Expert guide to Kitzbühel
There’s no shortage of restaurants in Kitzbühel, both on and off the mountain, but even so, these often get fully booked, so it pays to secure a table in advance. Among the inevitable pricier options is a surprisingly good choice of simpler Italian-style eateries serving good value pizzas and pasta – and there’s budget fare on the mountain too.
In resort
Centro Cafe Bar Restaurant
In the town centre, the Centro Cafe is a great place for people watching. It’s a light and bright room with a vaulted ceiling. Wood-fired pizzas start at an incredibly reasonable €8.80 and the daily two-course menu with the dish of the day costs €8.30.
Price: ££
Contact: 00 43 5356 65862; centro-kitzbuehel.at
Il Gusto
This restaurant has a reputation for being the best Italian in town, with authentic thin-based pizzas, as well as pasta and gnocchi. Il Gusto also has a warm atmosphere and good service.
Price: ££
Contact: 00 43 5356 67164; ilgusto-kitz.com
Gourmet Tennerhof
In the five-star Hotel Tennerhof, Gourmet Tennerhof (also known as the Kupferstube) has the best cuisine in town, overseen by chef Johannes Denk. The Tristan lobster with cauliflower and mortadella, catfish and escargots from Vienna or beef with boletus from Kitzbühel don’t come cheap, but are so good it feels like value for money.
Price: £££
Contact: 00 43 5356 63181; tennerhof.com
Rosi’s Sonnbergstub’n
For something different, it’s worth a taxi ride to Rosi’s Sonnbergstub’n on the outskirts of town towards Jochberg. The speciality lamb and duck are excellent, as are the sushi and sashimi. And you can now cook your own meats at the table. But the highlight is Rosi herself. Expect to be serenaded at your table by her at some stage in the evening.
Price: ££
Contact: 00 43 5356 64652; sonnbergstuben.at
On the mountain
Bergrestaurant Pengelstein
A vast self-service restaurant, Bergrestaurant Pengelstein is only reachable on skis or snowboard from the top of the 3S gondola at Pengelstein. There’s a good choice of dishes and the prices are very fair for an upmarket resort like this.
Price: £
Contact: 00 43 5356 69510; kitzski.at
Bärenbadalm
In the Jochberg/Restrhöhe sector, Bärenbadalm is a smart chalet with a cool, modern bar area with flat-screen TVs, a roaring log fire and comfy armchairs and sofas. Various dining areas have a more rustic feel. The oriental beef strip salad (featuring meat from local Jochberger Angus cattle) and crispy pork ribs are delicious.
Price: ££
Contact: 00 43 664 310 4600; baerenbadalm.at
Hahnenkammstüberl
A family-run restaurant which has great views of the Kitzbühel Alps. Hahnenkammstüberl serves Tirolean specialties including gröstl, spatzl, blutwurstgröstl and Lisi’s legendary sliced blueberry pancakes.
Price: ££
Contact: 00 43 5356 62521; kitzski.at
Hochkitzbühel
At the top of the Hahnenkamm gondola, next to the legendary Streif run, Hochkitzbühel has a sun terrace and a Streif race course simulator. The menu includes typical Tirolean classics such as Gröstl und Spätzle with cheese, served in an iron saucepan. There’s also Wienerschnitzel, fillet of pork in a mushroom sauce, and fresh trout straight from the fish tank into the pan. On Friday evenings the gondola is open until 11pm for candlelit dinners.
Price: £££
Contact: 00 43 5356 62094; beitomschy.at
Panoramamaalm
Up at Resterhöhe the Panoramamaalm, as its name implies, has stunning views from both the restaurant and its large terrace. It has both table- and self-service sections. Try the delicious BBQ food such as crispy chicken, juicy steaks and baked potatoes. They also have lots of traditional local speciality dishes.
Price: ££
Contact: 00 43 664 330 6409; panoramaalm.net
Seidlalm
On the lower slopes, right beside the famous Hahnenkamm downhill race course and with fabulous views over the resort, Seidlalm is quiet and delightfully rustic. Stop by for a beer (‘Seidl’ means ‘small beer’) or two or enjoy traditional hearty Austrian dishes with food from local farmers for lunch or dinner.
Price: £
Contact: 00 43 5356 64235; seidlalm-kitzbuehel.at/
These are unusual times, and the state of affairs can change quickly. Please check the latest travel guidance before making your journey. Note that our writer visited pre-pandemic.