7 Best Restaurants in Salzburg, Austria

Regionally sourced, top-quality ingredients elevate the traditional Austrian dishes in this inviting Wirtshaus, just north of the Old City. Since 1663, locals have shared mugs of beer from the neighboring Augustinerbräu brewery in these warmly lighted, wood-paneled rooms, adorned with traditional Salzburg-style heating ovens and cushioned benches. Request a table in the cozy main-floor side room and enjoy the juicy Backhendl (breaded, fried chicken), Wiener schnitzel (veal or pork), cheesy Kasnocken, or beef goulash with a “bear-sized” dumpling. Seasonal specialties highlight springtime Spargelzeit (asparagus) and the fall wild-game hunt. Sip homemade schnapps before enjoying Kaiserschmarren (a fluffy pancake shredded, panfried with roasted plums, and topped with powdered sugar).

Red-velvet banquettes, sparkling chandeliers, and lots of gilt mark this famous gathering place, a favorite of well-heeled Salzburgers and an outpost of the celebrated Vienna landmark. It's a perfect choice for a leisurely afternoon pastry. The most popular choice is the famous house-made chocolate Sachertorte, but there is also a large variety of irresistable cakes. Don't pass up the coffee, which is second to none. Full meals are also served, and the restaurant offers a no-smoking room.

If you really want to enjoy food with a view, drive three kilometers (two miles) north along the B1 Linzer Bundesstrasse to Mayrwies and turn right up through the woods. Here you can take in a view of Salzburg from the mountainside perch of this former Rupertialm (St. Rupert's Pasture), a famous scenic lookout even in Mozart's time. Owned by St. Peter's Monastery, this restaurant allures with the romantic charm of an Alpine chalet. Seasonal specialties of the region top the bill: not only venison and fried trout but heavenly garnishes—cress, elder blossoms, herbs from the meadows, raspberries, blueberries, Schwammerl (mushrooms) fresh out of the forest, and cheese from goat and sheep. For breakfast, you need to make reservations at least the day before; lunch and dinner reservations are recommended but not compulsory.

This Weissbierbrauerei combines the original charm of one of Salzburg's most historic breweries and adds a high-ceilinged, wood-paneled modern bar to satisfy the many locals who consider it to be the ultimate private retreat (so much so that from Wednesday through Saturday it's best to make a reservation). The beer garden really hits the spot on a hot summer day, but all year long you can savor traditional Bavarian style Weisswurst (veal sausages with sweet mustard) as well as the usual array of tempting Salzburg delights.

This spot allures with rustic wooden furniture, old folio volumes, antique weapons, and open fireplaces. Tables gleaming with white linen are set in wonderful nooks and crannies reached by odd staircases and charming salons. Generous portions of traditional dishes and quality service consistently satisfy travelers, who make up the majority of the guests. Many ingredients, including herbs, eggs, fruit, vegetables, and fish, come from the owners' farm.

The name means "At the Faithful Ape," which explains the monkey motifs in this popular Gasthaus dominated by a round, copper-plated bar and stone pillars under a vaulted ceiling. Besides the beer on tap, the kitchen offers tasty Austrian dishes, such as Schlutzkrapfen, handmade cheese ravioli with a light topping of chopped fresh tomatoes, or a big salad with juicy Backhendl (breaded, fried chicken). Locals know this is a great value in a fun atmosphere, so it's often crowded; be sure to arrive early or book ahead.

Here you'll find a true time-tinged feel of an old Salzburg Gasthaus, right down to a huge ceramic stove next to wooden chairs that welcomed generations of locals as they tucked into enormous plates of Bauernschmaus (Farmer's Feast): roast pork, ham, sausage, sauerkraut, and a massive dumpling. Pair it with a frothy-headed mug of the hometown "liquid bread"—Stiegl beer—from the oldest private brewery in Austria. The "Wild Man's" namesake fountain statue originally stood at the top of the Griesgasse, and can now be found in the small grassy park across from the Festival Hall—his cheeky portrait still welcomes guests at the restaurant's entryway. When this inn opened its doors in 1884 it became one of the most important burgher houses in the Altstadt, and it continues to be a popular choice for the lederhosen crowd.