Small – but exquisite: charming coffee houses in the Town of Salzburg

Small and exquisite 

From espresso to cappuccino to latte macchiato, from Kleiner Brauner to Verlängerter or Melange: the town of Salzburg, offers an array of delicious Italian caffè-creations as well as traditional Austrian coffee classics. These can be found not only in the "big" traditional coffee houses, but also in many a select café in one of Salzburg's passage or side alleys. We have selected eight of these exceptional coffee houses for you here.

#1 Kaffee Alchemie

Have you heard of speciality coffee? The term stands for high-quality coffee production throughout the entire supply chain. It starts with fair farming and trade and roasting it to perfection, down to the flawless preparation of the end product. The Kaffee Alchemie is on the Rudolfskai is one such speciality coffee house. It offers exquisite coffee specialities from the world's best coffee-growing regions – prepared by a professional barista in a portafilter machine or as Brew-Over Coffee. Tip: the cakes at Kaffee Alchemie are a real highlight – you must try their legendary carrot cake with lemon cream frosting. In addition to coffee beans, Kaffee Alchemie also offers home barrista accessories – from coffee filters to aero-press coffee makers.

#2 We love Coffee

Just across the road from the Kaffee Alchemie is the We love Coffee Café. Situated directly at the Mozartsteg footbridge, it's the perfect place to get a coffee-to-go and enjoy it while strolling through the Old Town. Originally, the coffee bar was a toll booth where you had to pay to cross the Mozartsteg. That was a long time ago – but now it's practically impossible to walk past it without getting a coffee. Tip: you can't go inside We love Coffee, because there really only room for the barrista(s). On nice days, however there are a few armchairs in front of the toll both, where you can relax and enjoy your coffee. If you're lucky, you'll manage to sit down there.

#3 Schatz Coffee House

We stay on the left side of the Old Town to visit Café-Konditorei Schatz (confectioners) – a true Salzburg institution. Considered one of the oldest coffee houses in town, it has been in the Schatz passage (named after it), leading from Getreidegasse through to the Grünmarkt on Universitätsplatz, since 1877. Café-Konditorei Schatz, small and well-frequented, is always worth the wait. The Viennese Coffee-House classics are accompanied by mouth-watering confectionery delicacies. Tip: you must try a strudel, Schaumrolle [Austrian meringue pastry] or Powidl-Tascherl [plum preserve turnovers] – not to forget the Maroni Herzen [chestnut hearts], the famous Punschkrapferl [cake with rum], the Kardinal Schnitte [meringue sponge with cream] and the Linzer torte …

#4 nur coffee 

It lives up to its name – the Fenster Café serves delicious coffee and treats to take away through the window. It's the perfect place to grab a coffee for your stroll through Getreidegasse – since the popular Shopping street on the left side of the Old Town is right around the corner – or after a successful Shopping trip. In addition to the Italian classics such as ristretto, espresso, cappuccino and latte macchiato, the nur coffee also offers unusual creations like café latte with oreos, cappuccino with marshmallow fluff or caramel espresso macchiato. These are all served in sustainable, recyclable cups, and payments are cash-free with card or phone. Tip: instantly recyclable is their Waffolino, with its edible cup – an ice cream cone – which can be enjoyed as soon as you've finished the cappuccino. It doesn't get any more sustainable than that!

#5 My Mom's

We leave the Bergstrasse towards Linzergasse and soon arrive at My Mom's – an equally international establishment. Dutch owner Michelle ended up in Salzburg to fulfil her life's dream: her own coffee house. Her goal is, to provide guests with a "refuge", a place where they can wind down from the stress of everyday life – which is no problem, with the delicious home-made cakes (also vegan), fresh smoothies and cookies. Tip: My Mom's also offers a range of lovely coffee cups for sale.

#6 Favorite Kamer

Speaking of Shopping; a few yards up the Linzergasse, we find a true coffee- and Shopping experience. Thee Favorite Kamer is not only a superb coffee bar, but also a concept store ideal for lingering and browsing. On rainy days you can enjoy your coffee in a cosy atmosphere indoors; in summer there is seating outside – directly in the Linzergasse, where you can observe the hustle and bustle of the popular Shopping street while sipping on a cappuccino. Favorite Kamer hostess Julia serves fine sandwiches to go with it. Tip: soaps, lotions and peelings can be tried out in the in-house Hand Spa & Barber, and men will find their own range of barber accessories.

#7 Im Röstzimmer

We continue almost to the end of Linzer Gasse and turn left into Wolf Dietrich Strasse, to number 15. Röstzimmer is home to a coffee roastery – worthy of the name – and the Arabica beans roasted there are also processed directly on site into select coffee specialities. Enjoy organic, hand-picked and fair-trade coffee. And, in turn, delight your senses on all levels. The coffee convinces with its strong, spicy flavours and an intense aroma pleasantly reminiscent of mocha. Tip: in addition to the speciality "Urkaffee" [primaeval coffee], delicious breads, teas, chocolates, jams and many other delicacies as well as beautiful ceramics or bamboo coffee-to-go mugs can also be purchased in the Röstzimmer.