My beloved Vienna, how I love thee... and all of the wonderful treats you have invented! From your iconic coffee and tortes to your world-renowned schnitzel, there’s no wonder I gain five pounds every time I enter your airspace. If you have only a few days to spend in Vienna, don’t waste your time (or euro!) noshing on something that is not special. Include a few splurges in your schedule and leave room in your suitcase for some cheap treats you can enjoy at home. Except for the first on my list...
Wiener Schnitzel
No trip to Vienna is complete without a huge serving of Wiener schnitzel. Very lightly fried in oil, true schnitzel is made with breaded veal. However, if the price is low, and the serving big, it may be made with pork. For those who like neither, I would order chicken (puten) schnitzel. Wiener schnitzel can be found all over the city but if you are headed to Schönbrunn Palace, I highly recommend trying it at Residence Cafe and Restaurant near the main gate. Afterwards, head downstairs to the bakery and learn how one of Austria’s most famous pastries is made...
Apple Strudel
Not too sweet, this fruit-filled delight is rolled in puff pastry and dusted with confectioners sugar. It is usually so dense with apples, I feel no guilt taking a slice back to the hotel and eating it the next morning for breakfast.
Dumplings
I have never met a dumpling I didn’t like. If it is on the menu, it is in my tummy. Vienna has them both savory and sweet. The wide selection must be due in part to all of the cultures that had their own variations in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The sweet dumplings above have whole fresh apricots inside. They were enjoyed at the Sky Restaurant at the top of Steffl’s Department Store overlooking St. Stephan’s Cathedral.
My favorite savory dumpling is known as the serviettenknodel. Servietten refers to the napkin traditionally used to form and boil this tubular-shaped bread cube concoction. After boiling, they are sliced and lightly fried in butter. At the Cafe Central, they serve them with a beef dish inspired by Hungary...
Wiener Rindsgulasch
Let’s talk about goulash. Growing up in western New York, goulash was the most exotic dish the moms in my neighborhood made. It was made with elbow macaroni, ground beef and tomato sauce. We gobbled it down like we couldn’t get enough of the stuff. This was not goulash. I have NO idea where that recipe came from. Hungarian goulash is made with chunks of beef stewed in a paprika tomato sauce until it starts to fall apart. Viennese goulash doesn’t include tomatoes. For an understanding of all variations, I turned to Wikipedia: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goulash.
Sausage
It really is tough to come to this part of the world and not eat a sausage. Unless you lack the constitution to digest them properly. Like me.
If you do have the stomach and the craving, I recommend trying them at one of the popular stands as you enter the Naschtsmarkt. It is the most famous market in Vienna and you will want to see it anyway so ... two birds one stone.
Kaiserschmarrn
Literally, this dish translates to “emperor’s favorite” referring to Franz Josef’s ultimate treat. On menus, you may see it described as shredded pancakes, but it truly is difficult to describe. It’s a little fluffier and not so sweet. It can be made with raisins and is served with stewed apricots and/or prunes. I cannot emphasize enough how yummy this dish is. Some consider it dessert... I consider it dinner, or lunch, or even breakfast if I can get it. Not all kaiserschmarrns are created equal. While you’re in the city center, go to Cafe Mozart across from the Albertina Museum. You won’t regret it.
However, truly frugal travelers on a budget can also find readymade kaiserschmarrn In the supermarkets for about three euro...
Sacher Torte
Nope. The photo above is not a Sacher Torte. A little honesty here. I have never tried THE Sacher Torte. Invented at the famous Sacher Hotel before the end of the empire, this treat is massively popular among tourists. So popular, that I have not had the time to waste waiting in line. I have tried the competition though and while so many have gone ga-ga for it, I don’t see the allure. Basically, it is a bitter chocolate cake with an apricot preserve middle and ganache top. If you have to have the original but can’t stand in line, the hotel has a shop so you can take your own Sachertorte home.
What you see see above is called a Sisi Torte and they serve it at the cafe in the Kunsthistorisches Museum. Notice that I have not used the word “cake” to describe Viennese tortes. They are not the moist confections usually found in the US. Their layers are more complex and lighter.
Manner Cookies and Chocolates
The original wafer cookie, these are sold all over Vienna either in Manner shops or supermarkets. There are many different flavors but hazelnut cream (aka Nutella) is very popular and worth a try. This treat flies well and won’t add too much extra weight to your suitcase making it a lovely treat to take home in addition to...
Mozart Chocolates
I doubt you will run into many Austrians purchasing these candies unless they are taking them overseas as a gift. I feel they are a bit kitschy but they are good. They are a lovely little bonbon of pistachio marzipan and nougat covered in chocolate. However, before filling up your suitcase with them, know that you can order them on Amazon. No one needs to know.
Schweden Bomben (Swedish Bombs)
I have saved the best for last. I don’t know too much about the origin of these delicious “cookies”. I have seen them in other parts of Europe during Christmastime. But, THE original is made by Niemetz in Vienna. While they do have a store in the Landstraßer https://schwedenbomben.at/de/geschichte, they can usually be found in most supermarkets. Their filling is a frothed egg white covered in chocolate and, sometimes, coconut. They are hard to spot in the summer. Look in the cookie section. I found these at the Merkur Supermarket on the Mariahilferstrasse. They are usually sold in packs of six for two euro or their signature box of twenty for less then eight euro.
Ok, now that I got you to a supermarket, there are lots of lovely mixes you can buy to take home that are inexpensive and light. There are packets of dry ingredients to make kaiserschmarrn, dumplings and goulash. The directions are in German, but with a little help from the Google Translate app, they can be figured out in a few minutes. They make interesting gifts but are also a wonderful way to extend your Viennese adventure!
Comments