Experience Hötting: Culinary delights above the rooftops of the city

08 September 2025

Post originally written in: Deutsch

Anyone visiting our Tyrolean capital is sure to visit the Golden Roof and the beautiful old town, stroll through the narrow streets, perhaps climb the city tower and let their gaze wander over the rooftops and the surrounding mountains. You will realize that Innsbruck has so much more to offer than the small, charming old town. There are many other parts of the city to explore - and I would like to introduce you to one of them today, at least in culinary terms: Hötting. We stop off at two traditional inns, where real Austrian home cooking is served - hearty, honest and just right after an excursion.

Hötting is a kingdom - surrounded by Austria

My article will be about really good food - I promise! But before we start, I'd like to give you a brief introduction to Hötting. Hötting is one of Innsbruck's oldest districts, picturesquely situated at the foot of the Nordkette situated. Alongside the district of Wilten, Hötting has the oldest traces of human settlement in the area that is now Innsbruck. In the past, it was a farming village in which viticulture, mining (silver, copper, lead, galmei) and the milling trade also played an important role. To this day, Hötting has retained its village character and, for me, is one of the most charming parts of Innsbruck.

Where tradition meets panorama: the Höttinger Schießstand

On the edge of the forest, above the rooftops of Innsbruck, is the Höttinger Schießstand. As part of my research for this blog post, I was a guest here for the first time. Even from the outside, the Höttinger Schießstand looks super inviting - firstly because of the aforementioned dream location with a view of the opposite Patscherkofel and the majestic Serles, and secondly because of its rustic appearance. The place reminds me of a mixture of farmhouse and mountain hut. First impression: really positive - so I'm looking forward to the food.

A piece of Tyrol on your plate

The menu includes typical Tyrolean classics such as sour Graukas, sour sausage, dumpling variations and Wiener schnitzel. I can highly recommend the latter - not from my own experience, as I am a vegetarian and ordered a delicious dumpling duo, but on the recommendation of my husband. He was not only impressed by the impressive size, but also by the taste. So the price-performance ratio is right! But what would a meal be without a crowning finale? My recommendation: For dessert, we share a delicious Straube with Nutella - super tasty, something different and a great alternative to cake, pancakes and the like.

Good food has to be earned

But let's be honest: food tastes even better when you've earned it first. So it's perfect that the shooting range is not only a place to stop for a bite to eat, but also an ideal starting point for hikes - for example to the Arzler Alm, the Höttinger Alm, the Höttinger Bild or along the Höttinger-Höfe trail. The perfect combination for me: first exercise in the fresh mountain air, then a portion of honest home cooking.

And on we go to Planötzenhof...

From one culinary highlight to the next: the Planötzenhof. It is a farm with an adjoining inn and has been run as a family business for three generations. Most Innsbruck locals know it - not only because of its good home cooking, but also because of its fantastic location. Idyllically perched above Innsbruck, Planötzenhof is a popular starting and finishing point for numerous hikes.

Fresh on the table - directly from our own farm

At Planötzenhof, inn and agriculture are inextricably linked - "from stable to plate" is the motto. Everything that is produced on the farm is used with a great deal of dedication and love. And this is not just limited to meat and dairy products: Fresh herbs, salads and vegetables from the farm's own garden also find their way onto the plate. It could hardly be fresher, more regional or more seasonal! For this commitment, the Planötzenhof was awarded the "CULTURAL HERITAGE" seal of approval for regional products.

Special occasions, special setting

If you are looking for a suitable party location, the Planötzenhof is the right place for you. I can confirm this from my own experience: A few years ago, we celebrated my nephew's christening here - an all-round successful party! Whether it's a wedding, graduation, graduation, birthday, first communion or confirmation - whatever the occasion, the Planötzenhof is a particularly atmospheric place to celebrate. The rooms and the atmosphere make it easy to celebrate special occasions in an equally special setting.

One farm, many paths

But just like the Höttinger shooting range, the Planötzenhof is much more than just a cozy restaurant serving Tyrolean home cooking. In addition to its function as an event location, it is, as already mentioned, also a popular excursion destination and starting point for numerous hikes. My recommendation - which is also doable with small children - is the Bildstöcklweg from Planötzenhof to Höttinger Bild. Strictly speaking, it's more of a walk than a hike, but it's still beautiful because the path leads idyllically through the forest. If you fancy more, you can hike on from there, for example to the Rauschbrunnen or the Höttinger Alm. These are just two options - there are of course many more. You can find inspiration here, for example.

Enjoying when the days get shorter

Even though I personally am not quite ready for autumn yet, it is fast approaching. And autumn time in Tyrol means Törggele time: crispy chestnuts, hearty delicacies and a glass of wine - that's the way to enjoy autumn! Especially at the Planötzenhof. And as the turn of the year is slowly but surely approaching and the Christmas party needs to be planned at some point, the Planötzenhof also offers the ideal setting for this.

Cheers to fall: hiking and pleasure time

So, at the risk of repeating myself - but I just have to say it: for me, there's nothing better than the combination of hiking and enjoyment! And that's exactly what the Höttinger Schießstand and Planötzenhof combine in a wonderful way - thanks to their fantastic location in Hötting, high above the rooftops of Innsbruck. Autumn is just around the corner, and with it the best time to combine the two: first out into nature, then stop for a bite to eat and indulge in culinary delights. I hope for a golden fall with many hours of sunshine, which will give us plenty of opportunities to hike and enjoy.