DRINK > Grünbeck, St Anton AM (15/20)

Finding a place that is really comfortable to pop in for a coffee, a beer, a snack or a meal. That is the sign of the local you want to visit.

Another good sign is when the patrons start talking and sharing stories. Grünbeck has both and plenty more.

AMBIANCE >

Hidden under the Anton Hotel with its main bar and restaurant upstairs where it captures skiers as they come off the hill, Grünbeck is the quiet cousin. People not looking for the famous St Anton party and perhaps just looking for a spot of refreshment and a warm spot to sit and watch people find Grünbeck or perhaps it finds them.

With a polished chrome walls and ceiling and its small mirrored disco ball and chandelier you could be forgiven for thinking this was a 1980’s nightclub but that is where the similarities end. Here the ambience is more smooth jazz and lounge than doof doof and the waiters glide from table to table enticing you to have just one more glass of wine, beer or perhaps a slice of cake.

DRINKS >

Coffee, Beer, Wine, Spirits and Mixers all things you are likely to need after a hard day of skiing. Here there is also an excellent selection of wines by the glass, including some very good wines (Black Sheep) made by the manager.

FOOD >

The food is simple cafe style with some lovely Italian classics. In particular we enjoyed the toasted sandwiches and mountain cheese. But the cakes were also excellent!

SERVICE >

Friendly and generous service, sharing a sandwich was served split on two plates unasked for but demonstrating a caring for how a meal should be enjoyed. We loved the smiling team and warmth and went back numerous times while staying in St Anton.

CONCLUSION >

Sometimes it is the place and sometimes it is the people you meet. Grünbeck is a combination of both. While we were there we met a couple of english guys away on a ski weekend. One was recalling how he spent a lot of time in St Anton with his dad when he was younger, he told us about how they would regularly go to the apres party bars especially Mooserwirt and drink till close then ski down the hill (drunk) in the dark. They are clearly more responsible now. He went on to share that on one of those nights dad had a few too many drinks and had ploughed right down past the last lift and into the glass front door of the ski rental shop!

dad had a few too many drinks and had ploughed right down past the last lift and into the glass front door of the ski rental shop!

On ringing dad to share that he was back in St Anton after many years for a ski weekend with a mate, his dads comment was “don’t go back to the ski rental shop”.

That is what happens on ski mountains, you meet people they tell you stories, you make friends!

Image Credit | Hotel Anton & Almanak

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