Culinary Delights of Austria

In a cozy Beisl (bistro), a charming Buschenschank (wine tavern), or even a Michelin-star establishment, Austrian cuisine embodies passion, sourcing from local producers, seasonal ingredients, and the slow-food philosophy.

While traditional dishes filled with carbohydrates to fuel mountain adventures and those steeped in imperial heritage remain popular, innovative cooking and a surge of international flavors are elevating Austria’s culinary scene beyond just schnitzel.

Explore the must-try foods and beverages in Austria.

Savor Vienna's iconic dishes

Your introduction to traditional Austrian cuisine will likely feature Vienna’s delicious trio of signature meals: Wiener Schnitzel (a breaded veal cutlet served with potato salad), the beloved Tafelspitz (boiled beef accompanied by roasted potatoes, vegetables, and horseradish sauce), and Gulasch (a paprika-flavored meat stew with Hungarian roots).

If you have room for dessert, indulge in Apfelstrudel (a delicate pastry filled with apples and raisins) or Kaiserschmarrn (a fluffy shredded pancake served with fruit compote). Don't miss out on visiting a Würstelstand (sausage stand) to grab the famous Käsekrainer (a sausage packed with cheese) for a late-night treat.

Where to enjoy them: The Wiener Schnitzel was first introduced in 1905 by its renowned creators, Figlmüller, while the best place to experience Tafelspitz is at the famed Viennese restaurant Plachutta. Griechenbeisl, the city's oldest eatery, has been serving traditional dishes since 1447, and Würstelstand LEO is Vienna's oldest street food spot, in business since 1928.

Experience Austria's Michelin-starred dining

While traditional meals are delightful, the true splurge comes from dining at Austria's 16 Michelin-starred establishments, with 15 located in Vienna and Salzburg.

Where to indulge: Steirereck Meierei in Vienna offers fine dining and cheese in the Stadtpark (city park) with three distinct menu choices. Tian is a gourmet vegetarian spot known for its rare ingredients and innovative dishes. The renowned Ikarus at Hangar-7 in Salzburg Airport features rotating guest chefs each month. Additionally, the hilltop Glass Garden at Hotel Schloss Mönchstein offers an à la carte menu, including vegan options.

Immerse yourself in Vienna's coffee-house tradition (paired with delicious cake)

According to legend, Vienna's coffee culture was born when the Turks abandoned some coffee beans after the 1683 Siege. Now listed as UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage, this tradition thrives in cozy, wood-paneled rooms filled with bentwood chairs and newspapers, where waiters in formal attire serve Wiener Küche (Viennese cuisine), coffee, and pastries, creating inviting spaces for writers, artists, and thinkers.

Where to experience it: The Ringstrasse was once the hub of café culture, with only three of the original thirty still standing: the Art Nouveau Café Prückel; Freud's favorite, Café Landtmann; and the marble-mirrored Café Schwarzenberg. On Herrengasse, the vaulted and gilded Café Central served as a gathering spot for poets, philosophers, and revolutionaries, and now attracts long lines for entry. The plush, red-velvet Café Sacher on Philharmonikerstrasse is the ideal place to enjoy your first taste of Sacher Torte (glazed chocolate cake with apricot jam), paired with a Wiener Melange (half coffee, half milk foam) or a Kleiner Brauner (espresso with a splash of milk).

Enjoy Austrian wine on a ‘Heuriger-hop’

Savor an Achterl (a 0.125L glass of wine) straight from the vintner in Austria's hilltop vineyards, at a cozy Heuriger (wine tavern) in a wine-producing village, or in a wine cellar located in one of Austria's three main wine-growing regions.

Where to experience it: Visit Lower Austria's Weinviertel (wine quarter), home to 14,000 winemakers who produce a third of Austria's wine, or explore the stone-terraced vineyards along the Danube in the Wachau Valley, like Domäne Wachau. Neusiedler See in Burgenland, part of the Pannonian climate zone, thrives on the mineral-rich soil surrounding it. The old town of Rust is a haven filled with taverns for wine tastings.

To the south, Vienna boasts 700 hectares of vineyards, making it the only European capital with wine production within its city limits. Start your journey in Grinzing in the 19th district. With 80% of the wine produced being white, don't miss the famous Grüner Veltliner and Rheinriesling. For red wine lovers, Zweigelt and Blaufränkisch are must-tries.

Styria features a landscape of rolling vineyards and meadows, and the best way to explore this region is by the glass. Follow the South Styrian Wine Road and stop at the Buschenschänken (local wine taverns serving only their own wines and ciders). Be sure to taste the Sauvignon Blanc and Morillon whites, along with the Schilcher and Blauer Zweigelt red varieties.

Indulge in regional, seasonal, and sustainable produce

In Austria, the farm-to-table philosophy is more than just a trend; it’s a lifestyle. Restaurants take pride in serving dishes made from homegrown or locally sourced artisanal ingredients, with menus that change seasonally to reflect the freshest offerings. Carinthia, recognized as the world's first slow-food travel destination, and Graz, dubbed Austria's “Culinary Capital,” lead the charge in the small-scale and biodiverse food movements, promoting a sustainable and local food culture in their eateries.

Where to experience it: Daily markets bring in farm-fresh local products, blending produce stalls with street food options. Vienna is home to 800 urban farms and community gardens, with the 120 food stalls at Naschmarkt and 170 at the multicultural Brunnenmarkt being the city’s largest. Graz’s Kaiser Josef Markt and Salzburg’s Grünmarkt showcase organic rural produce in urban settings. In Innsbruck, the Market Hall offers a comprehensive selection, featuring goods from local farmers alongside artisanal Tyrolean groceries.

Traditional Austrian dishes that are a must-try

In Lower Austria, the celebrated Waldviertel Mohn (poppy seeds) and seasonal Wachau apricots are used to create delightful desserts like Marillenknödel (apricot dumplings) and Mohnnudeln (short potato dough noodles with poppy seeds and sugar).

Styria is known for its apples that produce excellent cider, but its liquid gold is pumpkin seed oil, often drizzled over dishes like Backhendlsalat (fried chicken served with potato salad) or paired with a Brettljause (a platter of cold cuts, cured meats, and cheeses).

Freshwater fish are harvested from the picturesque lake regions, including pike perch from Neusiedler See in Burgenland and Carinthia’s Kärntner Lax’n (lake trout). A popular southern snack is the delightful Kärntner Nudeln (ravioli filled with cheese, potatoes, chervil, and mint).

In the mountains, cheese takes center stage. The renowned mountain cheese from Vorarlberg is best enjoyed along the KäseStrasse Bregenzerwald, a collective of 22 cheesemakers and dairies rather than a literal “cheese street.” A classic post-hike meal features egg noodle dumplings generously topped with cheese and crispy onions, known as Käsknöpfle in Vorarlberg, Pinzgauer Kasnockn in Salzburgerland, and Kasspatzln in Tyrol. Alternatively, try a hearty Tiroler Gröstl (a fry-up of potatoes, onions, bacon, and egg) or Speckknödel (bacon-filled egg dumpling), finishing with a sweet treat like Salzburger Nockerl (three fluffy soufflé dumplings).

Vegetarian and vegan options

Austrian cuisine typically features meat as the star of traditional meals. Cheese-based dishes, egg noodles, and pastries may not suit vegan diets. However, more modern restaurants, especially in larger cities, are now offering vegan choices. Fast-food chains like Veggiezz and Swing Kitchen are at the forefront, providing affordable vegan and vegetarian options.

Continue planning your Austrian adventure:

• Explore like a local with these tips for getting around

• Discover these affordable tips before making your booking

• Add these top road trips to your favorites