Programme proposal with focus on: Food in Vienna

Viennese cuisine, the only cuisine in the world named after a city, is a traditional but diverse cuisine that was strongly influenced by the imperial-royal monarchy. It combines influences from various regions of the former Habsburg Empire, including Bohemia, Hungary and Italy. However, French cuisine, which was highly prized by the monarchy, also influenced the ingredients and preparation of Viennese cuisine. These diverse influences have resulted in a unique blend of flavours and recipes, which includes both down-to-earth home cooking and home-style dishes. Classics such as Wiener Schnitzel, Tafelspitz and Sachertorte are world-famous and represent Vienna's warm and hospitable food culture.

Even though the Viennese also love these traditional dishes, Viennese food culture has changed noticeably over the last few decades and has become increasingly cosmopolitan. As in the days of the monarchy, the food on offer has continued to evolve thanks to immigration and cultural exchange. In addition to new dishes and cuisines, new influences have also been introduced to the city's gastronomy and a variety of new interpretations of Viennese cuisine have expanded the range on offer.  Today, there is hardly a cuisine that you cannot find a specialised restaurant serving in Vienna.

Explore the culinary highlights of Vienna with the help of this programme suggestion with the HOP ON HOP OFF buses from Vienna Sightseeing and enjoy authentic Viennese food culture at your own pace. The focus is on Viennese cuisine, but other highlights are also presented.

1. Café Landtmann, Café Demel & Café Central - Viennese coffee house culture - a piece of Viennese tradition

(Station no. 5 Burgtheater / Rathaus - blue & red line)

Viennese coffee house culture is famous for its cosy atmosphere, where guests can linger for hours over a melange, pastries or desserts, read or hold conversations. For centuries, coffee houses have been an important social meeting place and a centre of intellectual debate in Vienna. Three of the most famous and traditional coffee houses are Café Central, Café Demel and Café Landtmann. Here you can enjoy a Viennese coffee speciality, a good breakfast or one of the excellent desserts.

2. Grinzing - winegrowing in Vienna

(Station no. 39 Grinzing/Himmelstraße - green line - seasonal / only in operation during the summer months)

Vienna is the only capital city in Europe where significant winegrowing is practised. You can experience this unique selling point in the Grinzing district in particular, which is a well-known wine and wine tavern centre. From spring to autumn, the local winegrowers present their wines here. You can either buy them by the bottle or stop off at the wine taverns and enjoy the wine by the glass with a selection of mostly cold dishes.

3. Schlumberger Cellar Worlds - A sparkling experience

(Station no. 45 Schlumberger/Spittelau- green line - seasonal / only open in the summer months)

Schlumberger has been producing high-quality sparkling wines using the champagne method in Vienna since 1842. The sparkling wine soon delighted Viennese society and also the monarchy, which appointed Schlumberger purveyor to the imperial and royal court in 1862. Purveyor to the Court. Even today, you can still enjoy the sparkling wines of the Schlumberger brand, produced according to traditional methods. The best place to visit is the Schlumberger Cellar Worlds, where you can gain an insight into the production and storage of this speciality and, of course, sample a drop or two.

4. Gerstner K. u. K. Hofzuckerbäcker Show - apple strudel like grandma used to make

(Station no. 30 Schönbrunn Palace - yellow line)

Four times a day, the strudel bakers show you how to make the Viennese dessert classic apple strudel in their historic bakery. Watch how the perfect dough is prepared and pulled and how it is filled with fresh apples and then baked. Finally, depending on the option booked, the masterpiece can also be tasted or eaten. Want another slice? Visit the neighbouring Gerstner K. u. K. Hofzuckerbäcker café and restaurant.

5. Figlmüller - Schnitzel - the star of Viennese cuisine

(Station no. 12 Schwedenplatz - blue & red line)

Whether veal, pork or chicken - schnitzel is on everyone's lips in Vienna. And it has tasted particularly good for over 115 years in the Figlmüller restaurant on Wollzeile. The restaurant specialises in pork schnitzel. However, the original Wiener Schnitzel, namely veal, is also available just round the corner at Figlmüller in Bäckerstraße. So you are spoilt for choice. The traditional side dishes for the schnitzel are green salad, cucumber salad, potato salad or parsley potatoes and a lemon wedge.

6. Hard Rock Cafe - Vienna meets America

(Station no. 12 Schwedenplatz - blue & red line)

If you need a break from Viennese cuisine but still want to eat well, head to the Vienna branch of the famous American restaurant chain. In addition to delicious burgers, shakes and cocktails, there are numerous memorabilia from famous music acts. Come in and relax in the unique atmosphere of the Hard Rock Cafe.

7. Schweizerhaus - The best of pork

(Station no. 18 Prater / Giant Ferris Wheel - blue line)

Another speciality of Viennese food culture is inextricably linked with the Schweizerhaus in the Vienna Prater, the Stelze. Stelze, better known in Germany as Eisbein, refers to the hind leg of a pig cooked in the oven. It is traditionally served with mustard and horseradish. But even if you don't eat stilton, you're sure to get your money's worth at the Schweizerhaus with its lively beer garden atmosphere. Please note that the Schweizerhaus is only open from around March to October.

8. Karmelitermarkt - An insider tip among Vienna's markets

(Station no. 9 Taborstraße - blue line)

The Karmelitermarkt is located in Vienna's second district, not far from the city centre. This market, which has existed since 1891, brings together a variety of different traders, small restaurants and cafés. A farmers' market is also held here on Fridays and Saturdays and is well worth a visit.

9. porcelain manufactory Augarten - The eye eats with you

(Station no. 9 Taborstraße - blue line)

The most expensive porcelain in Austria, which is used at state receptions in the Hofburg, the Federal Chancellery or Austrian embassies worldwide, is produced in Vienna's Augarten and is also named after it. Visit the Porcelain Museum and learn interesting details about the history of porcelain production in Vienna. You can also take part in a guided tour of the manufactory's workshops or purchase your own personal piece of Vienna in the shop. The beautiful designs of the manufactory are sure to make your next meal a special highlight - because, as we all know, you eat with your eyes.

10. Plachutta – The boiled beef - The best of beef

(Station No. 13 MAK/ Wien Mitte – blue & red line)

Boiled beef was Emperor Franz Joseph's favorite dish and his favorite part of the beef was the boiled beef. The Plachutta restaurant specialises in this dish and the preservation of Viennese beef cuisine. Here you can find a wide selection of cuts of beef, served in soup with plenty of root vegetables.

11. Steirereck – The best restaurant in Austria

(Station No. 14 Hotel Hilton/ Stadtpark – blue & red line)

Awarded with 2 Michelin stars, the Steirereck restaurant impresses not only with its excellent cuisine, but also with its first-class location in the middle of Vienna's Stadtpark. Heinz Reitbauer and his team merge tradition with new techniques in an impressive way and thus create unique tastes. The herbs come from the in-house roof garden and the selection of the bread cart is world-famous.

12. Cafe Sacher – Sachertorte – a sweet, Viennese specialty

(Station No. 1 State Opera - blue, red & yellow line)

A MUST on every trip to Vienna is the enjoyment of a Sachertorte. These can be found in almost every café in Vienna, but they have their origins in the Sacher family. Franz Sacher invented the first version of the Sacher cake in 1832, son Eduard then completed the recipe, which is still known today, during his apprenticeship at the imperial and royal court confectioner Demel (see point 1) and then sold this cake in the Hotel Sacher, which he founded. After years of legal dispute, the Original Sachertorte can now only be purchased at the Hotel Sacher and its annexes.

13. Naschmarkt – Feast for the Senses – Vienna's Largest Market

(Station No. 1 State Opera - blue, red & yellow line)

The Naschmarkt in Vienna is the most famous and largest market in the city, which stretches along the Wienzeile and has existed since about 1774. It offers a fascinating variety of fresh foods, exotic spices and international specialties ranging from Viennese classics to Asian, Arabic and Mediterranean delicacies. In addition to various stalls, there are also a large number of restaurants.

We are pleased to announce that we are now serving a new stop on our Red Line: Station 4 Johann Strauss Museum/Naschmarkt/Secession Naschmarkt/Secession!

14. Bitzinger Würstelstand – Feasting into the night

(Station No. 1 Staatsoper - blue, red & yellow line)

It's already late and you just want to grab a bite to eat before heading back to the hotel? Do as the Viennese do and get Frankfurter, Bosna or Debreziner at one of the numerous sausage stands in the city centre. The Bitzinger sausage stand at the Albertina is particularly popular. Here you can eat until 3 am.
 

15. Leberkaspepi – Leberkäsgenuss from Linz

(Station No. 1 Staatsoper - blue, red & yellow line)

Another Viennese fast food classic that you can get until late at night is the Leberkässemmel. These can be bought in almost every supermarket in Vienna. But if you want to have a larger selection of Leberkäs, you should visit Leberkaspepi. Actually a Linz institution, the first branches opened in the capital in 2015. In addition to classic, cheese and savoury, there are also varieties such as pizza, tomato & mozzarella or meatloaf made from turkey meat.

Book your HOP ON HOP OFF Vienna Tour conveniently online and discover the culinary highlights of Vienna at your own pace. Learn more about flexible sightseeing in Vienna with the yellow HOP ON HOP OFF bus. Further information can be found here.

Enjoy your stay in Vienna with Vienna Sightseeing Tours and enjoy the classics of Viennese cuisine. Enjoy your meal.