Salzburg specialties: what you should try in Salzburg
Salzburg often has a sweet side. You can hardly avoid Mozartkugeln and Salzburger Nockerln in the city. Both Salzburg specialties are as much a part of Salzburg as the fortress, the Salzach River, and the narrow streets of the old town. But those who look closer will discover more than just the well-known classics.
During our visits to Salzburg, we encountered not only the famous sweets but also savory dishes, markets, and producers. Kasnocken (cheese dumplings) are on the menu in many restaurants. The Bosna (a type of sausage) is best eaten standing up, right in the heart of the old town. At the Schrannenmarkt (a market), you get a glimpse of what grows, smokes, bakes, or is made into cheese in the region. And south of the city, a fish farmer in Grödig demonstrates that Salzburg specialties don't always have to consist of sugar, cheese, or dough.
What you can start with when visiting Salzburg
This article will help you with your selection. You'll learn which Salzburg specialties you should try during a visit to the city, what makes a good souvenir, and which culinary spots are worth visiting if you want to not only see Salzburg but also taste its cuisine.
Tip:If you're staying in the city for a longer period, you'll find suitable options here. Hotels for overnight stays in Salzburg.
What makes Salzburg cuisine special?
Salzburg lies nestled between the Alps, Bavaria, and Austria. This is reflected in the cuisine. Many dishes are simple, hearty, and originate from a cuisine that traditionally relied on locally sourced ingredients. Cheese, potatoes, eggs, milk, bread, meat, fish from clear waters, and fruit from gardens still play a vital role today.
The city has a second side. Salzburg has always been a stage, a trading center, and a festival city. Therefore, alongside traditional peasant cuisine and tavern fare, you'll also find pastry shops, coffee houses, and restaurants that serve classic dishes with a more refined touch.
For a first visit, I wouldn't approach Salzburg's cuisine with a long list. A small selection is more sensible: a sweet classic, a savory dish, a visit to the market, and a souvenir that truly comes from Salzburg.
These Salzburg specialties are a must-try!
Salzburger Nockerl, if you have time for dessert
Salzburger Nockerl are a typical Salzburg dish. This light and airy dessert consists of meringue, sugar, egg yolks, and a little flour. The mixture is shaped into three mounds and baked fresh in the oven. Traditionally, they are reminiscent of the mountains surrounding Salzburg.
I can hardly remember a visit to the city on the Salzach River where we didn't encounter Salzburger Nockerl on a menu. You should definitely allow plenty of time, though. The dessert is freshly prepared and collapses quickly after baking, so it's served straight from the oven.
Salzburger Nockerl are a good choice if you're dining out in Salzburg and not just looking for a quick bite. They're less suitable for a quick snack. They're too delicate, too warm, and too much like a dessert for that.
Mozartkugeln as a souvenir from Salzburg
You encounter Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart almost everywhere in Salzburg. No wonder one of Salzburg's most famous specialties bears his name. The original Salzburg Mozartkugel was invented in 1890 by confectioner Paul Fürst. It consists of pistachio marzipan, nougat, and dark chocolate.
In Salzburg, you'll find Mozartkugeln in many varieties. They make a great souvenir because they're easy to handle and instantly associated with the city. But be careful what you buy. The handmade Mozartkugeln from the Fürst confectionery are quite different from the industrially produced ones you find in many souvenir shops.
If you have time, it's best to buy Mozartkugeln where they are made. Then your souvenir will be more than just a chocolate in a wrapper.
Bosna, if you want to try Salzburg street food
Salzburg cuisine isn't all sweet. The Bosna is a perfect example of this. It's a bratwurst in a white bread roll, seasoned with mustard, onions, and curry. It's eaten by hand, often right in the heart of the old town.
The Bosna became famous thanks to Zanko Todoroff, who sold it in Salzburg after World War II. It is particularly closely associated with the Balkan Grill in the Stockhamer Durchhaus between Universitätsplatz and Getreidegasse. Even today, locals and visitors queue there when they're looking for a quick, spicy meal.
For me, the Bosna is one of those specialties that doesn't need explaining in a restaurant. You order it, pick it up, and eat it right there in Salzburg, where for a moment, it feels very ordinary.
Kasnocken and Bierfleisch for a visit to the inn
If you're looking for something hearty, Kasnocken are a great choice. They're similar to Käsespätzle (cheese spaetzle), but in Salzburg they're often served with flavorful cheese, onions, and chives. The dish is robust and filling, perfect after a long day in the city or a day trip to the surrounding area.
Beer-braised beef is another traditional dish you'll find on Salzburg menus. Beef is cooked in a rich beer sauce and usually served with dumplings. Dishes like these showcase a different side of Salzburg cuisine than Nockerl and Mozartkugeln. They speak more to the traditional inn than the coffeehouse.
Not every restaurant serves these classic dishes equally well. Therefore, it's worth paying attention to restaurants that don't just offer regional cuisine as an afterthought. You can find a selection of restaurants in our article about... good food in Salzburg.
Market for regional specialties and farmers' market
Markets often reveal the essence of a region better than menus. In Salzburg, the Schrannenmarkt in front of St. Andrew's Church is particularly worthwhile. There you'll find fruit, vegetables, cheese, bread, bacon, sausages, flowers, and much more that comes to the city from the surrounding area.
The green market at University Square is also a great place to start if you want to experience Salzburg's culinary scene. Between the market stalls and the narrow streets of the old town, you'll quickly realize that Salzburg is much more than just festival cuisine and sweets.
During our visit to the Schrannenmarkt, we sampled spicy farmer's sausages and cheesy pretzels right at the stall. It's not a big restaurant production. That's precisely why it's so memorable.
Fish and caviar from Grödig, if you want to experience Salzburg differently
Fish is probably not the first thing that comes to mind when you travel to Salzburg. Neither were we. It wasn't until we visited the eat and meet festival in Salzburg that we learned otherwise. Among other things, we were at... Fishmonger Walter Grüll in Grödig.
Grödig lies south of Salzburg, not far from Hellbrunn PalaceFrom the outside, the fishmonger appears unassuming. However, a tasting quickly reveals just how special the products are.
Walter Grüll breeds many types of fish himself. He is also known for his caviar. Such discoveries make Salzburg cuisine more exciting because they broaden the picture of Nockerln, Mozartkugeln, and traditional tavern fare.
If you want a more in-depth culinary experience of Salzburg and have your own transportation, a trip to Grödig is worthwhile. However, for a very short visit to the city, this excursion is rather too time-consuming.
Moor bread from Anthering as an unusual discovery
Another Salzburg specialty that not everyone knows about is Moorbrot (moor bread). Before our visit to the SonnenMoor company in Anthering, we had no idea such a bread existed. It's baked with Trinkmoor (drinking peat), which is made from peat from the region north of Salzburg.
Anthering is located about 15 minutes from Salzburg. At the Moor and Herb Adventure World, you can learn more about peat processing and the company's history. If you'd like to try the moor bread, check the current opening hours and guided tour offerings directly with the provider beforehand.
You can find out more about SonnenMoor and other little-known aspects of Salzburg in our article about Salzburg's mysterious sides.
Where can you try Salzburg specialties?
You can find Salzburg specialties in many different places. Traditional inns and restaurants are ideal for Nockerl, Kasnocken, and Bierfleisch (beer-braised beef). Mozartkugeln (Mozart chocolates) are best bought in a confectionery shop. Bosna (a type of sausage) is eaten standing up in the Old Town. Markets will show you the regional side of the cuisine.
For a first culinary city visit, I would combine these places:
- Fürst Confectionery: for Original Salzburg Mozartkugeln.
- Balkan Grill: for a Bosna in the old town.
- St. Peter Stiftskulinarium: for classic Salzburg cuisine in a historical setting.
- Schrannenmarkt: for regional products, cheese, bread, sausages and market atmosphere.
- Green Market: for a culinary stroll between the old town and market stalls.
You can find more tips in our article about where to go. to discover Salzburg culinary sides .
Enjoy Salzburg and find suitable accommodation
If you want to experience Salzburg's culinary scene, it's worth staying in accommodation that offers easy access to markets, the old town, and restaurants. These hotels are conveniently located for a gourmet trip to Salzburg. (Advertisement)
- Classic: Hotel Salzburg * – near the Salzach river, with Austrian cuisine served in the house.
- Historical: Hotel Goldener Hirsch * – in the heart of the old town, with a long Salzburg hotel history.
- Old Town location: Arthotel Blaue Gans * – directly in Getreidegasse, good for short distances through the old town.
Which Salzburg specialties are suitable as souvenirs?
Mozartkugeln (Mozart balls) are a particularly good souvenir from Salzburg. They're easy to transport, well-known, and closely associated with the city. If you're looking for something less typical, you can check out regional cheeses, pastries, honey, or sausages at markets. However, you should keep in mind how long you'll be traveling and whether the products need to be refrigerated.
For travelers arriving by car, local specialties are also an option. Moor bread from Anthering or products from small producers are easy to take with you if you buy them at the end of your stay in Salzburg.
Very delicate dishes are less suitable. Salzburger Nockerl should be served fresh. They are a local experience, not a souvenir.
Recreate Salzburg specialties at home
Some Salzburg specialties are easy to try at home. Salzburg Nockerl, however, require a bit of practice because they are served fresh from the oven and can easily collapse. Kasnocken (cheese dumplings) are simpler. Erdäpfelkas (potato cheese) goes well with a snack and requires no special cooking techniques.
If you want to experience Salzburg primarily through its cuisine, I would recommend trying the classic dishes there first. You'll find it easier to recreate the taste at home later, knowing how the dish should taste in Salzburg.
You can find more recipes from Austria here:
Discover Salzburg cuisine in a cooking class
If you'd like to not only taste classic dishes but also prepare them yourself, a cooking class in Salzburg can be a good idea. It's especially helpful to have the techniques demonstrated for dishes like Salzburger Nockerln or Apfelstrudel. (Advertisement)
Salzburg culinary delights during Advent
During Advent, Salzburg takes on a whole new dimension. The scent of roasted chestnuts, punch, pastries, and spices wafts through the old town. If you visit Salzburg during the pre-Christmas season, you can easily combine culinary delights with a visit to a Christmas market.
Many guided tours and culinary walks are seasonal. Therefore, check before booking whether the tour fits your travel dates. (Advertisement)
A visit to the Krampus run in Salzburg-Gnigl is also exciting..
Frequently asked questions about Salzburg specialties
What are typical Salzburg specialties?
Typical Salzburg specialties include Salzburger Nockerl, Mozartkugeln, Bosna, Kasnocken, Bierfleisch, regional breads, cheeses, sausages, and sweets. Depending on whether you're in a coffee house, a tavern, at the market, or in a pastry shop, you'll discover a different side of Salzburg cuisine.
Which Salzburg specialty should you try on your first visit?
For your first visit, I'd recommend Salzburger Nockerl, a Bosna, and Mozartkugeln. This will give you three very different experiences: a coffee house or restaurant, street food, and souvenirs. If you have more time, a visit to a traditional inn with Kasnocken (cheese dumplings) or Bierfleisch (beer-braised beef) is worthwhile.
Where can you eat Salzburger Nockerl?
You can find Salzburger Nockerl in many traditional restaurants and coffee houses in the city. It's important that they are freshly prepared. Therefore, allow some time for a wait and order them when you're not in a hurry.
What makes a good souvenir from Salzburg?
Mozartkugeln are the most famous souvenir from Salzburg. If you're looking for something more regional, it's worth checking out markets, pastry shops, or local producers. Delicate specialties like Salzburger Nockerl, however, are not suitable for taking home.
Are Salzburg specialties more sweet or savory?
Both. Salzburg is indeed very well known for sweet classics like Nockerl and Mozartkugeln. But with Kasnocken, Bierfleisch, Bosna, bread, cheese, fish and sausages, the city also has a savory side. It is precisely this mix that makes a culinary visit to the city so interesting.
More tips for your culinary trip to Salzburg
If you want to explore Salzburg's culinary scene, it's worth setting aside some time for the old town, markets, and excursions into the surrounding area. Many specialties are better understood when you not only read about them on a menu but also visit the places where they originate.
- to discover Salzburg culinary sides
- Good food in Salzburg: Restaurants and tips
- Accommodation in Salzburg: the best hotels
- Discover Salzburg and the surrounding area
- Culinary tours in Austria in autumn
More information about cycling in the Leipzig Region as well as more interesting routes:
- Original Mozartkugel – Prince of Salzburg
- Tourism Salzburg
- hay milk
- Farmers' Autumn in the Salzburg Region
- SonnenMoor in Anthering
Source of Salzburg specialties: extensive on-site research. We discovered many of these specialties on private trips. Others we discovered on press trips.
Text: © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TWO. Monika Fuchs is a travel expert with over 20 years of experience. She specializes in cultural and culinary travel.
Photos: © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TWO
Video: © Copyright Petar Fuchs and TWO
We updated this article on May 3, 2026.