Go beyond the stunning alpine-urban adventures in the Innsbruck region, and you’ll find an opportunity to step into a rich culinary landscape, which is gaining ground as a place of discovery for foodies looking for unique inspiration.
From quaint cafés to farm-fresh produce, the Capital of the Alps offers an array of culinary delights inspired by the natural environment for foodies to enjoy.
Innsbruck Tourism’s Marketing Manager, Colette Verra, said: “Travellers might be surprised to know that Innsbruck offers much more than an adventure holiday. The city is full of culture and adorned with cafes and restaurants, perfect for a foodies’ holiday.
“The region offers everything from culinary tours to fresh mountain fish and the chance to taste locally made Tyrolean alcohol.
“It’s also a well-connected destination, with excellent public transport links between the different locations, and the airport is just a 10-minute bus ride to the city.”
Highlights of the Innsbruck region’s foodie experience include;
Fish dishes served in the mountains
While the Innsbruck region is surrounded by mountains and the sea is a long way off, it is gaining increasing recognition as the home of fish dishes that rival those of its coastal counterparts.
The proof is in the dish, with restaurants such as Schwarzfischer in Stams being awarded a ‘toque’ by the gourmet guide Gault&Millau for their meals, which include ingredients from cold mountain streams around this upper part of the Inn Valley.
Guests can also try their hand with rod and line, either in the adjacent fishpond at Schwarzfischer, or at the Geroldsmühle in Götzens – and there’s an opportunity to taste trout from the Bergoase Forellenhof restaurant’s fish stocks in Haggen.
Wine with a view
Wine is an essential element of the Innsbruck experience, and visiting the picturesque Romasi winery in Hatting is a highlight for enthusiasts.
With rows of vines snaking along the surrounding hills, the site has an Italian feel. Still, this Tyrolean winery is quintessentially Austrian, forming part of the estate on the mountain above the village of Hatting.
In this stunning location, the winery, located 20 kilometers west of Innsbruck on a small plateau, produces and presses its wines from the grapes grown there.
The Innsbruck region is also proud of its local craft of schnapps production.
Sites include Friedrich Mair’s distillery in Flaurling, based on a farm where the owner paints his own bottles, and a distillery belonging to the Draxl family in Inzing, which offers interesting insights into the production methods honed in the region over generations.
Coffee culture and market memories
Coffee connoisseurs will love Brennpunkt on Innsbruck’s “Arch Mile,” known for its organic, fair-trade coffee. Another spot to enjoy premium beans is Thomas Hofer’s delicatessen in Telfs, offering sustainable coffee varieties.
And for travelers who prefer to self-cater when on holiday, visiting a local farmer’s market will elevate your cooking with locally produced fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as meats, cheese, and honey. Markets are held Monday to Saturday at the city’s Market Hall and monthly in Axams from April to November.
Foodies on tour
Innsbruck offers a range of food tours to get the most out of your visit. The Culinary Craft Tours provide insights into local breweries, cocktail bars, and vegan restaurants, while the Innsbruck Food Tour lets you sample Tyrolean specialties while learning about the region’s history.
There’s also a chance to engage younger people in food provenance, with the Kofele’s educational bee trail on the Patscherkofel mountain offering children and visitors of all ages the opportunity to learn about bee welfare and understand how to make Alpine rose honey, which is used in various dishes at Das Kofel restaurant and at the Hochmahdalm mountain inn.
To fully enjoy the region’s culinary delights, visitors are recommended to check the opening times and availability of restaurants and offers in advance.
More details at www.innsbruck.info/essen-und-trinken.html.
Innsbruck Tourism’s Welcome Card, which provides a stay of at least two nights at selected partner hotels and accommodations, includes free public transport in the region and discounts on cultural attractions.
Direct flights to Innsbruck are available from major airports across the UK.
