In collaboration with Convergence, VOICE OF ASIA is proud to present timeless articles from the archives, reproduced digitally for your reading pleasure. Originally published in Convergence Volume 11 in 2012, we present this story on St Peter Stiftskeller, where you can dine as patrons of Mozart once did.
As the oldest known restaurant in Central Europe with more than 1,200 years of history, dining at St Peter Stiftskeller – The Restaurant at the historical city of Salzburg, Austria, is an experience that transcends the taste buds. With good food and wine served in the company of live musical performances amid a unique ambience where elements of the past and present converge, the restaurant is the ideal venue, whether for a romantic dinner for two or to host a lavish wedding reception.
Be Part of Austria’s Historical Heritage
Located at the heart of a UNESCO world heritage site, St Peter Stiftskeller stands as a piece of living history reminiscent of a bygone era. The earliest record of its existence was documented in the year 803 AD by the scholar Alcuin, a follower of Charlemagne. For more than a millennia, the restaurant has hosted countless historical greats, from Dr Johann Georg Faust to Mozart and Haydn.
When Claus Haslauer and Veronika Kirchmair took over the management of St Peter Stiftskeller in 1992, the couple invested in considerable renovation that restored the restaurant while still retaining its authentic old world charm. Today, it continues to be a popular gathering venue for celebrities and renowed personalities from the world of politics, arts, sports, business and science.
The restaurant underwent substantial expansion in the early 20th century, which saw the creation of the famous Baroque Salon in 1903 which became one of the distinct features that contributes to the overall St Peter Stiftskeller experience. The premises now have an overall capacity for 700 guests across its 11 differently themed dining rooms and salons.
Restaurant patrons are offered a diverse choice of dining atmospheres from traditional Austrian and Baroque interiors to rooms decorated with the trappings of contemporary splendour. While the dining areas are available for event hosting reservation, diners may prefer a table at the cool and shady inner courtyard during warmer seasons.
Something for Every Occasion
A perfect culinary experience awaits gourmets behind the doors of St Peter Stiftskeller with a menu that lists timeless gastronomical creations, all made exclusively with local produce. The restaurant is most famous for its Austrian Tafelspitz – boiled prime cut beef served with fried potatoes, creamed spinach, apple horseradish and chive sauce.
Other not-to-be-missed delicacies are the Hungarian juicy beef Goulash with sausages, pickles and bread dumpling; calf’s lungs in creamy white wine sauce and the ‘Wiener Schnitzel’ Escalope where diners can choose between turkey or veal, breaded or pan fried, with parsley potatoes and cranberries. The restaurant also caters to alternative dietary habits with their vegetarian menu that offers a fairly varied assortment of green salads and soups.
The St Peter Stiftskeller dining experience would not be complete if the food is not complemented with the right wine. Since the cellar’s expansion in 1510, the restaurant’s wine list has been recognized for its quality, attracting connoisseurs from far and wide to travel to Salzburg for a sample.
In addition to the regular menu, St Peter Stiftskeller also offers specialty cuisines in their seasonal menus that are only made available at certain times of the year, such as at Christmas when one can find traditional Austrian festive dishes.
Go Back in Time as Mozart’s Guest
Classical music lovers are definitely in for a big treat at St Peter Stiftskeller with the restaurant’s world-renowned Mozart Dinner Concerts. Since its premier in 1996, the musical and culinary offering is a daily event that takes place in the restaurant’s Baroque Salon. Diners are whisked back in time to the 18th century with the timeless compositions of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Salzburg’s most famous son, performed in candle-light by local musicians and opera singers dressed in periodic costume.
During intermissions, a three-course dinner prepared based on traditional 18th century recipes will be served. The Mozart Dinner menu consists of lemon soup with quark rosemary dumpling topped with cream, roasted chicken with pumpkin, semolina strudel and vegetables and a semi-fredo honey parfait with two kinds of fruit sauce. The menu can be adapted into a fully vegetarian course upon request.
Rarely does the pleasure of beautiful sights, wonderful sounds and delicious tastes come together as a whole experience as it does when one dines at St Peter Stiftskeller. For that reason, food and wine gourmets as well as music and arts lovers visiting the city of Salzburg should not miss out on this historical gastronomical destination where an unforgettable multi-sensory indulgence awaits them.
