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Young & Urban food

Food trends, vegan cuisine or new spins on classic dishes – Salzburg's gastro scene whets the appetite for a culinary expedition though the Town.

Foodie-Hotspot Salzburg

From "bowls" and vegan cuisine to food boxes and the revival of the dumpling – the young and urban food scene in Salzburg is more diverse than it seems at first glance – its widespread fame reaching as far as Vienna or Berlin. We set out to introduce you to five of the trendiest young & urban food locations in Salzburg.

#1 The Green Garden

The food trend "made in Salzburg". The vegan Ono-boxes at Green Garden created by master chef Julia Ulrich are all the rage this summer. Her team fills the food boxes with vegan delicacies such as falafel, banana bread, wraps, fruit and vegetables, topped with exquisite decorations – thereby creating unique culinary masterpieces. "It's not just food – it's a lifestyle" is the essence of their motto. The origin of the culinary summer hit of 2020 was The Green Garden in Nonntaler Hauptstrasse 16, almost directly below Nonnberg Abbey. Vegetarian and vegan cuisine has been celebrated here for several years – and with the Onobox a new trend was created that has had a lasting impact on the culinary scene not only in Salzburg, but also ranging as far as Vienna or Berlin. The main restaurant is currently being renovated, but the great variety of Onoboxes by Green Garden can still be ordered online.

#2 The Keep

We stay in the garden and pop over to the other side of the Salzach river to The Keep Garden Kitchen which offers not only trendy cuisine, but also a payment philosophy called Pay as you feel. Simply take a seat at one of the tables or in the garden, enjoy vegan delicacies and pay as much as you feel you would like to pay. Can this work? Yes. The handy button system gives customers a minimum price suggestion which is quite amusing but provides a sort of guideline. About the food: ingredients are locally sourced, organic and vegan. Chef Peter is a master in the kitchen and has already acquired a sizeable fanbase – not only because the idea behind the concept is honourable, but also because it is simply delicious.

#3 Pur:isst

Natural, fresh and locally sourced food is literally on everyone's lips – not only in Salzburg. Pur:isst at Alpenstrasse 115 in Salzburg is the ideal place for those who want to combine pure gusto and lifestyle. It is truly a pleasure to step into this restaurant with its open-plan interior, hanging plants, drinking fountain and the exceptional menu – the home-made spring rolls, bowls, innovative burgers with hand-cut sweet potato fries and freshly made cakes are the gourmet's dream. Ingredients are guaranteed to be locally sourced or fair trade at fair prices. Our tip: come here to get your lunchtime energy boost for the rest of your (working) day – a true miracle effect.

#4 Coolinarik Café

Do you know this? You're strolling through the town, you browse in the shop windows and then a place catches your eye and you just have to go in? That's probably how you'll feel the first time you walk past Coolinarik Café in Münzgasse. The combination is unusual, but also quite inventive. Beach and beach bar meet dumpling kitchen. Of course, you won't find grandma's classic dumplings here, but rather new interpretations by dumpling virtuoso Rea, who also caters to vegetarians and vegans. Sweet and savoury dumplings and sandwiches adorn the display case – and they look mouth-watering. Honestly, who wouldn't want to try a chocolate-banana or Bounty-dumplings? The sandwiches are also made with love, and with a homemade iced tea, you've got yourself a nifty lunch menu.

#5 Ping Pong Poke

What's going on here? Has a new foodie hotspot emerged here, in the heart of Salzburg's Old Town, around Anton-Neumayr-Platz? We say there has – because just a few steps away, instead of dumpling heaven, there's the Ping Pong Poke bowl paradise. The superb signature bowls were put together by ex-Hangar 7-chef Jörg Bruch (yes, we trust him blindly). It's guaranteed to tickle your taste buds – truly mouth-watering. Or you can put together your own bowls, from the choice of basic ingredients (rice, quinoa, zoodles or lettuce) to proteins (salmon, chicken, tofu, beef or tuna) to delicious dressings such as Teriyaki Peanut, Yoga Shake, Citrus Kaffir ... Our tip: first try one of the signature bowls and then take on the challenge of the self-made bowl.