional. However, the price-performance ratio was good!
Address
Burggraben 23, 6020 Innsbruck
A piece of living history in the heart of Innsbruck: Café Central
Café Central in Innsbruck is much more than just a café – it is an institution and a place where tradition and modernity blend elegantly and is certainly one of the best-known restaurant tips for Innsbruck. Since its beginnings in 1876, Café Central has developed into one of the city’s best-known meeting places. Today, after more than 130 years of living tradition, it invites you to linger with its incomparable Viennese coffee house flair, its central location and exquisite cuisine.
The history of Café Central began in 1876, when Johann Grabhofer opened the doors of what was then known as “Café Grabhofer” for the first time. A few years later, the café was renamed “Café Central”, a name that still stands for upscale coffee house culture today. The café soon attracted writers, artists, students and travelers – a reflection of Innsbruck’s diversity and openness. Even historical anecdotes, such as that of the Serbian medical student Milos Stankovic, who allegedly discussed his plans to assassinate the heir to the Austrian throne here in 1913, have their place in the eventful history of the establishment. Over the decades, the café has experienced many ups and downs – from its use as a French headquarters after the Second World War to plans to convert it into a bank or a department store temple, right through to its stylish restoration in the 1980s. But one thing has always remained the same: Café Central was and is a place of encounter and inspiration.
In addition to its impressive history, Café Central also offers culinary delights of the highest order. Whether it’s a quick “Verlängerter” in the morning or an extended breakfast, the quality and variety of the cuisine is impressive. Daily specials from the lunch menu, fine evening menus until 8 p.m. or small snacks for in between – every guest will find the right offer here. In the summer months, two large terraces invite you to enjoy the sun and watch the hustle and bustle of Innsbruck. Café Central is a real treat for coffee lovers. With an impressive selection of coffee specialties, every wish is fulfilled here. The ambience of the old Viennese coffee house, coupled with the friendly attention of the staff, makes every visit an experience.
Of course we had to try one of the typical Austrian dishes here – the strudel! Apple strudel and curd cheese strudel were both delicious.
However, Café Central is not only a place for good food and excellent coffee, but also a cultural meeting place. From October to April, guests can listen to the sounds of a pianist every Sunday evening from 18:30 to 20:30 – a tribute to the rich musical tradition of Vienna and Innsbruck. And during the summer months, the café with its outdoor areas becomes a favorite spot for tourists and locals alike.
Address
Gilmstraße 5, 6020 Innsbruck
The Bergisel cake from Innsbruck: a sweet work of art with Alpine flair
The restaurant at the famous Bergisel ski jump serves the Bergisel cake. This special cake combines alpine inspiration with modern confectionery art and is a must for every gourmet visiting Innsbruck.
Bergisel, a place steeped in history in Innsbruck, is not only known for the freedom fights led by Andreas Hofer, but also for the iconic Bergisel ski jump, designed by star architect Zaha Hadid. This impressive ski jump attracts athletes and spectators from all over the world every year and offers breathtaking views over the city and the Alps.
In the Bergiselschanze restaurant, you can not only enjoy the outstanding view of Innsbruck or watch the ski jumpers, you can also enjoy the Bergisel cake. It consists of butter pastry, curd cheese, chocolate, Williams pear and bacon. The cake is shaped like a ski jump.
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