While wandering through the baroque beauty of Salzburg’s Old Town, we passed a quiet courtyard tucked beside the ancient walls of St. Peter’s Abbey. There, nestled beneath ivy-covered arches and timeworn stone stood a restaurant unlike any other: St. Peter Stiftskulinarium.
At first glance, it looked like a charming, historic eatery—but then I remembered what I had read. This wasn’t just any restaurant. This was the oldest restaurant in Europe, with a history stretching back over 1,200 years.
Established and documented in the year 803, the Stiftskulinarium was first mentioned by Alcuin of York, a scholar and adviser to Charlemagne. Imagine that—this restaurant was serving meals when the Carolingian Empire was still in its infancy. It has survived wars, plagues, empires, and revolutions, quietly continuing its tradition of hospitality within the walls of St. Peter’s Abbey, one of the oldest monasteries in the German-speaking world.
A Living Legacy Beneath the Abbey
Walking past its arched entrance, I could almost hear the echoes of centuries past—monks in quiet conversation, the clink of pewter mugs, the scent of roasted meats and fresh bread wafting from the kitchens. The restaurant’s vaulted stone dining rooms, some carved directly into the rock of the Mönchsberg, exude a timeless elegance. Candlelight flickers on ancient walls, and the atmosphere feels reverent, as if every meal here is part of a grand, ongoing story.
The restaurant rooms are divided into eleven themed rooms: Baroque Hall, Haydn Hall, Separée im Berg, Virgil Salon, Refugium, Wolfgangstube, Richardstube, Bürgerstube, Prälatenstube, Petrusstube, Willibaldarkaden and inner courtyard.
Including the inner garden with the arcades, the restaurant offers space for up to 850 guests. The kitchen is upscale with regional specialties such as Tafelspitz and Salzburger Nockerl. Depending on the season, fresh fish and game dishes dominate the menu, but international and Mediterranean food creations as well as dishes for vegetarians, vegans and allergy sufferers are also offered.
Over the centuries, St. Peter Stiftskulinarium has welcomed emperors, artists, and travelers from all walks of life. One of its most famous patrons was none other than Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. His sister, Nannerl, wrote in her diary that the Mozart family would often gather here for dinner. It’s no surprise—Salzburg is known as the “Mozart City,” and the composer’s legacy is woven into every corner of its cultural fabric. To dine where the Mozarts once did, is to share in a piece of living history.
The Mozart family used to meet for dinner, as Wolfgang’s sister Nannerl confided in her diary. Not called “Mozart City” for nothing. Mozart and Salzburg are inextricably linked.
More Than a Meal—A Moment in Time
Though we didn’t stop in for a meal that day, just standing outside the Stiftskulinarium felt like brushing against the past. It reminded me that food is more than sustenance—it’s tradition, memory, and connection. This restaurant has served countless generations, each one adding its own layer to the story. And while menus may change, the spirit of hospitality remains.
In cooperation with the Salzburg Concert Society, the restaurant hosts the Mozart Dinner Concerts several times a week. A menu is accompanied by a concert with the instruments and clothing of Mozart’s time and pieces by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The dishes are prepared according to original recipes from the 17th and 18th centuries.
If you ever find yourself in Salzburg, take a moment to step into this extraordinary place. Whether you sit down for a candlelit dinner or simply admire it from the outside, St. Peter Stiftskulinarium offers something rare: a taste of history, seasoned with centuries of stories.
We concluded out walk through the Altstadt Salzburg, walked across the bridge to the Parkhaus and then drove 45 min to St. Gilgen where we stayed for the week.
