I love Austrian cuisine! ‘Käsespätzle’, ‘Knödel’, ‘Schlutzkrapfen’ - all of it is delicious! In Innsbruck there are plenty of places to eat and the city is also becoming very diverse when it comes to the types of food you can find. However, some of the most memorable meals are found away from the busy Old Town — in its traditional ‘Gasthäuser’ Traditionshäuser to be specific. There are heaps of places to choose from, all offering amazing atmospheres and delicious food. Serving Tyrolean classics the way they’ve always been made: hearty, flavorful, and with a genuine warmth that makes you feel at home. So I thought I would go through three of my favorites, discover the traditional Austrian dishes, at the city’s traditional tables, in no particular order.
Meat and potatoes, don't forget the bacon wrapped green beans. An Austrian classic and so delicious!
Hotel Sailer – Tradition Meets Modern Comfort
Hotel Sailer, located just a few minutes from the main train station, has been welcoming guests for over a century. While the hotel provides all the comforts of modern accommodation, the restaurant remains deeply rooted in Tyrolean tradition. Step inside and you’ll find cozy wood-clad dining rooms where Austrian classics are served generously and with a smile.
If the weather is nice, sit outside in their tree-shaded garden, away from the busy street, providing a cool breeze outside on hot days. Here, up to 90 guests can enjoy dishes like Tyrolean Gröstl, Schlutzkrapfen, Bauernomelette - paired with Austrian wine or a locally brewed beer. For my last visit, I sat out in the garden, to beat the heat for lunch. It is always so hard to decide what to order, my suggestion is to bring a friend and share plates! The staff are so lovely, the food is impeccable, and the atmosphere unbeatable! Hotel Sailer is often overlooked, but I couldn’t tell you why!
At Hotel Sailer you can pick a cozy wood panel room indoors or escape to their garden outside, Both are comfortable, warm, perfect!
Gasthaus Anich – Where Locals Feel at Home
Named after the Tyrolean cartographer and painter Peter Anich, Gasthaus Anich has long been a favorite meeting point for Innsbruck locals. Its central location makes it equally appealing for a hearty lunch during a shopping trip or a relaxed dinner with friends. It’s not directly in the Old Town, but it’s close enough to build into the itinerary!
Inside, the atmosphere is authentically rustic – wood-paneled walls, traditional décor, and a lively, welcoming vibe that makes you feel instantly at home. The menu celebrates Austrian comfort food at its best: roast pork with crispy crackling, Käsespätzle, Wiener Schnitzel, or a plate of fluffy Kaiserschmarrn. Seasonal specialties keep things exciting, whether it’s fresh asparagus in spring or game dishes in autumn.
What truly sets Gasthaus Anich apart is its dedication to regional quality. By working closely with local farmers and producers, the kitchen ensures that every dish reflects Tyrol’s natural character. From a simple Frittatensuppe to a perfectly baked apple strudel, the flavors here are both traditional and timeless – the kind of food that warms you from the inside out.
Gasthof Riese Haymon – A Traditional Favorite in Wilten
In Innsbruck’s Wilten district, Gasthof Riese Haymon has been welcoming guests for generations. Named after the legendary giant Haymon from Tyrolean folklore, it carries a strong sense of tradition in both its atmosphere and its food. Inside, the wood-paneled dining rooms create a cozy and welcoming setting where hearty Tyrolean classics are served with care. The menu features dumpling specialties, Wiener Schnitzel, roast pork with crisp crackling, and seasonal highlights such as venison in autumn or fresh asparagus in spring. For dessert, homemade favorites like apple strudel or Kaiserschmarrn are the perfect finishing touch.
Unbelievably good food, shady beautiful garden and they are pet friendly! It's a win-win at Gasthof Riese Haymon!
In summer, the shady garden terrace becomes a lively meeting point where locals and visitors gather to share a meal, a beer, and a good conversation. It’s this warm, community-oriented spirit that makes Gasthaus Riese Haymon such a beloved part of Innsbruck’s culinary scene. People were so friendly on my last visit, they were sparking up conversation and cheersing their beers with neighboring tables. I personally couldn’t decide what to eat, so thankfully a ‘Tiroler Tris’ was on the menu, offering three of my favorite Tyrolean dishes on one plate - Schlutzkrapfen (a pasta dish similar to ravioli or pierogi filled with spinach and cheese), Spinatknödel (traditional spinach dumplings served with melted butter and Parmesan cheese) and a Kaspressknödel (a flat pressed, grilled dumpling with cheese). Honestly, if a [notrans]Tiroler Tris[/notrans] is on any menu, it is my first choice!
A Taste of Innsbruck’s Heart
As I said, in no particular order these are three of my favorite must-visit traditional Tyrolean eateries. Hotel Sailer, Gasthaus Anich and Gasthof Riese Haymon – show that Innsbruck’s culinary soul extends far beyond its famous Old Town. Each offers a chance to slow down, share a meal, and experience the warmth of Tyrolean hospitality. Seriously, bring a friend, bring a group, share plates, go crazy, you won’t regret it!
All Photos : @Laura Wunsch
Restaurant Hotel Sailer
Adamgasse 8, 6020 Innsbruck
hotel@sailer-innsbruck.at
Phone: +43 512 5363
Website
Open daily
Gasthaus Anich
Anichstraße 15, 6020 Innsbruck
info@gasthausanich.at
Phone: +43 0512 570 450
Website
Open Monday to Friday
Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays
Gasthaus Riese Haymon
Haymongasse 4, 6020 Innsbruck
haymon@outlook.com
Phone: +43 660 1095144
Website
Open daily, closed on Christmas Eve
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In 2007, Laura completed her studies at an American university and applied for the Fulbright programme to be an English teacher in Germany or Austria. The wisest decision at this point: Austria! And the rest, as they say, is history.
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