As the one-time heart of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the cuisine of Vienna has been greatly influenced by the surrounding Central European nations. Dishes heavy on meat are popular in Viennese cuisine, such as Wiener Schnitzel and Tafelspitz, and the Viennese certainly value their sweets and coffee, with coffee shops and cafes being popular spots to relax, socialize, and dine throughout the city. Here are some of the delicious treats I enjoyed during my time in Vienna.
Schnitzel at Gasthaus Pöschl and Figlmüller
Probably the most famous dish of Vienna that you will find on just about every restaurant’s menu is Wiener Schnitzel, a veal cutlet pounded flat, breaded and fried. It’s often served with a lemon slice.
I am a big fan of schnitzel and ended up getting it twice in Vienna during the duration of my trip. On my first night there, I had plans to go to a particular restaurant which ended up being extremely busy and not having tables available. I walked around looking for something else and it was hard to find any restaurants with walk-in availability or bar seating, until I stumbled across a cute, low-key little restaurant serving Viennese classics called Gasthaus Pöschl. I snagged a seat at the bar and enjoyed the Wiener Schnitzel, served with potato salad, and washed it down with a local Ottakringer brew.
My second schnitzel experience was lunch at Figlmüller, a historic restaurant renowned for its pork schnitzel made with their own original recipe since 1905. There are two locations in Vienna, including the original on Wollzeile, and both get very busy so be sure to check for reservations well in advance! I ordered the schnitzel and a side salad. I couldn’t believe the size of the schnitzel! It was bigger than my head. I ended up taking some back to my hotel room, which I may or may not have eaten with my hands as a snack later that afternoon. When in Vienna, right?
Almdudler at Figlmüller
Also at Figlmüller, something unfamiliar caught my eye on the menu in the beverage section, so I decided to try Almdudler, an herbal soda that has been considered the national drink of Austria. This soda made with 32 natural alpine herbs, beet sugar and soda water was created in 1957 by Erwin Klein, who gifted the first bottle as a wedding present to his bride Ingrid. To this day the company remains one hundred percent owned by the Klein family.
Tafelspitz at Cafe Central
Located in the magnificent former Bank and Stockmarket building on Herrengasse, Cafe Central opened in 1876 and quickly became a popular coffeehouse for the intellectuals of Vienna. Among its most famous visitors over the years are Sigmund Freud, Leon Trotsky, and Joseph Stalin. Today it’s a popular restaurant for tourists and reservations are highly recommended – I booked a dinner reservation a week in advance and was so glad on the rainy night that I visited to be able to bypass the long line out the front door.
I ordered Tafelspitz, another traditional Viennese dish of boiled beef that was a favorite of Emperor Franz Joseph I. The tafelspitz at Cafe Central was served with bouillon vegetables, cream spinach, a potato cone and chive sauce. It was delicious!
Apfelstrudel at Cafe Central
For dessert at Cafe Central I indulged in Apfelstrudel, a Viennese apple strudel served with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream. The earliest known strudel recipe is a handwritten one from 1697 that is housed in the library of the Rathaus (Vienna City Hall), but the pastry gained popularity in the Habsburg empire throughout the 18th century. Today apfelstrudel is considered a national dish of Austria.
Wurst and Pickles from a Würstelstand
Spend any amount of time walking around Vienna’s Innere Stadt and you’re bound to pass a number of vendors selling hot dogs, sausages, and other street food. Würstelstande became popular in the Austro-Hungarian empire as mobile carts that disabled veterans could utilize to earn an income. Starting in the 1960s, permanent structures were allowed. I ordered a platter of käsewurst (cheese-filled sausages) with essiggurken (pickles) with sauerkraut and bread from a stand near my hotel.
Sachertorte at Hotel Sacher
Sweets are an important part of Austrian cuisine, and the Sachertorte is one of the most renowned cakes originating in Austria. The first Sachertorte was made in 1832 when Austrian State Chancellor Prince Klemens Wenzel von Metternich requested a cake from his kitchen for a special occasion. The chef was ill that night, so a 16-year-old apprentice named Franz Sacher stepped in and created a cake that became a favorite of the Imperial Court and later the world.
The Hotel Sacher on Kärntner Strasse serves up the cake according to its original recipe in a luxurious atmosphere. I had to wait in line to get a table, but the line moved fast and it was well worth the wait. Along with a latte, I greatly enjoyed the rich chocolate cake made with apricot jam and served with whipped cream.
Kaiserschmarrn at Schönbrunn Palace
On my last day in Vienna, I visited Schönbrunn Palace, the summer palace of the Habsburg dynasty. Having gotten an early start to the day and not eaten anything, by the time I was done exploring Schönbrunn I was in desperate need of food. I stumbled upon a cute cafe on the grounds of the palace, tucked away between hedges and trees in the gardens. I was pulled in by a sign advertising their Kaiserschmarrn, a dish that was the last thing on my list of must-try foods for my trip, so I stopped in to give it a try.
Kaiserschmarrn is a dish of sweet pancakes torn up into tiny pieces and often served with apple sauce or a fruit compote. It’s often enjoyed as a dessert or light lunch. The name literally translates to “Emperor’s Mess,” as this dish was a favorite of Emperor Franz Joseph, so it’s only fitting that I enjoyed this dish on the grounds of his summer residence. I ordered mine with plum compote on the side and enjoyed it with a coffee in the cafe’s garden seating.
Cafe Demel
Another spot in Vienna known for Kaiserschmarrn is Cafe Demel, where you can watch the chefs preparing the pancakes in the window. This historic coffeehouse and confectionery is also a great spot to do some shopping for sweets – I stopped in and bought some delicious chocolates to take home for family (and myself!).
From decadent cakes and pastries to dishes once enjoyed by members of the Habsburg dynasty, the elegance of Vienna can be experienced through its delicious cuisine.
Read more about things to enjoy in Vienna:
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