Strudel, sausages, pretzels, and more—Austria has been on the culinary map for centuries.
Food lovers come from around the world to sample the country’s many delectable dishes and authentic flavors. But how can you enjoy these traditional Austrian foods if you haven’t tried them before?
If you’re looking to expand your palate or just learn a little more about your favorite recipes, check out this list of traditional Austrian foods you’ll love (even if you don’t think you will)! We promise they’re all worth trying at least once!
1. Mozartkugel
Mozartkugel starts off our list of traditional Austrian foods. It is a chocolate confectionery that was developed by the confectioner Gustav Schokl in 1838.
It is made of sweetened chocolate and caramelized sugar, shaped into a ball. It is then dipped in fondant and then rolled in chopped nuts or cocoa.
Mozartkugels are similar to truffles; however, they have a hard shell rather than being soft like truffles. The outer coating often used for Mozartkugels is not always chocolate, but maybe milk or white chocolate instead. The most common flavorings include pistachio, hazelnut, almond, and walnut
2. Vanillekipferl
Vanillekipferls are one of the traditional Austrian foods and are essentially a cookie with a cinnamon-sugar filling.
The cookies are usually decorated with confectioner’s sugar or icing and sometimes filled with marzipan, chocolate, or jam.
Vanillekipferl can be traced back to 18th-century Vienna, where they were brought over by the Viennese bakers who had visited Venice.
These days, vanillekipferl is enjoyed all over Austria and around Christmas time in many parts of Europe.
Vanillekipferl is an example of one of the many Austrian delicacies that have been passed down through generations of families. It is loved by both locals and tourists alike.
3. Tafelspitz
Tafelspitz is a dish with boiled beef or veal, usually served with horseradish and mustard. It is one of the popular traditional Austrian foods and is also popular in German-speaking countries.
The name Tafelspitz comes from the German word for a tablecloth, which was used to cover the table during meals.
Moving on, Tafelspitz became popular in 18th-century Vienna as a meal for people who couldn’t afford expensive dishes, such as steak.
The poor were allowed to eat this type of meat only once per week. Therefore, it was also known as Armenspeise (literally: Poor People’s Food). Today, some households still use a bread tablecloth to serve tafelspitz.
4. Kaiserschmarrn
A delicious and popular Austrian dish, Kaiserschmarrn is a sweet breakfast dish with a crispy exterior and light interior.
The name comes from the German words kaiser, emperor, and schmarrn scrambled. Usually, this dish is served with apple sauce or plum sauce, but it can also be topped with whipped cream or ice cream.
Kaiserschmarrn is typically prepared by dipping bread into a batter of eggs, flour, sugar, salt, vanilla extract, and milk before frying it in butter.
It may sound complicated, but it’s one of the most delicious traditional Austrian foods. In fact, it is one of the most amazing breakfast dishes you will ever taste!
5. Jagertee
Jagertee is a traditional Austrian food made from boiling water, black tea, and iced Jagermeister. The drink was created in the late 1800s in the town of Jagerndorf. Drinking Jagertee is typically done by pouring the hot liquid into a cup with the cold liquid.
Moreso, it can be served as an after-dinner drink or before bedtime to help people sleep soundly. Jagertee is commonly mixed with other drinks, such as coffee, but it’s usually too strong for some people.
Some say mixing it with cream makes it more palatable, while others argue that adding milk reduces the flavor. There are many ways to make this popular drink that can accompany traditional Austrian foods!
6. Apfelstrudel
Apfelstrudel is a German pastry that’s usually eaten during winter. Apfelstrudels are made of thin layers of dough topped with thinly-sliced apples. Next, it is sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon and then baked in the oven.
The top of the pastry is then covered with streusel to give it a crunchy texture. Apfelstrudels are traditionally served warm or at room temperature as a dessert or an appetizer.
As one of the traditional Austrian foods, it’s often eaten alongside coffee or tea for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
7. Krapfen
Krapfen is a doughnut, usually filled with apricot, raspberry jam, or marmalade and covered with icing sugar. They are typically served around the time of Lent.
The word Krapfen comes from the German word krappen, which means to crimp. This is because they were originally made by crimping pieces of dough around a filling and then frying them.
Originally, Krapfen was cooked in lard. As lard became less common, Krapfen began to be cooked in other fats such as butter, margarine, or oil. This is one of the traditional Austrian foods you’ll definitely love with just a bit of it!
8. Cremeschnitte
Cremeschnitte is a type of pastry that originated in Austria. The pastry’s name, cremeschnitte, translates to cream slice in German.
This dessert consists of two layers of puff pastry with a sweet cream filling, such as vanilla or chocolate. Creme Schnitten is often served at breakfast time with coffee, tea, or milk and eaten with a spoon.
Cremeschnitte is a common treat in Austria and can be found at many cafes and bakeries throughout that country.
However, some believe that Cremeschnitte originated as one of Austria’s Heimatkunde (homeland studies) recipes, designed to teach Austrians about their own culture.
These traditional Austrian foods remain popular today thanks to their rich flavor and variety of fillings.
9. Crepes
Crepes, or Palatschinken as they are called in Austria, is a dish made from eggs, milk, and flour with a sweet or savory filling.
They are cooked in butter on both sides before adding the filling. The dough is then folded over the filling, and the crepe is flipped once more to seal it shut.
Crepes are usually served for breakfast and can be filled with all sorts of things like fruits, chocolate, cheese or meats, and veggies.
Crepes are popular traditional Austrian foods that are most commonly eaten for breakfast and at other times during the day.
Crepes are made from wheat flour and eggs and come in many different flavors, such as Nutella, cheese, banana, and even ham!
10. Sachertorte
Looking for traditional Austrian foods? Here’s one! The Sachertorte is a chocolate cake that is made with layers of chocolate, apricot jam, and buttercream frosting.
The cake was created in 1832 by chef Franz Sacher for Prince Metternich. Till now it is still served today at the Hotel Sacher in Vienna.
11. Wiener Schnitzel
Wiener Schnitzel is a popular dish in most countries, but it is especially popular in Austria.
This meal consists of a breaded and fried veal or pork cutlet, typically served with potatoes, cooked vegetables, and salad. It has been said that the origins of Wiener Schnitzel date back to the 16th century.
Further, it was said to have been made when someone was preparing a piece of veal for their meal but decided to fry it up instead before they ate it.
They had so much fun eating this new dish that they invited their neighbors to partake in the meal.
Now, guess which delicacy is known widely as one of the delicious traditional Austrian foods? Yes, you guessed right; Wiener Schnitzel!
12. Linzer Torte
Linzer Torte Linzers are a popular cookie or tart that’s often served as a dessert. These cakes consist of shortbread cookie dough with raspberry preserves in the middle.
They are traditionally cut into two pieces and sandwiched together with one piece flipped upside down on top to make them look like little crowns, hence the name Linzer Torte.
Meanwhile, the dough is made from flour, butter, sugar, and an egg. The filling can be anything from a basic jam to chocolate or whipped cream. The Linzertorte has a brown sugar crust and hazelnut paste filling.
It was said to have been invented by accident when a baker from Linzertöpfli accidentally mixed the dough with hazelnuts instead of almonds. Now, an accident eventually turned out to be one of the sumptuous traditional Austrian foods!
13. Rindsuppe
A typical meal in Austria starts with a soup, which can be either clear broth or thick, hearty stew. One of the most popular traditional Austrian foods, which is also a soup, is Rindsuppe.
It is a beef soup with carrots, celery, and onion. The dish is traditionally served with rye bread and horseradish sauce. Other common soups are Kartoffelsuppe (potato soup) and Grünkohlsuppe (kale soup).
14. Käsekrainer
Käsekrainer is a very popular dish in Austria. It’s made of a hot dog split, filled with cheese, and then deep-fried. The name comes from the German word Käse which means cheese.
Besides, Käsekrainers, being on this list of traditional Austrian foods, can be served as an appetizer or main dish.
They’re traditionally served with mustard, but sometimes they are eaten without any condiments or seasonings.
15. Speckknödel
Many people are familiar with German food but may not know about its Austrian counterpart. Austria is known for a variety of delicious dishes.
Here, in this blog, are some traditional Austrian foods that are considered to be some of the most iconic!
Equally important, Knödel is not left out. These are dumplings made from egg dough and can be either boiled or baked.
They can also come in different shapes, such as balls or cubes. One type of knödel is speckknödel, which has bacon mixed into the dough before boiling it.
16. Kaisersemmel
One of the most popular food items in Austria is the kaisersemmel. This dish is traditionally made from a thin layer of dough that has been soaked in butter and milk. Then it is sprinkled with sugar and roasted until golden brown.
The mixture is then cut into small pieces and served with a compote such as stewed prunes or berries. To sum up, kaisersemmel is a type of sandwich that consists of an oval-shaped pretzel.
Also, it can be bread filled with ham, cheese, hard-boiled eggs, and pickles. All in all, in whatever form it comes in, you are sure to enjoy this specialty of traditional Austrian foods!
If you’re looking for something more savory, try Leberkäse (liver cheese). This dish is made from finely chopped beef which is mixed with onions and spices. Spices like salt pepper, nutmeg, marjoram, ginger, ground beef heart, and bacon fat.
17. Speckknödelsuppe
The name of this soup translates to dumpling soup and is a German-style dish that is hearty and filling. It consists of noodles, onions, bacon, speck (a type of smoked ham), bread crumbs, ground beef, and dill.
The ingredients are simmered together in broth or water for about 15 minutes until the noodles are soft. Usually, it’s served with boiled potatoes or buttered bread.
A similar dish is called leberknödelsuppe, which substitutes liver dumplings for regular ones. Overall, this one will blow your mind about traditional Austrian foods!
18. Backhendl
Backhendl is a popular dish in Austria and is traditionally made with either a whole or half of a chicken.
The chicken is boiled until it’s tender and then roasted over an open fire. The skin of the roasted chicken becomes crispy, while the meat inside remains moist.
Going further, Backhendl can be served as an appetizer or as the main course, but it’s typically served with potatoes and bread dumplings.
The use of juniper berries, salt, and pepper is typical for seasoning this dish. On this list of traditional Austrian foods, ‘Backhendl’ is one that never disappoints!
19. Germknödel
Traditional Austrian foods are hearty, filling, and perfect for cold winter nights. We’re talking about the kind of food that will stick to your ribs and keep you warm when the temperature outside drops. One of the most popular dishes like that in Austria is Germknödel.
This is a dumpling-like dish made from flour, eggs, milk or water, salt, and butter that’s boiled until it floats to the top.
The dough is then mashed by hand into a ball and dropped into boiling water. This is where it boils for an additional ten minutes before being served with melted butter or as an accompaniment to other dishes.
20. Salzburger Nockerl
Talking about the various traditional Austrian foods, Salzburger Nockerl is a soft egg cake that was invented in the city of Salzburg.
It’s often served with whipped cream, jam, or apple sauce. In Austria, they’re called Salzburger Nockerl.
The word nocken means dumpling, and the word Nockerl means small ball. They’re also known as German pancakes.
21. Topfenstrudel
Austria is not a country of fast food; it is a country of quality and taste. One can see this from the rich culinary history Austria has to offer.
However, many dishes can be considered traditional Austrian foods. Nonetheless, some dishes we feel really stand out and deserve mention: Topfenstrudel, Käsespätzle, Sachertorte, Nockerl, Kaiserschmarrn, Leberkäse and Wiener Schnitzel.
Now, let’s discuss one of them; Topfenstrudel. This is one of the most famous desserts in all of Austria. This delicious cake consists of layers of dough with cream cheese filling in between them.
After baking, it is sprinkled with powdered sugar and a cinnamon-sugar mixture before being served.
22. Spinatknödel
The traditional food of Austria is called Spinatknödel, a dumpling made from spinach, flour, eggs, and seasoning.
It’s typically served with a side of browned butter or fried onions. You can also find it on the menu at many restaurants as an appetizer with soup or salad.
The history of Spinatknödel has been lost over time, but it’s believed to have originated in Vienna by 1784.
It was originally only eaten during Lent as a way to avoid meat consumption but became so popular that people ate them year-round. As of now, it is one of the most popular traditional Austrian foods.
23. Grüner Veltliner
Grüner Veltliner is a white wine that originated in Austria and is still their most popular. This wine has a refreshing, slightly sweet flavor.
Grüner Veltliner pairs well with seafood and poultry dishes. In all, it pairs better with the delectable traditional Austrian foods!
24. Tiroler Gröstl
Tiroler Gröstl is one of the traditional Austrian foods. It combines sauerkraut, potatoes, and ground meat in a casserole.
It is often served with bread, butter, and apple sauce on the side. Moreso, the dish is traditionally topped with grated cheese before serving.
Tiroler Gröstl can be traced back to the 16th century when it was originally made with venison or wild boar instead of beef.
25. Beuschel
Beuschel is a traditional Austrian dish made from pork, beef, and cabbage. This one of the traditional Austrian foods is really easy to make and tastes great. Beuschel is traditionally served with boiled potatoes and horseradish sauce.
The ingredients for the dish are simple, but it tastes amazing! The main ingredients are cabbage, onion, bacon, salt pork or bacon, and caraway seeds.
Additionally, it’s best to make Beuschel a day before you want to serve it so the flavors can meld together.
26. Faschierte Laibchen
If you’re looking for a taste of traditional Austrian foods that are both authentic and delicious, try Faschierte Laibchen. There are many variations of this dish.
However, the common theme is that it’s made from ground beef or veal spiced with salt, black pepper, onion, and garlic.
Faschierte Laibchen can be cooked in a pan on the stovetop or shaped into an oval shape and boiled. It is usually served with a side of mashed potatoes or rice. This dish is traditionally eaten on March 16th as part of Saint Joseph’s Day celebrations.
27. Kürbis Suppe
This isn’t left out of the various traditional Austrian foods. This hearty soup is made with pumpkin, sauerkraut, and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. It’s traditionally served at the end of winter to signify the start of spring.
28. Wiener Saftgulasch
Wiener Saftgulasch is part of the popular traditional Austrian foods list. It’s made with beef, onions, and bacon and then topped with rich brown gravy.
Wiener Saftgulasch is typically served with dumplings or potatoes. You’ll find this dish on nearly every menu in the country.
To prepare it, cook ground beef until it’s crumbly and browned. Add diced onion and chopped bacon to the pan and cook for about five minutes more.
Next, add water to deglaze the pan before adding tomato sauce or ketchup, fresh parsley (chopped), salt, pepper, a bay leaf (optional), and paprika if desired.
Before covering the pan with a lid, bring it to a simmer to allow everything to cook together for 30 minutes over low heat.
29. Kasspatzln
Kasspatzln is a type of pastry that is shaped in the form of a short and stubby pretzel. They are not to be confused with krapfen, which is also circular but much thinner and more delicate in taste.
What’s more about this particular delicacy of traditional Austrian foods? The dough is made from bread crumbs, eggs, salt, and water and then allowed to rise for about an hour before being fried. Kasspatzln is traditionally served with sweet toppings such as hazelnut spread or apricot jam.
30. Einspänner
Of the traditional Austrian foods, Einspänner is a delicious Viennese coffee house specialty. Consisting of a double shot of espresso and steamed milk, this drink can be enjoyed at any time of the day.
Served in a small cup and topped with whipped cream, Einspänner is an excellent choice for those who enjoy stronger flavors like espresso. The black sesame seed topping on the foam should not be missed!
31. Heumilch
Heumilch is a traditionally Austrian drink made of fermented wheat. It is popular in the summer months because it is served ice cold and refreshes on warm days.
Heumilch goes great with pretzels, desserts, salads, and other light dishes. Further, it’s an acquired taste due to its slightly sour flavor, but it pairs well with many different dishes due to its versatility.
The drink was originally developed in the early 17th century by farmers. They were looking for ways to use their grain that wasn’t being consumed during winter months when food was scarce.
The solution they came up with was to put it into a big vat, let it ferment, and then serve it cold for people to enjoy during the warmer months of the year. Eventually, it became an amazing drink that goes well with these traditional Austrian foods.
32. Reindling
Reindling is a pastry made with two sheets of puff pastry dough, filled with ground nuts and raisins, and then baked.
Reindling is often served as a dessert in Austria. We’ve still got more traditional Austrian foods coming up on this list, don’t stop reading now!
33. Canederli
Canederli is a traditional dish in Austria; not only that, but it is also one of the delicious traditional Austrian foods!
It’s usually served with Sauerkraut and stewed beef, but it can also be served with other meats like ham or cheese. The dough is made of an egg base, flour, and salt that are mixed with milk to form a soft dough.
Once the dough has been formed into small balls, they’re boiled for about 20 minutes. Then, they are placed in hot water for another 5-10 minutes until they are cooked through.
When the canederli is done cooking, it’s drained and served with butter or oil on top to give it a nice shine and flavor.
34. Topfentorte
One of the most iconic traditional Austrian foods is Topfentorte, a delicious cake made with almonds and chocolate.
The name is derived from German words meaning topped cake. Traditionally, it’s topped with a thick layer of apricot jam, but other flavors are also used.
35. Tiroler Bergkäse
One of the most popular traditional Austrian foods is Bergkäse, which is a type of cheese made in the mountains.
It’s usually made with cow’s milk and has a mild taste, but it can be salty or sweet, depending on its type.
Tiroler Bergkäse is one of the more popular types of this cheese because it has a slightly different flavor that makes it stand out from other types.
Equally important to note, Tiroler Bergkäse is made in many different shapes and sizes so that it can be given as a gift to someone or used in cooking.
When cooking with Tiroler Bergkäse, the cheese should be melted before adding anything else. This is so that its flavor spreads throughout whatever you’re cooking.
36. Kaspressknödel
Kaspressknödel is a type of dumpling that is made from flour, egg, milk, butter, and salt. This particular delicacy of traditional Austrian foods is boiled in water until it rises to the surface. Viennese cooks created the Kaspressknödel in the 18th century.
Meanwhile, the word Kaspressknödel means pressed noodles, and this dish resembles pasta dough without eggs or fat.
The Kaspressknödel can be served with different sauces like tomato sauce, pumpkin seed oil, or butter sauce.
They are also commonly eaten with cheese as a side dish to meat dishes such as schnitzel and goulash.
37. Wachauer Marillenknödel
The Wachauer Marillenknödel is a traditional dish from the district of Wachau in Austria. Ground almonds, raisins, apricots, eggs, and bread crumbs are the main ingredients.
The mixture is shaped into balls, then boiled in water with butter and sugar until they float to the surface. If you really want your taste buds to tingle with these traditional Austrian foods, you can’t ever go wrong with this particular one!
38. Vienna Lager
Vienna Lager is also known as a traditional Austrian beer. It is one of the most popular beers in the country, and it pairs wonderfully with many traditional Austrian foods. It has a pale, golden color and is light and refreshing. It’s got a 5% alcohol content.
39. Tiroler Speck
Tiroler Speck is a type of smoked ham that has been made in the Tyrol region of Austria since the 18th century. Usually, it is served as an appetizer and eaten with bread, mustard, or horseradish.
Going further, the meat comes from hogs fed on potatoes and corn meal, giving it a unique taste. Tiroler Speck, a traditional Austrian food, is sometimes made into sausages.
40. Zwiebelrostbraten
Zwiebelrostbraten is a dish consisting of braised beef or pork with onions served with gravy. The German name means onion roast.
The dish can be prepared by searing the meat, then placing it in a covered pot to simmer until tender.
Moreover, the onions are added at the end and can be cooked down to create a more concentrated flavor if desired.
The meat is often served on top of boiled potatoes or noodles. Zwiebelrostbraten is traditionally served with red cabbage and apple sauce, but other vegetables are also sometimes used. Do you desire traditional Austrian foods that are tasty and nourishing? Here’s one!
41. Schlutzkrapfen
Schlutzkrapfen is a typical Austrian dish made with wheat flour, eggs, sugar, and butter. It is similar to Italian struffoli. The dough is rolled out into a long strip and cut into pieces about one inch in diameter.
After the pieces of dough are left to dry for a few hours, they are deep-fried and dusted with powdered sugar.
This dish, one of the traditional Austrian foods, can be served as a dessert or as an accompaniment to coffee or tea.
42. Millirahmstrudel
The most well-known food from Austria is probably the Millirahmstrudel. This is a layered pastry filled with a sweetened custard called Milli and topped with a fine layer of icing sugar.
Some traditional Austrian foods are often made to replace any leftovers from the day before. As a result, there’s usually some type of fruit or berries on top.
43. Kasnocken
Kasnocken is a type of dumpling that is typically served with sauerkraut and potatoes. They are made from flour, salt, eggs, and fat.
The dough is rolled into a long rope and then cut into small pieces. These pieces are flattened before being boiled until they float to the top.
Kasnocken is sometimes eaten with other types of food, such as meat or cheese as well. No second thoughts; these are one of the best traditional Austrian foods!
44. Kasnudeln
Traditional Austrian foods are a unique mix of many cultures. They have a lot of different dishes, but they all have one thing in common: they are hearty and filling.
You might want to try some different dishes if you’re ever in Austria. Kasnudeln is one of the most popular dishes in Austria and a favorite dish for many Austrians.
Furthermore, the name kasnudeln comes from the German word kase, which means cheese, and the word noodle dough, Knodel. The noodles were originally made with water or milk, eggs, flour, breadcrumbs, and cheese.
Nowadays, kasnudeln are usually made with eggs, butter, or oil instead of milk, water, flour, and breadcrumbs. Above all, this ends our list of traditional Austrian foods.
Conclusion
Austria is a special country, not only because it’s so beautiful but also because they have some of the best food in the world.
There are many different types of food to try all around Austria. Next time you plan a trip to Austria, make sure you leave space for one or two of these traditional Austrian foods.
They will make your trip even more memorable and enjoyable. Now, how many of these traditional Austrian foods have you tried? Be warned, though, as any Austriaphile can tell you, these dishes may just call your name again in the middle of the night!
