My favorite cafés around Innsbruck

Where do you meet up with friends? Go on a date? Read the newspaper in peace? Work remotely? Treat yourself to something sweet? In a coffee house! And that's exactly what this post is all about. I've already introduced you to my favorites in Innsbruck - now we're leaving the city and heading to the vacation villages. Because good coffee is not only available in the city.

Weekend in Rinn: coffee, cake & fresh air

It's been a few years, but we once lived in Rinn for a short time. Unfortunately, the Sugar factory did not exist back then. Because this patisserie would definitely have been our regular café. A Sunday stroll followed by a really good coffee and cake? Sounds perfect.

Even if the Zuckerschmiede is unfortunately not right on our doorstep today, a trip to Rinn is still worthwhile. Because here, in the south-eastern low mountain range, it is wonderful to go for a walk. For those who like it more sporty, hike to the Rinner Alm. In winter, you can also pack your skis: The Archenstadllift ( Kinderland Rinn) is a perfect ski area for families, where children can practice their first turns. Writing about it brings back many fond memories - my son had his first ski course here. But that's not what this article is about, of course. Above all, I want to tell you how beautiful Rinn is, how good it is to be out in the fresh air here - and how wonderful it is to warm up afterwards in the Zuckerschmiede and indulge in the finest cakes.

The Zuckerschmiede - Happiness made of sugar

What makes Zuckerschmiede so special? In my eyes, it is the perfect mix of a classic patisserie and a cozy coffee house. They sell little works of art that not only look really great, but also taste really good. There are different treats depending on the season: In summer you can look forward to extravagant ice cream flavors, in winter to real "feel-good cakes" that warm the heart and soul. A cup of coffee or a really good hot chocolate to go with it - that's true happiness for me.

Craftsmanship, experience and good ingredients

Florian Keller has fulfilled a long-cherished dream with Zuckerschmiede. The master confectioner can look back on around 20 years of experience and is a true professional in his craft. However, it takes more than skill to make cakes and tarts taste so good - without high-quality ingredients, there is no perfect result. That's why Florian consistently focuses on regionality: dairy products, eggs and cereals are sourced locally. Coffee specialties from the Innsbruck roastery Unterberger and organic tea from the tea manufacturer Bioteaque round off the range. The Zuckerschmiede is therefore the perfect coffee house for anyone who wants to enjoy cakes at the highest patisserie level - and likes to exercise in the fresh air before (or after) doing so. Even if this is not a must, of course.

Mieming sun paradise

I have a very special personal relationship with the next coffee house I would like to introduce to you. My wedding cake comes from Café Maurer in Mieming. And I would argue that there is hardly a more important cake in life - you never forget a wedding cake. That's exactly why we always like to stop off at Café Maurer after a walk - it's very nostalgic. If there's one thing you can do really well on the Mieminger Plateau, it's go for a walk. I really appreciate the location, especially in winter: When it's already shady in the valley, the sun still shines cheerfully in your face on the plateau - after all, the name " sunny plateau " is no coincidence.

Café Maurer - the classic patisserie

But back to the really important things: Coffee and cake. For me, Café Maurer is the epitome of a classic patisserie - a little old-fashioned perhaps, but something I really appreciate. There are plenty of modern cafés, which are of course also wonderful, but sometimes tradition is just good. It's not about trends here, but about consistency, quality and genuine hospitality. The pastries are classic, made with great skill and just right after a nice walk. Sit down, order a coffee, treat yourself to a slice of cake - and forget everyday life for a moment while enjoying good conversation with friends and family.

A little bit of Scotland in Tyrol

There is one thing, however, that you probably wouldn't expect at first glance: While you can enjoy coffee and cake here after a walk or order the best birthday, wedding and christening cakes, Café Maurer also has something exclusively for adults - high-quality whisky! Thanks to our long-standing friendship with Andrew Symington, the owner of the Edradour distillery and the independent bottler Signatory Vintage Scotch Whisky, we have the great opportunity to import exclusive single malts directly from Scotland. As I am not a whisky connoisseur myself, I first googled and found out that Edradour is a very small, fine and, above all, internationally renowned distillery. If you're looking for a special gift for whisky lovers - or want to treat yourself - Café Maurer is definitely the place to go.

The Plaza: Italian flair in Telfs

Quite different, but no less recommendable, is the Plaza - Café Bar Lounge in the Inntalcenter shopping center in Telfs. In contrast to the coffee houses and patisseries already mentioned, the focus here is not on the cakes - although there are some fabulous ones, such as Plaza's Cheesecake al pistacchio, which has recently been launched - but above all on the drinks. The Plaza brings Italian flair to Telfs and with it excellent coffee, cocktails, mocktails and much more. This is the place to meet up with friends and colleagues after shopping, after work or simply in between for a drink and a "Ratscher " (a chat), as we say in Tyrol.

Last fall, after several months of construction, the redesigned forecourt of the Inntalcenter was officially opened - and with it, the Plaza. Three friends took over the former Segafredo café, rebuilt it and rethought it with great flair. The result is a beautifully furnished, very cozy place where you can sit, chat and linger. I can recommend the Plaza to anyone who is in the mood for good coffee, relaxed drinks and a little piece of Italy in the middle of Telfs.

Café Chocolat - for when I don't feel like baking

Finally, a small but very valuable tip - especially for anyone who likes to have guests but doesn't always feel like (or have the time) to bake. Café Chocolat in Telfs is my first port of call for takeaway cakes. My husband loves Sachertorte - and although I really enjoy baking, mine just never turns out as good as it should. So I make it easy for myself and get it right here. Since 2009, Markus Randolf and his team have been spoiling their guests - formerly at the Fugger, now at Café Chocolat - with classic cakes and fine pastries. My conclusion: if you need a really good cake on the spur of the moment and don't want to bake it yourself, this is the place for you.

So, I hope I've been able to inspire you a little - because one thing is clear: life is too short not to eat cake, and nothing works without coffee anyway!

Infobox - Cafés around Innsbruck

The Zuckerschmiede
Kirchgasse 9/Top 1, 6074 Rinn
Website
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: +43 660 3836232

Cafe Maurer Haselwanter
Obermieming 176, 6414 Obermieming, Tyrol
Homepage
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: +43 5264 5228

Plaza - Café Bar Lounge
Weißenbachgasse 9, 6410 Telfs, Tyrol
Instagram
E-Mail: [email protected]
Phone: +43 660 38 22 338

Cafe Chocolat
Josef-Schöpf-Straße 10, 6410 Telfs, Tyrol
Homepage
Phone: +43 5262 62231

Cover picture: © Florian Keller