We kinda felt like spies taking the elevator up through the Mönchsberg to reach M32. It was on our list when we got to town and it was the hotel’s first recommendation, so yes, this is no secret. The stylish gourmet eatery and bar with a to-die-for view of the mountaintop has plenty of perks.
It’s right next to the Museum of Modern Art so it made sense that there were antlers hanging from the ceiling, round port-hole red wall lights and a big vintage style sign reading “DRUGS” and “LIQUOR” over the bar. The suave waiter accompanied us to a nice table by the floor-to-ceiling windows. The waiter was occasionally overly zealous, giving us the skinny on the “exceptional” olive oil, which was a normal bottle with a plastic pourer, taste-wise nothing to write home about. For starters we had variations of tuna (one seared one smoked) atop an avocado and tomato crème and slices of steak with parmesan mini-dumplings. The later had awesome parmesan chips stuck into it. We will totally try to make those at home now.
We chose a flesh and a fish option to see how both measured up. The venison steak was perfectly pink and the mashed potatoes fluffy and smooth. The steamed char with bacon, spinach and sweet potatoes, was well presented and did the whole falling apart thing that fish is supposed to do. We ended up adding salt, but that’s not saying much, we tend to add salt to anything with potatoes.
Eating here is no bargain and the kitchen is not reinventing the wheel, but the view is spectacular and the food artfully-composed and well-seasoned (overlooking our salt issues).
Sadly we weren’t there in summer, but we imagine that sipping martinis on the terrace would solidify the secret agent feel. Next time we’ll come in summer, suit-up and bring a cigar.
Verdict: Delectable food, great wine list, killer view. If M32 were a wine it could be summed up as having an industrially glamourous bouquet with a hint of pretension, but not lacking in sophistication.
Take the Mönchsberg elevator from Anton-Neumayr-Platz on the Left Bank
Mönchsberg 32
2050, Salzburg
+43 (0)662 841000
Tue – Sun 9:00 – 1:00 and daily during festival season
