Did you know that the oldest known restaurant in the world dates back to 803 CE?
That was over 1200 years ago.
But where is this restaurant?
In the middle of Salzburg, a city in northwest Austria, sitting on the border between Germany and Austria. Salzburg is about 87 miles away from Munich, Germany, and about 137 miles away from the capital of Austria, Vienna.
Photo Courtesy of Cheapflights
Situated in St. Peter’s Abbey, the oldest restaurant in the world is St. Peter Stifskulinarium.
Although it isn’t known exactly when this restaurant started, the first reference to it as St. Peter’s “abbey cellar” was in the year 803 (St. Peter, n.d.). Over time it grew from a wine tavern to an inn, and as the years continued rooms slowly began to be turned into further extensions of the restaurant.
Fun fact, St. Peter Stifskulinarium has been referenced in literature! Around 1300, the Monk of Salzburg, a poet, and composer, mentions St. Peter Stiftskeller, which was the original name of the restaurant. It wasn’t until 2017 that it was renamed to St. Peter Stifskulinarium!
But what about the design of this 1,200-year-old restaurant?
We can’t write a blog without at least touching on the design…! 😄
St. Peter Stifskulinarium is unlike anything we would see here in North America. I mean when do you find a building built in 803 in North America, let alone a running restaurant? 😄
But check this out…
Although the 11 different rooms have been updated, the walls are still the same as they were in 803!
Let’s take a look at each different room:
Petrusstube
Photo Courtesy of St. Peter Stifskulinarium
Petrusstube features the alpine style. With a more rustic, country feel, this room is the former monastery tavern!
Wolfgangstubf
Photo Courtesy of St. Peter Stifskulinarium
This room is the monastery wine cellar from the 16th century. Adjoined to the main wine cellar, it is smaller than other rooms but features an electric flair alongside the rugged rock walls.
Richardstube
Photo Courtesy of St. Peter Stifskulinarium
A more extensive wine cellar, Richardstube was once used to store wines, but now is a classical, simple dining area with gorgeous, vaulted brick ceilings.
Willibaldarkaden
Photo Courtesy of St. Peter Stifskulinarium
An outdoor lounge, Willibaldarkaden is a whimsical space. Beneath a domed arch carved in the rock of the abbey, it becomes the perfect place to escape the cold in winter and escape the sun in summer! During the winter months, it is transformed into a beautiful, heated winter wonderland.
Refugium
Photo Courtesy of St. Peter Stifskulinarium
Refugium is a stately, intimate space for smaller groups. It overlooks the courtyard but is hidden away with gorgeous, paneled ceilings and exquisite antique furniture styled to give the room its intimate feel.
Haydnsaal
Photo Courtesy of St. Peter Stifskulinarium
This small banquet room is a space where the friend of Mozart and brother to F. Joseph Haydn, Michael Haydn spent many a day creating music and enjoying the wine! The space is designed to pay homage to his work, with classical paneling on the walls and ceiling and sleek wood flooring.
Virgilsalon
Photo Courtesy of St. Peter Stifskulinarium
Virgilsalon pays homage to St. Virgil, a bishop of Salzburg and abbot of St. Peter. It is a salon featuring a brightly colored lounge area and a sleek dining area.
Séparée Im Berg
Photo Courtesy of St. Peter Stifskulinarium
Not sure why this room is making me think Moonshine stills in Tennessee, but it has those deep, cave-like vibes. It’s carved out of the Mönchsberg Mountain! Its low rock ceiling creates an intimate, secretive vibe.
Barocksaal
Photo Courtesy of St. Peter Stifskulinarium
Barocksaal is a gala room. A large hall, it reminds me more of what I envision the Regency-era ballrooms in London would have looked like. With grand ceilings and dramatic chandeliers, the room sends out the feeling that wearing anything, but a ballroom gown or tuxedo would be considered underdressed for the occasion!
Bürger & Prälatenstube
Photo Courtesy of St. Peter Stifskulinarium
With stunning dark wood paneling, the Bürger & Prälatenstube features extensive detailing. Once used by clerical dignitaries to meet, it is now an upscale dining area, with exquisite detailing.
Although each room features its own fascinating design and details, one thing is consistent. St. Peter Stifskulinarium’s design can be described in three words: Classical, elegant, and sophisticated. Each room showcases those words in different ways.
Reach out to us today to see how we can help you upscale your restaurant’s design using soft seating – info@flexxform.co!
References
Delicious. (n.d.). Visit the 10 oldest restaurants in the world. Retrieved from delicious.:
Dhimate, S. (n.d.). 20 Oldest Restaurants Around the World. Retrieved from Rethinking the Future:
Safin, M. (n.d.). Top 10 historic restaurants and inns around the world. Retrieved from Cheapflights:
St. Peter. (n.d.). Experiencing History. Retrieved from St. Peter:
I went to Salzburg in 2019- right before the pandemic year - I missed this restaurant 😯there were so many things to see and do - excellent pics