Quick answer
Vegetarian eating in Austria is easy in Vienna, manageable in Salzburg and harder in alpine villages such as Hallstatt. Look for Käsespätzle, Kaiserschmarrn, dumplings and strudel, and watch for bacon (Speck) and beef stock (Rindsuppe) in soups and dumplings. Vienna has many Indian restaurants; small towns have few or none.
How easy is it to eat well?
Vegetarian & Jain friendliness
5 = easy everywhere, 1 = plan every meal
Indian food availability
5 = Indian restaurants everywhere, 1 = rare
What to order (and what to ask about)
Käsespätzle
Soft egg noodles baked with mountain cheese and crisp onions, the best vegetarian main in alpine inns; cheese may use animal rennet.
Kaiserschmarrn
Torn, caramelised pancake with raisins and plum compote, often big enough for two; contains egg.
Apfelstrudel
Thin pastry rolled around spiced apples and raisins, served warm with vanilla sauce or cream.
Sachertorte
Vienna's dense chocolate cake with apricot jam, served with unsweetened cream; contains egg.
Germknödel
A large steamed yeast dumpling filled with plum jam, topped with poppy seeds and melted butter.
Gebackener Käse
Breaded and fried cheese with cranberry sauce and potato salad, the vegetarian answer to schnitzel.
Semmelknödel with mushroom sauce
Bread dumplings in creamy mushroom sauce; check the sauce is not made with meat stock.
Kaspressknödel
Fried cheese-and-bread dumplings, often served in beef broth; ask for them with salad instead.
Liptauer
Spicy paprika cheese spread served on dark bread at wine taverns.
Wiener Schnitzel
Breaded veal cutlet, the national dish; pork versions are labelled 'vom Schwein'.
Tafelspitz
Boiled beef with apple-horseradish sauce and fried potatoes, a Viennese classic.
Phrases that help
| Say | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ich bin Vegetarier / Vegetarierin | I am vegetarian (man / woman) |
| Ohne Fleisch, bitte | Without meat, please |
| Ohne Speck | Without bacon (often added to salads and dumplings) |
| Ist das mit Rindsuppe gekocht? | Is this cooked with beef stock? |
| Ist da Ei drin? | Is there egg in it? |
| Ohne Zwiebel und Knoblauch | Without onion and garlic |
Is Austria easy for vegetarians?
It depends where you are. Vienna is easy: vegetarian and vegan restaurants, falafel and Indian stalls at the Naschmarkt, and clearly marked menus. Salzburg and Innsbruck are manageable, with a handful of Indian restaurants and vegetarian options in most cafés. Hallstatt and alpine villages are harder; menus lean on pork, veal and bacon, and you may be choosing between the same two or three dishes each night.
The good news is that Austria's best-loved foods are its desserts and dumplings, and most of those are vegetarian.
Hidden ingredients to ask about
- Speck (bacon) is added to salads, potato dishes and many dumplings.
- Rindsuppe (beef broth) is the base of most clear soups, including those with cheese or semolina dumplings.
- Schmalz (lard) turns up in some pastry and spreads.
- Gelatine is common in cakes, yoghurt desserts and gummy sweets.
Ask before ordering. Staff are used to the question and will usually suggest a vegetarian alternative.
Where to find Indian food
Vienna has the most choice, with Indian restaurants across the city. Salzburg has several, and Innsbruck a few. Hallstatt has no reliable Indian option, so carry snacks on that day and eat Indian in Salzburg in the evening.
Jain travellers
Strict Jain eating is difficult outside Indian restaurants, as onion, garlic and potatoes are in most Austrian dishes. Indian restaurants in Vienna and Salzburg can usually adapt with notice. Carry ready-to-eat meals for travel days, and choose apartments with kitchens where possible.
Supermarkets such as Billa and Spar sell fresh bread, fruit, yoghurt and ready salads. Many shops close on Sundays, so stock up on Saturday.
Plan the rest of your trip
See things to do in Austria, the Austria trip cost for daily food budgets, our itinerary ideas and the best time to visit Austria. Visa steps are on the Austria visa guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Austria vegetarian-friendly?
Can I find Indian food in Salzburg and Hallstatt?
What should vegetarians watch out for in Austrian food?
Is Jain food available in Austria?
How we checked this page
Last reviewed
Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
