The Danube Valley, Austria
Austrian cuisine mirrors its imperial past, blending influences from Hungary, Bohemia, and Italy with local peasant traditions. It focuses on hearty, comforting dishes, often featuring meat, potatoes, and dough-based products.
Upper Austrian cuisine, known for its variations of "Knödel" (dumplings) and the famous Linzer Torte, displays the region's agricultural bounty and historical cooking methods.
Pork, beef, potatoes, cabbage, and various root vegetables. Flour, butter, and cream are staples in many recipes.
Spices like paprika, caraway, and marjoram give depth to savory dishes.
Sweet dishes often feature fruit jams, notably apricot, plum, and redcurrant.
A visit to Linz presents signature dishes and local favorites for your palate.
A classic Austrian pastry originating from Linz. Shortcrust pastry with ground nuts, cinnamon, cloves, and redcurrant jam. A lattice crust tops the torte. The Linzer Auge is a smaller cookie version.
Find at any local bakery (Bäckerei) or café (Konditorei).
A staple of Austrian cuisine, especially in Upper Austria. Varieties include Grammelknödel (pork cracklings), Speckknödel (bacon), Leberknödel (liver), and sweet Marillenknödel (apricot).
Find these at traditional Austrian restaurants, known as Gasthäuser.
Schweinsbraten (roast pork with crispy crackling, bread dumplings, sauerkraut) is a hearty main course. Leberkäse (meatloaf, served hot) can be enjoyed in a bun or with egg and potatoes. Wiener Schnitzel (breaded veal cutlet) is a national dish.
Butcher shops (Fleischerei), fast-food stalls, and traditional restaurants present these dishes.
Most (Cider): Fermented apple or pear juice, common in Upper Austria. Linzer Bier: A local beer. Austrian wines: Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, Zweigelt.
Almdudler: A popular Austrian herbal lemonade. Coffee: Explore Vienna's renowned coffeehouse culture in Linz with a Melange, Einspänner, or Verlängerter.
Linz has upscale restaurants like Verdi or Das Anton. They feature modern Austrian or international cuisine.
Numerous options offer traditional Austrian food, Italian, Asian, and other international cuisines.
For quick and inexpensive meals, consider various street food and market options.
Linz presents a good selection of international restaurants. You can find Italian, various Asian cuisines (Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese), Turkish, and other European restaurants.
This variety ensures that all visitors can find something to suit their preferences.
From a quick bite to a full sit-down meal, international options are readily available in various neighborhoods.
Explore different culinary traditions within the city.
Local culinary schools may offer Austrian cooking classes. Check with Linz Tourism for offerings.
Visit cider farms (Mostheuriger), cheese producers, distilleries in Upper Austria.
Seasonal markets and food events occur year-round. Check local event calendars.
Some modern restaurants incorporate the city's artistic or technological identity.
Awareness of gluten-free ("glutenfrei") and other allergens is growing in Austria. Larger restaurants and hotels often cater to these needs.
Always advisable to communicate clearly with restaurant staff.
Most Austrians in service roles speak English and will try to accommodate your dietary needs.
Direct communication is for a worry-free meal.
Utilize apps like HappyCow for vegetarian and vegan restaurant listings. These platforms offer up-to-date information.
Do not hesitate to discuss your specific dietary requirements with restaurant staff upon arrival.
Occasional workshops are available at cultural institutions like the Ars Electronica Center, focusing on topics like coding or digital art.
Local culinary schools may offer Austrian cooking classes. Inquire at the tourist information center for current offerings during your visit.
Formal community-based tourism programs are limited. However, local markets, like Südbahnhofmarkt, display authentic local life and interactions with residents.
The State Theater of Linz presents a wide repertoire, including opera, operetta, musicals, ballet, and drama.
A central venue for diverse stage productions.
A renowned concert hall, home to the Bruckner Orchester Linz. It hosts classical concerts, jazz performances, and world music events.
Set in a modern building overlooking the Danube.
Crossing Europe Film Festival (April): An international film festival focusing on European cinema.
Linz Marathon (April): An international running event drawing participants from around the world.
From late November to December, festive markets appear at Hauptplatz and Volksgarten.
German language schools in Linz offer short-term courses for visitors interested in learning basic phrases or improving their German skills.
