5 Best Restaurants in Salzkammergut, Austria

Café Zauner

$ Fodor's choice

If you haven't been to Zauner, you've missed a true highlight of Bad Ischl. The desserts—particularly the house creation, Zaunerstollen, a chocolate-covered confection of sugar, hazelnuts, and nougat—have made this one of Austria's best-known pastry shops. Emperor Franz Josef used to visit every day for a Guglhupf, a lemon sponge cake.

Bräugasthof

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In a city famed for tourist crowds, most restaurants are hit or miss, but the Bräugasthof, with its delicious fish dishes and gorgeous lake views, is definitely a hit. Flavors from Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary infuse the regional menu. Operating hours are restricted from December to February.

Grand-Café & Restaurant Zauner

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If you enjoyed a cake at the acclaimed Café Zauner, you may want to visit their second location for something heartier. The Zauner restaurant specializes in Austrian classics and wine, including beef and dumplings and Styrian chicken salad. Save room for dessert and share a generous Salzburger Nockerl.

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Kirchenwirt

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Adjacent to Gosau's pretty parish church, this inn is evidence of the venerable tradition of placing town restaurants next to houses of worship (on Sunday farmers would attend the service then head for the nearest table and discuss the past week's events). Today, the restaurant is a popular place, with local specialties and lovely views from the terrace. Mentioned in town records as early as 1596, the inn here has now been much restored and built up in typical modern Alpine style of natural wood, mounted antlers, hunter greens, and bright reds. The current hosts, the Peham family, enjoy sharing the region's cultural traditions, and host folk dances and brass bands as well as offer guided hiking trips.

Zum Weissen Hirschen

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This roomy and friendly Austrian restaurant is wood-paneled and bright but if the weather allows, sit outside on their shady lakeside terrace to soak in the excellent views. Highlights from the menu include the Hausruck beef tartare, local fish soup, and for dessert, the delightful Kaiserschmarrn (a lightly sweetened pancake).