The connoisseur nation of Austria the proper vacation spot for foodies looking for to expertise the very best of Europe in a single nation.
Austria’s cities are abuzz all year long with completely different festivals, arts and cultural occasions and through the festive year-end holidays, Christmas markets pop up all throughout the nation. Culinary experiences in Austria usually embody the spirit of “Gemütlichkeit” (pronounced “guh-MOOT-lih-kite”) which is the sensation of contentment and togetherness.
Food high quality is assured by rigorous certifications, on which award-winning Austrian cooks depend on. The 2022 MICHELIN Guide launched a brand new distinction for the primary time in Austria – the MICHELIN Green Star, which recognises institutions which can be dedicated to a extra sustainable gastronomy.
The restaurant TIAN positioned in Vienna, acquired the primary MICHELIN Green Star in recognition for his or her sustainable ethos, constructed round seasonal and native merchandise, and their completely vegetarian menu. Additionally, Tian was one among 17 Austrian eating places that have been awarded MICHELIN Stars for his or her high quality of meals. This contains Vienna’s 3-star MICHELIN restaurant Amador by prime chef Juan Amador.
Here are some favorite meals experiences you shouldn’t miss:
Spitzer Marillenkirtag (July 2023)
In July 2023, the standard “Spitzer Marillenkirtag” (Apricot Festival) will tempt tastebuds with a wide range of dishes created utilizing Wachau apricots.
Taste fluffy apricot dumplings, indulge within the fruity apricot punch and most interesting apricot brandy, or uncover new creations constituted of apricots with “protected designation of origin” high quality seals which can be awarded solely to Wachau apricot growers dedicated to producing the top-quality varieties.
Genuss-Festival, Vienna (12-14 May 2023)
The largest culinary competition in Vienna is a introduced by “artists of careful refinement”. Over 200 cooks and native producers come collectively on Mother’s Day weekend at Stadtpark. Taste wasabi from Burgenland, alpine caviar from Upper Austria, mushrooms and shrimp from Styria, spicy cheese from Tyrol and a few distinctive merchandise equivalent to potato sausage.
Gault&Millau Gourmet Fair, Vienna (16-17 September 2023)
Be pampered by prime cooks on the “Genussmesse” (pleasure) competition of tremendous meals and wine. Award-winning Gault&Millau “toque” cooks from the highest eating places of Austria and famend winemakers will collect on the beautiful Kursalon Hübner music corridor for probably the most prestigious culinary occasion of the yr.
The Gault&Millau Genussmesse has grow to be a fixture of Austrian gastronomy the place food-lovers collect to attempt connoisseur dishes, award-winning tavern fare and astounding avant-garde dishes.
Ostirrol de Luxe, Lienz (July to August 2023)
The longest connoisseur competition in Austria runs throughout 7 weeks in Tyrol, introducing the very best of the area’s substances and merchandise. Lienz’s essential sq. turns into the “Gourmet Plaza” the place East Tyrol’s award-winning culinary elites collect and serve up the very best of Alpine farm-to-table delicacies. The competition additionally attracts different cooks from neighbouring areas like South Tyrol, Salzburg and Styria.
The finest solution to discover the numerous regional specialities is on a meals tour, just like the “Eat like a Native” meals tour in Innsbruck the place an area foodie insider will take you on a epicurean journey by the attractive outdated city. Sample native delicacies and study Tyrolean typical flavours as you hear the tales of traditions and inspirations behind the dishes.
South Styrian Wine Route, Styria
If you wish to uncover culinary highlights by yourself, the south Styrian wine route is very advisable, which covers 25 km by Styria’s prime wine-growing areas. Located close to to Slovenia, this area within the south of Austria enchants with Tuscany vibes. Here the nice and cozy hospitality of the locals, cultivated vineyards, fresh-fruity wines, wonderful roadside inns and the “Klapotetz” (wind turbine) are omnipresent, seen landmarks that decide the tempo of life.
Food and wine lovers will take pleasure in this gastronomic journey by this lush surroundings, with its enchanting small Austrian villages, inviting wine taverns serving native specialities and probably the most scrumptious home-made wine.
Bregenzerwald Cheese Path, Vorarlberg
Hike your approach alongside mountainous footpaths and go to Alpine dairies, farms, cheese cellars and eating places. Cheese-hiking has a 2000-year-old historical past and this epicurean journey will uncover the centuries-old custom of cheese-making of Austria’s westernmost province.
Made up of a union of 17 Valley Dairies and 90 Alpine Farmsteads, the mountaineering path spans about 48 kilometres, and cheese aficionados can take pleasure in beautiful surroundings whereas visiting Vorarlberg’s dairy-rich pastures.
Via Culinaria, Salzburgerland
Embark on a journey of discovery by Salzburgerland, the house of “Sound of Music”. Via Culinaria focuses on regionality, originality, high quality and authenticity. Chefs and farmers have partnered to curate ten themed pleasure pathways introducing connoisseur experiences for herb lovers, fish followers, meatatarians, natural connoisseurs, dessert-lovers and extra.
From the alpine hut to the lake terrace to the extremely adorned connoisseur restaurant in the course of Salzburg’s outdated city – there are round 330 distinctive addresses to style on ten pleasure trails all through the nation. Cheese-lovers have nineteen addresses to go to whereas beer and schnaps lovers can go to twenty-four breweries and distilleries.
Every city has its personal festivals and what takes centrestage is the contemporary, regional produce. From the wine and hops competition in southern Styria, to fresh-harvest agriculture produce, and the well-loved apricots of the Wachau Valley, there’s all the time a cause and season to rejoice and feast.