7 BEST Cafes in Salzburg Austria: My Top Coffee Spots in 2025

When I visited Salzburg, I honestly didn’t expect to fall in love with the café scene, but after six solid weeks of hunting down the best coffee and brekky spots, I ended up with more than just one or two places I became a regular at.

The thing about cafés in Europe is that you usually get a great espresso, but the breakfast menu leans heavily toward sweet options. Perfect for a Saturday stroll, sure, but coming from Texas, a sugar-only breakfast just isn’t going to cut it. So I made it my mission to find a variety of cafes in Salzburg that would tick all my boxes.

In this article, I’ve got a fantastic mix, from my favorite flat white to the best cakes a girl could ask for to hearty brunches that actually keep you full. I’m so excited to share them with you, and I’m pretty sure by the end, you’ll be adding extra days to your trip just to try them all.

What Are the Best Cafes in Salzburg? Here’s Where I Actually Went

Whenever I get to a new city, one of the first things I look up is where to find a real coffee. Hotel coffee usually means instant or a sad machine-made cappuccino, and unless I’m running late, I’m gonna need something stronger and worth savoring.

When I first visited Salzburg with my family in winter, finding a hot cup of coffee was top priority. We were so eager to explore that we didn’t need a sit-down spot, so we headed straight to Nur Coffee, a tiny takeaway window that serves what I think is some of the best coffee in Salzburg. They’re famous for serving coffee in an ice cream cone, but I actually never tried it as I thought it was a little overpriced.

Fast forward to summer, when I moved to Salzburg for six weeks, and I really got to know the local cafe scene. KAVA and Ratio Coffee quickly became my go-tos, KAVA in the Old Town, Ratio across the river in the New Town, depending on which side of the city my day started on.

Over those weeks, I found more than just a few favorites. Whether you’re after the perfect latte art or a full on breakfast, these are the cafes in Salzburg worth adding to your list.

📍Quick Note: Café Tomaselli is not on this list and here’s why. Yes, it’s Salzburg’s oldest coffee house, dating back to the early 1700s, and yes, Mozart himself was a regular. The terrace upstairs is stunning and most tourists will go here on their trip, but in my opinion Cafe Tomaselli is so average. It’s pretty pricey, the food is bland and the service isn’t great. If you’re going for the history and the view then I think it’s worth it but just know there are much better spots in town to actually enjoy a coffee and pastry at.

7 Best Cafés in Salzburg

Salzburg might be all about Mozart and mountains, but its café scene deserves just as much attention. From cozy neighborhood spots to sleek espresso bars, these are my favorite places to grab a coffee in the city.

Nur Coffee // Best Coffee in Salzburg

Opening Hours: 8am-8pm daily
Location & Website

Nur is definitely one of the most popular coffee spots in Salzburg, mostly because of their creative “coffee in a cone” idea. You can get your latte in a chocolate-coated ice cream cone, and while they do super yummy and very instagrammable, at €10, I think it’s a bit overpriced, so I always just stick with their regular flat white. Their beans are sourced from Brazil, and the espresso has that perfect smoothness I love.

My family chose this spot in winter because it’s just a little walk-up window with takeaway coffee, which made it the perfect stop while strolling the cobblestone streets and sightseeing before heading up to the fortress. The baristas were super friendly too, which can be a pleasant surprise in Austria, haha.

KAVA // My Favorite Specialty Coffee Salzburg Cafe

Opening Hours: 9am-5:30pm, Closed on Sundays
Location & Website

Kava quickly became my favorite coffee shop in Salzburg. It’s a small spot right off the river in Old Town, and somehow it never feels too hectic. With just a few seats inside and out, it’s the perfect little stop for a coffee and a small bite. Their coffee is rich, smooth, and available in a few different blends.

I also love their mission. They only use high-quality specialty beans that are organically grown and always fairly and directly traded. It’s coffee with a clear conscience, and they stay true to their values of quality, sustainability, and transparency throughout the whole process.

They also do homemade cakes, the lemon and blueberry one is seriously so good! They serve them on these adorable little plates with zebras and cheetahs, which just adds to the whole cute, aesthetic vibe. You’ll also find muesli and a few sandwiches, but they’re pre-made, so once they’re gone, that’s it for the day.

It’s not really the kind of place you linger for hours because of the limited seating, but in my opinion, it’s hands-down the best coffee in Salzburg.

Ratio Coffee // Best Cafe to Work From in Salzburg

Opening Hours: 8am-6pm Daily
Locations & Website

On a sunny day, I would usually make an afternoon pitstop at Ratio. It’s across the river from Old Town, a bit further down the main alley on the New Salzburg side, so it gets less tourist foot traffic and a lot more locals. The terrace is the perfect place to sip an Austrian coffee, eat a slice of cake, and dive into a book without feeling like you’re taking up someone’s seat. Inside, there’s a cozy back area with a few small tables and a larger community table.

I could definitely feel some Aussie influence here as they serve a magic and a flat white, and both are perfectly crafted. After my first sip, I immediately knew I would be back. Ratio is also pet-friendly and a solid place to get a bit of work done if you’ve got your laptop with you. 

220 Grad Salzburg // Best Brunch Spot in Salzburg

Opening Hours: 9am-8pm Daily
Locations & Website

220 Grad is definitely pricier than the other spots on this list, but honestly, I think it’s the best place in Salzburg for brunch. They have a few different locations depending on where you’re staying, but I always recommend the Rupertinum branch, which is right in the heart of Old Town.

When my friend Pia came to visit, we managed to snag a table out on the terrace. I always go for their “breakfast of the month” because it’s packed with seasonal ingredients and so full of flavor and freshness. Their coffee absolutely top-notch and super velvety. Inside, the huge windows flood the space with natural light, giving it an airy, open feel.

It’s not a spot I’d visit every day, but when I want to treat myself, or when someone asks me for a brunch recommendation, 220 Grad is always my first pick.

💡Check out my list of the best restaurants in Salzburg here!

Afro Cafe // Best Vegetarian Cafe in Salzburg

Opening Hours: 9am-8pm Daily
Location & Website

When Oliver and I were in Salzburg, he was vegetarian, and while finding a coffee shop with meat-free pastries is easy, finding a café with hearty vegetarian options was a bit trickier. Luckily, we stumbled across Afro Café, and it was so good.

Their whole menu isn’t vegetarian, but they have plenty of great options. We ordered the shakshuka and the falafel wrap, plus a flat white, and it ended up being one of our favorite meals in Salzburg. The décor is funky, colorful, and full of life.

It’s just on the edge of Old Town, only a few streets away from the busiest spots, so it’s a nice little escape. We grabbed seats outside, soaked up the summer sun, and honestly could’ve stayed there for hours.

My Mom’s Bakery // Best Pastry Shop in Salzburg

Opening Hours: 10am-5pm Daily
Locations & Website

It honestly took me way too long to visit My Mom’s Bakery on the New Salzburg side, but I’m so glad I finally did. One of my local friends had been raving about their pastries, but I’m 100% a creature of habit and just kept going to KAVA. One day, I finally decided to switch it up… and wow. I got the pistachio lemon cake with an iced coffee, and it was amazing.

The shop itself is tiny, with just a couple of seats, so I took mine to go and wandered down to the Salzach River to enjoy it, which I highly recommend for a slow afternoon. I went back a few more times after that, and the sweet rolls, carrot cake, and honestly, anything that catches your eye are worth ordering. Just try to get there early because they sell out fast.

We love Coffee Mozartsteg // Best Coffee To Go in Salzburg

Opening Hours: 7:30am-5pm, opens at 9am on weekends
Locations & Website

My brother actually stumbled across this spot during our family vacation, and I’m so glad he did. It’s a tiny coffee stand tucked right on the corner of the bridge by the Salzach River. There are a few outdoor seats, but it’s mostly a grab-and-go kind of place, perfect for strolling with your cup in hand.

We ordered flat whites and shared a croissant, and it ended up being the perfect mid-day pick-me-up. They also open earlier than most places in Salzburg during the week. Whether you want to wander along the river or just do a little people-watching, this is the spot to get your coffee. 

Final Thoughts on the Best Cafes in Salzburg 

Traditionally, I don’t have the highest hopes for coffee in Austria, but Salzburg completely proved me wrong. With so many cafes that truly care about their craft, I was more than impressed, and very caffeinated. 

Whether you’re here for a weekend or a longer stay, this list will give any coffee lover more than enough fuel to start the day and keep your going through your 20,000 steps around Old Town! 

Make sure to check out my 2-day Salzburg itinerary, which includes two of my favorite coffee spots from this list.

Check Out My Other Salzburg Guides

Where to Stay in Salzburg Austria: My Top Hotels and Areas

Is Salzburg Worth Visiting: My Honest Review

Best Time to Visit Salzburg: My Weather Guide to Salzburg Austria

2 Days in Salzburg Itinerary: How I Spent 48 Hours in Salzburg

Restaurants in Salzburg: My Top Places to Eat in Salzburg