You are about to go on a tasty trip through a land of mountains and history. Famous Food in Austria is much more than just a meal. It is a piece of the past on your plate. You will see that traditional food in Austria comes from deep roots and royal kitchens.
First of all, you must prepare your appetite for heavy portions. This guide will help you find the best food in Austria as you walk through the streets of Vienna or hike the Alpine trails.
The King of the Table: Wiener Schnitzel
You cannot talk about famous food in Austria to eat without mentioning the Wiener Schnitzel. It is the national dish and a source of great pride. This famous dish consists of a very thin veal cutlet that is breaded and pan-fried. To make it the right way, chefs use a butterfly cut and pound the meat until it is only 4 mm thick.
Later, they roll it in flour, whipped eggs, and bread crumbs. They fry the meat in lard or clarified butter at a temperature between 160 and 170 °C. The breading must not be pressed into the meat. This allows the crust to “soufflé” and puff up away from the meat.
Additionally, you should know about the legal rules. Austrian law says that a dish called Wiener Schnitzel must use veal. If a restaurant uses pork because it is cheaper, they must call it Wiener Schnitzel vom Schwein.
Similarly, they might call it Schnitzel Wiener Art. You will usually find this served with a slice of lemon and potato salad or parsley potatoes. Plus, many people now enjoy it with french fries. Best food in Austria Vienna often starts with this golden, crispy masterpiece.
A Royal Favorite: Tafelspitz
Another top pick for traditional food in Austria is Tafelspitz. This dish is boiled beef or veal simmered in a rich broth with root vegetables and spices. Emperor Franz Joseph I loved this meal very much. In fact, his private table was never without a fine piece of boiled beef.
The name refers to the specific cut of meat, which is the top hind end of the cattle. Austrian butchers are very precise. They have separate names for almost every muscle. On top of that, the hind leg alone is divided into 16 different cuts.
You will find that Tafelspitz is usually served with a mix of minced apples and horseradish. Also, it often comes with roasted potato slices and sour cream mixed with chives. Though it sounds simple, the flavors are deep and comforting. It is a staple in famous restaurants in Austria. Therefore, you should make sure to try it when you want a break from fried foods.
The Cheesy Heart of the Alps
Austria has a long history of making dairy products. The diverse geography of alpine pastures and lowlands shapes the famous food in Austria. Many of the best cheeses are heumilchkäse, which means they are made from “hay milk”. These cows eat only fresh grass, herbs, and hay. This preserves the natural flavors of the mountains.
First of all, you should look for Alpkäse. This is a hard cheese made only in the summer months while cows graze high up in the mountains. It has a spicy character that goes well with fruity wines. Similarly, Bergkäse, or “mountain cheese,” is a semi-hard cheese made year-round. It develops a nutty flavor as it ages in large wheels.
There are many unique types of cheese to find:
- Ennstaler Steirerkas: A sour milk cheese from Styria with green or white mold on the surface and a crumbly, tangy inside.
- Gailtaler Almkäse: A rich, nutty hard cheese from Carinthia that is aged for up to a year.
- Mondseer: A semi-soft cheese with a strong smell and an orange-red rind.
- Österkron: A popular blue cheese with blue-green veins and a salty taste.
- Rässkäse: A very sharp and intense hard cheese from Vorarlberg.
- Sura Kees: A low-fat sour cheese with a very long history in the Montafon valley.
- Tiroler Graukäse: Also called “gray cheese,” this is one of the oldest cheeses and has a sharp, acidic bite.
Gradually, you will notice that cheese is everywhere. You can find it on a cheese board with Alpine honey or melted into dumplings. To find the most unique kinds, you should visit local markets or alpine huts during the summer. On top of that, the KäseStrasse Bregenzerwald is a famous road for cheese lovers.
Styrian Gold: Pumpkin Seed Oil
If you travel to the Styria region, you will find a dark green delicacy called Styrian pumpkin seed oil. People call it an “exceptional taste adventure” because of its nutty and full-bodied flavor. It is a very healthy and versatile oil. However, you must be careful with heat. Using too much heat makes the oil lose its taste and nutrients. Therefore, you should pour it over dishes just before they are finished.
You can use this oil as a dressing for almost any salad. Similarly, it is a great flavor enhancer for cream soups or scrambled eggs. Plus, there is an insider tip you must try. Pour it over vanilla ice cream. The combination of cold, sweet cream and nutty oil is wonderful. When you buy it, look for the PGI-seal to ensure it is authentic.
The Emperor’s Mess and Other Sweets
No trip is complete without the popular food in Austria found in the dessert menu. First, you must try Kaiserschmarrn. The name means “Emperor’s Mess”. It is a lightly sweetened, fluffy pancake that is shredded into bits while frying in butter. It takes its name from Emperor Franz Joseph I, who loved it. Traditionally, it comes with a plum compote called Zwetschgenröster or apple sauce. You can eat it as a dessert or even as a light lunch at a mountain tavern.
Next is the world-famous Sachertorte. This is a chocolate sponge cake filled with apricot jam and covered in a smooth chocolate glaze. Franz Sacher invented it in the 19th century. For many years, the Hotel Sacher and the Demel pastry shop fought a legal battle over the recipe. Finally, they settled it. The Hotel Sacher puts jam in the middle of two layers, while Demel puts it just under the glaze. You should always enjoy this with a big dollop of whipped cream.
Later, you might want to try the Linzertorte. This is the oldest cake named after a place, with recipes dating back to 1653. It is a shortbread pastry with ground nuts, spices like cinnamon, and a filling of redcurrant jam. It always has a beautiful lattice design on top.
Finally, do not forget the Salzburger Nockerl. These are sweet, golden dumplings made of egg whites, sugar, and vanilla. They are baked until they look like the snow-covered peaks surrounding Salzburg. They represent the three hills: Gaisberg, Mönchsberg, and Kapuzinerberg. They are “sweet as love and tender as a kiss”.
Vegetarian and Vegan Options
You might think Austrian food is only about meat, but that is changing. Popular food in Austria now includes many plant-based options. You can find meatless versions of classics like Kasnocken (cheese dumplings) or Krautfleckerl. Even some sausage stands now sell vegan Käsekrainer.
Many hotels and restaurants now focus entirely on vegetarian or vegan meals. For example:
- Strandhotel am Weissensee: The first fully vegetarian 4-star hotel in Carinthia.
- Regensburger Hut: The first 100% vegetarian mountain hut in Tirol, located at 2,286 meters.
- Franz Fischer Hut: Offers excellent vegan and vegetarian food at 2,020 meters.
- Veganmania: The largest street food festival in Austria, which is all plant-based.
Additionally, cities like Vienna, Innsbruck, and Graz have many trendy vegan cafes. Whether you are in the city or high in the mountains, you will find healthy and tasty food.
FAQ’s
What are the most famous foods in Austria?
The most famous items include Wiener Schnitzel, Tafelspitz, and Sachertorte. Austrian cheeses like Bergkäse and Alpkäse are also very well-known.
Which traditional Austrian dishes should I try when visiting Austria?
You should try Wiener Schnitzel for a classic meat dish. If you want something sweet, Kaiserschmarrn is a must. For a unique regional taste, try anything with Styrian pumpkin seed oil.
What is the most popular street food in Austria?
Sausage stands are very popular, and they now even offer vegan versions of traditional sausages like Käsekrainer.
Is Austrian food similar to German or Central European cuisine?
Yes, it shares many traditions with its neighbors. For example, Kaiserschmarrn is also popular in Bavaria and parts of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire. Many Alpine cheeses are similar to those in Switzerland.
What desserts are considered famous food in Austria?
Sachertorte, Linzertorte, Kaiserschmarrn, and Salzburger Nockerl are all very famous.
Where can I find authentic famous food in Austria in Vienna and Salzburg?
In Vienna, you can find authentic Sachertorte at Hotel Sacher or Demel. In Salzburg, the Heart of Joy Café offers high-quality vegetarian and vegan dishes. You can find Salzburger Nockerl in many traditional restaurants in Salzburg.
What are some vegetarian options in famous Austrian cuisine?
Traditional options include Kasnocken and Krautfleckerl. You can also find specialized vegetarian mountain huts like the Regensburger Hut.
Concluding Words
You have now seen that famous food in Austria is a wonderful mix of royal history and rustic mountain traditions. From the crispy Wiener Schnitzel to the sweet “Emperor’s Mess,” there is a dish for every traveler.
You can enjoy rich cheeses, unique pumpkin seed oil, and world-famous chocolate cake. Whether you want meat or a plant-based meal, Austria’s kitchens are ready to welcome you with open arms and full plates.
