Breakfast
Der Bäcker Ruetz, Dorfstraße 31, A 6580 (+43 (0)5446 30303) is the main village bakery and is open from 6.30am daily so a great early stop if you want to grab the first turns of the day. There’s an option to pre-order your fresh baked goodies the day before if you wish.
Cafe Haferl, Dorfstraße 20, 6580 (+43 (0)5446 3988) is a popular, cheerful and family -friendly breakfast spot on the main street. The restaurant is atmospheric with wood-lined walls laden with retro ski photography. There’s a kind of ‘breakfast happy hour’ with discounts for arrivals before 10am.
Lunch:
Verwallstube Restaurant (+43 (0) 5446 2352-510) is run by head chef Bernhard Neuhold and located at 2,085m. It has built a reputation for wonderful gourmet cuisine such as exquisite Bouillabaisse et Aioli as well as Tyrolean delicacies and exquisite gourmet creations. Enjoy within spectacular surroundings including the peaks of Patteriol, Saumspitze, Kuchenspitze, Parseier and Valluga visible from the restaurant.
Base Camp, Castle Hotel Bergschlössl, Kandaharweg 13 (+43 (0)5446 2220) is located at the bottom of the slope by the ski school and the Gampenbahn base station. Known for its good, home-cooked food, particularly the fresh pasta, there’s also a terrace which catches plenty of sunshine if you prefer to eat outside.
Dinner
Arlberg Hospiz, Skiclub Stube Parlor, Hospiz Alm, St Christoph 18, (+43 (0) 5446 3625) is one of four St. Anton restaurants selected by the prestigious Gault Millau guide. The Hospiz is where modern downhill skiing all began over 110 years ago, when friends got together here during the winter of 1900/01 to form the Arlberg Ski Club, which introduced the modern Alpine downhill style of skiing to the world. So it’s something special that you can sit in the same room, eat gourmet cuisine and sample the hotel’s spectacular wine cellar, one of the world’s best, including the planet’s biggest collection of over-sized wine bottles.
Hazienda, m3 Hotel, dorfstraße 56-58, A 6580 (+43 (0) 5446 2968) has an eclectic, international menu thanks to the efforts of Chef Johannes Scherl and his team who have prepared a menu of international dishes, ranging from homemade pasta to the best Argentinian Angus beef, all served with locally sourced vegetables or fresh seasonal salads. Popular with locals, advanced booking is usually essential in peak season.
The Museum Restaurant, Rudi Matt Weg 10, A 6580 (+43 (0)5446 2475) recently celebrated its centenary having been established in 1912. The building has a chequered history having been the headquarters of the local SS during the war and then fell into disuse before being renovated in 1978. It is now home to the St Anton museum which, given the resort’s history, is particularly interesting and there are rooms dedicated to Hannes Schneider along with other aspects of the resort’s history. The food is a creative mixed menu of fish, meat and vegetarian dishes, all well prepared to a high standard and there’s a good wine list too.
Floriani Restaurant, Alte Arlbergstraße 13, 6580 (+43 (0)5446 2330) is a popular high-value, family-friendly pizza restaurant located close to the resort centre, 200m up from the Galzignbahn lower terminal. Known for its lively atmosphere, advance bookings and normally required because of its popularity.
Apres/Nightlife
Krazy Kangaruh, Mooserweg 19, 6580 (+43 (0)5446 2633) at the base of the slopes is arguably the world’s most famous après-ski bar and thus a ‘must visit’ during your stay. Dancing on tables in ski boots while knocking back shots is the norm here and it’s almost impossible to get in between 4 and 7pm as it’s so popular (arrive by 3pm to bag your space). Don’t forget you still need to ski the final stretch back to the resort when the KK closes around 8pm so watch alcohol consumption.
Mooserwirt, Unterer Mooserweg 2 (+43 (0)5446 3588) is the place that is tipped by some St Anton insiders as better, these days, than the Krazy Kangaruh. It’s certainly doing good business, recently expanding to add luxurious accommodation, and has the same “too popular” problem as the Krazy Kangaruh – normally impossible to get in much after 3pm as its packed full. Rumour has it the Mooserwirt sells more beer than any other bar in Austria.
