Soul food in Carinthia
Do you fancy a culinary expedition through Klagenfurt? We have sampled the local delights and can share a few of our most delicious tips with you. Read on to find out where to shop and where to dine out.
SHOPPING TIPS
Klagenfurt’s finest and largest “grocery shop” is the Benedictine Market. Dozens of stalls offer the very best produce from Carinthia’s farms and market gardens in its fresh natural state – and much of it in organic quality. The culinary outlets on and around the square transform the fresh produce into hearty or light dishes and create wonderful delicacies to suit all tastes: from regional traditional fare to gourmet cuisine. A special spirit infuses the market on the principal market days: Thursdays and Saturdays. On these days, it is not only the Carinthian farmers who sell vegetables, fruit and meat products, but numerous vendors from Slovenia, Croatia and Italy and even as far as Sicily offer everything from Pršut to gilthead sea bream, from sauerkraut to artichokes. The aroma, the visual feast, the murmur and bustle create an atmosphere for visitors to the market that far exceeds merely doing one’s grocery shopping. Why not stop off for lunch at Rudi’s, where you can find the famous Kärntner Kasnudeln that are suitable for vegetarians and also come in variations featuring spinach or meat. Immediately opposite in the market hall, the Kochwerkstatt offers the Italian version, tortellini, and much more in the way of the finest gourmet dishes.
Located in Lakeside Park between buildings B9 and B10, Rupp’s Farmers’ Corner offers a delicious shopping experience. Visitors will find a wide selection of high-quality products sourced directly from over 50 regional farms: fresh eggs, fragrant baked goods, dairy products, premium oils, meat specialties and much more besides – all produced in the region with a passion for quality.
In addition to its location in Lakeside Park, Rupp’s Farmers’ Corner can also be found in Maria Rain, Ebenthal and in the Harbach district of Klagenfurt.
WHERE TO EAT
magdas: The restaurant with a worldly flavour
magdas LOKAL arguably offers the most internationality: The people who work here come from 10 nations and speak up to 7 languages. The menu in the arts, literature and feel-good restaurant initiated by Caritas is equally colourful. Oriental mezze mingle with tasty burgers, Indian curries and Mediterranean fish and pasta dishes. In the morning, you can choose from a range of international breakfast dishes, and at lunchtime you can select from two set menus. magdas is open Mondays to Fridays from 10 am to 11 pm.
Austrian cuisine at its finest at “Augustin”
At the centre of the old town, right on Pfarrplatz, the Bierhaus zum Augustin , with its hearty Austrian dishes and speciality beers, is a first-class beer pub. The outdoor dining area in the courtyard is just one of many cosy and hidden courtyards that can be discovered scattered across Klagenfurt’s old town. Anyone looking for regional and tasty Austrian cuisine will certainly find what they are looking for here. Augustin is open from Monday to Saturday from 11 am to midnight.
Bar snacks at “Tapeo – Tapay Y Vino”
The Spanish tapas bar “Tapeo – Tapay Y Vino” is located in the Koschatstraße between the city centre and the university, adjacent to the Bellisimo video store. They serve tapas ranging from ham and cheese to prawns and the spicy meatballs albondigas (which you’ll be thinking of fondly for days afterwards). The cuisine is one hundred percent authentic. The prices are in keeping with the excellent food. You can taste these exciting flavours in the informal and cosy setting on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Reservations are recommended.
A hearty curry in “Nana’s Kitchen”
Some food makes your palate itch for hours afterwards and you feel full, but not particularly comfortable. The simple Thai snack bar nana’s kitchen on 8. Mai Strasse, which focuses on fast food, does not fall into this category. The menu features noodle and rice dishes, usually with tasty curry sauces, which come in a variety of flavours. The atmosphere is reminiscent of Bangkok’s street kitchens – lively, fragrant and authentic. The open kitchen offers a great view of the chefs and their fresh creations. For those who prefer to feast at home: the dishes are available to take away. The Thai snack bar is open daily from 11 am to 2 pm and additionally on Tuesday to Thursday evenings from 5 pm to 8 pm. It is closed on Sundays.
A trip to the Atlantic: “Ricardo” cooks Portuguese food
The jalapeños with sea salt and a subtle garlic marinade are just one of many dishes that will linger in your memory: In the Tabakgasse, Ricardo Bistro offers Portuguese and international fusion cuisine. The interior of the restaurant is perfect for people who love attention to detail and like to feel cosy (others might also say there are a few too many decorative objects scattered around). In the summer, an outdoor seating area beckons, offering a little more space and fresh air. For those who like to sample as much as they can, we recommend the Fusion Plate for Two. Ricardo Bistro is open from Monday to Saturday, from 6 pm to 11:30 pm, and additionally from Tuesday to Saturday, from 11:30 am to 2 pm. You will need a reservation for the evenings.
Food from all over the world at “Domino”
The concept of the “Domino“, located in Lidmanskygasse, is rather unusual in many ways. To create this restaurant, a traditional Klagenfurt inn (which was clearly getting on in years) was “gently” upgraded; when perusing the menu one might ask whether what is being offered is still old-fashioned or already super-hip. Culinary delights from all over the world are on offer. A particularly delicious dish is the glass noodle or rice bowl, including different components that taste amazing when combined in a single bowl. Domino also serves local dishes such as Kaiserschmarrn, which is extremely popular. The restaurant is open Mondays to Thursdays from 11 am to 7 pm, and Fridays from 11 am to 3 pm. The prices are moderate, and the prosecco is to die for.
Off to McMullens for a Guinness
As soon as you enter “McMullens“, the traditional Irish pub flair envelops you and you feel right at home in the cosy atmosphere. Connoisseurs of Guinness, Kilkenny and whiskey will find everything they need for a perfect pub evening here. In addition to classics like Guinness and Kilkenny, Irish whiskey and cider, the pub also serves traditional food including burgers, wings, fish and chips, and a good selection of wraps. The pub gets particularly crowded on quiz nights or when there’s live music – reservations are recommended. McMullens’ doors are open daily from 5 pm to 2 am.
Typically Carinthian
You will find them on virtually every menu, and they are as integral to the southernmost province as Lake Wörthersee is to Klagenfurt: Kärntner Kasnudeln. One might compare these dumplings filled with potatoes, curd cheese and Carinthian mint with the Italian pasta ravioli. They are a must for anyone visiting Carinthia!
IN THE WIDER KLAGENFURT AREA
Buschenschenke wine taverns – enjoyment the Carinthian way
A typical Carinthian “Brettljause” (Photo: Kärtnen Werbung/Michael Seyer)
If you prefer something more rustic, you should visit one of the many Carinthian wine taverns on warm summer evenings. These so-called Buschenschenken are small taverns, mostly run by farmers, serving only home-produced products – beverages and cold dishes. The “Brettljause” caters to all savoury desires, as it covers the entire range of home-produced delicacies: cured bacon, ham, spiced sausage, sausage spread, curd cheese, cheese, butter and bread. To finish off on a sweet note, there are pastries such as Carinthian Reindling, doughnuts or Buchteln. Food and drinks are mainly served outdoors, so don’t forget to bring a jacket or jumper, even in summer! You can tell if a Buschenschenke is open by the “Buschen” (traditionally tied juniper branches), which is usually displayed over the entrance or gateway.
Outdoor dining at “Forellenhof Jorde”
Just a 10-minute drive from the University of Klagenfurt, a special highlight awaits all fish lovers. At Forellenhof Jorde , dining turns into a real experience: Fish roasted on spits over an open fire, a picnic by the adjacent pond Polsterteich or a glamping night complete with campfire ensure hours of fun and variety. With every bite you can taste the quality of the fish produced with sustainable and organic methods, and the shop sells a wide range of products that you can take home with you. The shop is open Thursday from 12 noon to 5 pm and from Friday to Sunday, from 9 am to 5 pm. The Summer Kitchen is open from Wednesday to Saturday, from 4 pm to 10.30 pm.
Lendhafen district – Klagenfurt’s urban hotspot
Lendhafen | Foto: aau
There is a palpable buzz at the entrance to Lendhafen: the Lendhafen district is known as a trendy meeting place for Klagenfurt’s young, creative scene. Hip cafés, bars and charming restaurants nestle side by side – ideal for connoisseurs and explorers alike.
Breakfast is quite an experience in Hafenstadt: whether your tastes lean towards the traditional or the adventurous, there is something for everyone here. The culinary offerings are complemented by a changing lunch menu, light snacks, refreshing drinks and a sophisticated deli offering regional specialities.
Enjoy a cup of coffee with a view of the water at the charming Lendhafencafé LC – a favourite spot to relax and unwind.
The bar Wohnzimmer invites you to linger in its relaxed atmosphere and regularly delights guests with lively pub quiz evenings.
In May, the Hafenzwitschern event fills the neighbourhood with the fresh spirit of spring. Visitors are treated to a varied programme featuring live music, creative market stalls and culinary highlights, ranging from wine tastings and fish from Lake Wörthersee to speciality honey products.
The Hafenknistern event during Advent conjures up a magical atmosphere during the cold winter months. Visitors can enjoy mulled wine, punch and warm pastries in a cosy atmosphere with fire pits, soft lighting and atmospheric music, while discovering handmade products and fine handicrafts.
