Benedictine Market, Innere Stadt | Courtesy of the Austrian Tourist Board
From traditional Austrian cuisine to experimental contemporary cuisine, the quaint city of Salzburg boasts a wide variety of restaurants to please even the pickiest of palates. Here we list the 10 local restaurants in and around Salzburg that are well worth a visit.
Doubling up as both a restaurant and wine bar, this unusual venue is perfect for an evening meal for two. The interior is a mix of traditional and contemporary, and during the summer a terrace is open for diners for skyline views from the beautiful Kapuzinerberg, a modest mountain in the heart of the city. Serving a variety of Austrian and Italian dishes, Restaurant Flavour will likely have something for everyone. The wine menu is particularly impressive, with a huge range of local and international varieties.
Burgers are among the greatest comfort foods of all time, and those craving some carbs in Salzburg should head straight to Bio Burger Meister. Located on the antiquated street of Linzergasse, this gourmet restaurant has a sincere approach to its burger curation, taking special care to source fresh and organic meat and veg from local farms. Not just a Mecca for carnivores, the restaurant also caters to a wide range of dietary requirements, with both vegan and vegetarian options available.
Visiting Austria doesn’t necessarily mean sticking to Austrian cuisine. This French bistro is a cosy, charming joint that serves authentic and home-cooked cuisine. Decorated in blue, red and white, in a quintessentially French style, the restaurant looks as if it has been plucked straight from Paris and dropped into the streets of Salzburg. The menu, which changes daily, features everything from home-baked quiches to bean stew with duck, and omelette with truffles or porcini mushrooms. There is also a store inside the restaurant selling some traditional ingredients, including the controversial French favourite, Fois Gras.
This historic restaurant has been satisfying punters since 1621 and has firmly established itself as one of the city’s best traditional hangouts. With a huge indoor seating area and a sizeable summer beer garden, it almost always has a buzzing atmosphere. Augustiner Bräu is one of Salzburg’s best places if seeking conservative Austrian cuisine – and is a safe bet for Schniztel seekers. If wanting to sample a local dish, try the Leberkäse, which is a kind of meatloaf served alongside hot horseradish, white radishes, and a pretzel on the side.
Restaurant Milton’s ever-evolving and primarily vegan menu is bursting with colour and zest. As true devotees of hearty and wholesome cuisine, the chefs only ever use the very best ingredients, ensuring every morsel they source is “regional, seasonal, and ecologically responsible”. This philosophy pays off, as each dish is carefully curated and deliciously nutritious. Even the desserts are predominantly guilt-free, with a changing selection of vegan cakes and tarts.
Lovers of Italian cuisine, look no further. This no-nonsense bistro, located in the serene Ändraviertel district, contains no written menu. Instead they opt to have the waiter announce the daily specials in an extremely old-school style. Catering to both meat eaters and veggies, there is always a wide-ranging spread of fresh anti-pasta and main dishes available. It tends to get busy in the evenings, so be sure to book a table in advance.
Giving traditional Austria fare a modern twist is the goal at Die Weisse, making it stand out from the gaudier restaurants around the corner in the Old Town area. Always lively, with the clientele a mix of both tourists and locals, the menu features all the classic cuisine that Austria is known for (Wiener Schnitzel, Rind Suppe) as well as some interesting seasonal specialties. Be sure to stay for a tipple after your meal, as Die Weisse also has its own brewery (Austria’s oldest wheat beer brewery) creating original Salzburgian beverages.
Another favourite for traditional Austrian fare, Zum Zirkelwirt is located on the picturesque old street of Papagenoplatz. With cosy wooden decking and fur-lined seats, it has the feel of a mountain-top ski lodge despite being located in the heart of the city. Although the menu is a short read, it always boasts delicious homemade dishes. The Pinzgauer Kasnocken – a kind of very posh mac and cheese served with local cheese, onions, and accompanied by a garden salad – is highly recommended.
Hanas Rasoi, hidden away in a quiet alley adjacent to Salzburg’s busiest shopping street in the Old Town, offers quick and delicious Indian cuisine – a perfect remedy for those tiring of Austrian food. The menu contains primarily north Indian dishes, so expect dhal and paneer alongside the standard favourites. Hanas Rasoi is ideal for a high-quality and authentic meal that is right at the centre of the biggest Salzburg attractions, without the tourist price tag or the swarms of people.
A lively cafe that brings all the vibrancy of African cuisine and culture into Austria’s conservative city of Salzburg. The décor is bright and funky with African fabrics and a large, elaborate snake art piece covering the ceiling. The menu includes delights such as ostrich burger, pineapple chicken wraps, or piri-piri prawns.
