The short version: Vienna eats like an imperial capital. Have a golden Wiener Schnitzel and a plate of Tafelspitz (boiled beef), graze the Naschmarkt, grab a Käsekrainer from a Würstelstand, and give an afternoon to a coffee house for a Melange with Sachertorte or apple strudel.
At a glance
| Dish | What it is |
|---|---|
| Wiener Schnitzel | Thin breaded veal cutlet, fried golden |
| Tafelspitz | Boiled beef in broth — the Emperor’s favourite |
| Käsekrainer | Cheese-filled sausage from a Würstelstand |
| Sachertorte | Chocolate cake with apricot jam |
| Apfelstrudel | Flaky apple strudel |
The imperial classics
Vienna’s food carries the weight of empire. The Wiener Schnitzel — a thin veal cutlet, breaded and fried to a golden, plate-covering crisp — is the icon (accept no pork if it says Wiener Schnitzel). Tafelspitz, boiled beef served in its broth with apple-horseradish and chive sauce, was Emperor Franz Joseph’s daily lunch. Start at the Naschmarkt, the city’s great market, and eat the classics on a Vienna food tour. For a quick bite, the Würstelstand serves the cheese-oozing Käsekrainer.
Coffee and cake
Vienna’s sweet side is a UNESCO-listed way of life. In a grand coffee house, order a Wiener Melange and a slice of Sachertorte (chocolate and apricot) or warm Apfelstrudel — see our coffee-house tours and the coffee-house guide. Learn to cook it all in a Vienna cooking class, or head to the hills for a Heuriger wine tavern.
Frequently asked questions
What food is Vienna known for?
Wiener Schnitzel, Tafelspitz (boiled beef), sausages like the Käsekrainer, and its coffee-house sweets — Sachertorte, apple strudel and Kaiserschmarrn.
Is Wiener Schnitzel veal or pork?
A true Wiener Schnitzel is veal. The pork version is legally called Schnitzel “Wiener Art” (Viennese style) — cheaper and common, but not the original.
What should I eat in a Vienna coffee house?
A Melange or Einspänner coffee with a slice of Sachertorte or apple strudel, lingering as long as you like — that’s the tradition.
Taste Vienna
Book a Vienna food tour, a coffee-house tour or a cooking class, and plan from the Austria hub.
