Wondering what to eat in Vienna besides Wiener Schnitzel? That was the question I had before my first trip to Vienna. I wasn’t sure what Vienna food was all about besides the yummy fried veal.
But after spending a few weeks in the capital city of Austria, I learned more about Viennese cuisine including some of the best street food and desserts.
And for someone who absolutely loves coffee, I completely indulged in the Viennese coffee culture. There is something just so special about sitting in a traditional Viennese coffee house with retro furniture and drinking a traditional Wiener Melange.
So if you love eating as much as I do and are excited to try some of the must eat in Vienna, then get ready! I’ll show you exactly what to eat in Vienna Austria and where to find the best Vienna food.
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Table of Contents
Tips for eating the best food in Vienna
Before trying some of the best Vienna food, check out my Vienna solo travel guide first. This guide is especially useful if this is your first time in the city.
Here are a few additional tips for eating in Vienna:
- Bring your credit card as many places accept credit cards and a convenient way to pay your bill.
- Bring cash as sausage stands and fast food places only accept cash.
- Tip about 10% of your bill or more at a cafe or restaurant if the service is good.
- Meat is a main ingredient for many must try food in Vienna.
- But there are a few vegetarian options as well. Some soups, sides and main dishes are made with vegetables only. Check the restaurant menu before you go.
What to eat in Vienna: 23 best food in Vienna Austria
See the summary of the best food to try in Vienna below. This is a quick guide for you when searching for what to eat in Vienna Austria.
And when you scroll down, I include a more detailed explanation and photo for each Viennese food and where to find the local specialty.
Here is a quick summary of the 23 best food in Vienna:
Street food in Vienna
- Frankfurter Würstel – Frankfurter or Viennese sausage
- Käsekrainer – pork sausage with small chunks of cheese
- Leberkäse – meatloaf with a bread roll
Vienna traditional food: starter, main and side dishes
- Frittatensuppe – Austrian pancake soup
- Wiener Schnitzel and Erdäpfelsalat – deep-fried veal cutlet and Austrian-style potato salad
- Tafelspitz – traditional Viennese boiled beef in broth
- Austrian Beef Goulash and Knödel – Austrian beef stew with bread dumpling
- Wiener and Goulash – Frankfurter and beef stew
- Spargel – white asparagus
Viennese desserts
- Sachertorte – Austrian chocolate cake
- Kaiserschmarren – shredded pancake in a pan
- Apfelstrudel – phyllo pastry stuffed with sweet apples
- Topfenstrudel – flakey pastry filled with soft quark cheese
- Maroniblüte – The Original Chestnut Blossom
- Powidltascherl – plum jam turnovers
- Buchteln – sweet yeast rolls filled with jam
- Palatschinken – Austrian pancake
Typical Viennese beverages
- Almdudler – carbonated herbal lemonade
- Wiener Melange – Viennese coffee with steamed milk and milk froth
- Einspänner – Viennese coffee with whipped cream
- Austrian Beer – Ottakringer, Gösser, Stiegl and Zwettler
- Austrian Wine – Grüner Veltliner, Gemischter Satz, and Sturm
- Austrian Schnapps – distilled fruit brandy
Where to eat in Vienna: 22 best places to eat
Below is a list of the best places to eat in the city. All the best things to eat in Vienna mentioned above can be found at these food outlets and restaurants.
To find the address for each location, click on the restaurant name, which will bring you to the location on Google Maps.
Vienna sausage stands and fast food
- Bitzinger Würstelstand – popular sausage stand outside of Albertina.
- Würstelstand Leo – founded in 1928, is Vienna’s oldest sausage stand.
- Leberkas-Pepi – fast food restaurant serving many types of leberkäse.
Traditional Austrian restaurants in Vienna
- Plachuttas Gasthaus zur Oper – serving the original Wiener Schnitzel and other Viennese specialties.
- Plachutta Wollzeile – choose different cuts of beef for their world-famous Tafelspitz.
- Wiener Wiazhaus – one of the top-rated local restaurants on Tripadvisor.
- Kaffee Alt Wien – classic Viennese cafe with vintage posters.
- Gasthaus Rebhuhn – a local’s favourite near Sigmund Freud Museum.
- Figlmuller at Wollzeile – their Wiener Schnitzel is so big it spills over the plate.
- Lugeck – a modern restaurant serving classic Viennese dishes.
- Meissl & Schadn Vienna – one of the best Wiener Schnitzel I have ever had but a bit pricey.
- Schnitzelwirt – a local favourite with very reasonable prices.
- Salm Bräu – try a flight of beers and home-style dishes at this local brewery.
- Heindls Schmarren & Palatschinkenkuchl – serve many types of savoury and sweet pancakes.
Viennesse coffee houses
- Cafe Sacher – famous for its original Sachertorte.
- Cafe Central – opened in 1876, it might be Vienna’s most beautiful coffee house.
- Demel – founded in 1786, is Vienna’s first confectionery for fine pastries.
- Cafe Landtmann – a dreamy Viennese coffee house since 1873 and Sigmund Freud’s go-to cafe.
- Cafe Hawelka – not as busy as the other popular coffee houses but the vibe is just as amazing.
- Cafe Frauenhuber – housed in a former medieval bathhouse where Mozart and Beethoven once entertained guests here.
- Cafe Sperl – love the traditional interior in this Viennese coffee house.
- Cafe Museum – small coffee house designed by Austrian architect Adolf Loos.
Street food in Vienna
1 & 2. Frankfurter Würstel and Käsekrainer
At a Würstelstand (sausage stand), you can find many types of Austrian sausages including Bratwurst (a type of German sausage), Debreziner (pork sausage spiced with paprika) and Currywurst (Bratwurst with curry ketchup sauce).
But if you only can try two, try Frankfurter Würstel and Käsekrainer.
What is Frankfurter Würstel: Frankfurter or Viennese sausage. The thin sausage is made with pork and beef and is parboiled. A serving comes with a pair of sausages, mustard, ketchup and bread.
What is Käsekrainer: grilled pork sausage with small chunks of cheese inside. Order it as a hot dog (sausage stuffed vertically into a white crusty bun with mustard and/or ketchup) or as a plate (sausage is cut into pieces and served with a side of condiments and bread).
Where to eat Frankfurter Würstel and Käsekrainer: Bitzinger Wurstelstand, Würstelstand Leo, and other sausage stand all over the city.
3. Leberkäse
What is Leberkäse: a slice of meatloaf typically made with beef or pork. When you order a Leberkäsesemmel, it comes with a slice of leberkäse in a standard bread roll with mustard. Besides the original leberkäse, some other types include cheese, red and green peppers and other ingredients as indicated.
Where to eat Leberkäse: Bitzinger Wurstelstand, Leberkas-Pepi, some sausage stands, and the deli section at the supermarket
Traditional Vienna food: starter, main and side dishes
1. Frittatensuppe
What is Frittatensuppe: Austrian pancake soup. A clear homemade beef broth topped with thinly sliced pancake. It is the perfect appetizer!
Where to eat Frittatensuppe: Plachuttas Gasthaus zur Oper, Kaffee Alt Wien, Gasthaus Rebhuhn, Figlmuller at Wollzeile, Lugeck, Meissl & Schadn Vienna, Salm Brau, Heindls Schmarren & Palatschinkenkuchl, Cafe Frauenhuber, Demel
2. Wiener Schnitzel and Erdäpfelsalat
What is Wiener Schnitzel: A premium veal cutlet, pounded thinly, breaded and deep fried in butter. It is served with a wedge of lemon, and comes with a side dish (potato salad, cucumber salad or fries). This is one of the national dishes of Austria and is not to be missed while you are in Vienna.
What is Wiener Erdäpfelsalat: Austrian-style potato salad flavoured with red onion, vinegar and mustard.
Where to eat Wiener Schnitzel and Erdäpfelsalat: Plachuttas Gasthaus zur Oper, Plachutta Wollzeile, Wiener Wiazhaus, Kaffee Alt Wien, Gasthaus Rebhuhn, Figlmuller at Wollzeile, Lugeck, Meissl & Schadn Vienna, Schnitzelwirt, Gasthaus Pöschl, Salm Brau, Heindls Schmarren & Palatschinkenkuchl, Cafe Sacher, Cafe Central, Cafe Landtmann, Cafe Frauenhuber, Cafe Sperl, Cafe Museum
3. Tafelspitz
What is Tafelspitz: traditional Viennese boiled beef in broth. The dish starts with premium cuts of beef cooked in a flavourful broth. Then it is served with fried potato and horseradish-applesauce sauce.
Where to eat Tafelspitz: Plachuttas Gasthaus zur Oper, Plachutta Wollzeile, Wiener Wiazhaus, Gasthaus Rebhuhn, Figlmuller at Wollzeile, Lugeck, Meissl & Schadn Vienna, Gasthaus Pöschl, Salm Brau, Heindls Schmarren & Palatschinkenkuchl, Cafe Sacher
4. Austrian Beef Goulash and Knödel
What is Austrian Beef Goulash: Stewed beef in a thick tomato-based sauce with sweet paprika and goulash spices. Typically comes with bread dumplings but it also tastes good with pasta like spätzle (similar to Hungarian cuisine).
What is Knödel: large bread dumpling made with white bread, milk and egg yolk.
Where to eat Austrian Beef Goulash and Knödel: Wiener Wiazhaus, Kaffee Alt Wien, Gasthaus Rebhuhn, Figlmuller at Wollzeile, Schnitzelwirt, Gasthaus Pöschl, Salm Brau, Heindls Schmarren & Palatschinkenkuchl, Demel, Cafe Hawelka
5. Wiener and Goulash
What is Wiener and Goulash: Frankfurter and beef goulash on the same plate. It also comes with a dinner roll to soak up all the gravy. This is typically a small dish at a coffeehouse. and most of all, you get to try two Austrian dishes at the same time.
Where to eat Wiener and Goulash: Kaffee Alt Wien, Gasthaus Rebhuhn
6. Spargel
What is Spargel: White asparagus is grown without sunlight, hence, the white colour. It is sweeter and more tender than green asparagus. And when it is in season (April to June), many restaurants in Vienna have a special asparagus menu.
Where to eat Spargel: Plachuttas Gasthaus zur Oper, Plachutta Wollzeile, Figlmuller at Wollzeile, Lugeck, Meissl & Schadn Vienna, Gasthaus Pöschl
Viennese desserts
1. Sachertorte
What is Sachertorte: the most famous Austrian cake starts with layers of chocolate sponge cake, with thin layers of apricot jam inside and covered with dark chocolate icing. The original Sachertorte is served at Cafe Sacher while other coffee houses also have their own version of Sachertorte.
Where to eat Sachertorte: Cafe Sacher, Cafe Central, Demel, Cafe Landtmann, Cafe Hawelka, Cafe Frauenhuber, Cafe Sperl, Cafe Museum
2. Kaiserschmarren
What is Kaiserschmarren: fluffy shredded pancake with raisins served in a pan with stewed plums and apple puree. Eat this as a dessert or a light lunch.
Where to eat Kaiserschmarren: Cafe Central, Demel, Cafe Landtmann, Cafe Frauenhuber, Cafe Museum, Plachuttas Gasthaus zur Oper, Lugeck, Schnitzelwirt, Gasthaus Pöschl, Heindls Schmarren & Palatschinkenkuchl
3 & 4. Apfelstrudel and Topfenstrudel
What is Apfelstrudel: a phyllo pastry stuffed with sweet apples, cinnamon, breadcrumbs and raisins. Order this classic Viennese pastry with whipped cream or vanilla sauce.
What is Topfenstrudel: a flakey pastry filled with a generous serving of soft quark cheese made from cultured buttermilk. The cheese has a texture and flavour like yogurt and cottage cheese.
Where to eat Apfelstrudel and Topfenstrudel: Cafe Central, Cafe Landtmann, Cafe Hawelka, Cafe Museum, Kaffee Alt Wien, Meissl & Schadn Vienna, Salm Brau
5. Maroniblüte
What is Maroniblüte: The Original Chestnut Blossom has several key ingredients: a chocolate-covered waffle cup, preserved sour cherries, chestnut mousse and chestnut puree. Only a handful of coffee houses in Vienna serve this special treat.
Where to eat Maroniblüte: Cafe Landtmann, Cafe Museum
6. Powidltascherl
What is Powidltascherl: potato dumplings in crescent shape are filled with plum jam are boiled in salted water. Then they are rolled in breadcrumbs and sprinkled with confectioners sugar.
Where to eat Powidltascherl: Meissl & Schadn Vienna
7. Buchteln
What is Buchteln: sweet yeast rolls filled with plum jam or apricot jam. The small buns are baked together but several separately. Make sure to dunk the bread in the vanilla sauce – it tastes extra yummy.
Where to eat Buchteln: Demel, Cafe Hawelka, Cafe Museum
8. Palatschinken
What is Palatschinken: Austrian pancake. Thin crepe-like pancake with apricot jam filling. This is the same pancake is used for the Austrian pancake soup.
Where to eat Palatschinken: Cafe Frauenhuber, Cafe Museum
Typical Viennese beverages
1. Almududler
What is Almdudler: Viennese soft drink. The carbonated drink with herbal extracts is the most popular beverage in Austria. Try the original herbal lemonade, mate & guayana, ginger & matcha or açai & lemongrass.
Where to drink Almdudler: most fast food restaurants, cafes and restaurants in Vienna and supermarkets like Spar, Lidl and Billa
2 & 3. Wiener Melange and Einspänner
There are many types of coffee that you can try in Vienna. But these two are the most popular ones.
What is Wiener Melange: Viennese Melange is a typical Viennese coffee made with espresso, half steamed milk and topped with milk froth. This is a local favourite, and it is tastes very similar to a cappuccino.
What is Einspänner: Viennese coffee with a thick layer of whipped cream served in a tall glass.
Where to drink Wiener Melange and Einspänner: Cafe Sacher, Cafe Central, Demel, Cafe Landtmann, Cafe Hawelka, Cafe Frauenhuber, Cafe Sperl, Cafe Museum, Kaffee Alt Wien
4. Austrian Beer
What is Austrian beer: the most popular ones include Ottakringer from Vienna, Gösser from Leoben, Stiegl from Salzburg, and Zwettler from Zwettl
Where to drink Austrian beer: everywhere! Find a variety of Austrian beers including craft beers at food markets, sausage stands, bars, cafes, restaurants and supermarkets
5. Austrian Wine
What is Austrian Wine: Vienna is the world’s largest wine-producing city. Try Grüner Veltliner, Austria’s signature dry white wine, Gemischter Satz, a wine made from at least three grape varieties in the wine region of Vienna, and Sturm, a partially fermented wine that is only made between September to October.
Where to drink Austrian Wine: you can find excellent wine at cafes, restaurants, bars, food markets and supermarkets. One of the best places to drink wine is at a Heuriger in Grinzing, a wine tavern in the wine region of Vienna.
6. Austrian Schnapps
What is Austrian Schnapps: distilled fruit brandy in Austria. There are several flavours including Zwetschgenschnapps (plum schnapps) and Marillenschnapps (apricot schnapps). It has a higher alcohol content but is surprisingly smooth.
Where to drink Austrian Schnapps: most bars, cafes and restaurants in Vienna
Want to join a tour in Vienna Austria?
Vienna food guide: which Viennese food are you interested in trying?
The list of Vienna must eat food isn’t very long, but I can assure you that everything tastes divine! Plus, the quality of the food is amazing!
If you are travelling solo to Vienna, you can try most of these Vienna famous dishes in a few days. At the very least, you must try the Wiener Schnitzel and Tafelspitz! Those are my favourite food in Vienna!
So the big question is – what will you eat in Vienna? Which Vienna food are you interested in trying? Let me know in the comments.
Thank you for reading my Vienna food guide
You might also like these other posts:
Vienna travel posts:
- Vienna solo travel guide for first time travellers
- Visit a Heuriger in Grinzing from Vienna: 1-day itinerary
- Bratislava day trip from Vienna
Food around the world:
- Budapest food guide: 26 Best Budapest Food
- 25 Bucharest Food: What to eat in Bucharest
- Where and what to eat in Sofia: 21 must-try food
- 17 best Porto food: what and where to eat in Porto
- 21 must-eat food in Singapore
- Where to eat Michelin star street food in Singapore
- 15 traditional Hong Kong food
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- Okinawa food guide: 26 best food
- Tokyo Food Guide: 42 best places to eat in Tokyo
- 22 must-eat food in Taiwan
- 15 Ximending food for foodies travelling to Taipei
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