Austrian Shopping: Best Local Products To Buy

Austria is known for its fine crystal, and you can purchase items like glassware, lighting, fashion, and jewellery from brands like Swarovski. If you're visiting Vienna, you can also buy traditional porcelain from Augarten, or glassware from Lobmeyr. For edible souvenirs, try Mozart Balls (a mix of pistachio, marzipan, nougat, and chocolate), or Manner wafer cookies. If you're looking for clothing, you can buy traditional Austrian Dirndl dresses, or accessories from stores like Tu Felix.

Austrian crystal, including glassware, jewellery and sculptures

Austrian crystal is a popular choice for souvenirs and gifts when visiting Austria. The country leads the world in manufacturing a range of fine crystal, including glassware, lighting, fashion, and jewellery. Austrian crystal is typically handmade and precision-cut, giving it a brilliant sparkle.

One well-known example is Swarovski crystal, which is manufactured in Innsbruck, alongside the Swarovski Crystal World attraction. However, Swarovski crystal can be found at showrooms and retailers across the country, including a massive showroom in Vienna.

Austrian crystal glassware is renowned for its sparkle and precision cut. It can elevate any gathering, from casual get-togethers to special occasions, adding luxury and brilliance to the moment. From cocktail and champagne flutes to whisky tumblers and barware, Austrian crystal glassware offers something for everyone.

When it comes to jewellery, Premium Austrian Crystal offers a wide range of options, including earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings. These pieces often feature intricate designs and brilliant colours, such as emerald, aquamarine, and sapphire. Personalized and birthstone jewellery are also available, allowing you to add a unique touch to your crystal pieces.

In addition to glassware and jewellery, Austrian crystal is also used to create sculptures and figurines. For example, Crystal Delight-Mascot Inc. offers a 24-karat gold-plated Austrian crystal lighthouse.

Traditional clothing, such as boiled wool clothing, and accessories

Traditional Austrian clothing and accessories are a great way to embrace the country's culture and support local artisans. Here are some ideas for what to buy in Austria when it comes to traditional clothing, boiled wool clothing, and accessories:

Boiled Wool Clothing

Boiled wool clothing is a centuries-old tradition in Austria, particularly for Alpine herdsmen. The dense weave of boiled wool, or Loden, makes it nearly waterproof and exceptionally warm and cosy. You can find a variety of boiled wool clothing items in Austria, including:

• Jackets: Boiled wool jackets, also known as Walkjanker, are a popular choice for both men and women. They are known for their durability and style.
• Coats: Loden coats are another classic option, offering performance and durability.
• Slippers and Mittens: Felted slippers and mittens made from boiled wool are perfect for keeping your hands and feet warm during cold Alpine winters.

Traditional Austrian Clothing

In addition to boiled wool clothing, there are several other types of traditional Austrian clothing to consider:

• Dirndl Dresses: These dresses combine tradition with modern fashion. They can be found at stores like Tostmann Trachten in Vienna, which offers a wide range of styles and sizes.
• Hats: To complete your Austrian ensemble, consider purchasing a hat from a store like Mühlbauer Hutmanufaktur in Vienna, which offers quirky, contemporary twists on traditional Austrian styles.
• Accessories: Scarves, bags, and belts can add a touch of Austrian flair to any outfit. Look for handcrafted accessories made from local materials.

When shopping for traditional clothing and accessories in Austria, it's worth seeking out local boutiques and workshops that specialise in Austrian folk dress. Not only will you find unique, high-quality items, but you'll also be supporting local artisans and businesses.

Austrian food, including Mozart Balls, cakes, and wafers

Austrian food is a delight, and there are many delicious treats to bring home from a trip to Austria. Here is a guide to some of the best foodie souvenirs to buy in Austria, including Mozart Balls, cakes, and wafers.

Mozart Balls, or Mozartkugeln, are a must-buy when in Austria. These are small, round confections consisting of pistachio, marzipan, and nougat, covered in dark chocolate. The original Mozart Balls were created in 1890 by Salzburg confectioner Paul Fürst, and named after the famous composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Fürst's descendants still make the handmade Original Salzburger Mozartkugeln today. They are wrapped in blue and silver foil and can be bought in Salzburg at one of the Fürst Konditorei locations.

There are many other delicious cakes to try in Austria, and you will find a huge variety in the country's famous coffee houses. One of the most famous cakes is the Sachertorte, a rich, chocolate cake with a thick layer of soft chocolate glaze on top and a layer of apricot jam. This cake was created in the home of Prince Metternich in the early 19th century and is now synonymous with Vienna. Another famous cake is the Kardinalschnitte, which was created in honour of Archbishop Theodor Innitzer when he became a Cardinal in 1933. This cake is made of layers of light sponge, soft meringue, and apricot jam.

For something a little different, try the Rehrücken cake, which means 'saddle of venison' in German. This cake is a chocolate almond sponge, served as a rounded slice and covered in chocolate. It is often decorated with almond slivers, resembling a hedgehog.

If you are looking for wafers, then Manner Original Neapolitan Wafers are the classic choice. These wafers are made of five layers of wafer filled with four layers of hazelnut cocoa cream, and they are cut into bite-sized pieces. They were invented in 1898 and are still made according to the original recipe. Manner has shops in several Austrian cities, including Vienna, Salzburg, and Graz, where you can buy these wafers and other treats.

Austrian wine

Austria has a long history of winemaking, with archaeological evidence of grape growing in Traisental dating back 4,000 years. Austrian wines are mostly dry white wines, often made from the Grüner Veltliner grape, although some sweeter wines are also produced. Red wines make up about 30% of the country's wine output, with Blaufränkisch, Pinot Noir, and Zweigelt being the most common grapes used.

Some of the best producers of Austrian wine include Weingut Bründlmayer, Weingut F.X. Pichler, Weingut Franz Hirtzberger, Weingut Nikolaihof, Weingut Knoll, Weingut Tement, and Weingut Sattlerhof.

When buying Austrian wine, look out for the following:

• Grüner Veltliner: This grape variety accounts for almost 30% of Austrian vineyards and is used to produce dry white wines ranging from short-lived Heuriger wines to Spätleses with long ageing potential.
• Riesling: While playing a smaller role than in Germany, Austrian Riesling is used to create some of the country's most appreciated dry white wines.
• Zweigelt: A cross between Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent, Zweigelt is used to make powerful red wines for ageing, as well as lighter styles for drinking young.
• Blaufränkisch: The traditional red grape variety of the region, Blaufränkisch produces more "serious" red wines with a distinct spiciness.
• Dessert Wines: The shallow Neusiedler See (Lake Neusiedl) provides ideal conditions for the development of noble rot, making it one of the few places in the world where botrytised dessert wines can be produced reliably and sold at a lower cost.

Porcelain and glassware

When it comes to porcelain and glassware, there are several options to choose from when shopping in Austria.

Augarten

Augarten is a well-known Viennese porcelain manufacturer. Their products include figurines and tableware, with themes ranging from local life to icons from Vienna and Austria. The old Viennese figures are crafted from moulds created during the Marie Antoinette period of 1750. The Art Deco figures are also notable for their charm and beauty. Prices for figurines range from €159 to €982. Augarten has a flagship store in central Vienna (Spiegelgasse 3) and is open Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm.

Lobmeyr

J. & L. Lobmeyr is a Viennese glassware company that has been in business since 1823. They are known for their drinkware, chandeliers, lamps, and historical influence on design and engineering. They created the first electric chandelier in 1883. Lobmeyr has a range of unique and limited-edition lighting, crystal, and jewellery items. A set of six striped glass tumblers starts at €58. Their flagship store is located in central Vienna (Kärntnerstrasse 26) and is open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 7 pm and Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm.

Swarovski Crystal

Swarovski Crystal is a well-known producer of luxury items, including figurines, home decor, chandeliers, jewellery, sculptures, and couture. They offer a range of portable gift items, such as bangles, bracelets, and keyrings. Prices for gifts range from €22 for a crystal duck to €250 for the Nevada Crocodile Bracelet. Their showroom is located in Vienna (Kärntner Straße 24) and is open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 9 pm and Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm.

Demel Konditorei

While not exclusively a porcelain or glassware shop, Demel Konditorei offers beautifully packaged chocolates and cakes. They are known for their interpretation of the Sachertorte, a famous Viennese specialty. Their products make excellent gifts, although they are not cheap. You can find them in central Vienna (Kohlmarkt 14) or online.

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