Salzburg's Ultimate Food Guide: Where To Eat

Salzburg, Austria, is known for its delicious food and beautiful cafes and restaurants. The city has a few delicacies unique to it, and it is exciting to try them all!

Some of the must-try dishes in Salzburg include:

- Schnitzel: A thin slice of breaded meat, an Austrian staple.

- Knodel: A dumpling, another Austrian staple.

- Salzburger Nockerl: A souffle dessert unique to Salzburg.

- Backhendl: Fried chicken.

- Bretzel: Pretzel.

- Salzburger Mozartkugel: Specialty chocolate.

- Mozart almond milk: Available at Café Tomaselli, the oldest coffee house in Austria.

- Sheep milk ice cream: From Eisl Eisl.

- Tafelspitz: Boiled meat in broth.

- Strudel: Pastry.

Schnitzel, a thin slice of breaded meat, is an Austrian staple

The term Wiener Schnitzel refers to a schnitzel made of veal and is geographically protected in Germany and Austria. In Austria, Wiener Schnitzel must be made of veal, and when other meats are used, it is called Wiener Schnitzel vom Schwein ('Wiener schnitzel from pork') or Schnitzel Wiener Art ('Viennese-style schnitzel'). Schnitzel is usually made with pork, chicken, veal, or turkey, and the meat is thinned by pounding with a meat tenderiser.

In Salzburg, you can find Schnitzel at the following restaurants:

• Zum fidelen Affen
• K+K am Waagplatz
• Gasthaus Zwettler's
• Wirtshaus Elefant
• Strobl Stüberl

Kaspressknödel, a speciality in Salzburg and West Austria, are tasty bread and cheese dumplings

Kaspressknödel are a speciality in Salzburg and West Austria. These tasty bread and cheese dumplings are a must-try when visiting Salzburg. Kaspressknödel are a type of flattened dumplings made from Knödelbrot (dumpling bread) and cheese. They are often served as a starter in soup, or as a main course, fried in butter and served with sauerkraut.

When sampling this delicacy in Salzburg, you will likely be served with Bierkäse, a regional cheese variety. However, in other parts of Austria, such as Tirol, they are made with Bergkäse, Graukäse, or Sura Kees.

For a true taste of Salzburg, head to Andreas Hofer Weinstube, a restaurant with a focus on Tyrolean cuisine in a historic setting. Here, you can savour Kaspressknödel as a starter or main course, depending on your appetite. This restaurant, located on one of the oldest streets in Salzburg, exudes old-world charm with its rustic wooden furniture and candlelit ambiance.

If you're a vegetarian, Kaspressknödel can be a satisfying main course option. Alternatively, pair it with a Mailänder (Milano) Schnitzel, a rare variation coated in parmesan cheese instead of breadcrumbs—a treat for cheese enthusiasts.

Salzburg is known for its street food, including fish soup, deep-fried chicken, and sausages

Fish Soup

Salzburg's food markets are a great place to start your culinary journey. At the markets, you can find fresh produce such as cheese, meat, vegetables, bread, and fish. Among the many delights, you will find fish soup, a typical Salzburg snack. The markets also offer an array of other tasty treats, such as deep-fried chicken and sausages.

Deep-Fried Chicken

Deep-fried chicken, or Backhendl as the locals call it, is a popular dish in Salzburg. If you are looking for the best Backhendl in the city, head to Bärenwirt. This restaurant claims to serve the best deep-fried chicken in all of Austria, and diners confirm that it is absolutely delicious. The portion is huge, full of flavour, and it even includes nuggets of deep-fried chicken liver. Bärenwirt also has a lovely al fresco terrace, making it the perfect spot for a solo dinner or a group gathering.

Sausages

When it comes to sausages, Salzburg has a wide variety to offer. The Käsekrainer, for example, is a sausage with melted cheese inside. It is usually chopped into pieces before eating to prevent the hot cheese from splashing. The Bernerwürstel is similar, but it is wrapped in bacon and is thinner in size. For a true taste of Salzburg, try the Bosna. Invented in the city around 1950, it consists of two thin grilled pork sausages, raw onions, and curry powder. You can find the original Bosna stand in Getreidegasse, or try Raymond's Bosna at the Salzburger Grill Imbiss, which is said to be just as good, if not better.

In addition to these street food delights, Salzburg also offers a variety of restaurants serving traditional Austrian dishes, such as roast pork, goulash, and dumplings. Whether you're looking for a quick bite on the go or a sit-down meal, Salzburg's street food and market offerings are sure to satisfy your cravings.

For dessert, try the Salzburger Nockerl, a souffle-like dessert unique to the city

Salzburger Nockerl is said to have been invented by Salome Alt, the mistress of Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich Raitenau in the early 17th century. The dish is considered an icon of Austrian cuisine and has been featured in operettas and films.

You can try this delicious dessert at Wirtshaus Elefant (formerly S’Nockerl), which serves moderate portions at mid-range prices. The restaurant is closed on Sundays and Mondays and is a great choice for lunch or dinner.

Ingredients:

• Egg whites
• Granulated sugar
• Vanilla sugar
• Egg yolk
• Flour
• Butter
• Icing sugar for dusting

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 220°C / 428°F.
• Smear an oval-shaped, ovenproof form with butter.
• Mix the egg whites with a pinch of salt and gradually add the granulated sugar until the mixture is thick and creamy.
• Add vanilla sugar and egg yolk.
• Carefully add flour and fold a few times with a whisk without making the mixture homogeneous.
• Shape the dough into four pyramid-shaped nockerl and place them next to each other on the baking tray.
• Bake for 8-10 minutes until golden brown.
• Dust with icing sugar and serve quickly to prevent the nockerl from collapsing.

Wash your meal down with a large beer, or weissbier, as Austrians do

Salzburg, Austria, is known for its delicious food and great cafes and restaurants. The city has a lot to offer when it comes to traditional Austrian dishes and unique delicacies. While enjoying these mouth-watering treats, you'll want to wash them down with a refreshing drink. And what could be more perfect than a large beer or a weissbier, just as the Austrians do?

Weissbier, also known as Hefeweizen, is a popular style of wheat beer in Austria and Germany. It's characterised by its cloudy amber colour and fruity aromas, such as banana, apricot and clove. A well-known brewery in Salzburg, Stieglbrauerei zu Salzburg, offers weissbier, contributing to the city's vibrant beer culture.

If you're looking for a cosy and traditional Austrian restaurant in Salzburg, Johanneskeller is an excellent choice. Located in the basement of a church, this quaint eatery serves up delicious Schweinsbraten, a typical Austrian roast pork dish. Wash down this hearty meal with a large beer, as the Austrians do, and you'll fit right in with the friendly staff and lively atmosphere.

For a true taste of history, step into the oldest restaurant in Europe, St. Peter Stiftskulinarium. This restaurant, located in the oldest part of Salzburg, dates back to 803, and even the Mozart family dined here! Their Mozart dinner concerts offer a unique dining experience, combining wonderful performances of Mozart compositions with a historical three-course meal. As you indulge in the culinary delights, you'll be transported back in time by the beautiful frescoes and candle-lit chandeliers.

When in Salzburg, a visit to the historic Andreas Hofer Weinstube is a must. This restaurant, named after a Tyrolean innkeeper who led a rebellion against Napoleon, specialises in Tyrolean cuisine. Try their Mailänder Schnitzel, a rare variation coated in parmesan cheese, or their Kaspressknödel, tasty bread and cheese dumplings. Pair your meal with a large beer, the preferred choice of many Austrians, and you'll be immersed in the authentic Austrian experience.

For a casual lunch recommendation, head to Gasthaus Zwettler's, located just around the corner from Mozart Square. This restaurant has a lively atmosphere, with waiters who always pay close attention to their guests. While they are known for having the only Austrian lunch menu in Salzburg, they also stand out for their unique beer. Instead of the usual Stiegl, they serve a beer branded by the name of Emperor Karl, which is said to reside inside the nearby Untersberg mountain. Enjoy their Zwiebelrostbraten, savoury roast beef with onions, or their vegetarian Tiroler Schlutzkrapfen, pumpkin and mountain cheese ravioli, with a large, refreshing beer.

Whether you're dining in a historic restaurant or enjoying a casual lunch, don't forget to wash down your meal with a large beer or a weissbier. It's the perfect way to immerse yourself in the Austrian culture and truly experience Salzburg like a local.

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