6 Best Restaurants in Eastern Alps, Austria

Every last detail, from romantic furnishings to the doting service, is done to perfection here, making this restaurant the best in the area. Chef Johanna Maier's way with trout is exquisite, but don't overlook the game, roast poultry, or veal sweetbreads. Finish with topfenknödel (cream cheese dumpling), a house specialty. Frau Maier offers cooking courses several times each month—call for dates. The restaurant is within the equally plush and inviting hotel of the same name.

Idyllically set on the east side of the Stubnerkogel, directly on the ski slope, this Alpine hut is one of the oldest in Europe, remarkably well preserved, with wooden interiors and a huge open fire. Wooden parlors and a big terrace, with a spectacular view over Bad Gastein, invite visitors in for a substantial meal, followed by a couple of drinks after a hike or long skiing day. Try the roasted Hörnchen (a kind of pasta) with liverwurst hash and endive potato salad, or one of the desserts, such as traditional Austrian Kaiserschmarrn (chopped up pancakes served with fruit compote, often apple or plum) or Schwarzbeernocken (blackberry or blueberry dumplings). You'll need a car or taxi to get here; in winter you can ski in or take the restaurant's own chairlift.

Reservations are highly recommended during winter, when it's a popular après-ski spot.

For the complete Alpine experience, it also has 12 nice rooms.

With green wood paneling and a red timber ceiling, the restaurant is both historic and traditional but exceptionally stylish. It's also right in the old town center, and has a garden and cozy wooden parlors. Overseen by the Seel family, traditional Austrian fare is its forte, but it prides itself on its pizza too---it even has a wood-fired oven. For a true traditional dish, try the Jägerhauspfandl (grilled pork tenderloin and mushroom cream sauce with roast potatoes) or pumpkin-, game-, or duck-based seasonal specialties.

In the hotel of the same name, the restaurant is in a charming, typically Austrian stube—all wood paneled and cozy—and serves regional specialties and international cuisine. Its popularity extends to locals and visitors alike, which makes for a good atmosphere. It has been awarded 13 Gault Millau points for menu selections such as pork fillet in an herb and bacon crust or braised veal with a cream sauce and small dumplings. It offers a daily three-course lunch menu (with seasonal fare) for €27.

As the name suggests, the Steinerwirt dates back almost as far as Columbus's Atlantic voyage. It is family run, and its newest generation of owners and staff have brought modernity to the cuisine while maintaining the original Alpine flair. The authentic atmosphere makes the place a favorite for locals and travelers alike. A particular highlight is the wine cellar---home to great wines for more than 525 years---with some fine Austrian wines; the staff are happy to help you choose the right pairing. The roast pork served with bread dumplings and red cabbage and the Tafelspitz (slow-cooked beef with creamed spinach and a horseradish-and-chive sauce) are excellent.