Although you'll find schnitzel with noodles and crispy apple strudel on many traditional tavern menus, there's more to this city's increasingly exciting food scene than that. Salzburg is now making impressive progress on the culinary front, with chefs advocating regional sourcing and serving seasonal dishes with finesse. Now you can go from organic brunch to Vietnamese lunch and gourmet rooftop restaurant in the Altstadt and beyond with ease. And when summer arrives, there's little better than raiding a local delicatessen for Alpine meats and cheeses for a picnic in the palace gardens or on the banks of the Salzach River.
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Altstadt: Left Bank
Blue Goose
Wilkommen to Salzburg's oldest inn, housed in a chic boutique hotel that seamlessly brings together 600 years of history with contemporary art, custom craftsmanship and progressive design. Located opposite the Salzburg Festival Hall, Blaue Gans is in the middle of the tourist center, but fortunately it has lost none of its character and the emphasis is still on quality. Pull up a chair under the vaults and enjoy Austrian cuisine with a slightly creative seasonal twist: from asparagus-strawberry salad with arugula, sheep's cheese and almonds to roasted guinea fowl with gnocchi, peas, radish and black truffle jus. In summer there are tables on the sidewalk terrace.
Humboldt
A relative newcomer to Salzburg's gastronomic scene, this bistro always has a good atmosphere and sends the spirit of an alpine lodge into the future with its rustic and modern mix of dark wooden beams, soft backlighting and a modern fireplace. It already has a loyal local following for its fully organic, traceable dishes, which impress with spot-on classics like Tafelspitz (boiled beef with apple-horseradish and chives) and cheese dumplings topped with fried onions, alongside healthy alternatives like quinoa salad with berries and sheep's cheese. Organic wines, beers and soft drinks also come from Austria.
Nonnberg
Restaurant Brunnauer
Located just steps from the hustle and bustle of the Altstadt in Salzburg's Nonnberg district, this restaurant gets rave reviews from locals for its historic flair (it's housed in the ornate Ceconi Villa), warm welcome and beautifully prepared and presented Austrian dishes. Crisp white linen and original art create an elegant atmosphere and chef Richard Brunnauer puts refined riffs on the freshest seasonal ingredients from the surrounding forests, lakes and mountains. The four-course 'homeland' delves deep into the region in knockout dishes such as Alpine trout with white asparagus and leaf spinach and young venison with truffle-potato puree and morel-cabbage roulade - all expertly paired with Austrian wines.
Mönchsberg
The Glass Garden
Dramatically situated atop the Mönchsberg, The Glass Garden is a welcome culinary newcomer to the Schloss Mönchstein palace hotel. In contrast to the hotel's classic glamour, the avant-garde restaurant keeps things sleek, with light parquet, champagne-coloured club chairs and curved glass walls that offer phenomenal views over the city's rooftops and spires. American glass artist Dale Chihuly created the striking tendril-like centerpiece, which can be admired with inspired, ingredient-focused dishes such as fjord trout with nasturtium and yellow split beans, and red mullet with calamari, seaweed and sobrasada - expertly paired with Austrian wines. One for special occasions.
Leopoldskron
Weiherwirt
Views of the baroque Leopoldskron Palace, which you might recognize from the lake scene in the Sound of Music, simply don't get more dreamy than from the terrace of this glorious family-run tavern. It's worth going a few extra kilometers from the Altstadt to snag an outdoor table overlooking the lake and enjoy well-executed, seasonal Austrian cuisine. Starters such as wild garlic gnocchi and their famous fish soup pave the way for deliciously prepared steaks with herb butter and fish (from Nordic char to salmon trout). Save room for blowout desserts like Palatschinken (Austrian-style pancakes filled with apricot jam and dusted with powdered sugar).
Altstadt: Right Bank
Uncle Van
Tucked away in the medieval Steingasse, Uncle Van has built a reputation among those craving spice in the city. If you're stretched, this is the place for well-prepared and inexpensive Vietnamese specialties - from a value-for-money pho (a brothy noodle soup with coriander, mint, lime and chilli, and strips of chicken or beef) to curries, summer rolls and stir-fry dishes where you can choose your own ingredients. With its red walls, small number of tables and a constant hustle and bustle, it is a cheerful place for lunch or a simple dinner. Gluten-free, lactose-free and vegan dishes are also available.
Bistro de Márquez
This homely, no-nonsense hole-in-the-wall bistro brings a little bubble of South American warmth to the heart of Salzburg. Piedad runs the business with a smile and a lot of love, with a nod to her native Columbia in tasty lunches and snacks for pocket money prices. Enjoy arepas (corn pancakes) with cashew pesto, pandebono (Colombian cheese bread) with guava jam, pollo loco (pulled chicken in mole sauce) and brigadeiros (chocolate soft balls). On the drinks menu you will find organic coffee, açaí smoothies and sugar cane juice spiced with cinnamon. It's all delicious.
Organic pizza
After a busy day of sightseeing, sometimes you just want a pizza. Ah, but this is no ordinary pizza... Tucked away in a non-touristy corner of the city, this sweet, simple, blink-and-you'll-miss-it hole has delighted Salzburgers with its sustainable ethos , regional sourcing and completely organic ingredients. Pizzas are deliciously thin, crispy and authentic, with generous use of spices. Vegan options are also available. Note the word 'spicy' if you want to spice things up.
Imlauer Heaven
For pop-up views of the crowning Salzburg Fortress, the domes and spiers of the Altstadt and the Alps beyond, head to this rooftop restaurant with a glass facade and a wrap-around terrace for dining in nice weather. Mirrors, muted tones and white linen-draped tables dominate the nouveau-chic interior. Simple dishes such as veal carpaccio with capers, herb salad and pine nuts and roasted salmon fillet with marinated tomatoes and apple chutney sing about the seasons and local ingredients. Steaks, homemade pasta and gourmet salads are on the simpler bistro menu. It's popular, so book ahead.
Mülln
Bärenwirt
Sometimes you just can't beat a traditional Austrian inn serving up classics, and Bärenwirt - which has been in business since 1663 - fits the bill perfectly. With its rustic wood paneling, cabins and tiled oven, it has a cozy alpine hut atmosphere. And in the summer there is plenty of fun and a view over the river on the pocket-sized terrace. The menu is packed with hearty food, with starters such as goulash soup whetting the appetite for mains such as Bierbraten (roast beer) with dumplings or crispy fried chicken with parsley potatoes. They also prepare a mean Salzburger Nockerl (the local version of soufflé).
Esszimmer
The crème de la crème of Salzburg's gastronomic scene, Michelin-starred Esszimmer is an absolute class act. The setting is aimed at romantic tête-à-têtes, with candlelight casting flattering shadows across ocher walls decorated with abstract art. Andreas Kaiblinger leads the culinary charge here, providing spicy flavors in carefully curated, seasonal tasting menus, which may surprise you with lovage soup with turbot and marrow, curry sorbet with orange and asparagus, and salmon with juniper, lemon and fennel. If you fancy something tasty, opt for the seven-course menu for a parade of dishes, served with an artistic touch.
How we choose
Every restaurant on this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, who's dropped by to give you his insider's perspective. We cover a range of budgets, from neighborhood favorites to Michelin-starred restaurants - to suit the tastes of every type of traveler - and our recommendations take the food, service, best tables, atmosphere and price into account. We update this list regularly to stay informed of the latest openings and to provide current recommendations.
