Ruqayyah Snyder
Austrian cuisine is a rich tapestry of hearty dishes, sweet pastries, and comforting soups. It is deeply rooted in the traditions of Central Europe, with influences from Germany, Hungary, and Italy. The cuisine is known for its robust flavours, generous use of meats and root vegetables, and a wide array of decadent desserts. From the iconic Wiener Schnitzel to the sweet Sachertorte, Austrian cuisine offers a culinary journey that is both comforting and indulgent. In this article, we will explore some of the classic Austrian dishes that you need to try on your culinary journey through Austria. So, get ready to indulge in the delicious world of Austrian cuisine!
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What You'll Learn
Austrian street food
Austrian cuisine is known for its hearty dishes, sweet pastries, and comforting soups. The country's culinary traditions are deeply rooted in Central Europe, with influences from Germany, Hungary, and Italy. Austrian food is characterised by its robust flavours, generous use of meats and root vegetables, and a wide array of decadent desserts.
When it comes to Austrian street food, there are many delicious options to choose from. Here are some popular choices:
Pretzels
Pretzels hold a special place in Austrian cuisine, particularly in Vienna and the Salzburg region. These oversized, soft, and warm treats are widely available in heurigen (wine taverns), breweries, bakeries, and street stands. Embrace the local street food culture by enjoying a classic salted pretzel, or try something more adventurous like a cheese or chocolate-filled option.
Kiachl
Kiachl is a traditional Austrian treat, a type of doughnut pastry that is fried in lard until it achieves a crispy, golden finish. It is commonly filled with cranberry jam and lightly dusted with icing sugar. Kiachl can be enjoyed in two ways: savoury with sauerkraut or sweet with jam. This pastry was traditionally savoured during harvest time and on special holidays, making it a cherished treat for festive occasions.
Burgers
Burgers are a popular choice for street food in Austria, with many food trucks and catering companies offering a variety of options. From classic cheeseburgers to more unique creations like the "Summerstyle Burger" with avocado and the "Österreich Burger" with seasonal ingredients, there is something for everyone.
Pulled Pork
Pulled pork is another street food favourite in Austria. You can find food trucks serving pulled pork burgers with creative toppings and sides, such as Rotkraut, coleslaw salad, and Rucola, in both South American and African styles.
In addition to these options, Austria also has many classic dishes that can be found in restaurants and taverns across the country, such as Wiener Schnitzel, Tiroler Gröstl, and Kasspatzln. So, whether you're exploring the stylish cafes of Vienna or the rustic charm of Mayrhofen's alpine huts, you're sure to find delicious food everywhere you go in Austria.
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Austrian desserts
Austrian cuisine is known for its hearty dishes, sweet pastries, and comforting soups. It is deeply rooted in the culinary traditions of Central Europe, particularly those of Hungary, Germany, Bohemia, and Northern Italy. Austrian desserts are no exception, offering a delightful range of sweet treats that showcase the country's cultural influences and love for indulgent flavours.
One of the most iconic Austrian desserts is the Sachertorte, a rich and decadent chocolate cake. It features a thin layer of apricot jam and is coated in dark chocolate icing. The Sachertorte is said to have originated in Vienna in the 19th century and has since become a household name, renowned as one of the most famous chocolate cakes in the world.
Another classic Austrian dessert is the Linzer Torte, which takes its name from the city of Linz, the capital of Upper Austria. This dessert is unique as it was the world's first cake recipe to be written down. The Linzer Torte typically includes ground almonds or nuts and redcurrant jam, making it a delicious and fruity option.
Apple Strudel is another famous Austrian dessert, consisting of thin layers of dough filled with spiced apples. This dessert showcases the country's expertise in pastry-making and is often served warm with a dollop of cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
For those with a sweet tooth, the Kaiserschmarrn is a must-try. This dessert is a fluffy, caramelized pancake that is torn into bite-sized pieces and dusted with powdered sugar. It is often served with a side of apple or plum compote, making it a sweet and indulgent treat.
Austrian cuisine also offers a variety of sweet pastries and baked goods, such as the Kiachl, a type of doughnut pastry fried in lard and filled with cranberry jam. Pretzels, especially oversized and soft ones from Vienna and the Salzburg region, are also a special part of Austrian cuisine and can be enjoyed savoury or sweet.
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Austrian cheese dishes
Austria is a country with a rich culinary tradition, and cheese is an important part of that. Austrians eat around 23 kg of cheese per year, and the country has developed around 400 types of cheese. While France, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Italy are the countries most famous for their cheeses, Austria has a wide variety of cheeses that can rival those cheese-making powerhouses.
Austria's landscape features plenty of lush grassland, making it ideal for cows to graze. Most farmers leave their cows to roam free in the mountains during the summer, and this fresh, pure milk is used to make cheese. Austrian cheeses are made with cow's milk, as well as sheep's and goat's milk. The country's semi-hard cheeses, such as Gouda and Tilsiter, are particularly popular and have a long tradition.
Austria's monasteries and small alpine dairies produce numerous soft cheeses with unique flavours. These cheeses are ripened from the exterior to the interior, resulting in diverse flavours and textures, from mild to robust. Hard cheeses, such as Emmentaler and Bergkäse, are also well-loved for their fully aromatic and tangy flavours. Bergkäse, also known as Alpkäse or mountain cheese, is probably the most common cheese in Austria. It has a strong, slightly bitter taste and is often paired with wine, nuts, grapes, and fresh bread.
Austria also has its fair share of famous cheese dishes. Kasspatzln, a comforting cheese noodle dish, is beloved in Tyrol and beyond. It is made with local cheeses like Bergkäse or Graukäse, giving it a distinctive flavour. The dish consists of small noodles boiled and mixed with sautéed onions and grated cheese, often served with a sprinkle of parsley and crispy fried onions on top. It is typically accompanied by sides like salad, potato salad, or applesauce. Another iconic Austrian cheese dish is the Kaspressknödel, which is made with cheese and served in a savoury broth or as a side.
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Austrian meat dishes
Austrian cuisine is known for its hearty dishes, generous use of meat, and robust flavours. Here is a list of some popular Austrian meat dishes:
Wiener Schnitzel
Wiener Schnitzel, which translates to 'Viennese cutlet' in German, is one of Austria's most iconic national dishes. It consists of a thin slice of veal that is breaded and fried to a golden perfection. The cutlet is coated with flour, dipped in whipped eggs, and covered in breadcrumbs before being fried in lard or clarified butter. It is typically served with a variety of side dishes, such as potato salad, cucumber salad, parsley potatoes, or French fries.
Tiroler Gröstl
Tiroler Gröstl is a cosy and filling dish from the Tyrol region of Austria. It is made with sliced potatoes, onions, and strips of meat (usually beef or pork), all fried together in butter. It is often served with a fried egg on top and a side of pickles or horseradish.
Tafelspitz
Tafelspitz is another traditional Austrian dish, consisting of beef or veal boiled in a broth with root vegetables. It is served with potatoes, carrots, and a creamy apple-horseradish sauce. Tafelspitz has been a popular dish in Austria and Bavaria since the 19th century.
Käsespätzle
Käsespätzle is a cheese noodle dish that is popular in Austria and neighbouring countries like Germany and Switzerland. It is made by grating hard cheese into hot egg noodles (Spätzle) and layering it with roasted onions. The type of cheese used varies by region, and it is often served with a side of salad or potato salad.
Sauerbraten
Sauerbraten is a traditional German pot roast that is also popular in Austria. It is a hearty and comforting dish, often served with complementary sides that showcase the rich flavours of Central European cuisine.
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Austrian regional specialties
Austrian cuisine is a rich tapestry of hearty dishes, sweet pastries, and comforting soups. It is internationally known for its pastries, such as the Kaiserschmarrn, a fluffy, caramelized pancake that is torn into bite-sized pieces, dusted with powdered sugar, and typically served with a side of apple or plum compote. Another famous pastry is the Apple Strudel, which showcases thin layers of dough filled with spiced apples.
Austrian food also shares similarities with its neighbouring countries in Central Europe, particularly Hungary, Bavaria, Bohemia, and Northern Italy. For example, the Marillenknödel, a small dumpling filled with apricots and warm butter-fried breadcrumbs, is an iconic dish from Austria's picturesque Wachau Valley. It combines an originally Chinese fruit (the apricot) with sugar from Southeast Asia and a Bohemian method of preparation (the dumpling).
Viennese cuisine, on the other hand, is predominantly based on the cooking traditions of the Habsburg Empire. The Wiener Schnitzel, a cornerstone of Austrian cuisine, is said to have originated in Venice, Italy, in the 16th century. It consists of a thin slice of veal that is breaded and fried to a golden perfection. Another famous dish from Vienna is the pretzel, which comes in the classic salted variety or with adventurous fillings such as cheese or chocolate.
Tyrolean cuisine, from the Tyrol region of Austria, is very simple due to the region's humble farming history. It often contains milk, cheese, flour, and lard. A cosy and filling Tyrolean dish is the Tiroler Gröstl, a tasty mix of sliced potatoes, onions, and bits of beef or pork, all fried up in butter until crispy. It is usually served with a fried egg on top and can be accompanied by a side of pickles or horseradish. Another speciality from this region is Kasspatzln, a comforting cheese noodle dish made with local cheeses like Bergkäse or Graukäse.
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Frequently asked questions
Some famous foods in Austria include Wiener Schnitzel, Tiroler Gröstl, and pretzels.
Wiener Schnitzel is a cornerstone of Austrian cuisine. It consists of a thin slice of veal that is breaded and fried to a golden perfection. It is usually accompanied by a simple salad or some parsley potatoes, and cranberries.
Tiroler Gröstl is a filling dish from the Tyrol region of Austria. It is a mix of sliced potatoes, onions, and bits of beef or pork, all fried in butter until crispy. It is often served with a fried egg on top and a side of pickles or horseradish.
