Damon Mcknight
Austrian cuisine is heavily influenced by neighbouring countries in Central Europe, including Hungary, Bavaria, Bohemia, and Northern Italy. Austrian breakfasts, known as Frühstück, are typically continental and similar to breakfasts in other European countries. They usually consist of bread, butter, jam, cold meats, and cheese, accompanied by coffee, tea, or juice. Austrians prefer a sweet breakfast, but some people opt for savoury options. On weekends, Austrians often spend more time on breakfast and meet with friends at a coffee house.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meal type | Continental |
| Bread | Semmel, Kornspitz, Schwarzbrot |
| Meat | Ham, smoked bacon (Speck), sausages, chicken, beef, turkey, goose |
| Egg | Boiled |
| Cakes and pastries | Sachertorte, Linzer Torte, Dobostorte, Esterhazy Torte, Kaiserschmarrn, Apple strudel, Punschkrapfen, Tirolerkuchen, Mohr im Hemd |
| Drinks | Coffee, tea, fruit juice, wine, beer, schnapps |
| Condiments | Jam, jelly, honey, butter |
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Breads and pastries
Austrian cakes and pastries are a well-known feature of its cuisine. The Sachertorte, a chocolate cake with apricot jam filling, is perhaps the most famous, traditionally eaten with whipped cream. The original recipe uses rum-soaked raisins. The Linzer Torte is among the cakes with the longest tradition. Other favourites include the caramel-flavoured Dobostorte and the delicately layered Esterhazy Torte, named in honour of Prince Esterházy.
The Viennese Apfelstrudel is a testament to the art of Austrian pastry. Wrapped in a delicate, paper-thin dough, the combination of tangy apples, sweet raisins, and warming cinnamon comes together in a traditional creation that speaks to the heart of Austrian food culture. The skill lies in rolling the dough so thin that it's nearly translucent without tearing, a challenge that requires patience and a gentle hand.
The Cremeschnitte is another pastry that comes straight from Vienna's famous baking scene. It consists of two crispy layers of puff pastry with a bit of apricot jam in between, and a big helping of vanilla pastry cream. The sweet and creamy cream is what makes the Cremeschnitte stand out.
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Savoury breakfasts
A typical Austrian breakfast usually includes savoury foods such as semmel bread rolls, hard-boiled eggs, and a variety of cold cuts like ham and bacon. Black bread and cheese are also common, and butter is always present to spread on bread rolls. Cocoa is another staple of Austrian breakfast tables, as are vegetables such as sweet peppers, cucumbers, and tomatoes.
Eggs are a breakfast staple, and are prepared in a variety of ways, from scrambled to soft-boiled. Bacon is often served with scrambled eggs, and cold cuts of meat are also popular. A popular dumpling in Austria is the Knödel, which can be served as a savoury side dish or as meatballs in soup.
A traditional Austrian breakfast may also include a classic dish called Tafelspitz, which consists of beef boiled in a broth of vegetables and spices. The meat is served with minced apples and horseradish or sour cream with chives.
In the capital, Vienna, Wiener schnitzel is a popular breakfast dish. It consists of a thin veal cutlet that is breaded and fried in butter.
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Sweet breakfasts
Austrians are known to enjoy a sweet breakfast. The meal typically includes a variety of baked goods, including bread rolls, pastries, and cakes. These are often served with butter, jam, or marmalade, and accompanied by coffee or tea.
Bread is a staple in Austrian cuisine, and freshly baked bread is a common sight on breakfast tables. Austrians often enjoy "Schwarzbrot", a black bread made from rye and wheat flour. Other popular bread rolls include "Kornspitz" and "Semmel", especially on weekends. Austrians also indulge in "Mehlspeise", which can include various sweet treats.
When it comes to spreads, butter, jam, and marmalade are the most common choices. Austrians also enjoy their bread with cheese, and the country's renowned dairy production offers a range of options, from mild and creamy to sharp and aged cheeses. A popular Austrian cheese is "Käse", which is mild and slightly salty, making it a perfect pairing for cold cuts or simply spread on bread.
Austrian breakfast pastries are a delight, with the classic Apfelstrudel being a favourite. This thin pastry is filled with sweet apples and cinnamon, offering a delicious start to the day. Another beloved pastry is the Sacher Torte, a delicate and fluffy chocolate cake with a rich history. Small tarts, macarons, and a variety of cakes are also popular, each with its unique flavour and presentation.
Austrian coffee culture is renowned, and coffee is often the preferred beverage to accompany these sweet breakfasts. The coffee served during breakfast is carefully selected and brewed to perfection. Tea is also a popular choice, with afternoon tea being a beloved tradition in Austria, often enjoyed with friends or family.
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Drinks
Austrians typically start their day with a cup of coffee, which is the most popular beverage in the country. Tea is the second most popular drink, closely following coffee. Fruit juice is also a common drink to have with breakfast.
On weekends, Austrians like to take their time with breakfast and often meet with friends at a coffee house. The traditional Viennese breakfast includes melange, which is espresso with steamed milk and foam.
Austrian breakfast drinks vary based on the region and season. For example, during holidays like Christmas and Easter, bock beer is available. Wine is cultivated in the east of Austria, with the most important wine-producing areas being Lower Austria, Burgenland, Styria, and Vienna. Zweigelt, a spicy and rich Austrian red wine, is commonly served with goulash.
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Regional variations
While the traditional Austrian breakfast is typically continental and similar to other European countries, there are many regional variations.
Viennese Breakfast
The standard menu for a traditional Viennese breakfast contains bread, jelly, cooked eggs, ham, cheese, and melange (espresso with steamed milk, topped with foam). The sweeter kinds of pastries are generally referred to as "Mehlspeise". The "Schwarzbrot," a black bread made of rye and wheat flour, is one item that is considered a must-have. However, other types of bread, like "Kornspitz" or "Semmel," are also well-liked, particularly on weekends. The Viennese enjoy eating their bread with butter and jam. On weekends, Austrians like to take their time with breakfast and meet with friends at a coffee house.
Tirolean Breakfast
In the popular skiing and hiking region of Tirol, you might sit down to a hearty Tiroler Gröstl for breakfast. This bacon, onion, and potato fry-up is a great way of using up the previous day’s leftovers and is best shared from the pan.
Lower Austrian Breakfast
Lower Austrian cuisine is known for its local delicacies such as Waldviertel poppies, Marchfeld asparagus, and Wachau apricots. Small dumplings filled with apricots and warm butter-fried breadcrumbs, known as "Marillenknödel," are famous in this region. Their influence can be felt in local dishes such as poppy seed noodles, "Mohnnudeln". Game dishes are also very common in Lower Austria.
Burgenland Breakfast
The cuisine of Burgenland has been influenced by Hungarian cuisine due to its historical position within the Hungarian part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Dishes consist mainly of fish, chicken, or pork.
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Frequently asked questions
A typical Austrian breakfast is usually a light continental breakfast, consisting of bread rolls, butter, jam, cold meats, and cheese. This is usually accompanied by coffee, tea, or juice.
Schwarzbrot is a type of black bread made from rye and wheat flour that is commonly eaten for breakfast in Austria.
Austrians are known for their delicious and complex cakes and pastries. Some popular ones include Sachertorte (a chocolate cake with apricot jam), Linzer Torte, Dobostorte, and Esterhazy Torte.
Austrians typically enjoy a variety of sweet and savory dishes for breakfast. Some traditional savory options include Tiroler Gröstl (a bacon, onion, and potato fry-up), cut sausages, and boiled eggs. For a sweeter option, Austrians might enjoy Kaiserschmarrn (a shredded pancake with apple or plum sauce) or Mehlspeise (a sweet pastry).
A typical Viennese breakfast, also known as "Frühstück", includes Schwarzbrot or other bread rolls like Kornspitz or Semmel, butter, jelly, cooked eggs, ham, cheese, and melange (espresso with steamed milk and foam). It is often accompanied by locally baked cakes and pastries.
