Over the past 20 years, Ischgl has established itself as one of Austria’s finest ski resorts. It is a celebration of traditional Tyrolean values with a modern and contemporary twist.
The resort regularly hosts Top of the Mountain concerts with international stars, including Tina Turner, Elton John, Bob Dylan and Bon Jovi among others. It offers visitors over 230km of excellent ski pistes as well as luxurious accommodation, allowing it to be recognised as a world-class winter destination for anyone with refined tastes.
In my mind the resort’s biggest selling point is its wide selection of independent gourmet restaurants that celebrate Austrian and Tyrolean delicacies. There are so many great bistros to choose from, all of which have a terrific atmosphere, brilliant menus and ingenious chefs. With so many places to pick from, it’s hard to know where to go for the best wining and dining experience. Here’s a rundown of five of the top high-end restaurants in Ischgl to help make your selection process that little bit easier.
Paznaunerstube
An Award-Winning Restaurant with a Michelin-Starred Chef
If you are looking for gourmet food and great ambiance, look no further. Paznaunerstube’s delicious and creative menu has made it into an awarding-winning restaurant. It has been given 3 toques by Gault Millau, earned 4 forks from Falstaff Gourmet Guide and received 5 stars from A la Carte. The head chef, Martin Sieberer, and his innovative cooking methods have created the perfect recipe for success. This Michelin-starred chef uses high-quality local ingredients to create unexpected flavour and texture combinations. Choose between a four- or six-course menu to try something new, or allow yourself to be seduced by the extensive à la carte menu.
This bistro also has an incredible wine selection, offering over 500 different expertly-selected red, white and rosé wines. You can even visit the von der Thannen family’s cellar and marvel at the rustic vault filled with precious wines. It is an unmatchable experience for any wine lover. The highly-qualified sommeliers will even help you find a wine that suits your taste and best compliments your meal.
Restaurant Alpenhaus
Discover Culinary Sophistication in a VIP Lounge
Picture Alpine style décor (wooden beams, cowhides and an open fireplace), combine it with a sophisticated ambiance and an unparalleled mountain view, and you have the Alpenhaus. Climb up to the first floor to reach the VIP lounge which provides privacy and a relaxing and refined atmosphere. Their menu is the epitome of culinary sophistication. Although they have a wide selection their three-course menu is the best deal, offering delicacies such as a carpaccio of beef to start, followed by a succulent fillet of turbot and topped off with a nougat, chocolate and apricot desert.
Alpenhaus during the storm by subberculture is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Stüva
An Extensive Wine Selection to Compliment Culinary Boldness
One of the top toque-awarded restaurants in Tirol, Stüva is a modern take on Alpine charm. Head Chef Benjamin Parth is a bold culinary genius who finds a harmonious balance between his international influences and Austrian roots. You can treat your taste buds to a delightful surprise with the tasting menu, opt for the four-course carte du jour or see what takes your fancy on the à la carte menu.
The restaurant also has an amazing wine selection, with over 400 different varieties to choose from and experts on hand to advise you in your choice.
Schlosshernstube
Tyrolean Delicacies in a Homey Atmosphere
With a stylish design, this restaurant boasts a rustic Tyrolean charm that creates a cosy ambiance. It is set in a charming wine shops and the Winstube part of the restaurant is unlike any other. The delicious menu offers homey and traditional Tyrolean cuisine, as well as the best gourmet pizzas in Ischgl.
Insider Tip: To make your dining experience truly spectacular, you should book a romantic candlelit dinner for two in the Kristallsaal dining room. Decorated with fine marble and Tyrolean wood as well as Swarovski crystals, it will be an unforgettable culinary experience.
Stiar
Locally-Sourced Products and an Innovative Cooking Style
This newly-opened restaurant offers regional delicacies in a classy ambiance. Head chef Gunther Döberl exclusively uses locally-sourced products, mostly from his own farm, to highlight Tyrol’s culinary delights. His fresh take on the classic Gerstlsuppe and Steckerlfisch have elevated these typical Austrian dishes to gourmet sophistication. His innovative cooking style constantly seeks to push beyond the limits of convention as he tries out different ingredients, including rowanberries, pines and spruces.
How to Get to Ischgl
The easiest way of getting to Ischgl is to fly to Innsbruck Airport. British Airways, Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines all offer a direct 90-minute flight from the UK. After a long flight, you don’t want a stressful journey on public transport – it is far more convenient to book an airport transfer with Shuttle Direct. They offer private transfers in premium-quality cars, so you can enjoy a relaxing three-hour drive to Ischgl. The drivers are always friendly, and they will even help you with your bags.
About Shuttle Direct
Thanks to its efficiency and reliability, Shuttle Direct has become Europe and North Africa’s leading transport provider. We offer shared and group transfers, but if you are looking for luxury, we recommend booking a private transfer in one of their premium cars. You can make your reservation in advance via our easy-to-use website, so that all your travel plans are done and dusted before you leave.
