Vienna Food Guide: The Best Dishes and Restaurants to Try in Vienna

Last updated on May 17, 2025

When you think of foodie destinations in Europe, Austria might not be the first place that comes to mind. But trust me – Vienna has some absolute gems. Once you start exploring the local dishes, you’ll realise there’s a lot more to Austrian cuisine than schnitzel and strudel (though both definitely have their place).

Whenever I travel somewhere, I always try to sample the local food. It’s one of my favourite ways to get a proper feel for the culture. That said, our first trip to Vienna was fairly budget-friendly, and the second one mostly involved eating our way through the Vienna Christmas markets (which I have zero regrets about). 

So while we didn’t tick everything off, we did manage to try a good mix of classic Austrian dishes and sweet treats that I think are a great starting point if you’re not sure where to begin.

I’m already planning a third trip to Vienna – hopefully with a bit more time (and budget) to dedicate to food – so I’ll keep updating this post as I go. For now, here’s what to eat in Vienna and where to find it, based on a very full and very happy stomach.

Wiener Schnitzel

Let’s start with the obvious: Wiener Schnitzel. It’s the one dish you simply have to try in Vienna, and there’s no place more famous for it than Figlmüller.

We went to the one on Bäckerstraße, one of two locations that are just a few minutes apart. Yes, you can (and should) book online, but don’t panic if you forget or there are no more spots. We showed up without a reservation, waited maybe half an hour or so, and got a table without any issue. It also seemed like tables for two moved a lot faster.

From the outside, it looks like a cosy little spot – but once you get in, it’s huge. Like, borderline labyrinth. Tables seemed to rotate fairly quickly, and we even noticed a few empty ones near us that sat vacant for a while, so it feels like they manage expectations quite intentionally to keep service smooth.

Now, the important part: the food. I know this section is about schnitzel, but please – get the potato salad. It was my absolute favourite thing on the table, and I’d go back for that alone. 

We also tried their grape juice made from grapes grown in their own vineyard, which was such a lovely touch.

As for the schnitzel itself: massive doesn’t even begin to cover it. My boyfriend and I can both put away a good amount of food, and even we struggled. 

Traditionally, Wiener Schnitzel is made with veal, but Figlmüller is famous for their pork version, which is what we ordered. At nearly €21, it’s definitely on the pricey side, but it was the best schnitzel I’ve ever had. Plus, one portion is more than enough for two people, so splitting one is a smart move – both for your stomach and your wallet.

Austrian specialties at Schachtelwirt

After our Figlmüller fail on the first trip, we stumbled upon a little gem called Schachtelwirt – and honestly, I’m glad we did. 

It’s a casual spot serving Austrian classics in eco-friendly takeaway boxes, and the whole place has a bit of a quirky, tongue-in-cheek vibe. Case in point: there’s a wall labelled “Pork of Fame” where people can scribble their names. Gotta love a place that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

There aren’t many tables inside, so it’s best to go early if you want to grab a seat. The menu changes weekly and is short and sweet – just a handful of dishes, all made fresh. And when something sells out, that’s it for the day. No second chances.

I went for the roast pork with bread dumplings, cabbage, and cracklings, along with a rhubarb-flavoured Austrian craft beer – and the whole thing came to just €12. It was super filling and really tasty, though full disclosure: I got cabbage fatigue halfway through. 

Still, I’d absolutely recommend it. It felt like the perfect low-key spot to unwind after a day of sightseeing, and a great way to try some proper Austrian comfort food without spending a fortune.

Sausages

You can’t visit Vienna without grabbing something from a Würstelstand – aka a sausage stand. These little kiosks are dotted all over the city and are very much part of everyday Austrian life. 

They’ve actually got quite a history too: they were originally introduced during the time of the Imperial monarchy to provide jobs for disabled war veterans returning from war.

There are loads of variations to try, and most stands also serve drinks if you fancy a quick bite with a beer. We tried two different kinds: the Käsekrainer (a sausage filled with little chunks of cheese) and the Bosna, which comes topped with onions and a mustard-ketchup-style sauce with a hit of curry powder.

Both were delicious, but if I had to pick a favourite, I’d say go for the Bosna. At under €10 for two people, it’s a really affordable and fun alternative to sitting down in a restaurant – and a great way to try a proper local snack on the go.

Sachertorte

Another must-try in Vienna is the iconic Sachertorte – a rich chocolate cake with a thin layer of apricot jam in the middle. 

It’s so famous that it actually sparked a full-blown cake war (yes, really). Two of the city’s legendary cafés – Café Sacher and Café Demel – fought a nine-year legal battle over who had the right to call themselves the original creator. In the end, Café Sacher won, so they’re now the official home of the Original Sachertorte.

We didn’t go to either of the big names, though – we had ours at Café Oper Wien, right by the State Opera. I’ll be honest, apricot jam isn’t usually my thing, but I still enjoyed it (I mean, it’s chocolate cake – what’s not to like?). However, there was another dessert that completely took the cake for me (pun very much intended)… 😉

Kaiserschmarrn

Kaiserschmarrn was hands-down the best thing I tried in Vienna. I first spotted it on someone’s Insta story right before our trip and immediately added it to my must-eat list – and let me tell you, it did not disappoint.

This fluffy, shredded pancake literally translates to “Emperor’s Mess” and was apparently a favourite of Emperor Franz Joseph I. It’s typically served with powdered sugar and a fruit compote – usually apple or plum, though some places switch it up with other seasonal options.

I was slightly nervous about the raisins that traditionally come in the batter (nothing ruins a good dessert for me quite like a rogue raisin), but luckily the one I had at Drechsler was raisin-free and absolutely scrumptious.

If you want the classic experience, though, the place to go is Café Demel, which has been serving Kaiserschmarrn since 1786. It’s a proper Viennese institution and famously known for this imperial treat. 

You can either queue to eat inside, where you can watch the ladies make it fresh right in front of you, or head to the cart outside and take it to go. Sadly, their version did come with raisins – but I just picked them out, and it was still totally worth it. 

There’s also a shop downstairs full of the most beautiful sweets, jams, and gift boxes. I genuinely wanted to take one of everything home!

Coffee culture

If you want to really experience Viennese culture, a visit to one of the city’s traditional coffee houses is a must. It’s the complete opposite of the grab-and-go coffee culture you find elsewhere. Here, you’re encouraged to slow down, stay a while, and really enjoy the moment. No one’s going to rush you out, even if you’re just sipping one cup for an hour or two.

Viennese coffee houses have long been meeting places for artists, writers, and intellectuals. In fact, the culture is such a big deal that since 2011, it’s been recognised by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage element. 

The most popular coffee order in Vienna is a Wiener Melange – which is a bit like a cappuccino, but made with milder coffee and topped with steamed milk and just a light layer of foam.

As we were planning our trip, we made a list of cafés we wanted to visit. It included the famous Café Central, once frequented by historical figures like Stalin and Trotsky, and Café Sperl, which is said to have been a favourite of a certain Austrian-born painter… 

After our experience there, we joked that we could see why – because the customer service was absolutely dreadful. The waitress told us there were no tables big enough for our group of nine, refused to push any together, and didn’t offer us the option to wait either. Safe to say, that visit didn’t happen.

Café Central

On our second trip, though, we finally made it to Café Central. The queue outside looked a bit intimidating but actually moved quicker than expected.

Once you’re inside, you can either order something from the menu or take a look at the central cake display. Lots of the options aren’t listed, so it’s worth having a proper browse before you decide. 

The old-school service style was definitely part of the charm. I’m really glad we went for the experience – but it’s not something I’d queue for every time.

I’d still love to come back one day and do a proper tour of Vienna’s most iconic coffee houses – maybe even a little café crawl. Sounds like the perfect excuse for a third visit, doesn’t it? 😉

Some final food for thought…

Have you ever tried any Austrian dishes? If you have, I’d love to know which ones were your favourites. As always, I’m all ears when it comes to your foodie tips and recommendations. It’s never too early to start jotting down ideas for the next trip to Vienna… right? 😉