Baroque Cream Puff – Christmas Season in Salzburg
The scent of mulled wine, gingerbread and roasted chestnuts fills the air. Bells are ringing, lanterns lighting up. On Residenzplatz, coachmen are nibbling on hot chestnuts. And so are we! You have until 26 December to visit the Christkindlmarkt. Salzburg’s historic Christkindlmarkt is one of the oldest Christmas Markets in the world. The special atmosphere, the splendid decoration in the inner courtyard, paired with the brass players in the evening combine into an indescribable experience.
We succumbed to the tantalising charm of Salzburg, testing new design hotels and the Austrian cuisine which has rid itself entirely of its sugar-glazed legacy. Here are the finest addresses – and we are only showing you the ones that made a lasting impression on us.
8 favourite addresses in Salzburg:
Tip no. 1: Hotel Stein – so close to heaven
Hotel Stein is Salzburg’s most modern lifestyle and design hotel. Following a comprehensive refurbishment, the hotel’s motto reads: “Salzburg meets Venice.” The colour blue was chosen as dominant stylistic element for the interior decoration. Blue as the waters of a lagoon and blue as the colour of the sky – the sense of brightness and lightness of the new concept invests the house with an entirely new atmosphere that takes its cue from international lifestyle trends but has created a fully autonomous design universe. In many parts of the hotel, you will find blue lights manufactured specifically for the Hotel Stein and glass artwork by the Venetian glassworks of Barovier & Toso. The stark modern furnishings bridge the gap between past and present styles in fascinating ways.
Tip no. 2: Hotel Goldgasse – a box seat for opera buffs
The Hotel Goldgasse is the perfect place to stay if you love modern rooms in ancient walls and if you wish to feel the heartbeat of Salzburg, one of the world’s music capitals. The corridors of this completely refurbished hotel are hung with prints of opera and concert performances, while the rooms are named after operas, testimony to the fact that music and the Salzburg Festival are as much part of the city as Mirabell Palace. Each of the 16 rooms has one entire wall decorated with large prints of the Salzburg Festival taken by Italian photographer Luigi Caputo, which creates a unique music inspired-ambience.
Tip no. 3: Senns – surprising culinary art at Gusswerk
The extravagant interior decoration lends a gloomy touch to Andreas Senn’s restaurant. But never mind, because the tender pork belly with caviar and egg yolk is a dream. Equally unforgettable is the black cod with glazed crust, miso, manioc, eggplant, lemon and smoky dashi sauce. Andreas Senn cultivates a decidedly light and innovative cuisine. He largely forgoes the use of butter, even in sauces and gravies. Unsurprisingly, two well-deserved stars sparkle above Gusswerk.
Tip no. 4: The Ikarus at Red Bull Hangar 7 – multiple facets and so much finesse
A different Michelin-honoured chef every month: hailing from the United States, Japan or Singapore, cooking traditional or fusion cuisine – you never know! Because the 2-star restaurant Ikarus at Hangar-7 takes you on a culinary trip around the world. The extraordinary concept of visiting chefs was conceived by the celebrated chef Eckart Witzigmann, who in his role as the Ikarus’ patron continues to pick the world’s finest chefs together with Executive Chef Martin Klein. In December, the Ikarus is hosting Julien Royer, the two-star chef of the Odette restaurant in Singapore. So, you won’t have to fly all the way to Asia to try the modern French cuisine of Julien Royer.
Tip no. 5: Pfefferschiff – creative cuisine in former parish house
Located just outside Salzburg, the Pfefferschiff or “pepper boat” is a cosy mix of cultural heritage and modern art. Three lovingly decorated dining rooms, more than 600 vintages in the cellar, and cheerful waitresses in dirndl dresses taking care of the guests. The restaurant's cuisine features interesting creations that always seek to harmonise flavours. Take fish, meat or venison, Jürgen Vigné is on top of it all. In fact, you get the impression that the celebrated chef has no preferences when creating his fancy dishes. (awarded one Michelin star)
Tip no. 6: M32 – forward-looking culinary culture at the Museum of Modern Art
Paying a visit to the M32 on top of Mönchsberg should by all means be on your agenda when visiting Salzburg. The interior design is done in the signature style of Italian architect and interior designer Matteo Thun. Suspended from the ceiling are 390 stag antlers. Plenty of glass, concrete and rich colours set the scene. The food served here is wonderful and no-nonsense, the bar is terrific, and the patio with its view of the city and the Hohensalzburg fortress will stun you.
Tip no. 7: Café Tomaselli – where Mozart sipped his almond milk
To enjoy the most exquisite wooden panelling, a view of the bustling historic town centre and a rich spread of cakes and pies, come to city’s oldest coffeehouse in operation. It will test your willpower to see tray after tempting tray of cakes, strudels, and cream puffs carried past you at Tomaselli’s.
Tip no. 8: Local delicacies – Salzburg dumplings, vanilla crescents and Mozartkugeln
.jpeg)
The entire city is reminiscent of a sweet meringue pie, dolled up in pastel colours and richly decorated with cherubs. Try the amazingly fluffy Salzburger Nockerln at Gasthof Goldgasse and the crispest Vanillekipferl and hand-made Mozart ball chocolates at Schatz.
Ready for more? We have compiled 330 hotel and restaurant tips for you on pillowandpepper.com – each one of them tested in person, on location.
We hope you enjoy planning your next trip and the beautiful advent season in Salzburg or your holiday at another favourite destination – do have a great time!
Using our concierge booking service will make your trip picture perfect. As a registered member of our travel community, you may entrust yourself to the care of our concierge, who knows every single place listed here. The concierge will request the best online rate for the finest room available, reserve tables in the trendiest restaurants, take care of every detail, and put together the perfect trip for you.