Where to eat in Salzburg: what to order and where
Salzburg eats Austrian: schnitzel, dumplings, sweet soufflé and good beer. The best-known places are old and sit in the old town, so book dinner. For lunch, walk to Mülln or Neustadt, where the same dishes cost less and the rooms are easier to get into.
The short answer
- Best area to eat
- The old town for the historic rooms, Mülln for beer and a lower bill.
- Order this
- Salzburger Nockerl, a baked sweet soufflé, and Wiener schnitzel.
- When to eat
- Lunch from 12:00, dinner from 18:00. Kitchens close early, often by 21:00.
- Book or walk in
- Book the Stiftskulinarium. The beer hall and the cafes take walk-ins.
- Tipping
- Round up by about 5 to 10 percent and say the total when you pay.
What to eat in Salzburg
- Salzburger NockerlA baked soufflé of egg whites and sugar, shaped like the city's hills. It is made to order and meant to be shared.
- Wiener schnitzelBreaded veal, fried in clarified butter and served with potato salad and lemon.
- KaspressknödelFried cheese dumplings, served in beef broth or on salad, from the mountain kitchen.
- MozartkugelThe chocolate and pistachio ball first made in Salzburg. Buy a small box, not a large tin.
- Käsekrainer and bosnaSausage street food. Bosna is a spiced bratwurst in a bun, sold at kiosks near the old town.
- Bier from the barrelAugustiner beer is poured from wooden barrels into stone steins at Mülln.
Where to eat in Salzburg, by neighborhood
Altstadt
The old town packs in historic inns and cafes. Prices are higher near Getreidegasse and lower down the side lanes.
Mülln
A short walk from the old town, with the Augustiner brewery and a few simpler places.
Neustadt
On the right bank, with a wider, cheaper choice of lunch spots near the station and Linzer Gasse.
Places worth a booking or a queue
-
St. Peter Stiftskulinarium
€€€Historic restaurant · Altstadt
OrderSalzburger Nockerl or a classic schnitzel
One of the oldest restaurants in Europe, set in the St Peter's Abbey grounds. The rooms are the reason to come.
- Book
- Book online or by email
Confirmed open: stpeter.at
-
Café Tomaselli
€€Coffee house · Altstadt
OrderCoffee and a slice of cake
The oldest coffee house in Austria, run by the same family for more than 150 years. Cakes are brought to the table on trays.
- Book
- Walk in
Confirmed open: tomaselli.at
-
Augustiner Bräustübl
€Beer hall · Mülln
OrderA stein of Augustiner and a pretzel
Austria's largest beer hall, with a beer garden. You can bring your own snacks.
- Book
- Walk in
Confirmed open: augustinerbier.at
-
Gasthaus zum Wilden Mann
€€Traditional inn · Altstadt
OrderSchnitzel or Kaspressknödel
A plain Austrian inn in a courtyard passage off Getreidegasse, open since 1883.
- Book
- Walk in, or book for dinner
Confirmed open: salzburg.info
Food markets in Salzburg
- Grünmarkt UniversitätsplatzFruit, cheese, sausage and bread stalls near the Collegiate Church.Monday to Saturday in the morning; check the tourist office for hoursSource: salzburg.info
How Salzburg eats
- Meal timesLunch is the main hot meal and kitchens close early in the evening.
- TippingRound up by 5 to 10 percent and tell the server the total when you pay.
- ReservationsBook the best-known restaurants for dinner, especially at weekends and in December.
- Coffee and cakeA coffee house is for sitting. Order a coffee and a cake and stay as long as you like.
Signs of a place to walk past
Menus with photos of the dishes by the door.
Staff on Getreidegasse calling you in from the pavement.
Nockerl listed as a ready-made dessert instead of made to order.
Eating in Salzburg: questions people ask
What food is Salzburg known for?
Salzburger Nockerl, a baked sweet soufflé, and Mozartkugel are the local names. Otherwise it is classic Austrian cooking: schnitzel, dumplings and strudel.
Where is the best place to eat in Salzburg?
For history, St. Peter Stiftskulinarium. For beer, the Augustiner Bräustübl. For coffee and cake, Café Tomaselli.
Do you need to book restaurants in Salzburg?
For the best-known restaurants at dinner, yes, especially at weekends and in December. Beer halls and cafes take walk-ins.
How much do you tip in Salzburg?
Round up by 5 to 10 percent and say the total when you pay. Service is not always added to the bill.
Is Salzburg expensive for food?
The old town costs more, and Mülln and Neustadt cost less. Lunch menus are the best value.