Ruqayyah Snyder
Austrian cuisine is known for its rich flavours and hearty dishes, with meat and carb-dense foods like pastries and breads dominating the menu. The country's culinary traditions are heavily influenced by its past as part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and its dishes are typically fried, boiled, braised, roasted, or stewed. When it comes to drinks, Austrian beers are typically pale lagers, and wine is principally cultivated in the east of the country.
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What You'll Learn
Austrian food is meat-heavy
Austrian food is heavily focused on meat, with chicken, fish and pork being the most common types. The country's sausages, served in a roll or with mustard and bread, are a prime example of this. Most Austrian sausages are made with pork, and the Bosna or Bosner, a spiced bratwurst in a hot dog roll, is a staple of Austrian fast food.
Pork also features in the classic Austrian dish, Schweinebraten, a succulent oven-roasted pork that's a staple at celebrations like weddings. This is typically served with bread dumplings and sauerkraut. Another Austrian breakfast option is Tiroler Gröstl, a decadent, pan-fried dish of potato, chopped beef or pork with butter and onion, often topped with a fried egg.
Meat is also commonly served in a dumpling form. For instance, Speckknödel are dumplings with pieces of bacon, while Spinatknödel are dumplings made of spinach. Kaspressknödel, made with cheese, is often served in a savoury broth or as a side dish.
Austrian cuisine also incorporates meat in its side dishes. Rösti, a popular Swiss dish that has been adopted by Austrians, is a type of potato pancake that is typically served with meat. It can be topped with smoked salmon or ham, or served with Wiener Schnitzel or Tafelspitz.
Austrian food also features meat in its snacks. Brettljause, a typical Austrian snack, contains bread, meat, pickled vegetables and spreads.
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Austrians love their pastries
Austrian cuisine is known for its decadent desserts and pastries, and the country has a long history of making some of the finest desserts in the world. Austrians love their pastries, and one of their most popular is the Apfelstrudel, a traditional dessert enjoyed at home and in cafes. It is a flaky pastry filled with sweet, spiced apples, raisins, and cinnamon.
Austria also has its own version of French crêpes, which are slightly thicker but still thinner than the American version. These are often served with sweet plum jam, apple sauce, or just a dusting of powdered sugar. Another popular pastry is the Topfenstrudel, which features paper-thin layers of hand-stretched dough wrapped around a creamy filling of fresh farmer's cheese flavoured with lemon and vanilla and finished with sweet raisins.
Austrian pastries also include the Linzer Torte, a popular dessert from the city of Linz, the capital of Upper Austria. It is a cake that includes ground almonds or nuts and redcurrant or raspberry jam, topped with a lattice. The city of Linz is also known for its cheese strudel, which is similar to the Linzer Torte but with the addition of cheese curds and raisins.
Finally, Austrians also enjoy a variety of sweet yeast pastries, such as the Gugelhupf (bundt cake) and Stollen, a famous Viennese Christmas pastry. These pastries are often enjoyed during the festive season, along with other sweet treats like S'mores Brownies and Snickerdoodle Cookies.
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You'll find lots of stews and soups
Austrian cuisine is heavily influenced by Central Europe, with hearty dishes, sweet pastries, and comforting soups and stews. The country's cold climate means that Austrian food is often rich and indulgent, with generous use of meats and root vegetables.
Rindsgulasch, Fiakergulasch, and Beuschel are also popular stews. Tafelspitz is another traditional Austrian dish, featuring boiled beef in broth, served with a mix of minced apples and horseradish. This is another comforting dish, ideal for winter.
Austrian cuisine also includes a variety of soups, such as Rindsuppe, a beef soup that is often served as a starter. Potato soup, vegetable curry, and apple strudel are also popular soup accompaniments.
Austria has a strong coffee culture, with several specialty coffees, such as Wiener Melange, which is similar to a cappuccino, and Kleiner Brauner, which is similar to a regular black coffee with a bit of milk.
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There are many delicious desserts
Austrian cuisine is known for its decadent desserts, which are as diverse as they are delicious. From rich chocolate cakes to fruity pastries, there is something to satisfy every sweet tooth.
One of the most iconic Austrian desserts is the Sachertorte, a rich chocolate cake with a thin layer of apricot jam and coated in dark chocolate icing. This decadent dessert is a must-try for anyone visiting Austria and can be found in any bakery serving traditional Austrian food. Another famous Austrian dessert is the Apple Strudel, which consists of thin layers of dough filled with spiced apples. This classic dessert is a perfect combination of sweet and spicy flavours.
For those who enjoy nutty flavours, the Linzer Torte is a popular choice. This dessert originates from the city of Linz in Upper Austria and is made with ground almonds or nuts and redcurrant jam, encased in a shortcrust pastry. The capital of Upper Austria, Linz, is also known for its Linzer Augen, fine, soft biscuits filled with sharp Ribiselmarmelade (redcurrant jam).
If you're looking for something a little more unique, try the Powidltascherl, a delicacy in Austria. These delicate pastries are made with a potato dough and filled with a blend of plum jam, rum, or plum schnapps. They are often topped with a mix of breadcrumbs, cinnamon, vanilla, dry fruits, and butter, and served with melted chocolate.
Lastly, for a simple yet delicious treat, the Strauben is a traditional Austrian funnel cake made with a batter of flour, egg yolks, salt, and white wine. Fried to a golden brown and dusted with powdered sugar, this sweet treat is a must-try for anyone wanting to indulge in traditional Austrian cuisine.
With its array of decadent and diverse desserts, Austria truly offers a sweet culinary journey that is both comforting and indulgent.
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Wine and beer are popular drinks
Austria has a long history of brewing beer, dating back to the 14th century. The country currently boasts the highest density of breweries in Europe, with 298 active breweries throughout the country. Upper Austria is internationally renowned for its excellent beers, which are generally the drink of choice among the locals. Popular Austrian beer brands include Stiegl, Gösser, Zipfer, and Ottakringer. Austrian craft beers, like those from Brew Age and Bevog, are known for pushing traditional boundaries and offering a range of styles, including hoppy IPAs and rich stouts.
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Frequently asked questions
Some popular Austrian dishes include Wiener Schnitzel, Tafelspitz, Tiroler Gröstl, Käsespätzle, and Kaiserschmarrn.
Austrian cuisine is known for its robust flavours, generous use of meats and root vegetables, and a wide array of desserts.
Traditional Austrian desserts include Sachertorte, Apple Strudel, Linzer Torte, and Vanillekipferl.
A typical Austrian breakfast could be Tiroler Gröstl, a pan-fried dish of potato, chopped beef or pork with butter and onion, often topped with a fried egg. Another option is potato Gulasch, a soupy stew with vegetables, sausages, and paprika.
Some unique Austrian foods that are difficult to find elsewhere include Powidltascherl (plum jam turnovers) and Blunzngröstl (sautéed potatoes, onions, and blood sausage).
