What do Austrians eat for breakfast? (2024)

FAQs

What do Austrians eat for breakfast? ›

Breakfast in Austria

Austrians prefer a sweet breakfast and like to eat their bread with butter and jam. But some people rather eat a savoury breakfast with ham and cheese. The most popular beverage, by the way, is coffee, closely followed by tea!

The classic Viennese breakfast includes bread rolls, jam, a boiled egg, ham and cheese, which are typically enjoyed with a melange (espresso with steamed milk, topped with foam).

But the Germans like to pull out the stops at breakfast (especially weekend breakfasts). Lots of different cheeses, meats, multiple jams and honey, boiled eggs, fruit and vegetables, smoked fish and of course, every kind of roll or hearty, seeded bread your heart could desire.

Today, Almdudler has established itself as Austria's national drink. The original beverage is a sweetened drink made out of grape and apple juice concentrates and is flavored with 32 natural herbs. To some extent its taste can be compared to the taste of Ginger Ale but with a fruitier and sweeter flavor.

The most common American breakfasts include ham, sausages, bacon, and eggs.

Wiener Schnitzel

Wiener Schnitzel, which translates to 'Viennese cutlet' in German, is one of Austria's most important national dishes. In fact, it is so synonymous with the country that its name is protected by law; it can only be called Wiener Schnitzel when made with veal.

What is Austria's national dish? ›

The famous food of Austria 'Vienna Schnitzel' is made of a layer of thin bread along with a pan-fried veal cutlet. It is also considered as the national dish of Austria.

Next to onions, peas, carrots, spinach, salad, beans, celeriac and maize the “star” among the Marchfeld vegetables is the asparagus, which serves as an important ingredient for many Austrian dishes.

Although many proud Austrians wouldn't like to admit it, the traditional Austrian breakfast is typically continental and very similar to other European countries. It usually consists of Semmel (a type of round bread roll) with butter, muesli, cold cuts of ham, smoked bacon (Speck), cut sausages, and a boiled egg.

Remain standing until invited to sit down. You may be shown to a particular seat. Table manners are Continental — the fork is held in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating. Put your napkin on your lap as soon as you sit down.

Apfelstrudel. Ah, right up the top of your list of desserts associated with Austria and Vienna is likely Apfelstrudel (apple strudel).

The Vogelbeere is a red berry that has been cultivated in Austria for over ten centuries and was given that name because of birds baiting with them. In order to produce the Schnaps, the Vogelbeeren are harvested after the first cold. Schnaps is, usually, enjoyed after a rich dinner.

Austrians prefer an “early” dinner time

In France, dinner is usually eaten between 7pm and 9pm, and in Italy it's between 8pm and 10pm. But in Austria, most people sit down for dinner at around 6pm to 7pm – even when going out to a restaurant to eat.

Cuisine. Austria and Germany favor similar styles of cuisine and share many dishes. Bavarian cuisine especially can be difficult to distinguish from Austrian cooking. Traditional Austrian dishes include Wiener Schnitzel (fried, breaded veal cutlets), Sachertorte (chocolate cake) and Apfelstrudel (apple strudel).