Lienz Restaurants

Adlerstüberl Restaurant

Exhausted after a full day of sight-seeing, we wandered late one brisk February evening into the Adlerstüberl, just off Hauptplatz, and were pleasantly surprised by its cozy atmosphere and friendly staff. This casual restaurant serves specialties of the region, along with Austria’s popular Gosser beer.

The restaurant is divided into several small dining rooms, with tables arranged around the perimeter of each. We opted for the Tirolean farmer’s special slices of roasted pork smothered in gravy and sauerkraut and a delicious sirloin steak, grilled with onions and accompanied by a healthy portion of french fries.

The menu (available in English) also lists a number of salads as well the usual staples. An additional plus: our waitress gladly brought us a whole carafe of ice water upon request. 

• Contact: Adlerstüberl Restaurant, Andrä Kranz Gasse 5, tel. +43/04852/62550
• Rating: Quality 12/20, Value 14/20 

Mamma's

The less expensive of the Traube's restaurants, called Mammas, also exceeded our expectations. From the hotels street level parking lot, we descended a flight of stairs into a Ratskeller-like dining room filled with many large, round, family-style tables and a few cozier booths. The restaurant was bustling, yet the servers were attentive and conversational.

In a modern, open kitchen, the chef prepared a range of Italian specialties. All the pasta is homemade. The lasagna in particular was baked to perfection with a brownish tomato sauce that tasted of braised vegetables and a delicate balance of cheeses.

Mammas wine list includes a number of Italian Chiantis and merlots. And even after finishing every last bite of our entrees, we were still tempted to try the tiramisu and a couple of cappuccinos to bring the evening to a proper close. 

• Contact: Mammas, Hauptplatz 14, A-9900 Lienz, tel. +43/04852/ 64 4 44
• Rating: Quality : 14/20, Value 14/20

Sonne’s Restaurant

How appropriate that the Best Western in town runs a good old-fashioned American steak house on its premises.

Sonne’s large dining room occupies the street level of the hotel and tables near the front windows provide a good vantage point for observing the midday activity on Südtirolerplatz.

Cheery yellow walls, stainless steel fixtures, and natural-colored wood tables make for an atmosphere that’s fun, light, and airy. With items like sirloin steak sizzled on the grill, Italian antipasti, Belgian waffles, and baked potatoes loaded with toppings, the place is suitable for casual breakfast, midday, or evening dining.

• Contact: Sonne’s Restaurant, Südtirolerplatz 8, A-9900 Lienz, tel. +43/04852/63311
• Rating: Quality 12/20, Value 10/20

This story was first reported in 1998; prices were updated in 2007.