Food & Dining in Austria
Austrian cuisine is hearty, refined, and deeply tied to cultural traditions. From Kaffeehäuser to Heurige, food and drink are central to Austrian social life.
Austrian Cuisine
Iconic dishes:
- Wiener Schnitzel: Breaded veal (must be veal, not pork, for authentic)
- Tafelspitz: Boiled beef with apple horseradish
- Kaiserschmarrn: Shredded pancake with plum compote
- Sachertorte: Rich chocolate cake with apricot jam
- Schweinsbraten: Roast pork with Knödel (dumplings)
- Gulasch: Hungarian-influenced beef stew (with Nockerl)
- Kasnocken: Cheese dumplings (Salzburg/Tyrol)
- Apfelstrudel: Apple strudel with vanilla sauce
Regional specialties:
| Region | Specialty | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Vienna | Wiener Schnitzel | Classic breaded veal cutlet |
| Tyrol | Tiroler Gröstl | Pan-fried potato and meat |
| Styria | Kürbiskernöl | Pumpkin seed oil on everything |
| Carinthia | Kärntner Kasnudeln | Stuffed pasta pockets |
| Salzburg | Salzburger Nockerl | Sweet soufflé dessert |
Eating Out
Restaurant types:
- Beisl: Traditional Viennese pub/restaurant
- Gasthaus: Classic Austrian restaurant
- Heuriger: Wine tavern (Vienna suburbs, wine regions)
- Würstelstand: Sausage stand (late-night institution)
- Kaffeehaus: Coffee and pastries
- Imbiss: Quick food stands
Typical costs (2026):
| Meal Type | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Würstelstand | €4-7 |
| Casual Beisl | €12-22 |
| Mid-range restaurant | €20-45 |
| Fine dining | €60-120+ |
| Coffee + cake | €6-12 |
| Beer (0.5L) | €4-6 |
Tipping:
- 5-10% standard (not 15-20%)
- Round up for small amounts
- State total including tip when paying ("Stimmt so" = keep the change)
- Service charge NOT included
Grocery Shopping
Supermarkets:
- Hofer (Austrian Aldi): Best value, excellent quality
- Lidl: Discount, good deals
- Billa/Billa Plus: Most common, good selection (REWE Group)
- Spar/Eurospar/Interspar: Wide variety, widespread
- Merkur (now Billa Plus): Premium selection
Weekly grocery cost:
- Single person: €50-80
- Couple: €80-130
- Family of 4: €150-250
Shopping tips:
- Bring your own bags (plastic bags cost €0.15-0.50)
- Bottle deposit (Pfand) on PET bottles
- Store hours: Mon-Fri 7am-7:30pm, Sat 7am-6pm
- Sunday: CLOSED — shop on Saturday!
Bread & Bakery (Bäckerei)
Austrian bread culture:
- Excellent quality, fresh daily
- Semmel (rolls): Austrian breakfast staple
- Schwarzbrot (dark bread): Hearty and dense
- Pretzels: Available everywhere
- Bakeries often open briefly on Sunday morning
Notable bakeries:
- Ströck, Felber, Anker (Vienna chains)
- Regional artisan bakeries throughout country
Kaffeehaus Coffee Menu
| Coffee | Description |
|---|---|
| Melange | Cappuccino equivalent |
| Verlängerter | Diluted espresso (Americano-like) |
| Kleiner/Großer Brauner | Small/large coffee with milk |
| Einspänner | Espresso with whipped cream in glass |
| Fiaker | Coffee with rum and whipped cream |
Dietary Accommodations
Vegetarian/Vegan:
- Growing options, especially in Vienna
- Traditional cuisine is meat-heavy
- Dedicated vegan restaurants in cities
- Supermarkets have vegan sections
Halal/Kosher:
- Halal shops and restaurants in Vienna (especially 10th, 15th, 16th districts)
- Kosher available in Vienna (2nd district)
Gluten-free:
- Awareness growing
- "Glutenfrei" products in supermarkets
- Restaurants increasingly accommodating
Food Delivery
Apps:
- Lieferando (most popular)
- Mjam (Austrian, now part of Lieferando)
- Wolt
- Uber Eats (limited)
Delivery fee: €1-4
Minimum order: €8-15
Pro Tips
- •Hofer (Austrian Aldi) offers excellent quality at the best prices
- •Sunday grocery shopping impossible — stock up on Saturday
- •Try authentic Wiener Schnitzel (must be veal, not pork) at a Beisl
- •Heuriger (wine tavern) experience is uniquely Austrian — don't miss it
- •Austrian coffee culture is serious — learn the coffee types (Melange, Verlängerter)
Have questions about food & dining in Austria?