Eat & Drink Like a Local - Austria - page 98

How to Eat & Drink
Clicking into the Austrians' culinary groove is easier than you might think. Read on to
find out why breakfast is big, lunch is great value and coffee and cake are the perfect after-
noon pick-me-up.
When to Eat & Drink
» Frühstuck (breakfast) Austrians are the first to reel off the old adage about breakfast being the most important meal
of the day. During the week, the locals may just grab a jam-spread Semmel (roll) and a coffee or a bowl of muesli, but at
the weekend breakfast is often a leisurely, all-morning affair. A rising number of coffee houses and cafes have Sunday
brunch buffets for around €15 to €20, with everything from sunny-side-up eggs to salmon, antipasti, cereals, fresh-
pressed juices and Sekt (sparkling wine). You won't need to eat again until dinner.
» Mittagessen (lunch) Another meal locals rarely skip, lunch is often a soup or salad followed by a main course. Stand-
ard hours are 11.30am to 2.30pm.
» Kaffee und Kuchen (coffee and cake) The exception to not snacking between mealtimes is this three o'clock ritual.
Indulge at a local Konditorei (cake shop) or coffee house.
» Apéritif The trend for predinner drinks is on the rise. The pavement terrace tipple of choice? Aperol spritz.
» Abendessen (dinner) Late-night city dining aside, Austrians tend to dine somewhat earlier than their European coun-
terparts, with kitchens open from 7pm to 9pm or 9.30pm. Many places have a Kleine Karte (snack menu) outside of
these hours.