6 Best Restaurants in Salzkammergut, Austria

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.

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 through February.

Enjoy breakfast every day until noon in the elegant yet cozy Café Wallner. They are famed for their gingerbread which they make by hand in the traditional way. In the summer, the line is out the door for their homemade ice cream or enjoy one of their luxurious cakes, like the Schneewittchentorte, a cream cheese base with a poppy seed crust.

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.

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 char from the Wolfgangsee and the local fish soup with dumplings.