The new RAIQA: shopping, drinks, art & more

The gateway to Innsbruck's city center is open again: Anyone walking from the main train station towards the city center can now pass through the Raiffeisenpassage again - and should plan a little more time, although this is actually the shortest connection for pedestrians between the train station and the city. This is because the impressive 9,000 square meter site is home to much more than just a bank building RAIQA far more than just a bank building. Innsbruck has been given a new meeting place: with a rooftop restaurant, design hotel, art, culinary delights and a surprising number of places to linger.

Innsbruck's newest rooftop bar

With so many great locations, I don't even know where to start. Let's just start at the top: on the ninth floor. This is where you'll find the loft9innsbruck's newest rooftop bar. The loft9 boasts a spacious restaurant and bar area as well as an incredible three - yes, three! - roof terraces with a total area of 600 square meters. Those who linger up here are rewarded with an impressive panoramic view.

One place - five moments of pleasure

I was really impressed by loft9 on my first visit. I love rooftop bars anyway - they always make me feel like I'm on vacation. A drink in my hand, the sun slowly setting in the west and bathing everything in a warm light - wonderful! But of course loft9 is not just a highlight in the evening. The motto here is: one place - five moments of pleasure: Breakfast, Midday Lunch, Golden Hour, Event Dinner and Bar & Drinks.

Coffee, cake and thrillers - welcome to the FRIEDA

The Frieda combines three fabulous things: coffee, cake and crime thrillers. You'll find all this (and more, of course) on the FRIEDA Qultbistro on the first floor of DAS RAIQA. I think that's definitely what Innsbruck has been missing: a cozy crime coffee shop. Is there anything better than making yourself comfortable with a hot cup of coffee and a delicious piece of home-baked cake while leafing through a book? The range of cakes changes, but I'm telling you: if you spot a cheesecake in the display case, order it straight away - it's simply the best!

Crime novels & thrillers, curated by Aichner & Hatzer

Although RAIQA is such a modern building, FRIEDA feels like a cozy living room - with comfortable seating and lots of books. These were curated by Innsbruck's bestselling author Bernhard Aichner and Haymon publisher Markus Hatzer. Bernhard Aichner is known far beyond the country's borders, at the latest since his successful novel „Totenfrau“, which was also made into a film. The books on display in the restaurant can only be read at FRIEDA Qultbistro - so please don't take them home with you. But I think it's nice to browse a little, get inspired and maybe buy a book or two later.

Experience your favorite crime writers up close

The FRIEDA Qultbistro is THE meeting place in Innsbruck for crime fiction fans - and anyone who wants to become one! The RAIQA crime festival is a series of events that brings readings and exciting literature to the new quarter throughout the year. Regular appearances by well-known authors are planned. And guess who kicked things off on May 21? None other than the best-known crime writer in the German-speaking world: Sebastian Fitzek. FRIEDA is not only a place to read and linger, but also a place where literature comes alive and takes place in the midst of everyday life.

Even more enjoyment at RAIQA

Loft9 and FRIEDA are not the only places you can visit in the new RAIQA. There is also plenty of culinary delights on offer here. You can find fresh pastries at Reither Brotand the delicatessen s’Regional if you are looking for Tyrolean specialties. Here you can find regional delicacies from Mair’s Beerengarten. There are now several branches in Telfs and Innsbruck. I think s’Regional is always the right address if you're looking for a gift for foodies. Wine lovers are best advised to visit Vin.Banc and if you're on your way home after a long day at work, you can take a little break before finally getting on the train and treat yourself to a sweet refreshment at Eis Leis for a sweet refreshment.

Le Burger moves into RAIQA

And then there is Le Burger - I am personally almost the happiest about this. Until now, there was only one branch in the DEZ in Innsbruck, so I think it's really great that Le Burger is now so centrally located. My family and I really love the restaurant. Although we all have very different tastes, there really is something for everyone here! Even me as a vegetarian and my son, who gives the word "delicate" a whole new meaning!

For all those looking for something special

Of course, RAIQA is not just about eating - it's also a great place to store. There are some really delightful stores, such as the Kaminsky. Here you can find clothing, jewelry and much more. The story behind the products is particularly important to owner Petra Kaminsky. She prefers to focus on small labels that are rarely or not at all represented in Austria. So if you're looking for something really special, you're sure to find it here.

Fresh flowers made easy

Do you know the song Flowers by Miley Cyrus? Somehow it immediately came to mind when I was standing at flowers Calovini: "Started to cry, but then remembered I can buy myself flowers." Even though I have the best husband in the world, I usually buy myself flowers. And in the new branch of Blumen Calovini at RAIQA, I can now do this even more easily. Because this is a self-service flower store. It works very simply: You check in with a valid debit card, choose your flowers at your leisure and then pay by card. I think it's such a great idea! And the best thing about it? The opening hours are Monday to Saturday from 07:00 to 20:00. This means that if you quickly remember on Saturday that you urgently need flowers for your loved ones, you can simply pop into Blumen Calovini. And honestly - the bouquets are guaranteed to go down better than cheap, half-wilted flowers from the petrol station.

Pilates, brunch & rooftop vibes

There are many more great stores to discover, so be sure to take your time and have a look around - it's really worth it. But I would definitely like to mention The flõu Pilates. Not because I'm already one of those Pilates girls myself - unfortunately, because I'd really like to be one. I think there's just something incredibly elegant about Pilates and the few times I've tried it so far, I've really enjoyed it. However, so far it's only been on the mat - I've never trained on a reformer. Maybe I just think it's cool because it's such a trend at the moment, but it really appeals to me. I can definitely try it out at The flõu Pilates in the RAIQA quarter. And there's one thing I'm determined to do: I definitely want to attend "Rooftop Pilates & Brunch" one day! I mean, please - how mega does that sound? First 60 minutes of mat Pilates with a view and then a relaxed brunch at loft9. That sounds like a pretty perfect morning to me. You can find more information on Instagram.

Austria's second Radisson RED

And if you don't just come to RAIQA to eat, store or work out, you can even spend the night here. With the new Radisson RED a stylish design hotel has also moved into the quarter. I am delighted that we have been able to secure a highly competent and internationally experienced operator for the hotel on the RAIQA site in the form of Radisson Hotel Group. This means that we will have the second Radisson RED hotel in Austria," explains Christof Splechtna, the board member responsible for the RAIQA project at Raiffeisen-Landesbank Tirol.

A place with a sense of art and design

I may not be an architecture expert, but I definitely find the new RAIQA Quarter impressive. Everything looks very modern, open and well thought-out to me - clean, but still inviting. Almost like a work of art in the middle of the city. In keeping with this, RAIQA also has its own space for art: die Kunstbrücke. It marks the return of a piece of Innsbruck's cultural history, as the gallery was founded back in 1998 by Raiffeisen-Landesbank Tirol. In the new building, it now has a completely new exhibition space, which is itself part of an overall artistic concept. The internationally renowned artist Dorit Margreiter Choy is designing the new space as an independent art project together with the Viennese architecture firm Pichler & Traupmann. The first exhibition is entitled "Prototyp" and runs from May 5 to July 4, 2026.

At a time when so much is done digitally, I think it's nice to have a place for real encounters. A place between the train station and the city center where people work, drink coffee, eat well, shop and do sports - and where people simply come together.