18 Best Restaurants in Carinthia and Graz, Austria

Located in Mehlplatz, one of the oldest squares of Graz, Die Herzl restaurant opened in 1934 and is known for both its tavernlike atmosphere and its traditional Austrian cuisine. Seasonal entrées are mixed with typical Austrian dishes such as gemischter salat (a mix of cucumber, potato, and sauerkraut on lettuce) or the gebackener Camembert (fried Camembert cheese served with tart berry chutney). Drink local Austrian wines such as Grüner Veltliner and Welschriesling (white), or Zweigelt and Blauburger (red).

Lose yourself on the winding streets of the old town and find your way to 7.Himmel for an intimate Mediterranean-inspired meal. The focus is on local, sustainable ingredients which are lovingly paired with a choice selection from their extensive wine list. Fresh trout and char from Lake Wörthersee are served Thursdays to Saturdays.

A tiny bar, café, and restaurant, Aiola is located at the top of the Schlossberg mountain fortress. The restaurant serves traditional Austrian breakfasts with a selection of bread, cheese, and meat, and dinner entrées such as Styrian corn-fed chicken breast with gnocchi and a white wine risotto with chanterelles. Relax under crisp, white-canvas umbrellas on an outdoor deck, or behind the glass walls that blend with the environment. Enjoy a glass of the local dry Rose Schilcher or a coffee with all of Graz spread out before you.

A good choice to experience authentic Styrian cooking, this old Graz institution is reminiscent of a cozy country cottage. Salads are a must here, prepared with the Styrian specialty, Kürbiskernöl, or pumpkinseed oil. Main courses include Rinderschulterscherzl, boiled beef with pumpkin puree and roasted potatoes, or chicken breast in a creamy herb sauce. A vegetarian menu, with choices like potato strudel with sour-cream dip and spaetzle sprinkled with leeks and cheese, is always offered. Often, every table in the Schmankerlstub'n is taken, so if you're alone, you may be asked if others could share your table.

Inventive dishes, excellent staff, and an inviting atmosphere sum up a visit to 151. The menu is a fascinating fusion of Austrian, Mediterranean, and Asian flavors, including vegan options. Dinner only. The seating layout doesn’t offer much in the way of privacy, but the service and food more than make up for it. The luminescent bar has a good selection of gin, rum, and Austrian and international wines and the terrace is magical.

This rustic brewery is in one of the oldest buildings in Klagenfurt and attracts a mixed and lively clientele. The excellent beer produced here pairs perfectly with the local cuisine. If the weather permits, try to get a place in the lovely courtyard. Its convenient location in the city center makes it a popular meeting place; be prepared for a crowd.

A tiny old house turned coffee shop in the center of the city, Cafe Schwalbennest serves traditional Austrian cakes such as homemade sweet poppy seed and cheese-curd tort. It's also a great breakfast spot with regionally sourced cheese and meat. Green shutters on a red facade make Cafe Schwalbennest easy to spot, and there is an upstairs patio overlooking the River Mur, which runs through Graz. But beware, with only three tables upstairs, it can be difficult to snag a spot.

Chef Stephan Vadnjal offers up fresh local fish and seafood with a Mediterranean flair and a hand-picked wine selection to match. The interior is clean and smart; the service welcoming. Entrance is around the corner from the square.

When nothing but a hearty goulash will do, the Gasthaus Pumpe is the top Klagenfurt choice. Fresh Puntingammer beer on tap is just one of the highlights of this humble spot which is popular with locals looking to hang out with friends; enjoy a few beers; and savor large plates of sausage, schnitzel, and other Austrian delights. Typical pub atmosphere and service means occasional shared tables and casual staff. The inner courtyard is lovely when the weather is nice.

Warm wooden parlors, romantic corners, and authentic Austrian cuisine define this rustic spot. Products are mainly local and seasonal, in keeping with the restaurant's slow-food philosophy. Pumpkin and dark-green pumpkinseed oil are prominent ingredients. Try the schnitzel in a coat of pumpkinseeds with potatoes and field salad or homemade pasta with pumpkinseed pesto. Leave space for desserts such as parfait with plum jam. The daily lunch menus are popular with locals, and the restaurant can get packed quickly.

This vegan restaurant prepares a beautiful and fresh buffet full of greens, soups, hot dishes, and more. You choose what you’d like and are billed by weight. The Nordic-inspired interiors add to the clean eating ethos that drives the Gilma family, whose roots in vegetarian restaurants date back to the 1970s. There’s a second, smaller location, Ginko Greenhouse, in the Altstadtpassage near the main square—it specializes in superfood bowls and cold-pressed juices.

This sprawling tavern is the place to go for a good pint and a hearty meal. Eight types of beer are available and the kitchen cooks up satisfying traditional and international dishes. Try a plate of goulash or the Gösser Bräu schnitzel plate. Operated by the Grossauer family since 2005, the staff is warm and efficient.

The magnificent centuries-old Landhaus complex also includes this popular traditional restaurant. Styrian beef is the main event here, but there are lots of other tasty dishes to choose from. The place contains a labyrinth of charming old-world dining rooms set within the ancient arcaded Landhaus itself. Weather permitting, try to get a table in the historic courtyard.

Gorgeous is the word to describe this spot's perch, which offers a view over the Wörthersee and makes a fitting backdrop for some of the area's best seafood. This former villa offers several romantic dining rooms in champagne and red tones, or you can sit outdoors on the wraparound terrace overlooking the glistening water. Don't miss the appetizer of delicate trout caviar and smoked salmon on crispy toast points, then try the grilled calamari or the Maria Loretto fish platter for those who can’t decide. For dessert, try the lemon sorbet. You'll need a taxi to get here.

With its vaulted ceiling and dark, gleaming wainscoting, Peppino im Hofkeller offers the most innovative Italian cuisine in the city. The chef serves a classic Italian menu that includes homemade pasta dressed with seasonal specialties and wonderfully fresh seafood. Look for the sea bass with grilled vegetables, creamy salmon tagliatelle, and their daily fresh ravioli and risotto.

Joining the expanding enterprise of Sacher cafés in Austria's most prominent cities, Graz's Sacher is everything you would expect—lots of gilt, crimson upholstery, sparkling chandeliers, and Viennese dessert, including the rich chocolate Sacher torte. If you're hungry for a meal, there are breakfast, lunch, and dinner specialties. Try the Frank Sacher potato soup or their original truffle ham. In the adjoining Sacher Wein-Snackbar, you can choose tasty snacks to blend with a full-bodied Austrian white wine or champagne.

Salon Marie offers a stylish setting with its chandeliers, greenery, and floor-to-ceiling street art by Josef Wurm. The expansive menu by Chef Aleš Rascan includes something for everyone, be it Holstein schnitzel, spicy grilled octopus, or homemade vegan spring rolls and curry. The restaurant is closed on Sundays, but does a Grand Brunch from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm.

Pause your medieval wanderings to indulge in classic Carinthian dishes, homemade noodles, and of course a selection of fish dishes at the restaurant in Friesach's most popular hotel. The interior is simple and classy, but the best spot is perched on the terrace with a view of the square.