Ruqayyah Snyder
Austrian food culture is a mix of various culinary traditions, with many dishes having their roots in neighbouring countries like Hungary, Bavaria, Bohemia, and Northern Italy. Breakfast in Austria is of the continental type, and usually consists of bread rolls with either jam or cold meats and cheese, accompanied by coffee, tea, or juice. The traditional Viennese breakfast includes black bread, jam, cooked eggs, ham, cheese, and melange (espresso with steamed milk, topped with foam). Austrians like to have a sweet breakfast, and on weekends, the first meal of the day is often celebrated by families and friends into the early afternoon.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meal type | Breakfast |
| Country | Austria |
| Typical foods | Black bread, jam, cheese, coffee, ham, eggs, bacon, honey, cereal, fresh fruit |
| Popular dishes | Gulasch, Palatschinken, Kaiserschmarrn, Wiener Schnitzel, Sachertorte |
| Eating culture | Breakfast is considered an important meal, celebrated with family and friends on weekends |
| Language | Austrians call breakfast "Frühstück", referring to toast eaten in the mornings in the 15th century |
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What You'll Learn
Traditional Austrian breakfast foods
Breakfast is an important meal in Austria, and Austrians are not particularly picky eaters. The traditional Austrian breakfast, also known as "Frühstück", usually consists of bread, jelly, cooked eggs, ham, cheese, and melange (espresso with steamed milk topped with foam). The "Schwarzbrot", a black bread made from rye and wheat flour, is a must-have. However, other types of bread, such as "Kornspitz" or "Semmel", are also popular, especially on weekends.
Austrians like to have a sweet breakfast, so it is common to see them eating bread with butter and jam, honey, or sweet spreads. Sweet pastries, generally referred to as "Mehlspeise", are also a part of the traditional Austrian breakfast. The famous Kaiserschmarr'n, a rich, fluffy, sweet, thick pancake made with raisins and other fruits, is a favourite. It is broken into pieces and served with a fruit compote, traditionally made of plums called "Zwetschkenröster". Palatschinken, pancakes similar to French crêpes, are also served sweet, filled with jam and sprinkled with sugar or other toppings.
On weekends, Austrians often indulge in a heartier and longer breakfast, sometimes far into the early afternoon, with family and friends. A classic Viennese breakfast includes bacon and scrambled eggs, served with ham and cheese, cereal, and fresh fruit.
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Austrian pastries
Austrian cuisine is known for its pastries, which are often eaten for breakfast. The standard menu for a traditional Viennese breakfast includes sweeter pastries, generally referred to as "Mehlspeise". The most famous of these is the Apfelstrudel (apple strudel), which consists of thin pastry layers filled with apple, cinnamon, and raisins. Other popular strudels include those filled with sweetened curd cheese called Topfen, sour cherry (Weichselstrudel), sweet cherry, and poppy seed strudel (Mohnstrudel).
Another favourite is Kaiserschmarr'n, a rich, fluffy, sweet, thick pancake made with raisins and other fruits, broken into pieces, and served with a fruit compote, usually made of plums called Zwetschkenröster, for dipping. Palatschinken are pancakes similar to French crêpes, filled with jam and sprinkled with sugar or other toppings. They are also served in savoury versions, such as with spinach and cheese.
Austrian cakes and pastries are well-known, perhaps the most famous being the Sachertorte, a chocolate cake with apricot jam filling, traditionally eaten with whipped cream. Among the cakes with the longest tradition is the Linzer Torte. Other favourites include the caramel-flavoured Dobostorte and the delicately layered Esterhazy Torte, named in honour of Prince Esterházy. Punschkrapfen is a classical Austrian pastry, a cake filled with cake crumbs, nougat chocolate, apricot jam, and then soaked with rum. Tirolerkuchen is a hazelnut and chocolate coffee cake. Mohr im Hemd, while traditionally a chocolate custard, is now generally prepared as a steamed cake. These cakes are typically complex and difficult to make.
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Sweet breakfasts
Austrians like to have a sweet breakfast. A typical Austrian breakfast consists of bread with sweet spreads like jam, honey, butter, and other toppings. Black bread or Schwarzbrot, made of rye and wheat flour, is a must-have. Other types of bread like Kornspitz or Semmel are also popular, especially on weekends.
If you are in the mood for something more indulgent, you can opt for pastries or cakes. The sweeter kinds of pastries are generally referred to as "Mehlspeise". The famous Austrian Apfelstrudel (apple strudel) is a delicious option, with layers of thin pastry filled with apples, cinnamon, and raisins. Another mouth-watering choice is the Kaiserschmarrn, a rich, fluffy, sweet, thick pancake made with raisins and other fruits. The pancake is ripped into bite-sized pieces, slightly roasted in a pan, and served with a fruit compote, traditionally made of plums.
Austria is also known for its elaborate cakes. The Sachertorte, a chocolate cake with apricot jam filling, is a classic, traditionally eaten with whipped cream. The caramel-flavoured Dobostorte, the delicately layered Esterhazy Torte, and the Punschkrapfen, a rum-soaked cake filled with cake crumbs and nougat chocolate, are other indulgent options.
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Savoury breakfasts
A typical Austrian breakfast is of the "continental" type, usually consisting of bread rolls with either jam or cold meats and cheese, accompanied by coffee, tea, or juice. 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 Austrians call their breakfast "Frühstück", a reference to the piece of toast eaten in the mornings in the 15th century.
If you're looking for savoury breakfast options in Austria, here are some suggestions:
Palatschinken
Palatschinken are pancakes similar to French crêpes but are served in savoury versions with spinach and cheese.
Goulash
Goulash, a hot soupy stew, is a long-standing part of Austrian food culture. It comes in many variants, one of which is the potato goulash made with vegetables like potatoes, onions, bell peppers, and sausages. It is seasoned with hot paprika and served with a side of toasted bread.
Krautfleisch
Krautfleisch is a ragout made from pork and sauerkraut.
Krautspatzle
Krautspatzle is a dish consisting of small noodles (spatzle) and cabbage.
Wiener Schnitzel
Wiener Schnitzel is a traditional Austrian dish made of a layer of thin bread and a pan-fried veal cutlet. It is commonly served for breakfast in Austria.
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Where to eat breakfast in Vienna
A typical Austrian breakfast consists of black bread, jam, cheese, coffee, and more. In many restaurants, bacon is also served with scrambled eggs. If you're looking for where to eat breakfast in Vienna, here are some top spots:
Meierei in the Stadtpark
Meierei in the Stadtpark is a luxurious breakfast spot with a view of the Wien River. It offers an exceptional selection of food and drinks made from regional ingredients. You can order dishes from the breakfast menu until 12 noon. The menu features Viennese breakfast classics such as butter or cheese bread, boiled egg with brown bread, or marble Gugelhupf. As the name suggests, the menu also includes a wide variety of dairy products from the farm's own production, including over 100 types of cheese made from cow's, sheep's, and goat's milk.
Naschmarkt
Naschmarkt is the largest city centre market in Vienna, offering many market stalls with delicacies from around the world, as well as excellent restaurants and bars. You can find a wide variety of breakfast options here, including classic Viennese, Turkish, and Greek breakfasts. One popular spot is Papas am Naschmarkt, which offers an inexpensive yet flavourful breakfast on a large terrace, providing a great break from the hustle and bustle of the market.
Bakeries
Viennese people have a special relationship with their bread, and there are many different bakeries and bakery shops in Vienna. Popular choices include Öfferl Brot, Jopseh Brot, Motto Brot, and the bread from the ‘Der Mann’ bakery chain.
Cafes and Restaurants
In addition to the spots mentioned above, Vienna has a lively and enjoyable breakfast scene, with cafes and restaurants serving breakfast on almost every corner of the city centre. Some popular options include the classic Wiener Schnitzel, Tafelspitz, eggs benedict, avocado bagels, and more.
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Frequently asked questions
A traditional Austrian breakfast, also known as "Frühstück", usually consists of bread rolls with either jam or cold meats and cheese, accompanied by coffee, tea, or juice.
Austrians are known for their cakes and pastries. Some examples include Sachertorte (a chocolate cake with apricot jam filling), apple strudel, and Kaiserschmarr'n (a rich, fluffy, sweet, thick pancake made with raisins and other fruits).
Café Gloriette, located in the grounds of the Schönbrunn Palace, is known for its spectacular and traditional breakfast experience. There are also many excellent cafes in Vienna that offer a wide variety of breakfast options, including pastry feasts, bottomless brunches, and classic Viennese breakfasts.
A classic Viennese breakfast typically includes "Schwarzbrot" (black bread made of rye and wheat flour), butter, jelly, cooked eggs, ham, cheese, and melange (espresso with steamed milk, topped with foam).
Yes, Austrians also enjoy savoury breakfast options such as bacon and scrambled eggs, cereal, and fresh fruit.
