Greatest Austrian Meals – High Dishes, Desserts & Drinks

This information to the perfect Austrian meals is a culinary journey into the distinct tastes and flavors of this charming nation in Central Europe.

Austria is a European vacation spot that has all of it. From the breathtaking pure fantastic thing about the Austrian Alps to the gorgeous capital of Vienna, this nation effortlessly blends nature and metropolis life.

Furthermore, Austria is thought for its robust cultural heritage together with artwork and music, and that extends to its delicacies, as you’re about to see on this greatest Austrian meals information. 

Though Austria’s most well-known dish is the Wiener Schnitzel, there’s a lot extra to Austrian delicacies than this widespread conventional meals. 

Austrian delicacies is rooted in historical past and custom, whereas additionally borrowing from neighboring international locations, similar to Germany, Hungary, and Italy. From hearty stews to delicate pastries, Austrian delicacies is equal elements consolation meals and refined culinary delights.

For espresso lovers, Austria can also be an excellent vacation spot. This nation credit itself with introducing espresso to the remainder of Europe after the retreating Turkish military left some behind within the seventeenth century. 

Right here’s a have a look at among the greatest Austrian meals and drinks you possibly can’t miss whereas visiting Austria.

Greatest Austrian Starters & Snacks

Austrian delicacies is thought for being hearty and flavorful, and the nation’s hottest starters and snacks are not any exception. Whenever you sit down for a scrumptious meal in Austria, it’s widespread to get pleasure from a starter earlier than the primary dish comes out, typically shared with the desk.

You may also savor a few of these tasty snacks on their very own, possibly over a mug of beer at a beer backyard or Gasthaus. The latter is a sort of native inn or wine tavern generally present in small cities round Austria.

These are three of the perfect starters and snacks in Austria it’s important to attempt:

1. Pretzels

Though their origins are debated, Pretzels are thought to have originated within the Bavaria area of Germany, which borders Austria, again within the Center Ages. Bavarian Pretzels appeared in native markets way back to the sixth or seventh century, so it is a snack folks have been having fun with for a really very long time.

Initially, monks created these doughy treats to symbolize the Holy Trinity with the Pretzel’s distinctive knot form. In Austria, Pretzels are made out of a easy dough and boiled in a baking soda resolution earlier than baking, giving them their signature shiny end.

You’ll typically discover comfortable Pretzels served with mustard or a cheese dip like Liptauer Unfold. These may be loved as an appetizer earlier than a meal, or a snack on their very own, typically accompanied by beer.

2. Liptauer Unfold

Liptauer Unfold is a scrumptious, creamy cheese dip, widespread throughout Austria and recognized for its distinctive brilliant orange hue. It originated through the Austro-Hungarian Empire and is made out of a base of sheep milk cheese, goat cheese, quark, or cottage cheese. 

The spicy taste of the unfold is enhanced with further substances like paprika, mustard, capers, and finely chopped onions. It’s typically served with pickles or radishes, too.

You possibly can get pleasure from Liptauer Unfold on a Pretzel or use it as a dip for bread or crackers. It is a widespread appetizer or snack in Austria and the proper deal with to carry alongside on a picnic.

3. Frittatensuppe

Frittatensuppe is the final word consolation meals starter dish in Austria. Tucking right into a bowl of this hearty soup is assured to heat you up on a chilly winter day.

Referred to as pancake soup, Frittatensuppe consists of skinny ribbons of crepe-like pancakes in a beef broth. Typically, you too can discover a vegetarian different to this conventional Austrian dish made with vegetable broth as a substitute. Garnished with contemporary parsley, it is a easy dish but completely scrumptious.

The strips of pancake within the soup take in the broth, making it a flavorful and filling dish. This soup is a standard appetizer in native eating places and household properties all throughout Austria.

Greatest Austrian Primary Dishes

After you’ve loved an appetizer, what’s popping out as the primary dish? Austria is thought for its hearty, filling primary dishes so don’t replenish an excessive amount of on starters.

The commonest meats utilized in Austrian primary dishes are beef, veal, pork, and rooster. Vegetarians shouldn’t despair, although. There’s one widespread primary dish on this checklist that doesn’t comprise meat.

Right here’s an outline of among the hottest primary dishes in Austrian delicacies:

4. Wiener Schnitzel

You possibly can’t speak about the perfect Austrian meals with out mentioning Wiener Schnitzel. That is essentially the most well-known dish in Austria, and it’s some extent of nationwide pleasure for Austrians. Wiener Schnitzel is a straightforward consolation meals dish that has change into a cultural icon of the nation.

This staple of conventional Austrian meals consists of a skinny, tender veal cutlet coated in flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs after which fried till crispy and golden brown.

The dish is alleged to have originated in Vienna, however you’ll discover it served in conventional eating places everywhere in the nation. The standard accompaniments for Wiener Schnitzel are potato salad and a facet salad with a French dressing dressing, though you’ll typically see it served with French fries now, too.

5. Tafelspitz

One other widespread primary course in Austria is Tafelspitz, generally cited as one of many nation’s nationwide dishes alongside Wiener Schnitzel. Tafelspitz, which was a favourite of Emperor Franz Joseph I, consists of tender boiled beef simmered in a broth of root greens, herbs, and spices.

Though it originated in Vienna, it’s widespread throughout the nation. Tafelspitz is a wealthy and engaging dish made additional flavorful by the broth it’s soaked in.

Sometimes, Tafelspitz is served with a number of facet dishes together with crispy roasted potatoes, a combination of apple sauce and horseradish, and chive-infused bitter cream.

6. Tiroler Gröstl

Tiroler Grostl is a well-liked dish that originated within the alpine area of Tyrol in western Austria. Initially a humble farmer’s meal designed to make the most of leftover substances, Tiroler Grostl has change into a basic Austrian ski meals served at mountain resorts and eating places.

It’s the proper dish to heat you up on a chilly day due to its hearty and filling nature. Served in a pan, it’s a tasty scramble of fried potatoes, diced bacon, and chopped onions, seasoned with salt, pepper, and marjoram. A fried egg tops issues off.

It is a widespread breakfast dish to gasoline up earlier than a day of hitting the slopes at a ski resort, or you possibly can get pleasure from it for lunch on a cold winter day.

7. Käsespätzle

For those who’re vegetarian in Austria, it may be tough to search out many native conventional dishes with out meat. Fortunately, Kasespatzle is a standard primary dish in Austria that’s nearly at all times vegetarian. 

Kasespatzle is Austria’s reply to macaroni and cheese. It’s a decadent, hearty meal that mixes Spatzle noodles with creamy and scrumptious cheese.

Spatzle is a sort of egg-based noodle that you simply’ll discover throughout Central Europe. The cheese on prime of this dish is at all times heat and melted, and it’s often topped with caramelized onions for added taste.

It is a dish generally served with a facet of potato salad or a inexperienced salad. We’d advocate choosing a inexperienced salad since it is a very heavy dish already.

Greatest Austrian Facet Dishes

Though the entrees above are the primary attraction in an Austrian eating expertise, you shouldn’t overlook facet dishes both. 

Removed from being a secondhand thought, facet dishes in Austrian delicacies are designed to completely complement the flavors of the primary dish. Facet dishes showcase the Austrian love for easy, high-quality substances mixed in a novel strategy to make one thing hearty and scrumptious.

These are a few the perfect Austrian facet dishes to accompany your meal:

8. Knödel

Knodel, or dumplings, are a quintessential Austrian facet dish. These spherical, doughy delights are available in a number of varieties, from the bread-based Semmelknodel to the potato-based Kartoffelknodel. 

Bread-based dumplings are made out of stale bread rolls, milk, eggs, and herbs, whereas potato-based dumplings are sometimes extra advanced with a ham or Sauerkraut filling. Each bread dumplings and potato dumplings are formed into balls and boiled till tender.

Knodel is the proper accompaniment for hearty, meat-based Austrian dishes. The doughy dumplings can be utilized to absorb the juices from the meat.

9. Kartoffelsalat

One other widespread Austrian facet dish is Kartoffelsalat or potato salad. You may need tried the American model of potato salad earlier than, however the Austrian model is lighter and crisper.

Kartoffelsalat consists of boiled potatoes minimize into slices, topped with a light-weight French dressing made out of vinegar, oil, and mustard, generally with beef broth combined in. Thinly sliced onions and contemporary parsley prime off this easy but tasty facet dish.

In contrast to the American model of potato salad, there’s no heavy mayonnaise dressing or creaminess in Austrian potato salad. This makes it a more healthy alternative, and it properly balances out heavier primary dishes.

Greatest Austrian Desserts

If there’s one factor Austrians love, it’s dessert and because of this no checklist of the perfect Austrian meals could be full with out the addition of some favourite sweets. The nation’s distinctive espresso tradition implies that it’s a cherished afternoon ritual to get pleasure from a cup of espresso and one thing candy to go together with it.

These are among the most scrumptious desserts to attempt once you’re in Austria:

10. Sachertorte

Sachertorte is one in every of Austria’s most well-known desserts. Originating in Vienna, this decadent chocolate sponge cake was created in 1832 by Franz Sacher, a 16-year-old apprentice chef, for Prince Wenzel von Metternich. The cake was a success with the prince, and it shortly unfold in recognition all through Vienna. 

This dense chocolate cake has one or two skinny layers of apricot jam within the center and is topped with shiny darkish chocolate icing. It’s often served with a dollop of unsweetened whipped cream, balancing out the wealthy chocolate taste of the cake.

Sachertorte is likely one of the most common desserts to attempt in Vienna. Café Sacher Wien is likely one of the greatest locations in Vienna to do this tasty cake, though you’ll discover it on the menu at cafés throughout Vienna and the remainder of Austria.

11. Apfelstrudel

Apfelstrudel, or apple strudel, is one other widespread Austrian dessert that’s so beloved it’s thought-about a nationwide dish of Austria. Relationship again to the Habsburg Empire of the 18th century, Apfelstrudel is a pastry that truly has its roots in Turkish delicacies by means of Hungary.

In Austria, it advanced into the scrumptious dessert it’s right now. The right Apfelstrudel consists of flaky, paper-thin layers of dough round a spiced apple filling. The filling accommodates apples, raisins, sugar, cinnamon, butter, and breadcrumbs, giving it a slight crunch.

It is a dessert that’s greatest served heat. Typically you’ll discover it served with a dusting of powdered sugar on prime or with a facet of whipped cream or custard. Apfelstrudel is a hearty, comforting dessert that it’s important to attempt a minimum of as soon as, possibly following a standard Schnitzel dinner.

12. Marillenknodel

One other widespread pastry dessert in Austria is Marillenknodel or apricot dumplings. It is a deal with that’s generally loved in the summertime when apricots are in season.

The dough for Marillenknodel may be potato-based or quark-based. The quark dough affords a cheesier taste. After including a beneficiant filling of apricots, these pleasant dumplings are boiled till tender after which coated in a combination of crispy breadcrumbs and icing sugar. 

Whereas apricot dumplings are one of the crucial widespread varieties of candy dumplings present in Austrian delicacies, one other variation is good dumplings full of plum jam.

13. Kaiserschmarrn

Yet another mouthwatering dessert to pattern when you’re in Austria is Kaiserschmarrn, which interprets to Emperor’s Mess. The dessert received its title as a result of it was a favourite candy dish for Emperor Franz Joseph I within the nineteenth century.

Kaiserschmarrn consists of candy, fluffy pancakes torn into bite-sized items and coated in a liberal dose of powdered sugar, which is the place the mess a part of the title comes from. The pancakes are generally made with raisins and served with applesauce or one other fruit compote. 

This easy dessert is a favourite with Austrian households to get pleasure from after a home-cooked meal, though you’ll additionally discover it on the menu at many Austrian eating places. It’s significantly widespread as an apres-ski deal with within the winter as a result of it’s such a heat and hearty dessert.

Greatest Austrian Drinks To Pair With Your Meals

No meal in Austria is full with out one thing to drink. Beer, wine, and occasional are all widespread drinks in Austria. From having fun with a day espresso to sipping on a steaming mug of spiced mulled wine on a chilly winter evening, drinks are an essential a part of Austrian tradition.

These are among the greatest Austrian drinks to attempt, each alcoholic and nonalcoholic:

14. Espresso

Espresso is a lifestyle in Austria. The nation’s espresso tradition dates again to the late seventeenth century when the primary espresso homes opened in Vienna. Espresso homes grew to become often called areas for intellectuals and artists to satisfy for energetic discussions and debates.

Over the centuries, espresso homes have remained a cultural mainstay in Austria. With their old-world attraction and alluring environment, espresso homes are the proper locations to satisfy with mates or linger by yourself over a cup of espresso and a newspaper or ebook.

One of the widespread espresso drinks to order in Austria is a Wiener Melange, which is analogous to a cappuccino besides made with milder espresso. One other drink to attempt is the Einspanner, a sizzling espresso topped with loads of cool whipped cream.

15. Austrian Wine

Though it might not be as well-known as France or Italy for its wine manufacturing, Austria does have some glorious native wines to attempt. Nearly all Austrian wines come from the far japanese facet of the nation, the place there are a number of distinct wine areas like Burgenland and Decrease Austria.

Probably the most well-known wine from Austria is Gruner Veltliner, a dry white wine with daring citrus notes. Riesling is one other sort of white wine you’ll discover throughout Austria.

Gluhwein, or mulled wine, is a heat, spiced drink that’s widespread within the winter. It’s particularly related to Austria’s Christmas markets. Comprised of purple wine, it’s heated and infused with spices like cinnamon, cloves, star anise, and citrus fruits.

16. Beer

Beer is a cornerstone of Austria’s heritage and social custom. The brewing historical past in Austria dates all the best way again to the Center Ages. Right this moment, the most well-liked beer in Austria is Marzen.

Marzen is a easy, medium-bodied beer, sometimes brewed in March and saved till the autumn, making it a staple at fall festivals like Wiener Wiesn, Austria’s reply to Oktoberfest. Beer gardens are additionally widespread throughout the nation, the place you possibly can collect with mates and luxuriate in a mug of beer and a Schnitzel.

One other sort of beer to attempt in Austria is Vienna Lager, which, regardless of its title, is widespread everywhere in the nation and never simply within the capital. Vienna Lager is a wealthy, full-bodied lager with an amber hue.

17. Almdudler

Lastly, a drink you will need to attempt in Austria is Almdudler, a novel nonalcoholic beverage, recognized for being the nationwide drink of Austria. This refreshing comfortable drink debuted in 1957 and has been extraordinarily widespread amongst Austrians ever since.

It’s a carbonated soda made out of a mix of 32 alpine herbs, in addition to grape and apple juice concentrates. It tastes a little bit like ginger ale however with a fruitier and extra floral taste. You possibly can get pleasure from Almdudler by itself or as a mixer in lots of cocktails.

That is the proper drink to order on a heat and sunny summer season day in Austria if you wish to get pleasure from one thing mild and fizzy.

Savor The Greatest Austrian Meals With JayWay

We will’t blame you in case you’re now desirous to style the perfect Austrian meals throughout your subsequent journey to Europe.

If that’s the case, attain out and our skilled journey planners will craft the proper Austria itinerary for you or perhaps a multi-country journey throughout the charms of Central Europe, sprinkling it with essentially the most unforgettable meals excursions, cooking lessons, and different gastronomic experiences.

Born and raised in Athens, Maria’s obsessed with journey and storytelling, a mix that makes her superb for her position as our content material supervisor.