Centuries ago, the Austrian Empire stretched across much of middle Europe, and as a consequence of this huge area of influence, the cuisine of the country has absorbed much of what it once sought to conquer, giving rise to an incredible variety of different restaurants and dishes to sample during your stay.
Vienna is the home of true Austrian Cuisine, and in the coffee shops and heurigas of the city, you can sample many of the local specialities such as Apfelstrudel, and Sachertorte along with the variety of hot chocolates and coffee drinks that are on offer.
Coffee shops throughout the country are a place to relax, and visitors are encouraged to linger over their snacks, or meals and enjoy the ambience as much as they can. In the Heurigas, or wine taverns, you can enjoy the local wine and a simple rustic meal of cooked meat and fresh bread while listening to traditional music.
In the rest of the country, food is arguably more Germanic, however, the Viennese traditions still apply, and there are plenty of varieties to choose from, although the favoured drink is beer with meals, and there are many large beer halls in Salzburg and Innsbruck to enjoy your evening meal in.
