You plan a trip to Europe and want the best food. You should look at Austria for your next big food adventure. This country has a long history and amazing food culture. You will find that famous Austrian food and drink options are everywhere.
The history of the Habsburg Empire shaped what people eat here today. You will see influences from Hungary, Italy, and Bavaria in many meals. People in this country love their traditional Austrian dishes and they want to share them with you.
The King of the Table: Wiener Schnitzel
First of all, you must try the Wiener Schnitzel. This is probably the most famous Austrian food in the world. It is one of the national dishes of Austria. You will find it in almost every restaurant. It is a thin cutlet made of veal. Chefs use a mallet to pound the meat until it is very thin. They want it to be exactly 4 mm thick.
They coat the meat in flour, whipped eggs, and breadcrumbs. They fry it in lard or clarified butter. The temperature must be between 160 and 170 degrees Celsius. You will notice the breading is light and puffy. This happens because the breadcrumbs are not pressed into the meat.
You usually get a slice of lemon on the side. You should squeeze the juice over the hot meat. People often serve it with a potato salad or parsley potatoes. Butterhead lettuce with a sweet dressing is another classic side dish. Some places now offer french fries too. Additionally, you might see a version made with pork instead of veal.
This version is cheaper for many people. Austrian law says a “Wiener Schnitzel” must be veal. If it is pork, the menu must say it is “Viennese style” or “Wiener Schnitzel vom Schwein”.
The history of this dish is interesting. Some people say a man named Field Marshal Radetzky brought the recipe from Italy in 1857. However, experts now think this story was made up in the 1860s. You can find mentions of breaded veal in cookbooks from 1831.
Similarly, a dish called Backhendl was breaded and fried as far back as 1719. Therefore, the tradition of breading meat is very old in this region. You will love the crispy texture and juicy meat. A true classic.
The Emperor’s Choice: Tafelspitz
You should also look for Tafelspitz on your trip. This is the king of beef dishes in Vienna. It is one of the most famous Austrian dishes you can find. Emperor Franz Joseph I loved this meal very much. It consists of beef boiled in a rich broth.
You use about 1.5 kg of good beef for this recipe. You put the meat in a large pot with 3 liters of water. You add root vegetables like carrots, yellow carrots, and parsnips. You also add leeks, onions, bay leaves, and peppercorns.
The meat cooks for about 2.5 to 3 hours until it is soft. You only add salt after it has cooked for 2 hours. Chefs slice the beef across the grain. You serve the meat in the hot soup or on a pre-heated plate. You must have the right sauces with it. Apple and horseradish sauce is a traditional favorite. Chive sauce and roasted potatoes are also necessary. Sometimes you get creamed spinach or green beans in a dill sauce on the side.
This dish shows how Austria sits in the heart of Europe. It is like the French “pot-au-feu” or the Italian “bollito misto”. You get two courses in one meal. First, you eat the delicious beef soup with garnishes like Frittaten or semolina dumplings. Later, you enjoy the tender beef with its sides. It is a healthy and hearty meal for a cold day.
Comforting Noodles and Cheese: Käsespätzle
You will want something warm after a day of sightseeing or skiing. Käsespätzle is the perfect choice for you. This is a regional favorite from the Vorarlberg area. It is a type of egg noodle mixed with plenty of cheese and fried onions. It is very hearty. You will find it in many mountain huts. People also call it Kässpätzle or Käsknöpfle.
The main ingredients of famous Austrian cuisine are often cheese, pork, beef, potatoes, and bread. This dish uses those simple items to make something great. You might also find Krautspätzle, which includes cabbage. Similarly, a dish called Rahmfleckerl uses egg noodles with vegetables and herbs in a creamy sauce. These noodle dishes are simple and filling. They will keep you going all day.
The World of Austrian Dumplings: Knödel
You cannot visit Austria without eating a Knödel. These are dumplings that come in many forms. They can be a side dish or a main course. Some go in your soup. Others are your dessert. They are a big part of traditional Austrian dishes.
Semmelknödel are made from small cubes of dried white bread. You mix the bread with milk and eggs. These dumplings are great for soaking up gravy. You often see them with Schweinsbraten, which is roast pork. Serviettenknödel use the same dough but the chef shapes it into a tube. They wrap it in a cloth and boil it, then serve it in slices.
You will also find meat-filled dumplings called Fleischknödel. These have a potato dough outside and a meat center. In your soup, you might find Leberknödel, which are liver dumplings. There are also Grießnockerl, which are semolina dumplings. You will even find cheese dumplings called Kaspressknödel. These come from the west of Austria. You will never get bored with so many types to choose from.
Sweet Treats: Strudels and Pancakes
You probably have a sweet tooth. Austria is famous for its pastries and desserts. Apfelstrudel is a must-try for everyone. This is an apple-filled pastry. It is one of the popular Austrian dishes people know best. The oldest recipe for strudel is from 1697. The dough must be very thin. Bakers say you should be able to read a newspaper through one layer of dough. They fill it with tart apples, sugar, cinnamon, and raisins. You should eat it warm with vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Another favorite is Kaiserschmarrn. This is a fluffy, sweet pancake. Legend says it was made for the Emperor. He found a pancake was too thick or torn. He called it “trash” or “Schmarren”. The chef refined it with milk, raisins, and eggs. Today, it is a distinguished dessert. You tear the pancake into small pieces while it is in the pan. You sprinkle it with powdered sugar. You dip the pieces into plum jam or applesauce. It is the perfect way to end a meal.
Famous Cakes: Sacher and Linzer
You must visit a Konditorei, which is a special cake shop. The Sacher Torte is the most famous chocolate cake in the country. Franz Sacher created it in 1832 when he was only 16 years old. He was an apprentice chef for Prince Metternich. The cake is a dense chocolate cake with a thin layer of apricot jam. Dark chocolate ganache covers the whole thing. You usually eat it with fresh whipped cream and a cup of coffee.
You should also try the Linzer Torte. This is the oldest torte in the world with a geographical name. It dates back to 1653. It has a shortcrust dough flavored with nuts and spices like cinnamon and cloves. It has a beautiful lattice top. The filling is a tart redcurrant jam. You should let the cake rest for two days before you eat it. This makes the flavors better.
Street Food Adventures in Vienna
Vienna has an amazing street food scene for you to enjoy. You can grab a quick snack while you explore the city. Wiener Würstel are classic Viennese sausages. You get them griddle-fried with mustard and pickles. Käsekrainer is a favorite for cheese lovers. It is a smoked pork sausage filled with melted cheese. When you bite it, the cheese flows out. You eat it with a fresh bread roll.
Leberkäse Semmel is another popular choice. It is a soft bread roll with a slice of meatloaf-like food called Leberkäse. It has a crispy crust and a soft inside. Despite the name, it does not have liver or cheese in it. You might also like Bosna, which is a spicy hot dog with onions and curry powder.
If you want something different, try Langos. This is a deep-fried flatbread. It is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. You can get it with garlic butter, sour cream, and cheese. Kartoffelpuffer are crispy potato pancakes. You eat them with sour cream or applesauce. These snacks are affordable and delicious.
The Magic of Viennese Coffee Houses
Drinking coffee together is a big part of life in Austria. You will find many beautiful coffee houses in Vienna. They are a part of the city’s identity. You can order many different styles of coffee. A Mokka is like a slow-extracted espresso. A Melange is half Mokka and half heated milk. An Einspänner is a large black coffee with a thick top of whipped cream.
You usually get a glass of still water with your coffee. You can sit for a long time and read the paper or talk to friends. It is common to invite people for “coffee and cake” in the afternoon. This is like the British afternoon tea. You must try a Wiener Eiskaffee on a hot day. It has vanilla ice cream and whipped cream inside.
Regional Specialties You Should Know
Every part of Austria has its own special food. In the Styria region, you must try pumpkin seed oil. It has a nutty flavor and a dark green color. People put it on salads and even in soup. They also eat Käferbohnensalat, which is a runner bean salad with this oil.
In Tyrol, people love their bacon, which they call Speck. You will find it in many dishes. They also have a drink called Skiwasser. It is made from water, raspberry syrup, and lemon juice. It started in ski huts. In Carinthia, you should look for Kasnudeln. These are noodle pockets filled with cheese and mint.
Burgenland food has a lot of Hungarian influence. The dishes are often spicier. They use more chicken, pork, and fish. Upper Austria is famous for many types of dumplings. You will see that the food changes as you travel across the country.
What to Drink with Your Meal
You have many great drink options in Austria. Almdudler is the national drink of the country. It is a soft drink made from mountain herbs. It tastes a bit like elderberry. You can drink it alone or mix it with white wine.
Austria is also famous for its wine. Most of the wine comes from the east of the country. Grüner Veltliner is the most famous white wine. Zweigelt is a popular red wine grape. You can visit a Heuriger to drink young wine from the latest harvest. These are traditional wine inns near Vienna.
If you like beer, you are in the right place. The most popular beer is a pale lager called Märzen. You can order a small beer called a Seidel (0.33 liter) or a large one called a Krügerl (0.5 liter). Finally, many people have a Schnapps after a meal. This is a fruit brandy. It can be made from apricots, herbs, or even flowers. There are around 20,000 small private distilleries in the country.
You will find that food is a big part of the travel experience here. From the first bite of Schnitzel to the last sip of coffee, you will enjoy it all. Austria offers a mix of simple peasant food and fancy imperial dishes. You will see that there is something for everyone.
FAQ’s
What are the most famous Austrian dishes to try?
You should start with Wiener Schnitzel, Tafelspitz, and Apfelstrudel. These are the big icons of the cuisine. You also must try Kaiserschmarrn and Sacher Torte.
Which traditional Austrian dishes are popular among tourists?
Tourists love the Wiener Schnitzel because it is crispy and familiar. The chocolate Sacher Torte and the warm Apple Strudel are also top choices for visitors.
What is the national dish of Austria?
Austria has a few national dishes. Wiener Schnitzel, Tafelspitz, and Apple Strudel all hold this title. You will find them across the entire country.
Are Austrian dishes mostly sweet or savory?
Austria is famous for both. You have many savory meat and cheese dishes like Schnitzel and Spätzle. However, the country is also known for its incredible sweet pastries and cakes.
What ingredients are commonly used in famous Austrian dishes?
The main ingredients you will find are cheese, pork, beef, potatoes, and bread. Flour, eggs, and milk are also vital for all the famous cakes and dumplings.
Where can you find authentic Austrian dishes outside Austria?
You can find Austrian food in places where immigrants moved. For example, Brazil has bakeries that make Apfelstrudel. In Israel, a version of Schnitzel made with chicken is very popular.
Are there vegetarian options in traditional Austrian cuisine?
Yes, there are several good options. Käsespätzle is a great vegetarian main dish with cheese and noodles. You can also enjoy various types of sweet and savory dumplings or potato pancakes.
Concluding Words
You will find that Famous Austrian Dishes You Must Try on Your Europe Trip offer a wonderful mix of history and flavor. From the iconic Wiener Schnitzel and the royal Tafelspitz to sweet delights like Apple Strudel and Sacher Torte, there is something for every palate.
Your journey through Austria will be filled with hearty mountain food, elegant city cakes, and a world-famous coffee culture.
