Vienna has always been one of my favorite European cities—charming, graceful, and bursting with culture. The city is a mesmerizing blend of old-world elegance and contemporary vibrancy, with its grand palaces, timeless music, and bustling coffee houses. But, if I’m honest, what really keeps drawing me back isn’t just the baroque architecture or the classical music—it’s the food. Traditional Austrian cuisine in Vienna is a deeply rooted part of the culture, offering rich, hearty dishes that are not only filling but also tell a story of centuries-old traditions, imperial indulgences, and local love for fresh, high-quality ingredients.
A lot of the food in Vienna carries with it the weight of history—whether it’s the royal dishes that once graced imperial tables or the everyday comfort food that locals have enjoyed for generations. On my most recent trip, I dedicated several days to exploring the city’s culinary offerings, visiting local favorites, historic restaurants, and a few hidden gems tucked away in the city’s charming streets. From sizzling Wiener Schnitzel to sweet, flaky Apfelstrudel, I set out to try it all. This is my personal guide to the best traditional dishes you absolutely cannot miss in Vienna, paired with recommendations for the best places to savor them.
1. Wiener Schnitzel – The National Treasure
Let’s start with the king of Austrian cuisine: Wiener Schnitzel. Thinly pounded veal, breaded and fried to golden perfection, usually served with potato salad or parsley potatoes and a wedge of lemon.
📍 Restaurant Figlmüller Wollzeile
Address: Wollzeile 5, 1010 Wien
Average Price: €25–35 per person
Signature Dish: Wiener Schnitzel vom Kalb (veal schnitzel)
Reservation: Call +43 1 5121760 or book via reservation platforms like TheFork
I’ve had schnitzel many times before, but Figlmüller’s veal schnitzel is an experience. It’s larger than the plate, thin as parchment, and crispy without being greasy. The accompanying Austrian potato salad had just the right amount of sweetness and tang. It’s a tourist favorite, yes—but with good reason.
2. Tafelspitz – Boiled Beef, Done Right
One of the most unique and underrated dishes in Austrian cuisine is Tafelspitz—boiled beef simmered with root vegetables, served with horseradish, apple sauce, and crispy rösti.
📍 Plachutta Wollzeile
Address: Wollzeile 38, 1010 Wien
Average Price: €40–50 per person
Signature Dish: Tafelspitz with all traditional sides
Reservation: Call +43 1 5121577 or use OpenTable
Plachutta is the place for Tafelspitz in Vienna. The beef is served in its flavorful broth in a copper pot at the table, and the staff will explain how to eat it properly: first the broth with vegetables and noodles, then the meat with sauces and crispy potatoes. It’s ceremonial, comforting, and absolutely worth every euro.
3. Apfelstrudel – Apple Strudel Like No Other
For dessert, nothing is more Viennese than a freshly baked Apfelstrudel. You’ll find it everywhere, but only a few places make it with that melt-in-your-mouth pastry and perfectly spiced filling.
📍 Café Landtmann
Address: Universitätsring 4, 1010 Wien
Average Price: €15–20 per person for dessert and coffee
Signature Dish: Apfelstrudel with vanilla sauce
Reservation: Call +43 1 24100100 or reserve through local platforms like Quandoo
I sat on the shaded terrace with a cappuccino and a generous slice of warm apple strudel, served with a pool of vanilla sauce. The apples were tender, the pastry layers incredibly thin, and the cinnamon aroma filled the air. It felt like stepping back into the golden age of Viennese cafés.
4. Kaiserschmarrn – The Emperor’s Pancake
Kaiserschmarrn is a fluffy shredded pancake caramelized with butter and sugar, often served with plum compote. Originally created for Emperor Franz Joseph, it remains one of Austria’s most beloved desserts.
📍 Gasthaus Pöschl
Address: Weihburggasse 17, 1010 Wien
Average Price: €20–30 per person (dinner with dessert)
Signature Dish: Kaiserschmarrn with Zwetschkenröster (plum sauce)
Reservation: Call +43 1 5135288
This cozy and traditional gasthaus feels wonderfully local. Their Kaiserschmarrn is caramelized to a golden brown, slightly crispy on the edges, and served steaming hot with tangy plum compote. It’s big enough to share—but I didn’t.
5. Gulasch – A Hearty Hungarian-Austrian Staple
Though goulash is originally Hungarian, the Austrian version is thicker, milder, and incredibly satisfying.
📍 Gasthaus Reinthaler
Address: Gluckgasse 5, 1010 Wien
Average Price: €15–25 per person
Signature Dish: Rindsgulasch mit Semmelknödel (beef goulash with bread dumpling)
Reservation: Walk-ins often welcome, or call +43 1 5125390
This no-frills spot serves some of the best goulash I’ve ever had. The beef is fork-tender, the gravy rich and paprika-heavy, and the dumpling soaks it all up beautifully. It’s warm, comforting, and perfect after a long day of sightseeing.
6. Saftgulasch & Frankfurter – Traditional Viennese Street-Style
If you’re looking for a casual, quick but authentic meal, head to a Würstelstand (sausage stand). They’re everywhere in Vienna, but some stand out.
📍 Würstelstand am Hohen Markt
Address: Hohen Markt 1, 1010 Wien
Average Price: €8–12 per person
Signature Dish: Frankfurter with mustard and rye bread, Saftgulasch
Reservation: No reservations—walk up and order
I stopped here late one night after the opera and had a juicy frankfurter with sweet mustard and a side of bread. The Saftgulasch (a stew-like meat dish served in a small container) was a surprise hit. Local, fast, and delicious.
7. Backhendl – Austrian Fried Chicken
You may not associate fried chicken with Vienna, but Backhendl is a staple dish in many traditional restaurants.
📍 Glacis Beisl
Address: Breite Gasse 4, 1070 Wien (in the MuseumsQuartier courtyard)
Average Price: €25–35 per person
Signature Dish: Backhendl with potato salad
Reservation: Call +43 1 5265660 or book via local apps
I enjoyed this dish in a peaceful garden setting surrounded by ivy-covered walls. The chicken was crispy, the meat juicy, and the house-made potato salad perfectly creamy. It’s casual yet refined, just like Vienna itself.
8. Brettljause – Alpine-Style Cold Cuts Platter
For a rustic experience, Brettljause—a wooden board loaded with cured meats, cheese, pickles, and fresh bread—is the Austrian countryside on a plate.
📍 Heuriger Schübel-Auer
Address: Kahlenberger Str. 22, 1190 Wien
Average Price: €20–30 per person (includes wine)
Signature Dish: Brettljause with house wine
Reservation: Call +43 1 3708077
Located in the wine-growing district of Grinzing, this traditional wine tavern is an ideal escape from the city center. Sitting under grapevines, sipping Grüner Veltliner, and enjoying cured meats with crusty bread—this was one of my favorite meals in Vienna.
A Taste of Tradition: The Culinary Soul of Vienna
Vienna’s food scene is so much more than just its famed coffee and decadent cakes—though I’d be lying if I said I didn’t indulge in both daily. But what makes Vienna truly stand out is how deeply embedded traditional Austrian cuisine is in the cultural identity of the city. Each dish is a window into the past, a tribute to imperial glory, and a testament to homegrown comfort. From royal banquets to humble tavern meals, the food in Vienna tells a story—one that is rich, flavorful, and meant to be savored slowly.
Take Wiener Schnitzel, for example. It’s more than just breaded veal—it’s a national treasure, served crisp and golden with a side of potato salad kissed with vinegar and herbs. It reminds me of the grandeur of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, where meals weren’t simply eaten, but performed. And then there’s Tafelspitz, a deceptively simple dish of boiled beef, served in its own broth with horseradish and apple sauce—a favorite of Emperor Franz Joseph. Eating it felt less like dinner and more like participating in a ritual passed down for generations.
And of course, desserts in Vienna are not an afterthought—they are a celebration in themselves. Whether it’s a flaky, cinnamon-scented Apfelstrudel served warm with vanilla sauce or the pillowy pieces of Kaiserschmarrn, dusted with powdered sugar and paired with tangy plum compote, dessert in Vienna is never rushed. I often found myself lingering in cafés for hours, surrounded by marble tabletops, plush seating, and the quiet hum of classical music, letting the flavors melt slowly while people-watching through tall windows.
One of the things I love most about eating in Vienna is the respect for tradition and time. Meals here aren’t about grabbing a quick bite—they’re about slowing down, sitting with friends (or alone), and appreciating each course, each sip of wine, and each handcrafted plate. There’s something deeply comforting about that rhythm—especially in a world where everything else seems to move too fast.
So, if you’re heading to Vienna soon, I highly recommend planning your days not just around museums or palaces—but around meals. Book that table at a historic gasthaus, make time for a long afternoon in a classic café, wander into a neighborhood heuriger for cold cuts and local wine, and don’t forget to try something unfamiliar. Some of my most memorable bites came from places I found by accident, tucked away in quiet alleys or recommended by a friendly local.
In Vienna, food isn’t just nourishment—it’s heritage. Whether you’re eating like a true local or channeling your inner emperor, every meal becomes part of your personal Vienna story. Take your time. Savor each bite. Let the flavors tell their tale. Because in this city, eating is never just eating—it’s a celebration.
Bon appétit—or as the Austrians say, Mahlzeit!
