Lyla Lindsey
Austrian food is characterised by rich flavours and a dominance of meat and carb-dense dishes. The country's national dishes include Tafelspitz, a tender, slow-cooked beef dish served with a broth of root vegetables, horseradish, and minced apples, and goulash, a flavoursome meat stew or soup usually made with beef or veal, accompanied by onions, paprika, and spices.
Other famous Austrian dishes include Wiener Schnitzel, a thin, breaded, fried veal cutlet, and Knödel, a dumpling that can be both sweet and savoury. Austrians also have a sweet tooth, with desserts such as apple strudel, or Apfelstrudel, and the Sachertorte, a legendary chocolate cake filled with apricot jam, counted among their national foods.
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What You'll Learn
Austrian desserts
Austria is known for its scrumptious desserts, which form a cornerstone of its renowned cuisine. The country's capital, Vienna, is particularly famous for its coffee house culture and mouth-watering array of desserts.
One of the most iconic Austrian desserts is the Sachertorte, a dense chocolate cake invented by the Austrian pastry chef Franz Sacher in 1832. It is filled with apricot jam and smothered in dark chocolate, making for a decadent treat. The original recipe is a closely guarded secret, served exclusively at the Hotel Sacher in Vienna. However, its popularity has sparked numerous imitations worldwide.
Another famous Austrian dessert is the Apfelstrudel, which consists of a thin layer of dough filled with apples, raisins, nuts, and breadcrumbs. It is the perfect winter treat and is often served in Viennese coffee houses. The Esterhazytorte is another staple of Viennese cafés. It is named after the Hungarian diplomat Paul III. Anton Esterhazy and is made from layers of buttercream and sponge cake covered in a white sugar glaze. This impressive-looking cake is surprisingly easy to make, although it requires patience as each layer must be baked separately.
For those with a sweet tooth, Austria also offers Salzburger Nockerl, a divine speciality from the city of Salzburg. It consists of three towering peaks of cloud-like meringue served on a bed of warm raspberry sauce. If you're looking for something a little less indulgent, try Marillenkuchen, a light and fluffy cake made with fresh apricots. It's the perfect dessert for a hot summer afternoon and incredibly easy to make.
Finally, Kaiserschmarrn, or "emperor's mess," is a sweet dessert of fluffy, shredded pancakes topped with powdered sugar and served with plum, apple, or berry sauce. It was a favourite of Emperor Franz Joseph I, and while it is typically served as a dessert, some restaurants offer it as a meal.
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Michelin-starred restaurants
Vienna is home to fifteen Michelin-starred restaurants, including one with three stars, four with two stars, and ten with one star. Restaurant Amador, the only restaurant in Austria with three Michelin stars, is based in a large vaulted wine cellar and serves imaginative, quality dishes with a Spanish influence. The menu is created by Germany-born Spanish chef Juan Amador in close collaboration with local wine expert Fritz Wieninger.
Restaurant Silvio Nickol, located in the luxury hotel Coburg Palace, serves innovative and outstanding dishes. Chef Konstantin Alexander Filippou follows a purist, straightforward cuisine, reflecting his Austrian/Greek background. A three-course lunch costs approximately EUR 128 (excluding drinks).
Other Michelin-starred restaurants in Vienna include Blue Mustard, Le Ciel at Grand Hotel Wien, Das Loft at Sofitel Vienna Stephansdom, Shiki, and restaurant Walter Bauer.
The Michelin Guide was first introduced in 1926 with a single star, with the second and third stars introduced in 1933. According to the Guide, one star signifies "a very good restaurant", two stars are "excellent cooking that is worth a detour", and three stars mean "exceptional cuisine that is worth a special journey".
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Viennese coffee shops
Austria's capital, Vienna, is famous for its coffee houses, which have been listed as an "Intangible Cultural Heritage" in the Austrian inventory of the "National Agency for the Intangible Cultural Heritage", a part of UNESCO, since 2011.
Viennese coffee houses are renowned for their social practices, rituals, and elegance, which create a very distinctive atmosphere. They offer a wide variety of coffee drinks, international newspapers, and pastry creations. It is common for visitors to order one coffee and then stay for an hour or two, reading the newspapers or working. Along with coffee, the waiter will serve an obligatory glass of cold tap water, and during a long stay, they will often bring additional water without being asked. This is done with the idea of serving the guest with an exemplary sense of attention.
Historically, leading writers of the 19th and 20th centuries became attached to the atmosphere of Viennese cafes and were frequently seen meeting, exchanging ideas, and even writing there. The Austrian writer Stefan Zweig described the Viennese coffee house as:
> ...a sort of democratic club, open to everyone for the price of a cheap cup of coffee, where every guest can sit for hours with this little offering, to talk, write, play cards, receive post, and above all consume an unlimited number of newspapers and journals.
Some popular Viennese coffee houses include Cafe Sperl, Cafe Braunerhof, Cafe Landtmann, and Cafe Diglas on Wollzeile. Cafe Sperl is described as an iconic example of a Viennese coffee house, and it also serves the best apfelstrudel. Cafe Braunerhof is known for its well-worn patina of a century past, and on Saturdays, it features live music where you can hear Ziehrer's "Wiener Madlen". Cafe Landtmann is a beautiful upscale place next to The Burgtheater, and Cafe Diglas is famous for its excellent cakes.
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Street food
Vienna Sausage
The Vienna Sausage is a staple street food found all over the city, easily spotted at numerous sausage stands on many corners. This popular sausage is slow-smoked, known for its slender shape, and is often served with white bread, dark sourdough, or a side of mustard and horseradish.
Käsekrainer
A cheese-filled sausage made with a mixture of pork, beef, and chunks of cheese, typically served with mustard and freshly baked bread.
Bosna
The Austrian twist on the classic hot dog. The Bosna features a blend of bratwurst sausage seasoned with onions, mustard, and curry powder, all tucked into a crusty white bread roll.
Leberkäse
A popular Austrian street food item that translates to "liver cheese" even though it contains neither liver nor cheese. It’s a baked loaf made from corned beef, pork, bacon, and onions, served hot in a “Semmel” with mustard.
Pretzels
Pretzels hold a special place in Austrian cuisine, particularly in Vienna and the Salzburg region. Widely available in heurigen (wine taverns), breweries, bakeries, and street stands, these oversized, soft, and warm treats are a go-to snack. When in Vienna, embracing the local street food culture by enjoying a pretzel, whether it's the classic salted variety or an adventurous cheese or chocolate-filled option, is a must.
Apfelradln
Apfelradln, or "apple wheels," are a sweet, simple delight. Slices of apple are dipped into a light batter and then fried in a pan until they turn a lovely golden brown on each side. Served hot and fresh, they're sprinkled with a mix of cinnamon and sugar for a warm, comforting treat that perfectly balances the tartness of the apple with sweet and spicy flavours.
Kiachl
These yeast dough pastries are a festive favourite you can find on any Austrian Christmas market. They’re fried until golden and can be served sweet with dusted powdered sugar and apple sauce, or savoury topped with sauerkraut.
Wiener Schnitzel
Although this is a national dish of Austria, it can be found everywhere from street food stalls to high-end restaurants! It is a fried dish served with a side of fried potatoes and sour cream and onions.
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Traditional dishes
Traditional Austrian dishes are typically rich in flavour and dominated by meats and carbohydrates. Here are some of the most popular traditional dishes to eat in Austria:
Wiener Schnitzel
Wiener Schnitzel is a signature dish in Vienna and is one of the most recognisable dishes in Austrian cuisine. It is a fried dish consisting of a thin, breaded cutlet, usually made from veal. The cutlet is sliced or pounded to a thickness of about 4mm, coated with flour, dipped in whipped eggs, and covered in breadcrumbs. It is then pan-fried in lard or clarified butter until golden brown. It is typically served with a variety of side dishes, such as green salad with a sweetened vinaigrette dressing, potato salad, cucumber salad, parsley potatoes, or french fries.
Tafelspitz
Tafelspitz is a classic Austrian dish that is said to be a favourite of Emperor Franz Joseph. It is made of beef boiled in a broth of vegetables and spices, served with minced apples and horseradish or sour cream with chives. It is a hearty and filling meal with rustic beginnings.
Gulasch/Goulash
Gulasch, also known as Goulash, is a slightly spicy beef stew with a rich, dark base, usually served with a small piece of dark bread. It is believed to have originated in Hungary, showcasing the Hungarian influence on Austrian culture and cuisine.
Apfelstrudel
Apfelstrudel is a flaky pastry lined with apple filling and spiced with cinnamon and sugar, sometimes also containing raisins. It is a beloved Austrian street food and is readily available throughout the country.
Knödel
Knödel is a type of dumpling that can be served as a side dish or as meatballs in soup. The savoury version is often served as a side dish, while the sweet version, made with plums or apricot, is a popular dessert.
In addition to these dishes, Austria also offers a variety of traditional drinks and desserts, such as the Märzen beer, coffee, and various cakes and pastries like the Sacher Torte, the Linzer Torte, and Vanillekipferl biscuits.
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Frequently asked questions
Traditional Austrian dishes include Wiener Schnitzel, Tafelspitz, Goulash, and Apfelstrudel.
Wiener Schnitzel is a signature dish in Vienna, consisting of a thin, breaded, and fried veal cutlet. It is served with a variety of side dishes such as potato salad, cucumber salad, or french fries.
Tafelspitz is a classic Austrian dish made of beef boiled in a broth of vegetables and spices. It is served with minced apples, horseradish, or sour cream with chives.
Goulash, also known as Gulaschsuppe, is a slightly spicy beef stew with a rich, dark base. It is usually served with a small piece of dark bread.
Apfelstrudel is a flaky pastry lined with apple filling and spiced with cinnamon and sugar. It is often served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of vanilla sauce.
