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What Food To Try in Vienna and Food Prices

How much does lunch and dinner cost

Examples of food prices, cafes, street food and other dining options in Vienna for 2024.

National currency: Euro, symbol — € (international currency code EUR).
General Cafe Price Guide
Average prices in Vienna cafes and restaurants
$15.8 
Quick Lunch for One
Starting from $9.82
$65.5 
Dinner for Two
to celebrate your trip
Starting from $54.58
$9.8 
Combo Meal
Starting from $9.06

What to Try in Vienna

Must-try Dishes
Wiener Frühstück - Viennese Breakfast (hearty choice) - A substantial platter featuring a mix of soft boiled eggs, ham, cheese, and fresh bread. Locals enjoy this leisurely breakfast in cafes, often with a side of strong coffee.

Leberkäse - Liver Cheese (savory meatloaf) - This is a meatloaf-like dish made from finely ground pork and beef, served hot in a bun or with potato salad. You’ll see locals grabbing it as street food, especially at Würstelstands during lunch.

Sachertorte - Sacher Torte (chocolate cake) - Although often called a dessert, this rich chocolate cake with a layer of apricot jam is sometimes enjoyed as a substantial afternoon snack, typically accompanied by a dollop of whipped cream.

Tafelspitz - Boiled Beef (traditional dish) - A slow-cooked beef dish served with root vegetables and a side of horseradish sauce, often enjoyed during family gatherings. Locals love enjoying it with a glass of wine on Sunday afternoons.

Bratwurst - Sausages (richly spiced) - Grilled sausages made from minced pork, typically served with mustard and bread; a popular street food option enjoyed on-the-go. By the way, don’t make the mistake of thinking they're similar to hot dogs!

Gulasch - Goulash (thick stew) - A hearty, paprika-spiced stew made with beef and vegetables, often served with bread or dumplings. It’s best enjoyed in the cooler months, warming up locals at cozy taverns.

Spargel - Asparagus (seasonal specialty) - White asparagus is revered in spring and often paired with hollandaise sauce or melted butter on the side. Locals feast on this delicacy during the warmer months, making it a celebratory seasonal treat.

Desserts & Drinks
Wiener Melange - Wiener Melange (coffee variation) - This delectable drink is a mix of espresso and steamed milk, topped with a light froth. Locals often savor it leisurely in cafes while catching up with friends, particularly during chilly afternoons, with a side of a pastry.

Fanta - Fanta (orange soda) - A fizzy refreshment made from carbonated water and fruity taste, easily found across the city. On warm summer days, you'll often see Viennese youth enjoying this at picnics in historic parks, especially alongside a savory snack.

Sturm - Sturm (young wine) - This is a partially fermented grape juice that is slightly fizzy and sweet, served fresh from vineyards during the harvest season. Enjoying Sturm in autumn is a cherished custom at local heurige (wine taverns), where it's typically paired with a rustic bread and cheese platter.

Sachertorte - Sachertorte (chocolate cake) - A rich chocolate sponge cake layered with apricot jam and topped with dark chocolate icing, it's often served with a dollop of whipped cream. This indulgent treat is a favorite among locals during celebratory meals, especially around birthdays or special occasions.

Eis - Eis (ice cream) - Handcrafted ice creams come in unique flavors such as chestnut or elderflower, with a texture that's both creamy and velvety. Popular in the warmer months, locals line up at famous parlors in the evenings to cool off with a cone, but beware: some shops close early, so plan ahead!

Food and Groceries in Vienna

Vegetables, Fruits and Bread
Bread $2.45
Oranges $2.55
Potatoes $1.73
Apples $2.39
Beverages
Water 1.5L $0.6
0.5L Local Beer $1.19
Imported Beer $1.51
Wine Rating >4.0 $6.55

Various Groceries
Chicken $9.9
Cigarettes $5.54
Rice $2.19
Local Cheese $12.81

Overview of Cuisine and Specialties

Just the other day, I found myself wandering through the Naschmarkt, the bustling food market in Vienna, and the typical midday scene was quite a sight to behold. Locals milled about, filling their woven bags with seasonal produce or grabbing a quick bite at one of the many stands offering everything from falafel to Vietnamese spring rolls. It’s an interesting observation—at around 12:30 PM, the market buzzes with energy as people take their lunch breaks from work. Typical meal times in Vienna often revolve around 12 PM to 2 PM for lunch, and then dinner picks up later, usually from around 7 PM to 9 PM.

Pricing in different neighborhoods varies broadly. At the Naschmarkt, you might pay anywhere from €8-€12 for a satisfying lunch if you hit one of the stalls. However, venture into the 1st district, and you could find yourself paying upwards of €20 for a simple meal at a typical café. It’s noteworthy that while the city has its upscale dining establishments, plenty of affordable options abound, often serving dishes that reflect the rich local culture.

When dining out, cash is still king here (oh, and before I forget, many places, especially casual eateries, might not take credit cards). You’ll also find that service charges are often included in the bill, which means tipping isn't strictly necessary but rounding up your bill is appreciated. For instance, if your meal comes to €23, leaving €25 is a nice touch but not mandatory.

One distinctive local habit is the tradition of enjoying coffee and cake in the afternoon. Many locals take a pause from their day around 3 PM for "Kaffee und Kuchen," transforming a simple break into a cherished ritual. Conversely, a common visitor mistake revolves around thinking they can enjoy a leisurely meal during peak hours without a reservation. During the busy weekend brunch hours, you’ll often be left waiting, especially in popular areas like the Mariahilfer Straße.

Another price insight: with the seasonal shifts, expect price variances in restaurants, particularly when it comes to seasonal specials, which can lead to price spikes in summer as fresh produce flourishes.

Undoubtedly, as the city modernizes, the dining landscape is evolving too. More younger locals are exploring international cuisines, reflecting a broader palette of food choices beyond traditional Viennese fare. If you’re considering a weekend trip, be prepared for longer wait times in restaurants; a reservation is often the best way to secure a table during peak dining hours.

Overall, Vienna’s food scene is a vibrant tapestry of traditions, habits, and evolving tastes, sure to satiate any food explorer’s curiosity.




Tourist Reviews

All photos and texts belong to their authors
@eyesofblueice
« Plan accomplished, dream come true!

In July I tried apple strudel for the first time. We have it in St. Petersburg. I really liked it, especially since I hadn’t tasted such a dessert in ages. And for years I had a dream: to try authentic Viennese apple strudel! I don’t know why I didn’t do it sooner, but nevertheless - dreams do come true!

Traveling to Vienna just to try strudel is totally worth it!!! And yes! Everything I ate before - it’s definitely not the same! 🍏😍 »
@exidnaya
« Venice is not disappointing us. Yesterday we enjoyed a gentle breeze, and today we were met with snow. We're living near the wonderful Prater Park with its stunning attractions, but the season doesn't start until March. However, skiing on American slopes in the snow is an entertainment all on its own. There are also many beautiful buildings here that just look amazing in the frame, and if you're lucky enough to get framed correctly, they're completely surrounded by colorful trees, screens, and palaces.

There's also interesting pricing. A coffee will cost around $4-5. A bottle of decent wine at the supermarket is about $3-6. A single metro ticket costs around $2.4. A bus ticket from Vienna (Austria) to Bratislava (Slovakia) is approximately $5. And a ticket for an observation wheel is about $10. 😁 »
@angel2ina
« We decided to grab a bite at a café! This is dinner for three. Located on the main shopping street. Soup - $5. Salmon with vegetables - $14. Bruschetta with salmon - $3. Shrimp salad - $11, vegetable salad - $2. Everything was very delicious! 😊 »
@alexandr__bondar
« We visited the Christmas market in Vienna. We started with a tasting of mulled wine, which honestly isn't my drink. The atmosphere at the market is indescribable. The price of mulled wine is 7 euros, and they return 3 euros when you return the boot mug. I didn’t return the mug. »
@max_and_caty
« By the way, the prices here are quite reasonable. The average check per person is around 11 dollars. »
@antony._.semashko
« Austria. Vienna. Starbucks. Everyone was there.

P.S: I make better coffee. »
@irina_tsarevna
« Sleepy flies in Vienna ;) with the transition to the Eurozone, prices are significantly higher than in Poland and the Czech Republic. If in Prague the average check for dinner with beer for two was around 400 crowns (approximately $18), in Vienna, the same dinner costs about 40 euros (around $43). The roads in Austria are toll roads (you need to buy a vignette for 9 euros), and parking in the center of Vienna averages 40 euros per day, but we found a spot for 10 ;) »
@tatiana.naukenova
« In Berlin, you have to try the sausages. In a show, my friend recommended this place. They're fried in curry sauce, and it tastes incredibly good! One sausage costs €1.60. »
@acuzena
« In this photo, you can see a few Berlin highlights - the scooters you can rent on every corner for about $11 a day; those cool little cars that still zip around the city, and currywurst - a local street food that's super tasty! »
@max_romanovsky
« 6.99€. For beer. For TEN liters. Can I stay here for a while? »
@oleg_olekseenko
« The TV tower in Vienna is only 825 feet tall, but it has a café and restaurant that rotate in different directions at heights of about 525 and 558 feet... There's an observation deck with a bungee jump at 492 feet... The restaurant serves delicious food, and prices are similar to those in the city center... It's such a lovely experience to be there at sunset... A great spot for a marriage proposal... 😊 »
@shiborsh
« 11 euros for a Wiener schnitzel and 3.50 for a beer were well worth it for the vibrant atmosphere of this restaurant (mind you, it was established 200 years ago and Mozart frequented it). Don’t miss the cash register! »
@lenariya_khas
« We went to the Vienna market in the center during the day, bought some vegetables and fruits, and pickled cucumbers))) It turns out that Austrians measure not in grams, but in decagrams. One decagram = 10 grams. »
@nikolaas2012
« Delicious and cozy, 50 euros for 2 schnitzels and 2 unfiltered beers. »
@tanyaitatyana
« I'm continuing to explore Vienna, today I had Sacher cake and Viennese strudel. We tried the original one at the café in Hotel Sacher☝️ I have to say, it was nothing special, not particularly amazing in flavor. If you have an extra $20-30 for coffee and cake, you can check out this café, but I personally wouldn't go again 😄 »
@plein
« Gigantic grilled squid for €9 in the park in front of the town hall, where they hold a gastro festival and an opera festival. I was beyond ecstatic! You order from the chef, pay at the cash register, grab a ticket, and then collect your dish. At that moment, you need to pick up cutlery, napkins, and find a spot in the park's food court. We faced some challenges finding a place on a sunny day... so my plate ended up resting on my knees! The food selection at the festival is enormous, with everything cooked right before you. There are many Asian stalls, traditional Austrian stands, grills, kebabs, dim sums, and so on. As for drinks, the most popular choice is punch. But we opted for lattes from a coffee cart! A new type of milk coffee called melange, which is stronger than cappuccino. 😊 »