Austrians cannot be called conservatives in the field of cooking; the national cuisine has been formed over many centuries and has absorbed elements of French, Slavic, and German traditions. Initially, Austrian cuisine was more reminiscent of a peasant menu, and only over time it began to include gourmet food. Our review is devoted to the question – what to try in Vienna?
Interesting fact! Sausages and sausages are rightfully considered the pride of the national cuisine. According to statistics, more than one and a half thousand types of meat delicacies are produced in the country. In the capital’s restaurants and cafes they are served under the name “Frankfurter”.
ach Austrian region has developed its own culinary traditions. For example, in Vienna, traditional food is boeschel, schnitzel, tafelspitz, and smoked meats. Sauerkraut is usually used as a side dish. Viennese goulash, which appeared during the existence of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The food is more like a meat stew, served with dumplings and potatoes. By the way, dumplings in Vienna are an independent dish, seasoned with bacon.
Austrian desserts deserve close attention. Many treats with Austrian roots are known all over the world. This includes Sachertorte and apple strudel. An excellent addition to desserts is coffee. Local residents skillfully know how to prepare this drink.
Interesting fact! About 50 thousand hectares of vineyards are grown in Austria, but outside the state, Austrian wine is not as widespread as French or Georgian. However, while relaxing in Vienna, indulge in the pleasure of drinking a glass of dry white wine.
Wiener Schnitzel
To the question – what to try first in Austrian cuisine? Local residents answer – of course, Austrian schnitzel. It was first mentioned in a cookbook dating back to 1884, however, historians claim that the recipe was known much earlier.
There are two versions of the appearance of schnitzel in Austrian cuisine. According to the first version, it was brought by Milanese merchants in the 14th-15th centuries. And according to another, in the mid-19th century the recipe was brought by Field Marshal Radetzky. In his report to the Austrian emperor, he spoke about an unusual method of preparing meat.
Good to know! The original recipe uses veal, the upper part of the hind leg.
In Vienna, schnitzel is served so large that one serving is enough for two people. Don’t be surprised if you hear that every gastronomic establishment prepares deli meats better than anyone else. The cost of schnitzel in Vienna is from 7.20 € to 20 €.
Vienna sausages
The most delicious sausages in Vienna can be tasted in street stalls that are installed throughout the city. From the point of view of a tourist visiting Austria for the first time, the easiest way to find the “Wurstelstand” shopping tents is on Albertina Square, on Ringstrasse and Graben streets.
The menu offers at least five types of food; sausages are sold along with a baguette or roll; you can choose French fries, salad or sauerkraut as a side dish.
Interesting fact! Sausages and sausages in Vienna are not boiled, they are baked or fried.
Of course, sausages are considered the most popular in Austrian cuisine. Despite the fact that the name of the delicacy accurately indicates the country, sausages originated in Germany. According to the Germans, they were invented by a resident of Frankfurt, butcher Johan Georg Lachner. However, according to the Austrians, the recipe belongs to the same Lachner, but the cook came up with it after moving from Germany to Vienna.
Interesting fact! According to the original recipe, the sausages contain pork, lard, spices and ice. They should not be boiled, as the shell may burst and the juice will leak out.
Vienna Tafelspitz
Another national Austrian dish, which is prepared from boiled beef in broth with vegetables, horseradish, onion sauce and fried potatoes. The food is served directly in the saucepan. The meal is very satisfying; you can try it at the Plachutta restaurant chain. The establishment specializes in preparing this particular dish. When ordering, keep in mind that the serving sizes are very large and one is enough for two people. The cost of the Austrian dish tafelspitz ranges from 18 € to 33 €.
Good to know! Before traveling to Austria, it would be a good idea to check on the Internet how the dish is usually eaten. In restaurants, the tafelspitz comes with instructions with explanations, or the waiter tells you how to proceed – a little broth is poured into the plate, then meat and side dish are added, the portion is eaten, the broth is poured again, beef and vegetables are laid out.
Viennese potato salad
raditional side dish for schnitzel. Boiled potatoes are seasoned with salt, parsley, onion and vinegar. In many Austrian establishments, the cost of salad is included in the price of the schnitzel, but it can also be ordered separately. Cost from 3.50 € to 8 €
Sauerkraut
For many Austrian regions and Vienna, sauerkraut is the main side dish and addition to many meat dishes in Austrian cuisine. There are a huge number of ways to pickle cabbage. The most common recipe is practically no different from the generally accepted one, the only difference is that carrots and cranberries are not added to the cabbage, but bay leaves, juniper, caraway seeds and dill are added.
Liver meatball soup (Leberknödelsuppe)
Austrians love first courses and traditionally start every lunch with a beef broth soup with small liver dumplings called Leberknedlsuppe.
Pancake soup
The first course is made from beef broth (chicken broth is also used) with various dressings. The most popular are pancakes and greens cut into strips.
Viennese goulash
The Austrian recipe is similar in many ways to the Hungarian version. The translation of the name of the food means cabbie goulash. The dish is served with scrambled eggs, pickled cucumber, and sausage.
Good to know! Trying traditional goulash in Vienna is quite difficult; many establishments offer guests an analogue – the Rindgulasch beef dish. The cost varies from 11 € to 14 €.
Viennese strudel
Austrian cuisine loses its authenticity and originality without apple strudel. The peculiarity of the dessert is the thinnest dough. The treat is served with ice cream, sour cream, and powdered sugar.
The first recipe for the sweet appeared in a cookbook by an unknown author, published in 1696. Today this copy is kept in the Vienna library.
Interesting fact! To try the dish, visit Vienna’s oldest café, Café Mozart at Albertinaplatz 2, which has been in business since the 18th century. You can also visit Café Gerstner, founded by the Habsburg court pastry chef in the mid-19th century. The average cost of an Austrian strudel is 7 €.
Viennese waffles
Another national Austrian food is soft Viennese waffles, characterized by a porous structure, a large amount of filling, and multi-tiered. Fruits, berries, cream, chocolate, and ice cream are used as toppings. The average cost of one waffle is 4 €.
Sachertorte
This cake is rightfully considered the king of desserts all over the world. Made from chocolate sponge cakes, layered with apricots, decorated with dark chocolate and cream. The food is named after the author, Franz Sacher.
Interesting fact! It is noteworthy that the original technology for making the cake is kept secret. You can try real Sacher only in the cafe at the hotel of the same name near the Vienna Opera.
Imperial omelette Kaiserschmarrn
Another famous treat in Austrian cuisine is sponge cake, mashed with a fork and crushed with powdered sugar. It is served with plum jam. The dessert is called imperial because Emperor Franz Joseph loved to eat it this way. In Vienna, you can try the imperial omelette at the Central Cafe, where Trotsky, Stalin, Lenin, and Sigmund Freud loved to spend time. The establishment has been operating since 1876. You can recognize the cafe by the impressive queue at the entrance, which, however, moves very quickly. The cost of dessert is about 9 €. The portions are large, one is enough for two people.
Beverages
We looked at what to try in Vienna from food. But Austrian cuisine is unthinkable without drinks such as coffee and beer. It is believed that coffee came to Europe through Austria, where it began to be consumed not just as a drink, but was turned into a real ritual.
Interesting fact! According to statistics, residents of Vienna and throughout Austria drink coffee several times more often than beer. Each coffee shop offers visitors at least 30 types of coffee. Each one has a specific cooking method.
For tourists, coffee shops offer not just coffee, but a certain ambience – the drink is served on a silver tray, pastries or sweets are served, and a glass of water and fresh newspapers are always placed on the table.
Viennese coffee
First of all, in a cafe or coffee shop you need to decide on the serving size, there are two of them: small – kliner, large – gosser.
There is no one classic recipe for Viennese coffee; every coffee shop will offer you several types of this drink. A fairly popular variety is Melange. There is also no uniform cooking technology. Some establishments add sugar, while others add cream or milk. Melange is a cap of milk foam that is used to decorate a drink.
Interesting fact! Popular types of coffee in Vienna – in addition to traditional black coffee, the Austrian capital offers espresso, coffee with ice cream and cream, with rum and ice.
Mulled wine
During the cold season, mulled wine is sold in every shop in Vienna. For preparation, dry red wine, lemon zest, sugar and a whole bunch of spices are used. The drink is served hot, you need to drink it within 4-5 minutes, because when it cools down, the taste and aroma are lost.
Traditionally, in Vienna and Austria, mulled wine is drunk on the eve of the Christmas holidays at fairs. The first fair to open is in the historical part of the city – in the Spittelberg district. You can also visit the fair on the main Town Hall Square, where the central market is also located. There are more than 150 stalls selling mulled wine and other warm drinks.
Austrian beer
Austria is considered a beer country and this is not only because of the wide variety of types of foamy drink, but also because of the well-developed culture of its use. The most popular beers:
- Ottakringer, Gold Fassl (Vienna);
- Gosser (Leoben);
- Stiegl (Salzburg);
- Weitrabrau (Weitr);
- Fohrenburg (Vorarlberg).
Each variety differs in strength, density and set of ingredients. Traditionally, beer is served in 0.5 liter mugs, but you can also order smaller glasses or a liter jug. Light snacks are always offered with beer; they are included in the price of the drink.
Of course, this is not a complete list of national Austrian dishes that deserve the attention of tourists. We have offered the most common of a varied list of what to try in Vienna. Many of the capital’s establishments, which have been welcoming guests for more than a century, offer treats prepared according to unique, ancient recipes.