Culinary Specialties

Before you set off on your trip to Austria, you should familiarize yourself with the country’s culinary specialties. The wide variety of main courses and desserts in particular will make food lovers’ hearts beat faster.

Main courses (with meat)

In addition to Austria’s national dish, Wiener Schnitzel, there are numerous other traditional dishes you should definitely try.

Tafelspitz

Beef Tafelspitz is a hearty dish in which the tip of a veal or beef cut from the tail piece, or a fine-fibred piece from the hip, is slowly simmered in broth until tender. The meat is served with sides such as fried potatoes and horseradish sauce.

Viennese sausages

As the name suggests, Viennese sausages are among Austria’s classic specialties. Children especially love these sausages, which are made from beef and pork. They are often served as a snack or with potato salad.

Tyrolean Gröstl

Tyrolean Gröstl is a traditional dish made from fried potatoes and meat, usually beef, pork or turkey. It is known for its hearty flavor and is often served with a fresh salad. This dish is especially popular after a day of skiing in the Alps. You can find more information about recommended ski resorts in our guide: Skigebiete.

Main courses (vegetarian)

Fans of vegetarian cuisine will also get their money’s worth in Austria. Many traditional dishes are meat-free and still extremely tasty.

Cheese spaetzle

Cheese spaetzle are a classic of Austrian cuisine. The egg-based noodles are refined with cheese (usually Gouda or Emmentaler) and served with crispy fried onions. Bacon can also be added optionally. This dish is especially popular on cold days.

Dumplings

Dumplings are an integral part of Austrian cuisine. They come in many variations, from savory to sweet, such as Germknödel. They are often served as a side dish with roasts or in soups. Vegetarians in particular appreciate the wide range of preparation styles.

Cheese press dumplings

Cheese press dumplings are a specialty from western Austria. They are made from bread dumpling mix and cheese and are served either with sauerkraut or in broth. Pressing and frying them gives them a crispy texture. In Salzburg they are typically made with beer cheese, while in Tyrol they are made with mountain cheese.

Desserts

In addition to savory dishes, Austria offers a variety of delicious desserts. Whether apple strudel with vanilla sauce, Kaiserschmarrn, Sachertorte or Mozartkugeln, Austrian dessert culture is a true highlight for anyone with a sweet tooth.

Germknödel

Germknödel are sweet yeast dumplings filled with plum jam and topped with poppy seeds and butter. They are a popular dessert in mountain huts, especially during ski season, warming both body and soul.

Salzburger Nockerl

Salzburger Nockerl originate (as the name suggests) from Salzburg. They consist of a light soufflé made from sugar, flour and eggs, served warm. Their shape is said to resemble Salzburg’s snow-covered local mountains.

The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey!

We wish you a wonderful trip to Austria and lots of fun discovering the country’s culinary delights. Please make sure to check the applicable toll regulations in Austria before you travel. You can find more information in our guide: Toll. You can also use our route planner to plan your trip optimally and find suitable toll products. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us via email.