You step off the plane in Vienna and a sweet scent fills the air. The smell of roasted coffee and fresh sugar greets you immediately. You are about to go on a food journey that covers hundreds of years of history.
Popular Austrian Dishes represent a mix of cultures from the old empire. Your taste buds will experience flavors from Hungary, Italy, and Bohemia. First of all, you must prepare your stomach for some serious comfort food.
The Legendary Wiener Schnitzel
You cannot visit Austria without eating a Wiener Schnitzel. This is the most famous dish in the country. It consists of a thin slice of veal that a chef pounds until it is flat. The meat is usually only 4 to 6 millimeters thick. A chef then coats the meat in flour, eggs, and dry breadcrumbs. Later, they fry it in pork lard or clarified butter until it turns a perfect golden brown.
Traditional Austrian dishes like this one have strict rules. You should know that serving schnitzel with sauce is a big mistake in Vienna. Plus, the breadcrumbs must stay dry and puffy rather than being pressed into the meat.
You will often find it served with a wedge of lemon and a side of parsley potatoes. Additionally, a refreshing potato salad often sits next to the plate. Therefore, you get a crunch with every single bite.
The Emperor’s Favorite: Tafelspitz
Emperor Franz Joseph I ruled for a long time and he had a favorite meal. That meal is Tafelspitz. It is a simple but elegant dish of boiled beef. The chef simmers a specific cut of beef in a rich broth with root vegetables. At that time, this was a staple at the royal table.
You will notice the meat is incredibly tender. Waiters usually serve it with a mix of horseradish and minced apples called Apfelkren. On top of that, you might get a chive sauce and roasted potatoes. Similarly, the broth itself is often served first as a soup with noodles. Therefore, you get two courses from one main preparation.
Hearty Beef Goulash
You might think goulash is only for Hungary, but Austria has its own version. Famous Austrian dishes include the Wiener Saftgulasch. This is a thick beef stew that uses a lot of onions. In fact, the recipe often calls for a 1 to 1 ratio of meat to onions.
The secret to a great goulash is slow cooking. It takes about 3 hours of simmering for the meat to become soft. On top of that, the onions dissolve to create a thick, smooth gravy. No flour or extra thickeners are used in an authentic recipe.
Gradually, the sauce turns a deep dark orange or brown color. Additionally, the flavor improves if you let it sit overnight and reheat it the next day. 100 percent of locals agree that reheating makes it better. You should eat it with a fresh crusty roll or small dumplings called Nockerl.
Typical Austrian dishes from the mountains will also keep you full.
Alpine Comfort: Tiroler Gröstl and Kasspatzln
You will find the best mountain food in the Tyrol region. Tiroler Gröstl is a hearty pan-fry of potatoes, onions, and meat. Farmers originally made this to use up leftovers from Sunday dinner. A fried egg usually sits on top of the pile. It is the perfect fuel after you spend a day hiking in the Alps.
However, you might prefer something even cheesier. Kasspatzlan is the Austrian answer to macaroni and cheese. Chefs use fresh egg noodles and mix them with melted mountain cheese. They top it with crispy fried onions. Bergkäse or Graukäse are the common cheeses used for that rich flavor. Therefore, it is heavy and very satisfying.
Top Austrian dishes often involve these rich dairy products because the mountain cows produce high-quality milk.
Sausages and Street Snacks
You will see a sausage stand on almost every corner in Vienna. These stands are a big part of the local culture. Vienna Sausage is the most common variety you will encounter. These sausages are thin and slow-smoked. You can choose to have them with white bread, dark sourdough, or sharp mustard.
Another popular Austrian food is Leberkäse. The name translates to “liver cheese,” but it contains neither liver nor cheese in most parts of Austria. It is a warm, salty meatloaf made from finely ground beef, pork, and bacon.
You usually eat a thick slice of it inside a white roll called a Semmel. Plus, you can find versions with melted cheese or spicy peppers inside. It is a fast and tasty snack for a busy tourist.
Common Austrian dishes for snacking also include the Brettljause. This is a wooden board filled with cold meats, cheeses, pickles, and spreads. It is a staple in wine taverns known as Heurigen.
The Royal World of Desserts
You have arrived at the best part of the trip. Austria is world-famous for its elegant sweets and coffee house culture. Most popular Austrian dishes in the dessert category start with the Apfelstrudel.
This recipe dates all the way back to 1697. The pastry is paper-thin. You fill it with apples, cinnamon, raisins, and sugar. Then, you bake it until it is crisp. People love to eat it warm with vanilla sauce or a dollop of whipped cream.
Later, you must try the Sachertorte. Franz Sacher created this rich chocolate cake in 1832 when he was only 16 years old. He had to fill in for a sick chef and create a dessert for a prince. It has layers of apricot jam and a shiny dark chocolate glaze. The original recipe is still a secret kept by the Hotel Sacher.
Finally, you should look for Kaiserschmarrn. This is a fluffy shredded pancake that is caramelized in a pan with butter and sugar. Legend says Emperor Franz Joseph I loved this treat very much. It usually comes with a side of plum or apple compote.
Austria typical dishes like these are often paired with a specific coffee.
Viennese Coffee House Culture
You will find that a coffee house is more than just a place to drink. It is a “democratic club” where you can sit for hours with one cup of coffee. UNESCO lists this culture as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. You will always receive a glass of cold tap water with your coffee.
What is the most popular food in Austria? While schnitzel wins the main course, the ritual of coffee and cake is just as important. You should try a Wiener Melange, which is similar to a cappuccino. Similarly, an Einspänner is a strong black coffee served in a glass with a big head of whipped cream.
Wine and Other Drinks
You can also enjoy world-class beverages with your meals. Grüner Veltliner is the signature white wine of the country. It is fresh and spicy, making it perfect for breaded dishes like schnitzel. On the contrary, if you are eating roast duck or beef, you might prefer a red wine like Zweigelt or Blaufränkisch.
If you do not want alcohol, you must try Almdudler. It is a herbal soft drink that many people call the national drink of Austria. It tastes like alpine herbs and is very refreshing.
Gradually, you will see that food is the heart of the Austrian experience. Finally, you will leave with a full stomach and great memories.
FAQ’s
What are the most popular Austrian dishes to try?
The top choices include Wiener Schnitzel, Tafelspitz, Apfelstrudel, and Sachertorte. These items appear on almost every traditional menu across the country.
Which traditional Austrian dishes are famous worldwide?
Wiener Schnitzel and Apple Strudel are recognized in nearly every corner of the globe. The Sachertorte is also a global icon for chocolate lovers.
What is the national dish of Austria?
Most people consider Wiener Schnitzel to be the national dish because it is the favorite of the majority of citizens. However, Tafelspitz and Roast Pork are also major contenders for the title.
Are Austrian dishes similar to German cuisine?
There are similarities, such as a love for pork, sausages, and dumplings. However, Austrian food is unique because it was shaped by the many different lands of the old Austro-Hungarian Empire. This gives it a more multicultural flavor profile compared to standard German fare.
What are some must-try desserts among popular Austrian dishes?
You must try the Sachertorte, Apfelstrudel, and Kaiserschmarrn. If you are in Salzburg, look for the Salzburger Nockerl, which is a sweet soufflé shaped like three mountain peaks.
Are there vegetarian options in popular Austrian dishes?
Yes, you can find many great meat-free options. Kasspatzln (cheese noodles) and Spargel (white asparagus) are very popular. You can also find Krautfleckerl, which is a pasta dish made with cabbage instead of ham.
Where can tourists find authentic popular Austrian dishes in Austria?
You should visit traditional Viennese coffee houses like Café Central or Café Sacher for pastries. For hearty meals, look for Heurigen (wine taverns) or mountain huts in regions like Tyrol.
Concluding Words
Popular Austrian Dishes to Try on Your European Trip offer a delicious look into the history of Central Europe. You will love the crispy Wiener Schnitzel, the tender Tafelspitz, and the rich Sachertorte.
Every meal is an opportunity to experience the high-quality ingredients and traditional techniques of this beautiful country. Therefore, you should make dining a top priority on your next visit to Austria.
