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Dining in Europe > Innsbruck Regarding restaurants, your first impression of Innsbruck may well be that there are many more international establishments than traditional eating houses serving Austrian or even Tyrolean cooking. However, the range offered in that respect is actually broad; you only have to know where to look for these places. In the gourmet category, for instance, there are the Europa Stüberl, the Altstadt Stüberl, the Gasthof Kapeller or the Tiroler Stuben these are also recommendable or a business lunch. Another possibility of similar quality is the Gasthof Wilder Mann, which suggests itself for a romantic dinner in rustic surroundings, a little off Innsbruck. Less expensive establishments offering good solid Austrian and Tyrolean food are, among many others, the Stiftskeller next to the old town or the Ottoburg restaurant in the historical building. And there are a number of good inns a little off the centre that are popular among tourists as well as locals for a lunch, a dinner or merely a little snack in connection with a short hike. The Buzihütte or the Planötzenhof are worth mentioning in that category. Finally, there is the Restaurant Seegrube situated about 1900m above sea level; it can be reached very comfortably by the Hungerburg and Nordketten funiculars. There are of course also many international gastronomical establishments in Innsbruck. First of all, the numerous self-service Italian restaurants are a good choice for a quick and solid meal, like Salute, or the Prendi branches on Innrain or in the viaduct. If you have more time and are looking for an extraordinary Italian meal, theres Innsbrucks posh Italian, Da Peppino, close to the old town. What Da Peppino is among Italian restaurants, Thai Li is among Asian ones. This nice and small place is situated in the outer walls of the old town, it is decorated with a Gault Millau hood, and it offers very inexpensive midday menus. Papa Joes and Chilis show what concept gastronomy taken seriously is like, with an American-Caribbean and an American-Mexican theme respectively. Eventually, the tip for national dishes and specialities from all over the world is the unpretentious Weltenbummler (i.e., "globetrotter"). Moreover, there are many places in Innsbruck that are part restaurant, part café and part bar, and are open day and night (almost) throughout. Large establishments of that kind are, for instance, Krahvogl, Elferhaus or Theresienbraeu. The Hofgartencafé is similar in its concept, and, at the same time, its one of the places to be during warm summer nights. For a quick snack in Innsbruck, there are of course the McDonalds branches all over the city: one at each autobahn exit, and two right in the centre (on Maria-Theresien-Strae and in the old town.) An alternative during the night and a competitor not to be underestimated is a typically Austrian institution: the sausage stands ("Wuerstelstandl"). Such small and often mobile stands offer simple snacks and drinks at a cheap rate, and the meals are usually consumed standing and within a few minutes. You can get simple sausages, a hot dog, or its variant, the so-called Bosna (rather spicy and with a lot of onions). These stands are numerous; some of them in the centre can be found opposite the Golden Roof, on Maria-Theresien-Strae in front of the Kaufhaus Tyrol, at the triumphal arch, and a late-night address well known among locals, "Franz" on the Südring. Another characteristically Austrian institution, though of an altogether different kind, are the cafés. A traditional establishment with a charming note of nostalgia is the Café Katzung. You wouldn't gobble down your hot dog with a can of beer in such a place; these are rather spots for a relaxed cup of coffee and a piece of cake. The Café Central, next to the hotel of the same name, is similar, but its much larger and even more nostalgic. Moreover, they offer warm meals from the Central restaurant. A smaller and comparably simple variant is the Domcafé on the beautiful Domplatz in the old town. And for those who prefer a more modern ambience and are willing to do without the Viennese-style atmosphere, but not without an excellent cup of coffee, there are the many rather large café-restaurants, such as the Stadtcafé, the Segafredo Sky Café or the Unicafé. Finally, there is a broad range of possibilities if you just want to have a drink at night. For instance, there is Kir Royal, a rather simple cocktail bar that will, however, satisfy any connoisseur. Or you could try Toscana, a charming café-bar next to the Kellertheater. Similarly comfortable is the garden of Fischerhäusl, which is also open in winter to keep you warm, they serve a great gluhwein here. More stylishly designed are Uferlos or Filou, and rather less so the many bars in the viaduct row: most of the viaduct places are quite plain, and the people who come here, among them many students, like them the better for it. One of the bars to start with in the course of a "viaduct crawl" could be Babalon. Entertainment in InnsbruckNight Life Cultural Activities: Museums, Theatres, Music... There are numerous museums, galleries and other exhibitions all over the city. First of all, the large Ferdinandeum right in the centre is noteworthy. It has exhibitions of cultural history as well as the history of science and crafts on display. Ferdinandeum also hosts Austrias largest collection of gothic artefacts. The Maximilianeum is thematically orientated towards the emperor Maximilian and is located in the old town. Another thing you should not miss is Innsbrucks Hofburg, as well as a further building dating from Austrias monarchist past: the former Zeughaus ("arsenal"), on the court of which there are open air cinema evenings during summer. If you are interested in contemporary modern art, you should visit the Kunstraum, whose exhibitions vary frequently; competent guides and events with discussions are of help for those who want to broaden their understanding. If you feel like going to the theatre, you will also find enough opportunities to do so in Innsbruck. First of all, there is the Landestheater opposite the Hofburg, with its broad programme ranging from theatre to musicals to operettas etc. An especially charming, small establishment is the Kellertheater at the picturesque Adolf-Pichler-Platz. Another small playhouse, the Theater an der Sill, is located in the Pradl district. Satirical cabaret shows take place quite regularly in Treibhaus, sometimes also in Hafen, and, last but not least, in the inn-and-arts centre Bierstindl. The most important addresses for concerts of classical music are Dogana next to the Hofburg and the Ambras Castle. Large pop- and rock music concerts usually take place in the Olympiahalle and lovers of smaller rock gigs will find what they're looking for in Utopia, which also features live jazz music every now and then. Generally, however, the citys best place for jazz and world music concerts is Treibhaus. The local scene of jazz musicians can be met and listened to in the Innside pub in Mariahilfstrae or in the viaduct (Bogen 13 on Wednesday nights). Film Outdoors: Trips and Sports If you choose the more demanding but maybe also more rewarding alternative of going up a mountain on foot, you could take a little walk to one of Höttings or Kranebittens inns that are popular destinations in the quiet and the green, for instance the Planötzenhof. And in case you are interested in a real hike, you can do one of the many guided tours, for instance on the Stubai glacier, or you could join the hut trek or the lantern hike. A great number of further guided hikes of varying lengths and difficulties are offered by the Innsbruck Tourism Association. In winter, Innsbrucks mountaineous surroundings are of course one huge skiing paradise. All the regions around the city are comfortably accessible by public transport, for instance the Seegrube in the North. Other popular areas are the Patscherkofel, the Axamer Lizum and, of course, the glaciers in the Stubai- and the Ötz valleys. Events Taking Place Regularly Sports Dining in Europe > Innsbruck
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