Austrian Food and Drink

If you thought Austrian food was limited to wiener schnitzel and apple strudel, think again. While traditional food is one of the highlights of visiting Austria, those in the know look for backstube platter – medallions of pork in garlic, with rosti (grated and cooked) potato, or kaiserschmarren – a sort of omelette with raisins and plum compote. And for those who aren’t watching their waistlines, there’s mohr im hemd, a delicious chocolate pudding in a chocolate sauce.

Traditionally renowned for its hearty fare, Austrian cuisine can be surprisingly delicate with Italian influences in the south and Hungarian to the north, and a range of mouth-wateringly good local cheeses.

And it’s not just Austrian cuisine for which visitors have developed a taste, while the best-known Austrian drink may be beer, Austrian wine is fast developing its own fine reputation. In Austria, wine lovers can now find a range of world-class white wines principally from Riesling and the indigenous Austrian Grüner Veltliner, but also from other Austrian white varieties such as Neuberger and Gelber Muskateller. There are also some excellent reds made from the more obscure indigenous grapes such as Zierfandler and Rotgipfler. From the connoisseur to those who just like to enjoy wine with a meal, choosing an Austrian wine will complement the food perfectly.

Eating out, in the sophisticated city restaurants or the more traditional Gasthaus (a homely inn), you can expect nothing less than excellent, seasonal ingredients, often organic and locally sourced, beautifully cooked and served.

Eating & Drinking

Burgenland
Carinthia
Lower Austria
Salzburg
Styria
Tirol
Upper Austria
Vienna
Vorarlberg