Prices (without wine) €€€—€40+, €€—€21–40, €—€20-.

For the best meals in the area try the following Gault Millau two-toque rated eateries. Bring a coat and tie to dine at the Tennerhof Restaurant (63181; €€€; photo left), which gets rave reviews for everything from main courses to avant-garde desserts. Schwedenkapelle (65870; €€€), actually closer to Kirchberg near the Fleckalmbahn, is exceptional and has dinner served on Saturday with musical accompaniment and dancing .

For an out of the ordinary experience try the candlelight dinner at Restaurant Hochkitzbühel (6957230; at the top of the Hahnenkamm Gondola; €€€). It is continental gourmet cooking with all the bells and whistles. Disappointingly, though you would expect it, there is no view of the town of Kitzbühel from the restaurant. Take time to enjoy the view on the ride up.

Finally, head to Lois Stern (74882; €€), just outside the old town, for creative cooking in an open kitchen where you can watch Lois cook. He is a master of cuisine tending toward Italian and also brings strong influences of Japan to his kitchen. When you have had enough meat, cheese and potatoes, this is a fascinating change.

For those of us who like quantity and traditional meals rather than dining on rarified gourmet creations, check out these spots:

The Landhäusl (64007; €€) serves the largest portions in the area. Make reservations! Most tables seat six to eight people, and the staff won't hesitate to seat you next to someone else — not a good idea if you want a romantic dinner for two. Worth recommending: the Wienerschnitzel and Kaiserschmarren, a pancake-style dish. Dinner for two costs about €35. Credit cards accepted.

Locals gravitate toward the Huberbrau-Stuberl (65677; €-€€), for Tyrolean specialties as well as standard Austrian fare. Eat early or late to avoid a wait.

Insomniacs should drop by Zum Zinnkrug (62613; €-€€) which is the closest thing to an all-night diner. Open all the time and recommended by every local we asked, it serves a good basic Austrian meals and spare ribs and takes credit cards.

Looking for Mexican cuisine? You're in luck; there are two restaurants that dish out tacos and cold Coronas. The most popular is La Fonda (73673), which is more like a bar than a restauran. Service is slow, but you'll eventually get your chimichangas. Dinner for two costs about €25. Credit cards aren't taken, but there's an automatic teller machine around the corner.

In Kitzbühel, it's pizza, not schnitzel, that seems to be everywhere. Most bars serve small single-size pizzas, but they're not what you might expect—an Austrian pizza has a thinner crust and less topping than its American cousin.

Barrique (Hinterstradt 19; 62658) has a lively bar scene. It also serves an excellent selection of spaghetti dishes, as does Il Gusto (Hinterstradt 19; 72790).

On the mountain stop in for lunch or at least a beer and schnapps at the Seidlalm where the World Cup races were founded and at Sonnbergstub'n where there is a singing chef. Coming to Kirchberg? Make sure not to miss Gasthof Maierl at the top of the Maierl lift. Try the rustic Tyrolean Blutwurst, Groest'l mit Spiegelei or Kasespätzle mit Röstzwiebel. Or head to Gasthof Schroll for Kaiserschmarren aus der Pfanne.

Fine dining just outside Kitzbühel is worth the taxi ride to the nearby towns of Reith and Aurach. In Reith head to Tischlerwirt (65416; €€; photo above right) and feast on meals like deer with blackberry balsamic sauce and desserts such as cherry cake with rum. In Aurach go straight to Giggling-Stube (64888; €€) where you will be overjoyed with your meal. Try the creative wild game and lamb dishes.

Heading up the valley in the direction of Pass Thurn in Jochberg try Bärnbichl-Stube (Bärenbühelweg 35, Jochberg; 05355/5347; €€) for acclaimed Austrian meals. The Gröstíl and trout are wonderful. This is a great place to stop for lunch while on the ski safari. Also in Jochberg is Schwarzer Adler (05355/6911; €€).

In Kirchberg, most group arrangements are for full pension. If you want to go out on the town, one of the best restaurants is the Pfeffermühle (05357/2222; €-€€) attached to the Hotel Alexander, that the owner calls Austrian with a touch of Italian. It features a wood-fired pizza oven and its specialty is meat that you grill on a hot stone set in the middle of the table. It's great fun. Cost is between €14-20 depending on the cut of meat.

Geniesserrestaurant Rosengarten (05357/2527; €€€), in Hotel Taxacherhof, the award-winning chef Simon Taxacher creates his versions of nouvelle Austrian cuisine and continental gourmet meals. Call for reservations. Candlelight dinner here with a lover is the perfect setup for a great dessert.

For a real traditional experience head to the Kupferstuben (05357/2335; €€) where you can fill up very affordably on rustic Tyrolean meals in the perfect atmosphere. Make reservations, it's packed. There is actually an Italian working at the Nabucco (05357/35099; €) that serves pizza and pasta. For excellent wild game, try the Kirchenwirt (05357/2852; €-€€).