Serner am See

It's a shame you can't enjoy Stefan Fischer's high-calibre cuisine all year round. The surprise menu consists of five to eight contemporary and innovative courses, with dishes such as smoked South Burgenland pigeon from southern Burgenland with umeboshi plum, spelt, consommé, shiitake mushroom, elderberry and rowanberry. Wine pairing recommendations come courtesy of the amiable and highly qualified sommelier. This tastefully designed restaurant occupies the first floor of a modern pavilion on the waterfront promenade – as one would expect, spots on the terrace are much in demand. The floor-to-

Gusswerk – once a bell foundry – is an impressive location for a restaurant. Details of the old industrial architecture have been skilfully combined with chic, stylish modern furnishings. The centrepiece is the open kitchen, allowing you to watch the team led by Andreas Senn and head chef Christian Geisler at work. The cuisine is presented in the form of "The 5 Senses of Taste", a set menu that abounds with creativity and well-thought-out details, finely balanced textures and bold flavours, from the five savoury appetisers to dishes such as "Chilean sea bass, ajoblanco, tomato, Amalfi lemon",

Just outside Salzburg, Iris and Jürgen Vigné's establishment offers an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. In a lovely 17C parish house, dine in one of the charming, cosy rooms, outside on the attractive terrace or in a lounge. The cuisine is characterised by a bold and inventive spirit, infused with a personal touch that shines through in dishes like the foie gras terrine with cauliflower and passion fruit; a symphony of textures and flavours that showcases the chef's mastery of contrasting elements. When it comes to the quality of his ingredients, Jürgen Vigné sets great store by

The splendid location of this restaurant with a wonderful terrace overlooking Mondsee is as much of a draw as the cuisine of chef-patron Martin Lackner. His dishes have classical leanings and take their cue from the seasons. The quality of the ingredients – many from the region – is exceptional. Order the set menu or à la carte, taking your pick from appetising dishes such as "Hausruck beef tartare, ciabatta-parmesan ice cream, oven-baked tomato". The in-house wine shop is also worth a look. For overnight guests, Seehotel Lackner offers tasteful guestrooms, a beautiful spa and sauna area, plus

This fish and snail restaurant stands out for its intriguing and uncommon concept. The menu ranges from grilled pike-perch with mustard sauce and crayfish in white wine broth to fresh mussels sautéed in garlic butter and chilli, and snails with herbs or pepper. For dessert, the pastries are practically a must. As well as the appealing à la carte choices, the four-course set menu is well worth trying. The tranquil lakeside location by Wallersee, complete with a bathing area, is delightful – the terrace is, of course, the place to be in summer. The interior is also attractive with its upscale, m

The restaurant is somewhat hidden away, in a beautiful location overlooking the lake, Wallersee – the view from the terrace to the rear of the building is magnificent, but you can also enjoy the view from some of the tables inside. Eclectic design details such as furniture, figurines and pictures, as well as strikingly colourful Murano glass chandeliers, create decorative accents in the tasteful interior. The cuisine is international, so the menu features dishes such as "oysters, artichokes, lemon marmalade" and dim sum with various fillings. Friendly and attentive service.

Are you a fan of no-frills cuisine that stands out for its craftsmanship and flavour as well as the quality of its regional ingredients? In addition to classic Austrian fare such as Backhendl (breaded fried chicken), Wiener schnitzel etc, you can indulge in dishes such as fried lake trout with Mediterranean pearl barley and a Riesling foam, or roast lamb with Serviettenknödel (bread dumplings). Diners will appreciate the attentive, friendly service and cosy interior done out in a modern style and warm tones. The gorgeous wine cellar dates back to the 16C. Head for the terrace with a view of th