Vienna, Austria: Must Try Street Food and Cafés

Updated: Oct 21

There are two types of indulgences to know about in order to properly experience the tastes of Vienna; street food and café culture (or coffee house culture).

Coffee house culture dates back to the 17th century when coffee beans were left behind by the Turks after the Seige of Vienna. It has since grown into the culture it is today due to the desire of Viennese to escape their tiny/crowded flats and create an extension of their living rooms in these elegant coffee shops located on every corner.

Café Culture

As we have mentioned, cafés are a huge part of the culture in Vienna. Viennese come to coffee shops to hang out, drink coffee, and eat snacks or pastries. One of the most renowned cafés is Café Central. It is a beautiful coffee shop that was frequented by many famous historical figures while they lived in Vienna.

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The architecture of the building, attention to detail, ambiance, live piano playing, traditional coffee options, and delectable desserts are all reasons to stop by this classy café. You may have to wait for a table due to its popularity, however, we found it to be well worth the wait and enjoyed an apple strudel and iced coffee.

Another favorite was Café Demel where we enjoyed a delicious chocolate mouse cake. With less chance of being overcrowded compared to Café Central, Café Demel offers equally delicious pastries and coffee in a smaller, more intimate setting.

The second popular Viennese indulgence is the street food, which ranges from Käsekrainers and Kebabs, to Street Noodles. Below are some of our absolute favorites, however, it is hard to go wrong with any Würstel stand you come across in Vienna.

Street Food

A must-try while in Vienna is an Austria Sausage stuffed with cheese, or Käsekrainer. Our personal favorite was from Bitzinger Wurstelstand, a charming little stand located right outside of the Albertina Museum near the Vienna State Opera house. Conveniently located and priced under €5, it is hard not to stop here multiple times while in Vienna.

Another favorite street food option is Happy Noodles. With fast, delicious Asian noodle dishes, this is a great option for a filling meal while on the go.

Lastly, Berliner Döner may have long lines, however, it is worth the wait for their Falafel sandwiches or Chicken Kebabs. With its fast service and low prices, this is another place to add to your list when traveling around Vienna.