Mountain Dining: Austria's Alpine Restaurant Names

Austria's mountain restaurants are known for their hearty dishes, stunning views, and warm hospitality. These rustic eateries, nestled in the country's extensive alpine pastures, offer culinary delights featuring fresh, seasonal, and locally sourced ingredients. From cheese dumplings and bacon tarts to herb-roasted beef and Kaiserschmarrn, a sweet Austrian pancake, these restaurants cater to hungry hikers and skiers looking for a tasty meal and a cosy atmosphere. With snow-capped peaks and lush valleys as their backdrop, these mountain eateries provide an authentic Austrian dining experience.

Mountain food

Mountain restaurants in Austria are known as "almhütte" and are often located in rustic mountain cabins. The food served in these restaurants is hearty and designed to fuel guests after a day of skiing or hiking in the Alps.

• Cheese Dumpling Soup —Käsenodelsuppe: Bread dumplings filled with Tyrolean grey cheese or mountain cheese, pressed flat, and fried until golden brown. They are then served in a beef broth and garnished with freshly chopped chives.
• Tarte with Bacon, Onion, and Sour Cream: The Alpine version of pizza. This dish is similar to quiche but has a pizza-like base topped with bacon, sour cream, and caramelised onions, garnished with rocket.
• Tiroler Gröstl: Bacon, onion, and potatoes fried together and served with an egg on top. It is a sharing dish that is perfect for a large group.
• Käsespäetzle: Austria's take on macaroni cheese. Käsespäetzle is made with Späetzle, a German pasta similar to macaroni or gnocchi. It is mixed with grated cheese, baked in the oven, and sprinkled with fried onion.
• Kaiserschmarrn: A sweet Austrian pancake chopped into pieces and sprinkled with icing sugar. It is served with apple sauce or plum compote and is richer and thicker than regular pancakes due to the addition of extra egg and butter.
• Kiachl: A traditional doughnut pastry fried in boiling lard and filled with cranberry jam.

In addition to these savoury dishes, there are also some unique drinks worth mentioning:

• Jägertee: A warm drink made by mixing Austrian Stroh rum, black tea, red wine, plum schnapps, orange juice, cinnamon, cloves, and lemon.
• Enzian Schnaps: An aromatic and bitter schnapps made from gentian, a plant that thrives at high altitudes.

These dishes and drinks showcase the culinary delights that Austria's mountain restaurants have to offer, combining hearty flavours with stunning natural surroundings.

Mountain cabins

Countless staffed mountain cabins are scattered across the extensive alpine pastures in Austria. These cabins are the perfect place to stay if you want to take part in farming activities, such as cheese-making, or simply enjoy the stunning views and fresh air.

What to Expect

The interiors of mountain cabins vary, but you might sleep in a room made of Austrian stone pine, relax in a private sauna, or sit together in a country-style living room. Far from the valley floor, children can enjoy the freedom to be creative and let their imaginations run wild. Tree houses, tents in the forest, archery courses, or treasure hunts are all possible here.

Food

The food served in mountain cabins is fresh, seasonal, and locally grown. You can expect to eat dishes such as:

• Cheese dumpling soup
• Tiroler Gröstl (bacon, onion, and potato)
• Käsespäetzle (Austria's take on macaroni cheese)
• Kaiserschmarrn (a sweet Austrian pancake)
• Kiachl (a traditional doughnut pastry fried in boiling lard)

Where to Find Them

When to Visit

Mountain restaurants are open all year round, but if you visit in winter, you can enjoy the peaceful silence of the snow-covered lands. Ski touring or snowshoeing trails will take you to romantic side valleys where cattle graze in summer.

Mountain restaurants

The chefs and innkeepers, known as "wirts," welcome guests with a variety of traditional dishes, including:

• Cheese dumpling soup (Käsenodelsuppe)
• Tiroler Gröstl, a bacon, onion, and potato dish
• Käsespäetzle, Austria's take on macaroni and cheese
• Kaiserschmarrn, a sweet Austrian pancake
• Kiachl, a traditional doughnut pastry

In addition to the food, mountain restaurants in Austria provide a unique opportunity to connect with nature and experience the local culture. Many of these restaurants are located in staffed mountain cabins, allowing guests to engage in farming activities and explore the surrounding alpine pastures. The crisp mountain air, stunning views, and delicious food come together to create an unforgettable dining experience.

• Hospiz Alm, St Christoph: Known for its stylish alpine atmosphere, hospitable staff, and impressive wine collection.
• Ice Q, Sölden: A futuristic glass cube mountain-top restaurant featured in a James Bond film for its breathtaking views and excellent cuisine.
• Alter Goldener Berg, Oberlech: A 500-year-old iconic inn located in a picturesque wooden chalet, offering a romantic and cosy atmosphere.
• Schaufelspitz, Stubai: This peak-top restaurant boasts impressive views, modern design, and sophisticated dishes, earning it high accolades.
• Rosi's Sonnbergstuben, Kitzbühel: Hosted by the legendary Rosi Schipflinger, this restaurant offers traditional Tyrolean dishes and a warm welcome, along with stunning views of the Kitzbühel Alps.

Mountain huts

The food served in these mountain huts is perfect for fuelling up after a tiring day of activities. The menus often feature beef, speck, and vegetables infused with mountain herbs, reflecting the region's culinary traditions. One classic dish is "Käsespätzle", Austria's take on macaroni cheese, made with German-style pasta and grated cheese, and sometimes served with sauerkraut. Another popular option is "Kaiserschmarrn", a sweet Austrian pancake chopped into pieces, sprinkled with icing sugar, and served with fruit sauces.

The hosts of these mountain huts are known as "wirts", a combination of innkeepers, hosts, and landlords. They are known for their warm and genial manner, welcoming guests to their rustic establishments, often made of wood and stone, with stunning views of the surrounding Alpine landscapes.

In addition to the food and hospitality, mountain huts in Austria also offer a range of activities for guests. Visitors can participate in farming activities, cheese-making, and butter-churning, providing a unique insight into traditional life in the mountains. The surrounding nature also lends itself to hiking, mountain biking, and paragliding, making these huts a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.

The mountain huts of Austria truly embody the country's culinary delights and hospitality, offering visitors a memorable experience amidst breathtaking Alpine scenery.

Mountain cheese

The special thing about mountain cheese is that the mountain meadow grasses and alpine herbs give the milk a particularly aromatic note and a savoury taste and intense smell. The cheese has a nutty flavour and is the perfect complement to a nice German beer.

In terms of nutrition, mountain cheese has a fat content in the dry matter of 45%, which corresponds to a 33% fat content overall.

There are several varieties of mountain cheese, including:

• Alpine cheese mild (aged 4 months)
• Alpine cheese spicy (aged 8 months)
• Alpine cheese extra spicy (aged 12 months)
• Alpine cheese special spicy (aged 16 months)

Frequently asked questions