If you’re wondering about the best food in Vienna, get ready to loosen your belt. Austria’s elegant capital isn’t just about palaces and opera houses, it’s a city built on golden schnitzel, slow-simmered broths, sugar-dusted desserts, and coffee culture that borders on ritual.
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From traditional Viennese food served under crystal chandeliers to late-night sausage stands with mustard on your fingers, Vienna knows how to feed you properly. Whether you’re planning your trip or already browsing menus, here’s exactly what to eat in Vienna.
I’m Hazel, a British travel blogger with a long-standing appreciation for carbs and coffee breaks. I spent 8 full days eating my way around Vienna, and this guide covers the dishes and dining experiences that truly define the city.
Let’s tuck in.
Wiener Schnitzel & Viennese Potato Salad 🍋
No trip to Vienna is complete without Wiener Schnitzel. This is not just “breaded meat”, it’s a thin veal cutlet, coated in fine crumbs and fried until puffed, golden, and gloriously crisp.
It’s usually served with a wedge of lemon and a side of warm Viennese potato salad, light on mayo and big on tangy vinegar flavour. The salad is silky and slightly sweet, soaking up all those schnitzel juices.
For a classic experience, try Figlmüller, famous for schnitzels the size of your face. If you can’t get a table there, head to Restaurant Neues Markt instead. That’s where I had mine (and where my photo is from).
Tafelspitz & That Golden Broth 🍲
If there’s one dish that screams classic Vienna, it’s Tafelspitz. Traditionally, you start with the broth, a clear, golden consommé made from simmering beef for hours with root vegetables and spices.
It’s delicate but deeply flavourful, often served with chopped chives and sometimes little semolina dumplings. Then comes the tender beef itself with horseradish and apple sauce.
For the full experience, book a table at Plachutta Wollzeile, Vienna’s temple to Tafelspitz.
Viennese Sausages with Goulash in the Middle 🌭
This is peak comfort food: plump Wiener Würstel arranged around a dollop of goulash in the centre, with mustard and a crusty bread roll on the side.
It’s simple, filling, and strangely addictive. I’ve ordered this as a quick lunch and also as a late-night “why not” snack. No regrets either time.
Goulash actually has Hungarian roots, and Vienna has its own rich, deeply spiced version. If you’re curious how it compares to the real deal, I tried an unforgettable Hungarian goulash in Budapest that was a solid 10/10, you can see the photo (and judge for yourself) in this Budapest post.
Rindelspraten, Vienna’s Comfort Roast 🥩
Often spelled Rindelspraten or Rindsbraten, this is slow-roasted beef at its most comforting. Rich gravy, tender slices of beef, and classic sides like dumplings or red cabbage, it’s hearty, traditional, and very Viennese.
I had mine at Gerstner K. u. K. Hofzuckerbäcker inside the grounds of Schönbrunn Palace, beneath crystal chandeliers and full Habsburg grandeur. If you’re going to eat roast beef in Vienna, you may as well do it somewhere that looks like this.
Würstelstand Nights 🌃
Vienna’s sausage stands, known as Würstelstände, are a cultural institution. You’ll find them scattered across the city, especially near transport hubs and busy squares.
One of the most famous is Bitzinger Würstelstand near the Albertina (pictured above). Order a Käsekrainer, add spicy mustard, and stand at the counter like a local. It’s casual, chaotic, and completely brilliant.
You can also go on a Vienna Sausage Stand tour to ensure you get your full sausage fix!
Kaiserschmarrn 🍳
Fluffy shredded pancake, lightly caramelised, dusted with icing sugar and served with plum compote. That’s Kaiserschmarrn, and it’s glorious.
Legend says it was Emperor Franz Joseph’s favourite dessert. Whether that’s true or not, it’s definitely mine. Be warned – it is very filling! Best shared, unless you’re very hungry.
You can also get a very-much-loved takeaway version of this dessert from the Demel Café takeaway hatch, near Stephansplatz.
The Famous Sachertorte 🎂
You cannot talk about food in Vienna without mentioning Sachertorte. Dense chocolate sponge, thin layer of apricot jam, glossy dark chocolate glaze.
But here’s the real question: Sacher or Demel? I did the full taste test and compared them properly in my post Best Sachertorte in Vienna: Sacher vs Demel (And My Honest Verdict) if you want the detailed breakdown before you commit to a slice.
Apfelstrudel 🍎
Apfelstrudel is lighter than it looks, thin layers of pastry wrapped around spiced apples and raisins.
It’s often served warm with vanilla sauce. If you want to go full foodie, book a strudel-making class in Vienna. Flour will fly, but you’ll learn the art of stretching dough paper-thin.
Viennese Coffee Culture ☕
Vienna’s coffeehouse culture is officially recognised by UNESCO, and once you sit down in one, you’ll see why. These historic coffee houses are designed for lingering, not rushing.
Order a Wiener Melange, or an Einspänner, and embrace the theatre of it all. Pair it with a bright pink Punschkrapfen cake and people-watch like a pro.
If you’re wondering which cafés are actually worth visiting, I’ve written about the famous Vienna coffee houses I visited, plus a full explainer on Vienna coffee culture (and why the staff sometimes seem so spectacularly unimpressed).
Not Actually Viennese… 🍥
Before you leave thinking Vienna invented every good biscuit and chocolate, let’s clear a couple of things up.
Mozartkugeln (Mozart chocolates) are everywhere in Vienna, but they’re actually from Salzburg, Mozart’s birthplace, and were first created there in the 19th century. Delicious? Yes. Technically Viennese? Not quite.
And those buttery Viennese Whirls you’ll find in UK supermarkets? Also not from Vienna. Inspired by Austrian baking traditions, perhaps. But you won’t see locals pairing them with a Melange in Café Central.
Vienna has plenty of its own sweet icons, Sachertorte, Kaiserschmarrn, Apfelstrudel, so it doesn’t need to borrow anyone else’s.
Why Food in Vienna Is Worth the Hype ✨
Food in Vienna is elegant without being fussy, comforting without being boring. It’s golden schnitzel and tangy potato salad, slow-simmered broth, sausages at midnight, and cake in chandeliers-and-marble cafés.
Come hungry, plan your coffee breaks strategically, and don’t even think about skipping dessert.
Helpful Tips for Eating in Vienna 📝
☕ Don’t rush coffee houses. Service is intentionally unhurried, lingering is part of the culture.
🥣 If you order Tafelspitz, the broth comes first. That’s traditional, not a starter mistake.
🍽️ Look out for “Mittagsmenü” lunch specials in traditional restaurants, they’re often excellent value.
FAQs About Viennese Food 💡
Planning a foodie trip to Vienna? Here are a few quick answers.
What is the most famous food in Vienna?
Wiener Schnitzel and Sachertorte are two of the most iconic dishes associated with Vienna.
Where should I try traditional Viennese food?
Look for traditional Beisl pubs or classic coffeehouses like Café Central and Café Demel for an authentic Viennese dining experience.
Is Viennese coffee different from Italian coffee?
Yes, Viennese coffee culture is more about lingering in historic cafés, with drinks like Melange and Einspänner served in a more relaxed, sit-down style.
Is food in Vienna expensive?
It can be in grand cafés and tourist hotspots, but local pubs and sausage stands are very affordable.
Continue Exploring Vienna
If you’re planning your Viennese trip, you may be interested in these posts:
🍫 Best Sachertorte in Vienna: Sacher vs Demel (And My Honest Verdict)
Chocolate drama, taste tests, and the final decision.
☕ Famous Vienna Coffee Houses I Visited (And What They’re Really Like)
The iconic cafés, minus the Instagram filters.
📖 Vienna Coffee Culture Explained (And Why the Staff Seem So Bored)
Everything you need to know before ordering a Melange.
🏰 Vienna Highlights: The Main Sights (And What They’re Really Like)
The must-sees, plus honest impressions.
🎭 Vienna State Opera: What It’s Really Like (Especially If You’re Going Solo)
How to attend without feeling awkward.
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