Like Poland, most of the traditional Austrian foods are meat based comfort foods. There are also a lot of traditional desserts.

Austrian Apfelstrudel is a dessert made from layers of very thin, unleavened pastry and a filling of spiced, sweet apples with raisins and breadcrumbs to absorb excess moisture.

Austrian Apfelstrudel is a dessert made from layers of very thin, unleavened pastry and a filling of spiced, sweet apples with raisins and breadcrumbs to absorb excess moisture.

Käferbohnen -They remind me too much of lima beans, but are probably about 3 times as big! They are in lots of cold dishes and at famers market. We didn't like them... the photo is of the pile we DIDN'T eat.

Käferbohnen -They remind me too much of lima beans, but are probably about 3 times as big! They are in lots of cold dishes and at famers market. We didn't like them... the photo is of the pile we DIDN'T eat.

Wiener Schnitzel, the traditional Austrian dish made from thinly pounded, breaded, and pan-fried veal, and often served with a lemon slice and parsley potatoes.

Wiener Schnitzel, the traditional Austrian dish made from thinly pounded, breaded, and pan-fried veal, and often served with a lemon slice and parsley potatoes.

Topfentascherl - a pastry featuring a creamy, sweet curd cheese (Topfen) filling, often flavored with lemon or vanilla in a sweet, flaky pastry.

Topfentascherl - a pastry featuring a creamy, sweet curd cheese (Topfen) filling, often flavored with lemon or vanilla in a sweet, flaky pastry.

Goulash - a rich, paprika-spiced beef stew or thick soup that originated from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It is known for its thick, gravy-like consistency and is considered a comforting, hearty meal that can be served as a stew with dumplings or as

Goulash - a rich, paprika-spiced beef stew or thick soup that originated from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It is known for its thick, gravy-like consistency and is considered a comforting, hearty meal that can be served as a stew with dumplings or as a soup.

Sturm - Made from the first wine harvest. It is basically partially fermented grape juice with a low alcohol content. It's kind of a big deal here in the fall. We weren't crazy about it.

Sturm - Made from the first wine harvest. It is basically partially fermented grape juice with a low alcohol content. It's kind of a big deal here in the fall. We weren't crazy about it.

Cheese spaetzl - Basically fancy, really yummy mac and cheese! It's made with homemade egg dumplings (spaetzle), melted cheese, and topped with crispy, caramelized onions. They prepare a soft, dough-like spaetzle and layer it with rich cheeses and a

Cheese spaetzl - Basically fancy, really yummy mac and cheese! It's made with homemade egg dumplings (spaetzle), melted cheese, and topped with crispy, caramelized onions. They prepare a soft, dough-like spaetzle and layer it with rich cheeses and a bit of cream, then bake it until it's gooey.

Austrian potato salad - made with a vinegar-based dressing and flavored with mustard and fresh herbs. The waiter said it was THE BEST in all of Austria. It was decent.

Austrian potato salad - made with a vinegar-based dressing and flavored with mustard and fresh herbs. The waiter said it was THE BEST in all of Austria. It was decent.

Coffee houses are a really big deal in Vienna! Viennese coffee houses are significant as centers for social, intellectual, and cultural life, and even recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage. People apparently hang out in them for hou

Coffee houses are a really big deal in Vienna! Viennese coffee houses are significant as centers for social, intellectual, and cultural life, and even recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage. People apparently hang out in them for hours! Some of the more popular ones had long lines waiting to get in. We didn't see the big deal. Neither the coffee nor the environment were much different than at a cute coffee shop at home (in our opinion)