AUSTRIA - Best of Europe 2014 - page 199

$ Hostel: Gasthaus zur Mühle Jugendherberge, below the waterfall and along the
gushing town stream, has 46 of the cheapest good beds in town (bed in 3- to 8-bed coed
dorms-€16, twin D-€32, family quads, sheets-€4 extra, breakfast-€6, big lockers with a €15
deposit, free Wi-Fi, closed Nov, reception closed Tue Sept-mid-May—so arrange in ad-
vance if arriving on Tue, below P1 tunnel parking lot, Kirchenweg 36, tel. & fax 06134/
8318, [e-mail] , Ferdinand Törö). It's also popular for its great, inexpens-
ive pizza (described later).
Eating in Hallstatt
(See “Hallstatt” map, here . )
In this town, when someone is happy to see you, they'll often say, “Can I cook you a fish?”
While everyone cooks the typical Austrian fare, fish is your best bet here. Reinanke (white-
fish) is caught wild out of Lake Hallstatt and served the same day. Saibling (lake trout) is
also tasty and costs less. You can enjoy good food inexpensively, with delightful lakeside
settings.RestaurantsinHallstatttendtohaveunreliablehoursandcloseearlyonslownights,
sodon'twait toolongtogetdinner.Mostoftheeateries listed herearerunbyrecommended
hotels.
Restaurant Bräugasthof, on the edge of the old center, is a good value. The indoor din-
ing room is cozy in cool weather. On a balmy evening, its great lakeside tables offer the best
ambience in town—you can feed the swans while your trout is being cooked (€10-20 main
courses, daily May-Oct 11:30-late, closed Nov-April, Seestrasse 120, tel. [phone]).
Hotel Grüner Baum is a more upscale option, with elegant (and often slow) service at
tables overlooking the lake inside and out (€15-25 main courses, daily Dec-Oct 8:00-22:00,
closed Nov, at bottom of Market Square, tel. [phone]).
Gasthof Simony's Restaurant am See serves Austrian cuisine on yet another gorgeous
lakeside terrace, as well as indoors (€12-16 main courses, Thu-Tue 11:30-20:00, until 21:00
June-Sept and on winter weekends, closed Wed, tel. [phone]).
Gasthaus zur Mühle serves the best pizza in town. Chow down cheap and hearty here
with fun-loving locals and the youth-hostel crowd. Note that smoking is allowed here (€8
pizza,lotsofItalian,someAustrian,Wed-Moninsummer16:00-21:00,closedTue,Kirchen-
weg 36, tel. [phone], Ferdinand).
Pizzeria Bella Milano, in the Lahn area, is a local favorite and a good option after vis-
iting the salt mines or going swimming. To-go meals are available if you want to eat by the
lake. They serve mainly pizzas and Italian dishes, along with some Austrian options (€7-10
main courses, daily 11:00-22:00, Lahn 41, tel. [phone]).