Austria Salzburg & Hallstatt Restaurant Tour: 6 Honest Reviews
We introduce 6 restaurants and cafes visited during our Austria trip, located near Salzburg and Hallstatt. From Korean restaurants offering the taste of Korea to Italian restaurants with a great atmosphere, and places boasting beautiful views of Hallstatt, we share our honest experiences.
1. Koreasküche HIBISKUS: A Hidden Korean Gem Near Salzburg
Hallstatt Salzburg ‘Koreasküche HIBISKUS’, located near Mirabell Garden, is a quite popular Korean restaurant among locals. Although we arrived at 5:05 PM, just after their break time, there was already a wait, indicating its popularity. The ratio of Koreans to foreigners was almost half and half, and it was impressive that there were more foreign customers compared to other Korean restaurants.
We ordered stir-fried squid and kimchi stew. (Water was a separate order.) The stir-fried squid, in particular, was not too spicy and had a perfect flavor that made us finish a bowl of rice in no time. Even though we weren’t particularly craving Korean food, we thought, “‘역시 이 맛이지!'” without even realizing it.
The kimchi stew was a bit too sour for my personal taste, but it was hearty with plenty of meat and kimchi.
2. L’Osteria Salzburg: A Spacious and Bustling Italian Restaurant
We visited ‘L’Osteria Salzburg” hoping to enjoy a beer outdoors, but as it got chilly in the evening, we moved inside. We were surprised by the much larger interior space than expected, but it was full of people, and with low ceilings, it was very noisy. It’s hard to recommend if you prefer a quiet atmosphere, and conversation can be quite difficult.
We ordered a Margherita pizza, a Cuba Libre, and a non-alcoholic drink I can’t recall. We were initially taken aback by the pizza’s size, but there wasn’t much cheese, so it felt like eating tomato sauce on bread. It was such a disappointing dish that we regretted not just ordering drinks. It was a shame to leave so much of it because of its large size.
However, we did enjoy the cocktails.
3. Schirmbar Hallstatt: Lake View, But Not Recommended Dishes
This is the place that made me decide to write a review: ‘Schirmbar Hallstatt’. It’s a restaurant with a wonderful view of Hallstatt Lake. The server recommended a fish dish for 23.9 euros, which didn’t have a picture on the menu, so we ordered the fish dish and goulash. Water was also served.
The goulash had finely chopped ingredients settled at the bottom, and it was delicious. The bread served with it was plain.
However, the fish dish was not visually appealing, and it was disappointing that baby potatoes were served instead of french fries. Most importantly, the strong fishy smell characteristic of freshwater fish was almost nauseating. It seemed like fish caught from Hallstatt Lake. Although there were always many customers, I absolutely do not recommend this fish dish.
4. Rudolfsturm: A Restaurant with a View of the Hallstatt Salt Mine Observatory
Located at the Hallstatt Salt Mine Observatory, ‘Rudolfsturm’ boasts an amazing view. The observatory itself can be a bit scary, but the scenery from here is truly beautiful. We decided to just have drinks at an outdoor table. It was a perfect spot to enjoy the view.
The Radler we ordered had a strong lemon flavor and was delicious like a soft drink, while the Gösser beer tasted like regular beer.
5. Ofenfrische Schaumrollen: Sweet Street Snacks in Hallstatt
Ofenfrische Schaumrollen is a small street stall selling coffee and pastries. There are no seats. We were drawn in by the visual appeal of the cream-filled pastries and stopped. They were truly delicious. They are sweet and highly recommended as a snack. Perhaps they tasted even better because of the fishy dish we had earlier.
6. Pizzeria Il Centro II: The Most Satisfying Place in Salzburg
Returning to Salzburg for dinner, ‘Pizzeria Il Centro II’ was the most satisfying restaurant of this trip. We were determined to recover our spirits after our lunch experience and searched diligently. Since schnitzel is generally a safe bet anywhere, we ordered the chicken schnitzel and chicken salad. (We originally wanted to order the turkey schnitzel, but it was sold out.)
With a glass of beer, our mood improved.
Unlike previous experiences where we often had leftovers even when ordering three dishes, we ordered just enough this time and finished everything. The taste was excellent, and we were especially happy to have french fries, which we had been craving. Everything about the salad was delicious – the chicken, the dressing, and the lettuce. Bread was also provided with ketchup, mayonnaise, and mustard. This bread, though flavorless, had a chewy texture that made us keep reaching for it. (It’s unclear if this was a service or a standard offering.) The staff were also very friendly.
Although the cost of the meal was not insignificant, it was a truly worthwhile experience at the best restaurant of our trip.
