Vienna, the beautiful capital city of Austria, is known for its grand architecture, rich history, and of course its delightful culinary world. Many traditional restaurants and interesting food markets in Vienna serve Austria’s most famous dishes. Here are my 7 favorite Austrian dishes:
1. Wiener Schnitzel
This dish is one of the most famous Austrian meals – and something you definitely have to try in Vienna.
The schnitzel is a thin, breaded, and fried veal or pork cutlet. It is usually served with lemon wedges, potato salad or fries, and cranberry sauce on the side.
It is said, that an Austrian general discovered the Schnitzel in Milan and then tweaked the recipe to what it is now. You really should try your first Wiener Schnitzel in Vienna, since many other countries tweak the dish a bit to their preferences and make it less tasty.
2. Apfelstrudel or Topfenstrudel
Vienna’s signature dessert is a mouth-watering pastry. It is usually filled with apple slices and raisins or sometimes with curd.
The strudel dough consists of many thin layers. They are carefully wrapped around the filling and baked until crispy. It’s best served with a blob of whipped cream or sometimes vanilla pudding.
The oldest strudel recipe in the world can be found in Viennas Town Hall Library, it is from 1697. The best Apfelstrudel in Vienna is without a doubt served in the cafe at Schönbrunn Castle, make sure to check it out.
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3. Kaiserschmarrn
This sweet pancake is a real treat for those who have a sweet tooth like me. Kaiserschmarrn is made out of fluffy scrambled pancake pieces. Sometimes the dough is mixed with raisins and served with a plum, strawberry, or apple sauce.
Kaiserschmarrn is a traditional dish that was once the favorite of Emperor Franz Josef I himself. Nowadays you can order it in almost any Viennese restaurant.
4. Gulasch
Gulash is a spicy beef stew with onions, paprika, and caraway seeds. Sometimes it is even served with Frankfurter sausage in the mix as well. Originally, it was a typical dish from Hungarian cuisine, but it became popular in Austria over the years.
It is usually served with bread or dumplings to soak up all the juices. Some people make it more spicy than others, so keep that in mind. In summer it is sometimes served with fresh Chanterelle.
5. Sachertorte
Sachertorte is a decadent chocolate cake and is beloved among the Austrians. The original recipe was created by Franz Sacher, a young pastry chef who was commissioned to make a dessert for Prince Metternich in 1832.
The original Vienna Sacher cake is made up of two layers of rich chocolate sponge cake with a layer of apricot jam in between. It is coated in a layer of chocolate icing.
You can only find the original Sachertorte at the Sacher Hotel in Vienna. Of course, every other restaurant in Vienna serves its own version of the cake as well.
6. Game
Game is another traditional Austrian dish that is usually served in late fall or winter. It is usually served with red cabbage, dumplings, and cranberries. The tradition of eating game meat has been in Austria for many centuries. Because of the many forests in the country, hunting has always been a part of Austrian culture.
7. Charcuterie Boards
Charcuterie boards are a very famous and beloved dish in Austria. They are traditionally served in Buschenschanken or Heurigen. These are traditional Austrian restaurants that only serve things from local production.
On these charcuterie boards, you can usually find smoked meat of all kinds and cheese as well as some spreads. Especially in fall, when the first wines of the year are presented, it is common for the Viennese to go order a charcuterie board along with some Austrian wine.
Admittedly, they are even more popular in South Styria and Burgenland, but it is still something you should try in Vienna.
As a bonus tip, I suggest you visit the Naschmarkt in Vienna. It is the best-known food-market in Vienna. Over 120 different stands offer all sorts of street food, spices and traditional Viennese products. The market has its origin in the 16th century and is one of the most luxurious and diverse street food markets in the world.
Bio: Sabrina of Shades of Summr
Sabrina is a passionate travel blogger and content creator living in the Netherlands. Her blog Shades of Summr features Slow & Luxury Travel content. Her goal is to motivate people to explore the world more mindfully, yet luxuriously. You can follow Sabrina on Instagram and Pinterest.
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