The austrian kitchen is for real food lovers. If you plan to travel here, make sure you always have some space in your stomach in case you stumble around a corner and right into a Heurigen (traditional austrian restaurant) with its hearty and delicious food. Usually these places are also known for their excellent wine and Most (traditional fruit wine from fermented apples or grapes). In Vienna, the best Heurigen are located a bit outside the city centre, in the countryide around the 18th and 19th district. Although these places serve excellent food, it can be quite pricey. For me, a passionate food lover but also most of the time poor student, it means that regular visits at a Heurigen in the first part of the month will lead me to plane rice with some soya sauce for the rest of the month.
Fortunately, I've been living in Vienna for a while now and had enough time to discover some places for delicious austrian food, that is not too expensive. Join me on my little tour through Vienna on the hunt for some traditional and affordable classics of the austrian kitchen, but also few specialties from abroad.
Schnitzel
The typical Wiener Schnitzel. Probably the most well known dish from Austria, eventhough some people may think it's from Germany, it's an established classic of the austrian kitchen and has a history going back to the beginnings of the 19th century. The traditional version of a Wiener Schnitzel is made of a thin, breaded, pan-fried veal cutlet. A popular variation is made with pork instead of veal, because pork is cheaper than veal. Usually it is served with potato salad or fries. The place we ate our Schnitzel is called 'Der Gockel' a small side street diner in the 3th district, where you get the dish for around 5 to 6 euro.
Place: Der Gockel
Location: Untere Viaduktgasse 17, 1030 Wien
Leberkäse
Translated it means 'liver cheese' and consists of corned beef, pork and bacon and is made by grinding the ingredients very precisely, followed by baking it as a loaf in a bread pan until it has a crunchy brown crust. The place we went is called 'Leberkas-Pepi' located in the 1st district and well known for its large selection of different variations of Leberkäse, such as garlic spinach Leberkäse, chili cheese Leberkäse or pizza Leberkäse. The price for one slice of Leberkäse with a piece of bread and some sweet mustard is around 3 to 4 euro, quite cheap and definitely worth it.
Place: Leberkas-Pepi
Location: Operngasse 12, 1010 Wien
Döner Kebab and Falafel
Kebab is well known probably everwhere in Europe eventhough Berlin is considered to be the capital of of the rotating meat skewer. But also Vienna has some good spots to grap your warm pita bread filled with chicken or lamp meat and a variation of different vegetables and sauces. Falafel could be a bit less known, but are definitely worth a try and a good meat alternative for vegetarians or vegans. Served as a deep-fried ball or patty made from ground chickpeas, fava beans, or both in a pita bread as well with salate and sauce. Both, Kebab and Falafel, have its roots in the Middle Eastern food culture, but are already well established in the European kitchen. In Vienna you will find a lot of places, where they sell both dishes for around 3 to 4 euro. Two of my favorite places with outstadning meat quality as well as fresh made Falafel balls are 'Asala Halal Food' in the 8th district and 'Pita Pita' in the 9th district.
Place: Asala Halal Food
Location: Alser Str. 21, 1080 Wien
Place: Pita Pita – Orientalischer Imbiss
Location: Grundlgasse 5, 1090 Wien
Käsekrainer
The Käsekrainer is another classic snack or late night dish you can get at any hour at so called 'Würstelständen' (sausage places). The sausage is made with small chunks of cheese inside and was first made in the early 1980s in Austria. It usually gets grilled, but can also be boiled or baked. Served in a hot dog or with a a piece of dark bread and topped mustard or ketchup, it's the most popular sausage variation you can get at the Würstelstand. Beside that, they usually also offer Currywurst, Bratwurst or Bosna sandwiches (two small sausages in a long hot dog with roasted onions and curry powder). We went to 'Claudias Imbiss' located in the 8th district, wich is really close to my flat. Open 24/7 it's a perfect place to enjoy a sausage after a few drinks and experience the true Viennese atmosphere between the local regular customers.
Place: Claudias Imbiss zum Alserspitz
Location: Alser Str. 35, 1080 Wien
Secret tip: Naschmarkt
Okay, to be honest Naschmarkt in the 6th district is not really a secret tip rather than a crowded tourist spot, but you should still pass by to get some of the delicious antipasti they sell there and the local sellers, who always offer free samples of their stuff. From dried tomatoes to all kinds of spicey humus variations, cream cheese stuffed pepper and onions, grape leaves with rice or Falafel balls you will find everthing that will satisfy a discerning food lover. The Naschmarket exists since the 16th century and is a ture vienese original. Make sure you visit it on sunday to stroll around the market stalls, buy some tasty filled peppers or grape leaves and check out the weekly flea market, in an additional area of the Naschmarket.