Culinary specialties

Before you set off on your trip to Austria, you should familiarize yourself with the country's culinary specialties. In particular, the variety of main courses and desserts will make foodies' hearts beat faster.

Main courses (with meat)

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

Tafelspitz

The beef Tafelspitz is a hearty dish in which the tip of a tail cut of veal or beef, or a fine-fibered cut from the hip, is slowly cooked in broth until tender. The meat is served with side dishes such as roast potatoes and horseradish sauce.

Wiener Würstchen

As the name suggests, Wiener Würstchen are among Austria's classic specialties. Children in particular love this sausage, which is made from beef and pork. It is often served as a snack or with potato salad.

Tiroler Gröstl

Tiroler 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 on recommended ski areas in our guide: Ski areas.

Main courses (vegetarian)

Lovers of vegetarian cuisine will also get their money's worth in Austria. Numerous traditional dishes are meat-free yet extremely tasty.

Käsespätzle

Käsespätzle is a classic of Austrian cuisine. The egg noodles are refined with cheese (usually Gouda or Emmental) and served with fried onions. Bacon can optionally be added. This dish is especially popular on cold days.

Knödel

Knödel (dumplings) are an integral part of Austrian cuisine. They come in numerous varieties, 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 diverse ways they can be prepared.

Käsepressknödel

Käsepressknödel is a specialty from western Austria. It consists of dumpling bread and cheese and is served either with sauerkraut or in broth. Pressing and frying give it a crispy texture. In Salzburg it is preferably made with beer cheese, while in Tyrol it is made with mountain cheese.

Desserts

In addition to the hearty dishes, Austria offers a wide variety of delicious desserts. Whether it's apple strudel with vanilla sauce, Kaiserschmarrn, Sachertorte, or Mozartkugeln, Austrian dessert culture is a true highlight for those 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 especially in ski lodges, warming both body and soul.

Salzburger Nockerl

The Salzburger Nockerl comes (as the name suggests) from Salzburg. It consists of an airy soufflé made from sugar, flour, and egg, served warm. Its shape is said to resemble the snow-capped local mountains of Salzburg.

The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey!

We wish you a wonderful trip to Austria and lots of enjoyment discovering the country's culinary delights. Please make sure to inform yourself about the applicable toll regulations in Austria before your trip. You can find more information on this in our guide: Toll. Also make use of 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.