When I think of Vienna, two things come to mind: grand palaces from the empires of yore and delicious desserts. (I also think about the city’s massive jackdaw population, but that’s another discussion reserved for fellow birders.)
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That’s a pretty unbeatable setup for those who like opulent history and opulent chocolate cakes. While you’ll run into many palaces and historic sites during your visit, finding the perfect Sachertorte, for example, is a little tougher. You’ll see Vienna’s famed desserts offered at just about every café…
But where do the city’s best eats hide? Decadent desserts like the Sacher are just the beginning. That also goes for non-sweets like the world-famous Wiener Schnitzel, which translates to Vienna cutlet. (Wien or Wean = Vienna, pronounced veen.)
Coffee is a big deal locally, for example, as are dishes like boiled beef, plum jam, shredded pancakes, and other delights that tend to fly under the radar.
In short, you might want to treat your time in Vienna with as much foodie gusto as you would a trip to Rome or Milan. While Vienna is often treated like a culinary hotspot, it’s got more than a few amazing eats that Americans will love. These are the best food tours in Vienna, Austria, that take you off the beaten path and into mouthwatering territory that many visitors miss.
Best food tours in Vienna, Austria for classic dishes & new bites alike
Vienna Food and Wine Tasting Tour of Hidden Gems for Small Groups
Maxing out at twelve people, this three-hour tour is all about hidden gems. Your guide takes you to restaurants that showcase authentic Viennese tastes, along with street food spots that locals adore. Consider it a very Austrian take on national dishes and culture.
The Viennese Food Tour: The World of Yesterday
This small-group four-hour tour dives deep into Austrian history through the lens of food. You’ll cruise through the city’s famous 7th district to sample classic, famous dishes and drinks, from Wiener Schnitzel to Zweigelt wines. Consider it a deep dive into gastronomic culture in Vienna—one that introduces you to the masterful renditions of its most well-known bites.
Vienna Dinner, Wine & Cocktails: Small-Group Evening Tour
This four-hour night tour takes you to the taverns, restaurants, and establishments that don’t make it into the guidebooks. Your journey starts at a traditional restaurant where you can order a famous classic dish, like boiled beef. Afterward, you’ll visit two bars to sip on popular cocktails, introducing you to Vienna’s favorite alcoholic drinks.
Strauss Dinner Show
At the top of the article, I mentioned that dessert and palaces come to mind when I think of Vienna. Turns out, there’s a way to combine these interests. (More than one, in fact—see below.) This tour is actually a dinner show that runs for three hours. It includes a classic music performance from the Tritsch Tratsch Concert Show, along with a classic three-course dinner.
Evening at Schönbrunn Palace Vienna: 3-course Dinner and Concert
Here’s another fantastic dinner show—one that runs for almost four hours and takes place inside the world-famous Schönbrunn Palace in the Orangery building. Expect plenty of Strauss and Mozart. Just know that the three-course meal is served at the Café Restaurant Gerstner. Once you’ve finished your meal, you’ll head into the Orangery for the show.
Vienna Coffeehouse Tour: Pastries, Bites & Local Stories
Here’s where Vienna’s coffeehouse culture comes alive. It’s not all about coffee—pastries are also a huge deal. This tour runs for three hours and thirty minutes, taking you to some of Vienna’s best bakeries, pastry shops, and chocolatiers. You’ll learn about historic favorites, along with modern specialties as you indulge in coffee-sweets pairings.
Vienna Guided Food Tour with 7 Food Tastings & a Secret Dish
This is one of the most popular food tours in Vienna thanks to its secret dish promise. (No spoilers here.) Aside from the hush-hush dishes, you’ll get a broad lay of the culinary land as you sample classic favorites. From schnitzel to goulash to apple strudel, this is a straightforward three and a half hour food tour that covers the bases.
Vienna Food Tour: Coffeehouses, Markets, Lunch & Street Food
Here’s another classic food tour that focuses on showing you the very best of Vienna’s most beloved dishes. This tour isn’t like the others, however, in that it runs for five and a half hours. That makes it perfect for anyone who likes a comprehensive tour, wants to gorge themselves, and is eager to learn about history and culture along the way.
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