Graz, Austria

"Where should I go to eat, what food will I like and what do the locals prefer?" All to often, tourist's questions are left unanswered and as a result, they end up in a tourist trap! Here is a short overview of what Graz can offer the taste buds!

Starting off at the Färberplatz and the adjacent Mehlplatz, both of which are in the heart of the Old Town, visitors can find a number of places to eat and drink, all of which will reflect the city's culinary diversity.

Restaurants

If you want to sample the Steiermark region's local cuisine, then you would be well advised to go to the or the Gambrinuskeller or the Gamlitzer Weinstube . You could also try the well-known Gasthaus zur Goldenen Pastete . If you find yourself in the city centre but still want to enjoy a bit of scenery, the Klöcherperle is a good choice.

If you cross the Mur and go to the Lend district, you will also find a number of excellent restaurants, such as the Altseirischen Schmankerlstube , which is en route, or the cosy Mohrenwirt , situated beneath the Mariahilf Church.

As everyone knows, it's not only good food, but also atmosphere and surroundings that make a restaurant special. With this in mind, the Kehlberghof , which has 14 Gault Milau points and is situated at the edge of Graz, has to be mentioned. It's a truly original restaurant. The Casino-Restaurant is also renowned for its fine cuisine and the Laufke is perfect for candlelight dinners in a wooden-paneled room.

Lovers of Italian food will enjoy the Amalfi and the city's hip and trendy young (and young at heart) frequent the Ristorante Galliano , which also serves Mediterranean cuisine.

Graz is also home to a number of splendid Spanish and Latin American restaurants such as the Malaga and the Brot und Spiele in the Mariahilfstraße 17. The latter restaurant's special attraction is the exhibit of what is rumoured to be one of Che Guevara's socks (with holes!)! The Rincon-Andino in the Eggenberg district and the La Puerta in the pedestrian shopping zone are also worth a visit – both are known for their South American grilled foods!

If you like steak, or Texan, Argentinian or Brazilian foods then the Steak House Biergwölb zum Pfiff (Tel +43 316 82 34 02; Mo-Fr: 11:00-24:00; Sa: 18:00-24:00; Schönaugasse 3; 8010 Graz) is very good and it also serves regional meat dishes. Persian specialties can be sampled at the Shiraz in the Schönaugasse 41 (Tel: +43 316 82 05 05 / +43 676 790 00 03) – visit and you'll soon discover that one thousand and one culinary desires can be fulfilled!

Since opening a year ago, the Kornati seafood restaurant has proved a welcome addition to the city's restaurant scene. It serves mouthwatering dalmatian fish dishes. Don't despair if you are vegetarian, the staff at the Mangold are on hand to take your order.

Trendy Bars and Pubs

Its location in the southern Alpine region has caused Graz to acquire some Mediterranean characteristics, both climatically and atmospherically. Coupled with the fact that it is a university city, the city has a certain joie de vivre and openness to it, and its nightlife scene is sure to reflect this.

You can find places to sit and have a chat or have a snack throughout the day and into the early hours. The Wartburg is a local favorite, as are the Poco Loco (be warned, the cocktails are addictive), the Posaune and the Bierbaron .

St. Leonard locals visit the Girardikeller . If you want to mingle with the in-crowd, then you will have to find your way to the Schillerhof.

The Kommod has reached near-legendary status since opening and the nearby Triangel and Stockwerk also get crowded, this not least being due to the tasteful music they play. If you like pub culture then Graz has something just for you. As their names suggest, Flann O' Brien , and Molly Mallone have a celtic touch serving up Irish beers and whiskeys.

In fact, their seems to be no end to the number of English/Irish pubs that are opening in Graz, with Kavannagh's being the most recent addition. Along with the re-opened Stern , this inner city district has been given a breath of fresh air.

Cafes and Bars

Coffee house culture has been a central feature of Austrian life since the Turkish Wars and you can find wonderful cafes throughout Austria. Visit any one of them and discover why this part of Europe is famous for opening its living room to the public.

There are three coffee houses in Graz which are especially noteworthy: the Strehly , the cafe in the Hotel Herzog and the Opera Cafe (Opernring 22).

Another jewel in the crown is the Fotter . In the summer you can easily pass an hour or two over a coffee in its magical gardens.

Those with a sweet tooth will no doubt find a special place in their hearts for the Philip and the Cafe Preinsack . Every day, the in-house bakers make lots of delicious cakes, gateaux and chocolates. The Segafredo or the Don Camillo in the picturesque Franciscan Square are perfect for a Macchiato to go.

Fast Food the Austrian way

Eating on the go is not a problem in Austria – you will find countless sausage stands (Würstelstand) on every corner, which also sell excellent barbecued foods. Here are some tips on what you could order if you come across the following: do try the "Kotelett-Semmel" (Cutlet Roll) at the Würstelstand am Jakominiplatz, which is virtually a meal in itself, along with the Krainer with horseradish and mustard. If you're at the Hauptplatz, you'll find various vendors selling delicious doener kebabs and mozzarella sticks as well as regionally produced roasted sausages. The Würstelstand Gutmann is also very good.

Photo: Graz Tourismus, Hans Wiesenhofer

The Steiermark region, which is also known as "The Green Heart of Austria" is a wonderful place. The area around Graz offers countless opportunities for sightseeing, as well as areas of natural beauty. What follows are just a few suggestions of how you could make use of your time.

Seckau Benedictine Abbey

To get to the Seckau Benedictine Abbey near Graz, take the A9 towards Salzburg or the S36 in the direction of Klagenfurt and exit at St. Laurenzen. There is an on-site museum on monastic life, and you can also admire a range of beautiful artwork. Afterwards, you can also enjoy something delicious to eat in the restaurant.

Steirische Schlösserstraße

Here you will gain a unique insight into the past. You can admire castles from different epochs, ranging from the Gothic to the Renaissance to the Baroque, and they have all been built into the beatuiful Austrian hills. Schloss Schielleiten next to the idyllic Stubenberg Lake is more picturesque than words can describe, Schloss Pöllau near Feldbach and Schloss Kornberg also hint at the entreaging past this region has lived. If you only have time to see one castle then make it the Riegersburg, which stands proudly on top of a former volcano that rises 428m high. The Turks once described it as 'Christendoms mightiest fort'.

Schloss Herberstein

The foundations of Schloss Herberstein, which is an hours car ride away from Graz (A2, direction Vienna, exit Gleisdorf East), date from the 13th century. Today, you can visit the 'Life in the Castle' exhibition. Many rooms have been renovated and they depict what life was like for one of the regions most influential families.

The castle grounds have also been home to a vast zoological garden since the 17th century. There are over 600 different animals from 5 different continents that roam the spacious grounds. Children and adults alike can enjoy finding out about the animal kingdom. If you can't wait to go to the castle, check out the website at http://www.herberstein.co.at.

If you love horses then you would be well advised to visit the Piper Lippizaner Stud Farm near Voitsberg in the western Steiermark region. Lippizzaner horses, which are famous for their graceful natures, are jet black when they are born. They are taken to the Vienna Court riding school at a young age and as time goes on, they become snow white. The tradition of keeping this breed of horse in Austria dates back to the last spanish Habsburg, Karl II, who lived in the 16th century.

A visit to the west of the Steiermark region is rewarding, even if you don't go to the stud farm. In Bärnbach you can see how Hundertwasser, the famous Austrian artist, transformed a church into a feast of colour and if you reach Fort Deutschlandsberg on a clear day you can enjoy splendid views.

Südsteirische Weinstraße (Southern Wine Route)

There are eight wine routes in the Steiermark region, the most famous of which is the Südsteirische Weinstraße . It is also known as the 'Steiermark's Tuscany'. You may wonder why, but if you drive through this region, which produces Muskat Sylvaner, Weißburgunder, Morillon, Müller-Thürgau, Muskatteller, Sauvignon Blanc and Welschriesling, you will soon see why. The wind carries a subtle scent of vines, the vineyards spread out as far as the eye can see and the climate is relatively mild.

If you are in the southern part of the Steiermark and you like learning about the past, then the Flavia Solva (Wagna) roman village and the Frauenberg Temple Museum are nearby.

Maribor (Marburg)

Maribor (Marburg) is actually a slovenian city and a very lively one at that. The city's history, which spans over one thousand years has been tumultuous to say the least .

During the Austrian Empire, Marburg was usually overshadowed by Graz, which was the Steiermark's capital and after the end of the monarchy, Marburg had to try and counter its steady economic decline. The majority of the city's citizens stayed true to their Austrian heritage and after the First World War, their was an attempt to make the city the cultural and social capital of northern Slovenia.

'Maribor' actually means 'Castle in the border regions'. It has entered the 21st century as a lively and vibrant university city. You will find numerous bars near the River Drau and lovely shops in the city centre and before you know it, Marburg will have won you over with its charm.

Mur Cycle Route and the Thermenland

Sporty visitors will enjoy the Mur Cycle Path , and water babies and keen swimmers will feel at home at the Thermenland Steirmark. The region is famous for its hot springs. If you are in need of relaxation and pampering the Bad Radkersburg is where you should settle. Architecture buffs should head to the Blumau Spa, which was designed by Hundertwasser. If it rains while you are in Graz, you could always go to the Schwarzl Freizeitzentrum or the Copacabana .

Photo: Graz Tourismus, Hans Wiesenhofer