Salzburg is a charming European city divided in two parts by the River Salzach. The city's narrow streets, intricate architecture and picturesque scenery are enchanting. On the left bank are the Menchsberg and Hohensalzburg castles, both UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Salzburg is an important centre of art and culture. The city is famous for giving the world the great composer W.A. Mozart. Many things are associated with his name: a street, a square, a café, concerts and even the sale of sweets and liqueurs with the same name. Salzburg hosts a famous music festival in summer, while winter is the starting point for winter sports enthusiasts heading to the Alpine ski resorts.
Our article is about traditional cuisine, without which no introduction to this Austrian city would be complete. We'll tell you what to eat in Salzburg and help you navigate the local prices.
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Food and Drink in Salzburg
If you think Austrian cuisine is about pastries and sausages, think again! Austrian cuisine is a harmonious blend of local recipes and those borrowed from neighbouring countries.
Hungarian, Italian, German and, to some extent, French traditions have significantly influenced Austrian cuisine. Inventive Austrian chefs have given foreign dishes a completely new 'sound'. By adding fresh ingredients, the Austrians have created an authentic cuisine that is recognised all over the world. Here is a list of dishes to try during your trip to Salzburg.
- Wiener Schnitzel is the national dish of Austria. The thin schnitzel is rolled in breadcrumbs and fried in melted fat.
- Girardi roast beef. Beef roast with mushrooms and lard. There's a hearty story associated with this dish that the locals love to tell.
- Wiener Backhendl. The chicken is cut into four pieces, breaded and fried in butter. Pepper and lemon juice give the dish a unique flavour and aroma.
- Cabbage Fleckerl (Krautfleckerln). It's an unusual dish of pasta and stewed cabbage.
- Pancake soup (Frittatensuppe). A simple and hearty first course. Main ingredients: thick stock and pancakes cut into strips.
- Soup with liver dumplings (Leberknödelsuppe). The main ingredient of this soup are meatballs made from beef liver, with the addition of bread, onions, saffron and spices.
- Kaiserschmarren is a sweet omelette. In addition to eggs and milk, Kaiserschmarren is made with flour, sultanas and cinnamon and is sprinkled with icing sugar before serving.
- Schlutzkrappen is the Austrian version of dumplings.
For dessert, we recommend apple strudel and Sacher cake, which has been the trademark of Austrian confectioners for years.
Prices in cafes and restaurants
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Austria's resorts are costly, and Salzburg is no exception. Mozart's birthplace is home to many places to eat and drink. As well as fine Austrian restaurants, Salzburg has a wide range of cafes, patisseries, bars and pizzerias.
On average, prices in Austria are considered the highest in Europe. However, with some planning and price research, it's easy to plan your spending. For example, an average meal in Salzburg costs per person as follows:
Light breakfast — min. €6;
Lunch — min. €10;
A full dinner — min. €7;
Dinner in an expensive restaurant — min. €25.
Tourist prices in Salzburg are higher than the European average. However, local cafes, canteens and kebab shops offer relatively inexpensive meals.
Prices in cafés and restaurants in Salzburg 2023
Here's an in-depth look at prices in the city. Let's start with an overview of dishes at Michelin-starred restaurants:
- Three-course lunch — €45;
- Five-course lunch — €103;
- Five-course vegetarian menu — €83;
- Chef's lunch menu — €135;
Alcoholic and soft drinks are charged separately.
On average, prices in Salzburg's restaurants are not very high. To give you an example, here are some items on the menu of a restaurant in the tourist area:
Soup with liver dumplings — €5;
Cream soup with pumpkin — €5.5;
Roast beef with dumplings and salad — €18.9;
Schnitzel with mushroom sauce — €15.5;
Roast pork with cabbage salad — €12,5;
Potato salad — €4;
Viennese Schnitzel — €18,9;
Jacket potatoes with chicken — €11,9;
Smoked trout fillet — €13,4;
Beef tartar — €14,8;
Beef goulash — €12,9;
Apple strudel with vanilla sauce — €6,9;
Mozart dessert — €7.9.
If you move away from the sights and look for cafés in residential areas, prices will vary. Here are the basic prices in Salzburg's cafés for locals:
Soup with dumplings — €4.5;
Soup with liver dumplings — €4.5;
Veal carpaccio — €10.9;
Baked salmon with cream — €10.9;
Fried pike-perch fillet — €12,9;
Viennese turkey schnitzel — €13,5;
Viennese pork schnitzel — €12,9;
Roast beef — €16,9;
Goulash — €12;
Shrimp salad — €13,9;
White sausages — €5.2;
Apple strudel — €5;
Hot chocolate cake — €6.9;
Pancakes and ice cream — €6.9.
Many restaurants in Salzburg offer lunch from 12:00 to 15:00.
Street food and Fast food
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Salzburg is a significant tourist centre where street food is trendy. There are sausage stands, bakeries, pastry shops and cafes everywhere.
How much it costs to eat at a street food stand or Turkish kebab shop in Salzburg depends on the establishment's location. It will be more expensive in the city centre, but on average a fast food meal will cost around €8-12.
- A burger menu in a popular restaurant will cost you €10.
- Viennese sausages can be had for €4-€6, with sauces and vegetables for an extra charge.
- The Wiener Schnitzel is available in cafés and on the streets. It is a simplified and reduced version of the famous dish. The Wiener Schnitzel costs around €5.
- For a quick snack, try roasted chestnuts. A small portion costs about €3.
Street food in Salzburg is about more than just Austrian sausages. Italian pizzerias and Turkish kebab shops are also famous. Here's how much it costs to eat in a kebab shop:
- A classic kebab — €5.5;
- Durum kebab — €6;
- Falafel — €5.5;
- Lahmajun with salad — €6.5;
- Vegetable salad — €6.8;
- Chicken salad — €7.5;
- Margarita pizza — €9;
- Sausage pizza — €10;
- Four Cheese pizza — €10.
Supermarkets have food courts where food is reasonably priced.
Food prices in Salzburg
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A holiday in a cosy European city is a chance for a change of scenery and relaxation. However, eating out in cafes and restaurants in Salzburg can be expensive, especially if you stay with your family for more than a few days.
Apartments with fully-equipped kitchens are a great way to reduce the cost of eating out in any resort. There are plenty of supermarkets and shops to provide everything you need.
Of course, food prices in Salzburg are costly. However, there are often sales and promotions in supermarket chains, so you will only have to pay a little for your food.
Food prices in Salzburg 2023
In this section, we'll examine how much food costs in Salzburg. Let's take a look at the prices in one supermarket*.
| Name | Quantity | Price, EUR |
|---|---|---|
| Bananas | 1 kg | 1,89 |
| Apples | 1 kg | 2,99 |
| Blueberries | 0,125 kg | 1,89 |
| Tangerines | 1 kg | 2,49 |
| Oranges | 1 kg | 2,79 |
| Lemons | 1 kg | 2 |
| Kiwi | 1 pc | 0,69 |
| Grapes | 0,5 kg | 2,19 |
| Persimmon | 1 pc | 0,79 |
| Pomegranate | 1 pc | 2 |
| Grapefruit | 1 pc | 1 |
| Pears | 1 kg | 2,79 |
| Cucumbers | 1 pc | 1 |
| Carrots | 0,5 kg | 1,29 |
| Tomatoes | 1 kg | 2,79 |
| Potatoes | 1 kg | 2,5 |
| Celery | 1 bundle | 1 |
| Onion | 1 kg | 1,19 |
| Champignons | 0,4 kg | 2,49 |
| Radish | 1 bundle | 1,49 |
| Aubergine | 1 pc | 1,59 |
| Cauliflower | 1 pc | 1,99 |
| Plaited bread | 1 pc | 0,38 |
| Baguette | 1 pc | 1 |
| Wholemeal bread | 1 pc | 2,79 |
| Eggs | 10 pcs | 1,69 |
| Milk | 1 l | 1,15 |
| Butter | 0,25 kg | 1,49 |
| Natural yoghurt | 0,25 kg | 0,29 |
| Fruit yoghurt | 0,45 kg | 1,69 |
| Ham | 0,2 kg | 1,89 |
| Salami | 0,1 kg | 1,89 |
| Sausages | 0,22 kg | 3,29 |
| Cooked sausage | 0,5 kg | 2 |
| Bacon | 0,1 kg | 1,78 |
| Flour | 1 kg | 0,39 |
| Oatmeal | 0,5 kg | 0,65 |
| Maize grits | 0,5 kg | 1,89 |
| Semolina | 1 kg | 0,78 |
| Pasta | 1 kg | 1 |
| Rice | 1 кг | 1,15 |
| Pork minced meat | 1 kg | 8 |
| Chicken fillet | 1 kg | 8,98 |
| Chicken fillet (bio) | 1 kg | 28 |
| Beef fillet | 0,33 kg | 3,99 |
| Chicken wings | 1 kg | 4,99 |
| Chicken carcass | 1 kg | 4,99 |
| Salmon fillet | 1 kg | 14,5 |
| Mackerel | 1 kg | 7,89 |
| Fresh trout | 1 kg | 10,69 |
*The Billa supermarket website is used for product costs: https://www.billa.at/
Supermarkets, shops, markets
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In addition to its cultural attractions, Salzburg has many boutiques, antique shops and large shopping malls. The old town is home to the most expensive shops, many of which have become urban legends. The city's residents prefer to shop in the chain supermarkets, which offer very reasonable prices. The most popular supermarkets in Salzburg are Spar, Billa, Lidl and Penny Market.
When shopping, be aware of the opening hours of Austrian shops. Even supermarkets close at 19:00 or 20:00, and many shops are closed at weekends.
If you're in Salzburg in mid-December and want to soak up the festive atmosphere, plan a visit to the Christmas market. The Domplatz, in front of the cathedral, hosts a market every December. You'll find pavilions selling souvenirs, Christmas decorations, sweets, pastries and various street food.
There are several fixed markets in the city selling produce from local farms. Farmers usually sell organic produce, so market prices are often higher than in supermarkets.
The table below lists the main markets in Salzburg and their opening hours.
| Market name | Schedule |
|---|---|
| Grünmarkt | Weekdays: 7 a.m. to to 7 p.m. |
| Saturday: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. | |
| Schranne | Thursday: 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. |
| Bio-Bauernmarkt | Friday: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
Meals at hotels in Salzburg
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If you are going on holiday to Salzburg, you should remember that you must eat outside the hotel or cook for yourself. Breakfast is usually included in the price, although some hotels may offer half-board, and the all-inclusive system needs to be practised in the local resorts.
The food in Salzburg hotels is generally of good quality and geared towards European tourists, but don't expect any unique culinary delights. Breakfast will likely consist of omelettes, scrambled eggs, boiled eggs, sausages, cheese and pastries. The buffet is relatively modest compared to Turkish or Egyptian hotels. Lunch or dinner can be purchased for an extra charge of around €25 per day.
Baby food in Salzburg
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Buying baby food in Salzburg is no problem at all. Supermarkets and pharmacies sell the full range of baby food. We have taken some sample prices from the website of a supermarket.
| Name | Q-ty | Price, EUR |
|---|---|---|
| Hipp formula | 500 g | 10,99 |
| Bebivita formula | 500 g | 6,99 |
| Holle oatmeal porridge | 250 g | 5 |
| HIPP Organic Cereal | 450 g | 5 |
| Milk rice porridge Alete | 400 g | 3,79 |
| Hipp 6 Month Organic Vegetables | 190 g | 1,89 |
| Organic Vegetables Alete | 220 g | 1,59 |
| Паста Pasta Bambini-Rigatoni Napoli | 250 g | 2,09 |
| Puree Hipp | 100 g | 1,39 |
For older children, local cafes and restaurants always have a selection of national dishes. Look out for delicate soups, stews, fish dishes, desserts and pastries. Of course, don't order anything too fried or greasy for children.
Tips for parents
We have put together some tips to make your holiday as pleasant as possible:
- Tap water in Austria is safe to drink after several stages of purification.
- Baby food and dairy products in Salzburg are of high quality.
- Plan to do all your shopping on weekdays before 18:00.
- It's a good sign and a sure sign of lower prices if the menu in a café is only in German. Chances are you've found a place that caters to locals.
- The cost of food in Salzburg depends on the location of the establishment. The closer it is to the city centre and the sights, the more expensive it is.
Salzburg's best restaurants
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Plan a visit to one of the restaurants for a pleasant evening in a romantic atmosphere. We have selected and briefly described the best restaurants in Salzburg, especially for this article.
The Augustiner Bräu is a famous Austrian restaurant. Its interior is very museum-like. Locals claim that Augustiner Bräu is the largest beer restaurant in Austria.
Bärenwirt is a cosy riverside restaurant.
Daxlueg is a chic restaurant outside the city, in the mountains. The menu offers traditional Austrian cuisine. And in the evenings, musicians on the terrace create a romantic atmosphere.
Weiherwirt is located on the shore of Leopoldskron Pond next to the medieval castle. Gourmets praise it for its fine cuisine, unusual food presentation and beautiful views.
We would be delighted to help you plan your budget and organise your meals in Salzburg. We recommend you read our article "Salzburg. A Family Guide" to look closer at this Austrian city and consider your leisure time. Kidpassage wishes you a great holiday!
