Quick answer: In Austria, try the classic Wiener schnitzel, tafelspitz, sachertorte and apfelstrudel, then slow down in a Viennese coffee house with a melange.
Austrian cooking is hearty Alpine comfort food with an imperial sweet tooth — and Vienna’s coffee-house culture is UNESCO-listed. Here’s the essential menu.
Must-try dishes in Austria
| Dish | What it is |
|---|---|
| Wiener schnitzel | Thin breaded veal cutlet fried golden — Vienna’s signature. |
| Tafelspitz | Boiled beef in broth with apple-horseradish, an imperial favourite. |
| Käsespätzle | Soft egg noodles baked with melted cheese and crispy onions. |
| Knödel | Bread or potato dumplings served with meats and sauces. |
| Tiroler Gröstl | A Tyrolean fry-up of potato, pork and onion topped with a fried egg. |
| Sachertorte | Dense chocolate cake with apricot jam, born at Vienna’s Hotel Sacher. |
| Apfelstrudel | Paper-thin pastry filled with spiced apples. |
| Kaiserschmarrn | Shredded, caramelised pancake dusted with sugar and served with fruit compote. |
Street food in Austria
Grab a Käsekrainer (cheese-filled sausage) from a Würstelstand, the Viennese hot-dog stands open late across the city.
Sweets & desserts
Austria is dessert royalty: sachertorte, apfelstrudel, kaiserschmarrn and creamy Topfenstrudel.
What to drink
Coffee is a ritual — order a melange or einspänner. With food, try crisp Grüner Veltliner wine or a local lager.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Austria’s most famous food?
Wiener schnitzel and sachertorte — the savoury and sweet icons of Viennese cuisine.
What is a Viennese coffee house like?
A relaxed institution where a single coffee buys hours at a marble table with newspapers — order a melange and a slice of cake.
Is Austrian food similar to German food?
They share dumplings, sausages and pork dishes, but Austria leans more to veal, Alpine cheese dishes and elaborate pastries.
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Written by
John Morrison is the founder and lead travel writer at Packzup. Over the past decade he has explored destinations across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania — always self-funded, never on a press trip.