Category: Austria

St. Peter Stiftskulinarium – Oldest Restaurant in Europe

The entrance to St. Peter Stiftskulinarium felt almost mysterious, tucked away behind ornate stone archways. For a moment, I wondered if I was in the right place. The Christmas decorations were still up, lending a warm and festive charm to the setting, especially the beautifully lit entrance that made it feel like walking into a holiday dream.

This historic restaurant, with over 1200 years of history, is said to be the oldest in Europe. Once inside, I was struck by the variety of spaces. There are 11 dining rooms, each with its own distinctive character and decor. Some were classic and elegant, others leaned more avant-garde—with hints of the festive season still lingering in the details.

The service was professional and efficient, striking the perfect balance between attentiveness and discretion.

I ordered the Wiener Schnitzel, and it was superb—light, thin, and tender with a delicate, well-seasoned crust that wasn’t greasy at all. The veal was of excellent quality, and it was served with soft, waxy potatoes sprinkled with fresh parsley, which complemented the dish beautifully.

For dessert, I tried the crème brûlée. It was not the traditional version I was expecting—the texture resembled a light, smooth pudding. The flavor leaned heavily toward citrus, with only a light caramelized top. While it was a generous portion and paired nicely with a scoop of ice cream that had a subtle clove aftertaste, I personally prefer the classic style of crème brûlée.

Overall, dining at St. Peter Stiftskulinarium was a memorable experience—a blend of history, atmosphere, and fine cuisine.

St. Peter Stiftskulinarium

Sankt-Peter-Bezirk 1/4, 5020 Salzburg, Austria

Tony’s Pizzeria: Cozy Vibes and Gluten-Free Goodness

Tony’s Pizzeria is located a stone’s throw from Triumphpforte and just a short walk from the old town. It serves traditional and innovative pizzas, and a gluten-free base is available.

In addition to pizzas, the menu includes a variety of pastas and secondi dishes, offering something for everyone.

The decor strikes a balance between rustic charm and modern touches, with an open kitchen that adds a lively, inviting atmosphere. The staff were really friendly and welcoming.

I ordered a gluten-free Margherita pizza. The sauce was flavorful and fresh, and the mozzarella was light and creamy. The base was chewy and slightly dense, but had a satisfying crusty edge that gave it a nice texture.

Overall, Tony’s is a cozy and delicious stop for pizza lovers—especially if you’re exploring the area around the old town.

TONY’S Pizzeria

Maximilianstraße 9, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria

Melbourne-Inspired Coffee Culture at Ratio Coffee, Salzburg

Ratio Coffee is a cozy, hip café that opens early at 8 a.m., making it a great spot for both locals and travelers looking for a quality caffeine fix in Salzburg.

The owner, Brent Nicoll, a passionate coffee enthusiast from Melbourne, Australia, aimed to bring Melbourne’s renowned coffee culture to Salzburg. As a third-wave specialty coffee shop, Ratio focuses on high-quality, single-origin coffee and precise brewing methods to deliver a superior coffee experience. Ratio Coffee also sells a curated selection of coffee beans and brewing equipment for home brewers.

The café offers a simple yet satisfying selection of pastries and cakes to complement its coffee. The croissant was buttery and soft—lacking the classic crusty exterior but still enjoyable. The coffee itself was bold and aromatic, served in a charming ceramic cup that added to the cozy ambiance.

Ratio Coffee

Linzer G. 72A, 5020 Salzburg, Austria

Café Sacher: A Historic Experience with Mixed Feelings

Café Sacher is renowned for its original Sachertorte, a chocolate cake layered with apricot jam at its center and served with whipped cream. This legendary dessert has a rich history dating back to 1832, when Franz Sacher created it for Prince Metternich. The café is located at Hotel Sacher, right next to the Vienna State Opera House, making it a prime spot for locals and tourists seeking a taste of Austria’s most famous cake.

The café’s interior exudes royal elegance, with chandeliers, red carpets, luxurious upholstery, and Renaissance paintings that transport you to another era. Soft jazz music plays in the background, adding to the ambiance.

The service was delightful—my waitress was young, friendly, and engaging, making the experience even more enjoyable. The menu offers a great variety of breakfast dishes and an extensive selection of drinks.

For breakfast, I had scrambled eggs with toast and ham, paired with Sacher coffee and, of course, the famous Sachertorte. The eggs were amazing—cooked to perfection—while the toast was nicely balanced between crisp and chewy.

However, the Sachertorte itself was disappointing. My first experience with a Sachertorte was at a German bakery outside Austria, where it left a lasting impression—it was moist, rich, and covered in a soft chocolate frosting. Naturally, I was eager to try the original. Unfortunately, it didn’t meet my expectations. The chocolate frosting was overly sweet and hard, while the cake was dry and lacked depth in flavor. It was underwhelming, and I didn’t enjoy it as much as I had hoped.

The experience at Café Sacher was still memorable, thanks to its beautiful setting, excellent service, and other well-prepared dishes. Gift-wrapped cakes can also be purchased at the Sacher shop just around the corner, making for a lovely souvenir.

Would I return? Perhaps for the ambiance and a different dish, but sadly, not for the Sachertorte.

 

Café Sacher


Philharmoniker Str. 4, 1010 Wien, Austria
Floor G. Hotel Sacher Wien

The Legendary Schnitzel at Figlmüller

Figlmüller is a legendary restaurant in Vienna, famous for its iconic schnitzel. For over 115 years, the restaurant has maintained the same traditional recipe.

The restaurant is quite spacious, with an inviting atmosphere that blends history and warmth. It features exposed brick ceilings and dark wooden accents on the benches, tables, and chairs, giving it a rustic yet elegant charm. However, it’s an extremely popular spot, especially on weekends. I highly recommend making a reservation in advance to avoid long wait times.

I visited on a Sunday, and the place was packed as expected. The service was quite slow, and I waited around 20 minutes for my food to arrive. While the wait felt a bit long, I had anticipated this due to how busy they were.

Now, onto the star of the meal—the schnitzel. It was impressively thin and tender, with a beautifully crisp crust around the edges. The texture was perfect, but I found it a little on the salty side. Other than that, it was absolutely delicious. The portion was huge—definitely not for the faint of heart. I gave it my best effort and managed to finish about three-quarters of it, but I felt a little guilty for not clearing my plate entirely.

The potato salad was an excellent accompaniment. Its smooth, creamy dressing perfectly balanced sweet, savory, and tangy flavors. The potatoes had a waxy, smooth texture, and the subtle hints of chive and onion added a wonderful depth of flavor. The tanginess of the dressing helped cut through the richness of the schnitzel, making each bite even more enjoyable.

Overall, despite the slow service, Figlmüller lived up to its reputation. If you’re a fan of schnitzel, this place is an absolute must-visit. Just be sure to arrive with an appetite and a bit of patience!

 

Figlmüller – Restaurant Bäckerstraße


Bäckerstraße 6, 1010 Wien, Austria

Pistachio Delights and Matcha Moments

Karaffu is a charming café known for its delectable pistachio pastries and cakes. The space is cozy yet compact, with a few small tables inside that create a warm and inviting atmosphere. For those who enjoy a scenic setting, two window seats outside offer a stunning view of the mountains, making it a perfect spot to relax with a coffee and pastry.

Given its popularity, Karaffu can get quite busy, so timing your visit wisely is key. I visited twice—once in the afternoon and once in the morning around 11 a.m. In the afternoon, the café was bustling with a line of customers, making it harder to find a seat. However, my morning visit was much more relaxed, with some seats available and a quieter ambiance, which made for a more enjoyable experience.

I ordered an oat milk matcha latte and a pistachio loaf. The matcha had a pleasant flavor, though I personally prefer a stronger matcha taste. The pistachio loaf itself was mildly sweet with a slightly dry texture, but the pistachio frosting truly tied it all together, adding a rich nuttiness and just the right amount of sweetness.

One of my favorite parts of the visit was sitting outside at the window seat, sipping my drink, and taking in the breathtaking mountain view. Whether you’re a fan of pistachio treats or simply looking for a cozy café with a beautiful backdrop, Karaffu is well worth a visit.

 

Karaffu

A Classic Viennese Breakfast at Café Landtmann

Café Landtmann is a traditional Viennese coffeehouse steeped in history, having served patrons for over 150 years. Established in 1873 by Franz Landtmann, it has become an iconic institution in Vienna, attracting locals, tourists, and even notable figures such as Sigmund Freud, Gustav Mahler, and Marlene Dietrich. Located next to the grand Burgtheater, it is a renowned institution that embodies the elegance and charm of Vienna’s traditional coffee culture. The café boasts a spacious and beautifully decorated interior, with each room featuring distinct decor and upholstery, adding to its sophisticated ambiance.

The service was impeccable. The waiters were impeccably dressed in classic attire, exuding professionalism and old-world charm. Their polite and attentive demeanor enhanced the overall dining experience.

For breakfast, I opted for the Viennese breakfast set, which included a fresh bread roll, a slice of “Madame Crousto” organic bread from the renowned Offerl bakery, a small jar of homemade jam, Austrian butter, and a soft-boiled egg. Cold cuts and cheese were also available at an additional cost. To complement my meal, I chose the Franciscan, a classic Viennese coffee specialty consisting of a long espresso with frothed milk topped with a generous dollop of whipped cream.

The bread was exceptionally fresh—soft on the inside with a delightfully crisp crust, and it paired beautifully with the rich butter and fruity homemade jam. The egg was perfectly cooked, with a creamy yolk that reflected its high quality. As for the coffee, the Franciscan had a smooth and well-balanced flavor, reminiscent of a cappuccino but milder, with a subtle sweetness from the whipped cream that made it even more enjoyable.

Overall, my breakfast at Café Landtmann was a refined and memorable experience. The elegant setting, excellent service, and high-quality food made it a quintessential Viennese dining moment that truly captures the essence of the city’s celebrated coffeehouse culture.

 

Café Landtmann

Universitätsring 4, 1010 Wien, Austria

Sipping Coffee in a Cone: A Window to Fun at Fenster Café

Fenster Café, renowned for its Instagram-worthy coffee served in an ice cream cone, is a charming little gem tucked away on Griechengasse. This takeout spot operates from a small window in a historic building, boasting a colorful and graffiti-adorned façade that immediately catches the eye.

The barista was friendly and entertaining, making the experience even more delightful. Before pouring the coffee into the cone, he playfully asked me to have my camera ready—clearly aware that capturing the moment is part of the allure for tourists visiting the café.

As for the coffee itself, it was mild yet enjoyable, perfectly complementing the unique presentation.

Fenster Cafe

Griechengasse 10, 1010 Wien, Austria

Quick, Delicious, Iconic: Balkan Grill Walter

Balkan Grill Walter is a legendary hot dog stand in Salzburg, famous for its original Bosna sausages. Tucked away in the Stockhamer Durchhaus passageway, this tiny shop features a charming takeout window.

The menu offers five topping variations, and I opted for the classic. It includes two sausages nestled between soft white bread, topped with onions, parsley, and a signature spice blend. The bun was fragrant and soft, with a delightful crust, while the sausage was savory, with hints of curry and a touch of spiciness, perfectly balanced by the freshness of the onions and parsley. It’s an excellent spot for a quick and delicious bite!

 

Balkan Grill Walter

Getreidegasse 33, 5020 Salzburg, Austria

Where Flavor Meets Comfort: A Must-Visit Café in Old Town Salzburg

220GRAD Rupertinum is a café is located in Old Town, right next to the Museum der Moderne Salzburg.

Upon arrival, you’ll need to wait to be seated. The ambiance is bright, welcoming, and chic, featuring white accents, exposed brick floors, and large windows that let in plenty of natural light. It creates a relaxing, comfortable environment where you can unwind and enjoy your meal.

The table setup is beautiful, and the staff is lovely and friendly.

While the breakfast menu is small, it’s hearty and well-curated, and the coffee selection is impressively extensive. What’s particularly unique is that the menu provides flavor profiles for each dish, allowing you to anticipate the perfect combination of tastes.

I ordered the egg brioche and opted for rye sourdough bread. The dish consisted of:

  • Brioche
  • Ristretto-glazed bacon
  • Ham
  • Poached egg
  • Nut butter espuma
  • Tomato chutney
  • Basil mayo
  • Baby spinach

It was an incredible medley of flavors—creamy, sweet, savory, and fatty—all coming together beautifully. The bacon stood out with its delicious umami flavor, perfectly balanced and not overly salty.

To accompany the meal, I had a flat white with oat milk. The coffee was delightful—light-bodied with a hint of sour aftertaste. I enjoyed it so much that I couldn’t resist ordering a second cup.

This café is a must-visit if you’re in Salzburg. Its cozy atmosphere, fantastic food, and exceptional coffee make it a true gem.

220GRAD Rupertinum

Wiener-Philharmoniker-Gasse 9, 5020 Salzburg