How and where to eat in Vienna if you want to try some local specialties but save some money? We tell you how to eat deliciously and inexpensively and provide current prices, tips and addresses of budget restaurants.
Food prices in Vienna are about as high as in other European capitals. But it is impossible to be in the Austrian capital and not try the famous local dishes. We hope our tips will help you when planning your trip.
What to try in Vienna
Austrian cuisine is varied and nutritious, and many have a centuries-old history. Meat lovers, lovers of sweets and vegetarians will find tasty food in Vienna. What foods and drinks are worth trying in Vienna?
Hearty and mouth-watering grilled sausages and sausages - they can be tasted both in a restaurant and as street food.
Schnitzel (Wiener Schnitzel) is the most famous Austrian meat dish. Tender veal is beaten to a thin layer and sprinkled with breadcrumbs, and then served with salad and lemon wedges. You can eat delicious schnitzels at Die Metzgerei (Linzerstrasse 179), Sixta Restaurant (Schoenbrunner Strasse 21) and ef16 Restaurant Weinbar (Fleischmarkt 16).
Viennese chicken (Backhendl) - food with 300 years of history. It was originally a dish of aristocrats, but now it is quite common. This is a fairly high-calorie meal: the chicken meat is rubbed with salt, lemon and pepper, breaded in flour, egg and breadcrumbs and fried in butter.
Tafelspitz (Tafelspitz) - boiled beef with broth and vegetables, first and second courses "in one"; the meat is simmered over low heat for several hours. Tafelspitz served with potatoes, green onion sauce, apple horseradish and vegetables is a very satisfying dish.
Kaiserschmarrn (Kaiserschmarrn) - "Kaiser's omelet" with sugar, flour, milk, eggs, cinnamon and raisins. According to legend, this dish was loved by the Austrian emperor Franz Joseph I.
Apple strudel, but there are other options - for example, sausage or potato.
Cake "Sacher" (Sachertorte) - famous Austrian chocolate sponge cake with apricot jam in chocolate glaze. The original version can only be tasted at the Sacher Hotel near the Vienna State Opera, the recipe is kept secret. The dessert was created by confectioner Franz Sacher in the 19th century.
Famous Viennese waffles "Mannerschnitten" (Manner-Schnitten) in pink foil with the image of St. Stephen's Cathedral.
Sweets "Mozart" (Mozartkugeln) stuffed with marzipan.
Salzburg dumplings (Salzburger Nockerln) - a dessert made from eggs, flour and sugar, a vanilla soufflé baked in the oven. The dish was created in the 17th century.
Alcohol... There are about 350 types of beer here, the most famous brands are Gösser, Ottakringer, Eggenberg and Stiegl. In addition to the frothy drink, try un aged Sturm or mulled wine.
Vienna coffee and, in particular, melange, an espresso-based beverage with frothed milk and whipped cream.
Look for interesting excursions on the Sputnik and Tripster websites. Individual and group, no crowds of tourists and in Russian.
Prices for food in restaurants and cafes in Vienna
In Vienna, food prices are mostly high, but if you wish, you can eat quite inexpensively and tasty. On average, an inexpensive lunch for two costs 19 €, and a dinner in a mid-range restaurant for two with alcohol costs 43 €.
The portions in restaurants are traditionally large, so you won't go hungry. There are also vegetarian dishes on the menu. If you come across an unfamiliar name and do not know German, then ask for an English menu or ask the waiter what ingredients are included in the dish.
We give approximate prices in restaurants and cafes Vienna:
- Viennese schnitzel with potato salad - 15 €;
- boiled Viennese beef - 16 €;
- cabbage stew with meat and potatoes - 11 €;
- beef goulash with potatoes and parsley - 11 €;
- grilled beef entrecote - 22 €;
- grilled seafood - 20-40 € per serving;
- grilled fish with potatoes - 11-13 €;
- local beer (0.5 l) - 3.8 €;
- imported beer (0.33 l) - 4 €;
- a bottle of wine - 4-9 €, a portion - from 2.5 €;
- cappuccino - 3.1 €;
- Coca-Cola (0.33 l) - 2.4 €;
- water (0.33 l) - 1.7 €;
- croissant - 1 €;
- cake - 3 €.
For comparison, we give prices in tourist restaurants and in more inexpensive places.
In the restaurant in the center:
- schnitzel - 15-25 €;
- Tafelspitz - 20 €;
- goulash - 15 €;
- salad - 4.7-7.5 €.
IN inexpensive restaurants away from tourist spots:
- schnitzel - 7.5 €;
- goulash - 7 €;
- meat dish - 11 €;
- salad - 7-8 €;
- desserts - 3-5 €.
In an inexpensive cafe with a buffet menu, lunch costs 7 €, a slice of pizza - 3 €, a glass of wine - from 2 €. The price of a Big Mac with potatoes and Coca-Cola at McDonald's is 7 €.
Drinking coffee in a Viennese coffee house costs from 3 €, eating a croissant or other dessert - from 2 €. In the "Sacher" cafe, where the cake is prepared according to an original recipe, the price per slice is about 8.3 €, and a whole cake costs from 24 to 34 €.
How to eat tasty and inexpensive
The further away from tourist spots you eat, the more chances you will save on food. Some restaurants offer set meals at certain times, this is a good option to save money.
If your budget is still limited, street food such as sausages or kebabs is a good option.
How much does street food cost in Vienna:
- grilled Viennese sausages - 10-15 €;
- pastries - 3 €;
- pizza - 2-3 €;
- boxes of noodles with vegetables, meat and sauce or rice with vegetables and chicken - 4-5 €;
- ice cream - 2-3 €;
- kebab, hot dog, hamburger - 3-4 €;
- Japanese rolls (6 pcs.) - 3 €;
- drinks (0.5 l) - 2 €.
But you shouldn't get carried away with fast food either: the best option is to alternate restaurants and cafes and food from kiosks, so you will appreciate Austrian cuisine from different angles. If you are traveling with children, street food may not be for you.
In this case, a good option to save money is to buy groceries in stores and prepare food yourself.
Food prices in Vienna supermarkets:
- milk (1 l) - 1 €;
- a loaf of fresh white bread (500 g) - 1.7 €;
- eggs (12 pcs.) - 3 €;
- local cheese (1 kg) - 11 €;
- chicken breasts (1 kg) - 10 €;
- apples (1 kg) - 2.3 €;
- bananas (1 kg) - 1.8 €;
- oranges (1 kg) - 2.2 €;
- tomatoes (1 kg) - 2.2 €;
- potatoes (1 kg) - 1.5 €;
- salad (1 pc.) - 1.2 €;
- water (1.5 l) - 0.6 €;
- a bottle of wine in the middle price category - 6 €;
- local beer (0.5 l) - 1 €;
- imported beer (0.33 l) - 1.6 €;
- a pack of Marlboro cigarettes - 5 €.
Where to eat cheap and tasty in Vienna
We found several well-reviewed establishments offering a variety of European cuisine at affordable prices.
1. Die metzgerei at Linzerstrasse 179
The average bill is 6-33.2 €.
Restaurant serving Austrian and Central European cuisine. The food is suitable for children, vegetarians and those who do not consume gluten.
The restaurant is open from Tuesday to Saturday, from 11:00 to 23:00.
2. Restaurant Lebenbauer at Teinfaltstrasse 3
The average bill is € 10.2-25.6.
Here you will be offered to taste local dishes or a cuisine that combines elements of culinary traditions of different countries. There are vegetarian and gluten free food. Suitable for families with children or romantic get-togethers, the restaurant is open on weekdays from 11:00 to 15:00 and from 17:30 to 22:30.
3. Cafe Restaurant Leto at Schwertgasse 3
The average bill is 5.9-26.4 €.
In this cafe you will taste European and Mediterranean cuisine such as Greek dishes. The food is suitable for vegetarians, there is a pub and a bar.
Opening hours are Monday to Saturday, 11:30 am to 11:00 pm.
4. Sixta restaurant at Schoenbrunner Strasse 21
Restaurant serving local and Central European cuisine. The food is suitable for children and vegetarians. The institution is open from 18:00 to midnight all days except Monday.
5. Vinothek W-Einkehr at Laurenzerberg 1
The average bill is 3.4-17.9 €.
Try Austrian cuisine and local drinks here. The bar is open from 15:00 to 22:00 from Tuesday to Saturday.
If you choose budget establishments or meals at street stalls, then on average you will spend from 10 € per day per person on food and water in Vienna. Mid-range meals will cost 25 € per day.
