A guide to food and drink in Austria

Exploring Austria's delicacies

Your typical Austrian holiday starter is likely to be a soup, broth or stew of some kind. It’s a hearty tradition that’s been enjoyed here since the olden days.

Even in the height of summer a good soup fills the belly and prepares the palate for the main course. Chunky ingredients are the secret to a good Austrian broth, with carrots and leeks for flavour and some diced beef, pork, chicken or beans to taste.

Follow that with some toasted, herb-infused cheesy bread or some goulash to keep the local tastes alive. As well as weiner schnitzel and nockerl, the sweet and savoury breaded balls that Austrians love. Nockerl tends to come in a whole host of varieties, from lightly herbed to stronger infusions of cheese and chilli, as well as the famous Salzberg dessert variety. For other after dinner options, tuck into a crisp beer or a rich strudel.

See if you can find some of these local specialties at our favourite restaurants to visit during your holiday to Austria.

Taste the east at KITZnBar, Kitzbuhel

Among the sweeping valleys of Kitzbuhel is this treat of a venue. It’s decorated in the typical alpine township style, making it a fine match for the rest of the village.

Mixing up the menu with Austrian delights and Japanese dishes – your taste buds will be tingling with excitement. It’s a brave blend that works surprisingly well, with strudel and sushi sharing tables throughout the wide open-plan space. It’s also one of the only places in Europe where you can enjoy a drink of sake and craft beer on the same night.

Log Ruebezahl-Alm, Ellmau in your foodie diary

A log cabin perched in the scenic hills of this mountainous region, Ruebezahl-Alm, plays to its local strengths beautifully. Your surroundings have been warmly hew from local woodlands, and the menu combines massive portions with authentic homegrown character. Dine within the spacious chalet interior, or opt for the al fresco seating for some sublime scenery, which becomes especially popular during the sunset hours.

Get jazzed at Schillinger's Swing Kitchen, Vienna

Holidaymakers visiting the Austrian capital do well to stop in on this airy and distinctive diner. While it’s styled like America’s finest, the big burgers and chunky chips fried here are far more continental in their style.

Local flavours come to life via the schnitzel burger, while the vegan options on an ever expanding menu ensure that more selective diners are able to enjoy plenty of variety too. Salads are surprisingly well represented, with crisp, fresh ingredients, while the milkshakes are thick enough to be fun when slurped through a straw.

Say ciao to Don Camillo, Alpbach

While Alpbach is rich in locally prepared and much beloved restaurants, there’s something to be said for the flavours of Italy. Whether you’re after big crispy pizza slices or more traditional carbonara or pasta dishes, Don Camillo brings flavours from the other side of the Alps to life. The surroundings are also worth mentioning, fusing Mediterranean chic and the undeniable allure of local chunky wooden interiors.

Discover the hidden treasures of Zirbernalm, Obergurgl

Popular with cross country wanderers and those exploring the gorgeous scenery of Obergurgl on their Austria holidays, Zirbernalm is a low-key place with a big passion for good food done right. The sleek interior looks as stylish as any of Scandinavia’s finest venues, yet it’s Austrian through and through. The traditional cold meat platter sets up a fine night’s wining and dining, or you can instead opt for the fully packed braised steak dishes or the lighter pastry option.