view from Lichtblick 360

Europa Stuberl

das Schindler

So Many Eateries, So Little Time

With an Imperial Palace, a country castle, fine museums, and lots of activities, Innsbruck has no shortage of diversions, but don't be dissuaded from the main task at hand.  Eating lunch in Innsbruck is a quintessentially Austrian experience.  As for the French, busy at work morning and afternoon, lunch is a sacred ritual for Tyrol's well-fed residents and there is no shortage of destinations to feed their appetites for well-prepared dishes made from the region's abundant local products—cheese from the farms, fish from the lakes, wild game from the forests, fruits and vegetables from everywhere.  You need at least a whole week in Innsbruck just to scratch the surface of the city's culinary offerings, many are they in number and excellent are they in standard.

Lichtblick 360 makes a great starting point.  Its elevated, mid-city location gives a beautiful panorama over Innsbruck's grand architecture and equally grand natural setting.  This airy venue's glass walls take full advantage of the views, which have competition for your attention from the food served.  The menu is not extensive, but everything is superb, including the staff. 

Das Schindler is a similarly mod choice for light cuisine in a contemporary ambience, a combination that is all the rage in this highly progressive city keen on cuisine.  Das Schindler is located right on Marie-Theresien Strasse, Innsbruck's pedestrianised shopping street in the centre of town.  A varied menu, amiable staff, nice décor, and convenient location make it four times a winner.

More formal and more rustic is Europa Stüberl, where traditional Tyrolean and Austrian cuisine meet the modern world with flavoursome dishes emphasising freshness and flair in preparation.  Granted, these are characteristics shared by all Innsbruck's finer dining establishments, but at Europa Stüberl, they are masterfully combined to heighten the final product in front of you.  Apricot dumplings for dessert are an absolute must.  The restaurant is located in Grand Hotel Europa, Innsbruck's only five-star hotel.