SHARE
COPY LINK
For members

FOOD AND DRINK

Four underwhelming Austrian dishes – and what to eat instead

Austria has an amazing food and drinks scene but some dishes miss the mark. Here are four local foods that may disappoint foreigners... and don't forget to share your opinions in our survey.

Four underwhelming Austrian dishes - and what to eat instead
A Vienna Schnitzel (Photo by Mark König on Unsplash)

If you think about Austria, it is very unlikely that the country’s cuisine will be the first thing to come to mind. Conversely, travellers might think of destinations such as France or Italy when prompted about their favourite gastronomical destinations.

To be fair, Austria has plenty of delicious local dishes. For example, the different types of sausages you can find at a Würstelstand or a super tasty dessert like the Kaiserschmarrn are typically a success among locals and foreigners alike. Some other dishes, however, can be quite a disappointment.

READ ALSO: Seven common myths about Austrian food you need to stop believing

Here’s the (controversial, we know) list of four completely underwhelming Austrian dishes: 

Schnitzel

The list starts strong with what is arguably the most famous Austrian dish of all. The Schnitzel, or Wienerschnitzel, is a dish made of a thin, breaded, pan-fried veal cutlet traditionally served with potato salad.

It does have a very remarkable history involving emperors and controversy about its true origins. Still, truth be told, it can be a bit bland – especially if you are a big fan of cuisines such as the Italian one. It feels as if Austria was so close to something great (i.ge. A beef parmigiana) but just stopped short (and dry) of it.

The schnitzel is also the biggest tourist trap in Austria. Locals really do eat it often, so you can find it pretty much anywhere at reasonable prices, but some restaurants, especially in the city centre, will charge a fortune for it. 

The Tafelspitz is a much better option if you like meat and want to eat a traditional and tasty Austrian dish.

READ ALSO: How did the Wiener Schnitzel become an Austrian icon?

Sachertorte

If you are a fan of desserts, there is a very traditional and just as underwhelming Austrian one as well: the Sachertorte.

The traditional Austrian Sachertorte (Photo by Leqi (Luke) Wang on Unsplash)

You might get your residence permit cancelled if you say this out loud to an Austrian, but the Sachertorte really isn’t tasty at all. It’s fancy, yes, it looks very Instagrammable, and it’s usually served at gorgeous Viennese cafes. But tasty?  It’s a dense dark chocolate cake with apricot jam in the middle and dark chocolate icing.

If you want something traditional and tastier, the Austrian version of the Apfelstrudel, or its cousin, the Topfenstrudel, is worth it.

READ ALSO: Austrian Christmas dinner: The traditional foods and drinks for the festive season

Knödel

Though this is not an Austrian dish (the Knödel is very common in all of central Europe), you will see plenty of these dumplings around. They are usually made from flour, bread or potatoes and can be eaten as a main dish, but are often seen as a side dish to a meat plate or soup.

This is a controversial choice because there are so many types of Knödel, from liver to bread-and-cheese, that you are bound to find at least one pleasing taste. But it is also a risky dish to try if you are not a fluent German speaker. 

The texture – sometimes described as similar to eating an old piece of bread dipped in soup – also takes some getting used to.

If you want to try the Knödel, the sweet versions of eat (filled with plum or nougat) are very tasty and fresh.

READ ALSO: Five dishes to enjoy this apricot season in Austria

Mozartkugeln

Also known as “the balls of Mozart” (ok, not really), the Mozartkugeln is a typical candy sold everywhere in Austria, but definitely more in Salzburg, where the composer was born.

From the outside, it looks like a delicious and promising chocolate truffle, but unless you have an exquisite palate and fancy tastebuds, you will not like what’s coming for you. The small and round sweet is made of pistachio, marzipan and nougat and covered with dark chocolate.

Definitely a mix that is not for everyone. Even so, the tiny Mozart balls are sold in charming boxes and make a nice gift for your chic family and friends back home.

Another typical Austrian dessert that can be boxed and shipped to your loved ones and is almost sure to appeal to every type of palate, however, is the Manner.

We want to hear from you: What is your favourite Austrian dish and what is your least favourite one? Let us know using the form below:

 

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.
For members

VIENNA

Where in Vienna can you go for a cheap meal?

Even on a tight budget, you can enjoy a nice meal at many of Vienna's restaurants. From local delights to international treats, here are some budget-friendly places worth checking out.

Where in Vienna can you go for a cheap meal?

Vienna offers a wide range of different restaurants, even if you are on a budget.

In most parts of the city, you can find affordable eats, including everything from local cuisine and Turkish treats to vegetarian dishes and Pakistani curries.

Here, we list some places where you can go to enjoy food at affordable prices.

Der Wiener Deewan 

Der Wiener Deewan is a popular Pakistani restaurant known for its pay-what-you-want concept.

The restaurant offers a buffet with a variety of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. Typical items on the menu include naan, chicken curry, vegetable curry, dal, biryani, and various salads.

Here, you can eat as much as you want and pay whatever you feel like.

The restaurant is located in Alsegrund and you can read more about it here

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Christian Heger (@yogi_ch.h)

Brunnenmarkt

Brunnenmarkt in Ottakring is one of Vienna’s largest and most lively multicultural markets. It is the perfect place to visit if you want to enjoy a tasty and affordable meal.

Here, you can usually find eats such as falafel, döner, salads, sausages, burek, pastries, and flatbread with various fillings. The price of falafel typically ranges from €3 to €5.

If you visit the market just before closing and vendors still have food left, you might also get a discount.

In addition to the cheap food from the stalls, you can also take the opportunity to buy vegetables, fruits, spices, and even clothes, all at affordable prices.

Read more about Brunnenmarkt here

Universities

Vienna’s universities offer affordable meals through their “Mensa” cafeterias, run by the Österreichische Mensenbetriebsgesellschaft.

The idea behind these Mensas is to offer students nutritious meals at an affordable price. Luckily, anyone can enjoy a meal there.

For a meal with a side salad or soup, you pay an average of €7. If you want to spend less, you can get a salad or soup for around €4.

The restaurants are spread across different university campuses in the city. If you want to visit one of the larger ones, you can go to Vienna’s Technical University or to the Vienna University of Economics and Business.

Read more about the Mensas here.

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Mensa – Mitten im Leben (@mensen.at)

READ MORE: Is it OK to ask for a doggy bag in an Austrian restaurant?

Micheles Mensa

Michele’s Mensa is a great choice for students and anyone looking for a healthy and affordable meal in Vienna.

The restaurant offers two daily dishes: a vegetarian option and a meat option. You can also pay a little bit extra for a bowl of salad from the buffet or a bowl of the daily soup.

Most ingredients are organic, and the average price of a dish with a salad is €7.

The restaurant is also a great place to visit because it is located inside the historic and beautiful Academy of Fine Arts building.

Check out the menu here

Hannovermarkt 

Hannovermarkt is another multicultural market in Brigittenau. It is known for its many stalls selling everything from food to clothing.

Here, you can buy fresh vegetables and fruits and enjoy fast meal options such as falafel, burek, grilled sausages, and gyros.

If you are in the mood for gyros, the price is around €5 for one wrap.

Read more about the market here

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Hanna Herresthal (@hherresthal)

Wurstelstand 

Vienna’s Würstelstände (Sausage stalls) sell a variety of delicious snacks at affordable prices.

At the many stalls located all over the city,  you can enjoy traditional Viennese sausages, cheese-filled Käsekrainer, or Bosna, a bratwurst with curry and mustard. 

The average price for a sausage in bread with toppings is €4.

READ ALSO: Seven ‘weird’ foods in Austria you need to try at least once

Centimeter 

Centimeter is a popular restaurant chain in Vienna known for its generous portions and affordable prices.

Here, you can enjoy a variety of traditional Austrian dishes, including schnitzel, goulash, and strudel. 

The daily dish costs around €9. A schnitzel costs about €15, but the generous portion size may allow you to save some for your next meal.

Check out the menu here

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Centimeter (@centimeter_vienna)

Other ways of enjoying affordable meals

In Austria, most restaurants offer a special lunch menu at a discounted price, often including a main dish and a starter. This offer typically runs from 12 pm to 3 pm in most restaurants.

If you want to eat at a restaurant to a discounted price no matter the hour, you can use the application “The Fork”. Many Viennese restaurants are affiliated with the application, and by reserving a table through the app, you can often receive a discount of about 20 percent off the food bill. 

The Fork is easy to use. With the search filter, you can select cuisines, locations, and times of your visits.

Learn more about The Fork here

READ NEXT: The apps and discounts to help you save money when eating out in Vienna

SHOW COMMENTS