Ordering Food In Austria: A Guide For Tourists

Ordering food in Austria is simple, with many options available. In Vienna, for example, you can usually seat yourself at a restaurant, and a server will bring you a menu and take your order at the table. You can also order food to be delivered to your door using apps such as foodora, Lieferando, and Wolt. These apps offer a variety of cuisines and payment options, and some even provide discounts and promotions.

Table service etiquette

In Austria, it is customary to wait to be seated by the staff at a restaurant. If there is a sign that says "please wait to be seated", it is best to follow this instruction. If the table you want to sit at has a "'Reserviert' sign, it means it is reserved. In most places, orders are taken at the table, and only a few are self-service, such as small cafes around tourist spots. These cafes usually have a sign that says "Selbstbedienung" (self-service).

When you are seated, the staff will usually attend to you promptly unless they are busy. You may not find a menu at your table, but it will be brought to you. The waiting staff will typically ask for your drink order first and give you time before asking about food. If you want water, you will likely need to ask for it as it is rarely served automatically with meals. Most restaurants in Austria are flexible with requests, so it is fine to ask for an extra plate or fork to share a dessert or a salad with no dressing. It is also acceptable to order just drinks and no food. If you are ready to order, it is common to try and catch the serving staff’s eye.

There is no pressure to leave as soon as you finish your meal or to keep ordering more food or drinks in Austrian eateries. This is especially true in traditional cafes and coffee houses, where you can take your time and relax. However, if the place is busy, it is polite to consider making space for other customers if you are not consuming anything.

Ordering drinks

When you arrive at a restaurant in Austria, you usually find your own seat. However, if staff are waiting near the entrance, they will likely seat you at a table. If the table has a "Reserviert" sign, this means it is reserved. In most Austrian restaurants, waiting staff will take your order at the table. Only a few are self-service, such as small cafes around tourist sights, which will have a sign saying "Selbstbedienung" (self-service). Even pubs and bars typically have table service, although you can also order at the bar.

Once seated, staff should see to you quickly unless they are very busy. They will bring you a menu if there isn't one already on your table. Waiting staff will typically ask for your drinks order first and give you time before asking about food. Water is rarely served automatically with meals, so you will likely need to ask for it. Most restaurants in Austria are flexible, so if you want an extra plate or fork, or a salad with no dressing, it is rarely a problem.

In Vienna, you can stick with drinks and decline to order food unless you are in a formal restaurant. It is also fine to try and catch the serving staff’s eye when you are ready to order. However, do not chase after them—patience may be required. Vienna has a relaxed view of gastronomic life, especially in coffee houses, which usually let you take your time over paying and leaving. When you have finished your meal or drinks, ask for the bill by saying "zahlen bitte" ("zar-len bitter") in German or by nodding knowingly while holding a wallet or purse.

Austria is known for its coffee houses, which have been an integral part of Austrian life since the 17th century. Vienna is home to some of the oldest and most decadent coffee houses in Europe. These grand cafes hold such cultural value that UNESCO has granted them intangible cultural heritage status. They are known for their marble tabletops, Thonet chairs, and elegant decor. The extensive menus of specialty coffees are beautifully presented, and often come with a small piece of chocolate on the side. The iconic Sachertorte is perhaps the most famous dessert in Austria and a must-try for chocolate lovers.

Austria also has a variety of popular drinks besides coffee. Given the country's bitterly cold winters and stature as a world-class ski destination, it is no surprise that Austria has an extensive menu of delicious hot drinks. Austrians also enjoy beer and wine.

Paying for your order

When it comes to paying for your food order in Austria, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is customary to pay for your order at the end of your meal. In most restaurants, the server will bring you the bill once you have finished eating, and you can then proceed to pay at the table or at the counter. It is worth noting that in some establishments, particularly pubs and bars, you may have the option to open a tab and pay at the end of your visit.

In terms of payment methods, cash is widely accepted in Austria. However, many restaurants and cafes also accept credit and debit cards, as well as mobile payment options such as Google Pay or Apple Pay. With the rise of food delivery apps, paying online through these platforms has become increasingly common. Apps such as foodora and Lieferando offer secure online payment options, including credit cards, PayPal, and even Bitcoin.

Tipping culture in Austria is relatively relaxed. It is common to round up the bill to the nearest euro or to leave a small tip as a gesture of appreciation. For example, if your bill comes to €28, you might round it up to €30. For more substantial bills, a tip of around 5-10% is considered appropriate. In pubs and bars, it is customary to tip the bartender when ordering at the bar, and it is common to leave a small tip for the server in restaurants, typically €1-2 for good service.

When dining out in Austria, it is important to be mindful of the establishment's policies and practices. In traditional cafés and coffee houses, you can take your time and linger over a single cup of coffee without feeling pressured to order more or leave. However, in busier places, it is polite to make space for other customers if you are no longer consuming anything. Overall, Austria offers a diverse dining experience, and understanding the payment and tipping culture can enhance your enjoyment of the local cuisine.

Using food delivery apps

Food delivery apps are a convenient way to order food in Austria. There are several apps available that allow you to choose from a variety of restaurants and cuisines, and get your food delivered directly to your doorstep. Here is some information on how to use food delivery apps in Austria:

Lieferando.at is a popular food delivery app in Austria, offering a wide range of options from over 3500 restaurants, supermarkets, and convenience stores. The app allows you to browse through countless menus and reviews, and choose the food you want to order. You can pay online using a credit card, Klarna, PayPal, EPS, Bitcoin, or cash on delivery. Lieferando also has a Punkte programme, where you can collect points and redeem them for offers and discounts.

Another option is mjam, which promises to deliver food from the best restaurants in your area, along with groceries, at lightning speed. The app allows you to browse through different cuisines, offers, best-rated restaurants, and vegetarian/halal options.

If you are looking for a same-day delivery service for groceries in Vienna, Zuper is a good option. They provide delivery within 2 hours all over Vienna, and you can place your order through their app.

In Vienna, there is also a unique delivery service called Speisen ohne Grenzen (Food without Borders), where fresh dishes are prepared by refugees. This service combines good food with a social cause, as it helps refugees develop their language and technical skills for the Austrian job market. They deliver lunch menus (starter, main course, and dessert) by bicycle in reusable dishes, and you can place your order through their website.

Most food delivery apps in Austria have user-friendly interfaces and allow you to choose your location, browse through menus, place your order, and track it until it arrives at your doorstep. You can also choose from various payment options, including online payments and cash on delivery. So, whether you are craving a burger, pizza, or something more exotic, using food delivery apps is a convenient way to satisfy your hunger in Austria.

Tipping culture

Tipping is also common in hotels, but only in certain circumstances. In most hotels, a service charge is included in the bill for staff, but certain roles, such as porters, concierge staff, and chambermaids, will appreciate the generosity of guests. If a porter helps carry your bags to your room, the customary tip is 1-2 euros per bag, and no more than 5 euros total. Concierge staff can be very helpful to first-time travelers, and it is customary to tip them 2-5 euros for their service. In moderate hotels, a 1-euro tip per day is adequate for chambermaids, while in deluxe hotels, 2-3 euros daily is more suitable. It is considered polite to leave restroom attendants 1 euro in very upscale hotels. It is recommended to leave these tips on the bed or bedside table.

When tipping in Austria, it is important to note that you should always hand the tip directly to the server. Do not leave the tip on the table, as it is considered rude. When paying in cash, you should verbally state the total amount you wish to pay, including any tip. If you are paying with a credit card, you will likely be asked if you want to add a tip, and if not, you should state how much you want to be charged.

Tipping is also common for other services, such as taxi drivers, hairdressers, and anyone who provides a service in your apartment. For taxi drivers, it is customary to round up the fare to the nearest euro, and you can tip up to an additional 10% if they are particularly helpful. For other services, such as hairdressers, a standard tip is around 10% of the final bill.

Frequently asked questions