How to Eat in Vienna on the Cheap

Vienna is known for its elegant coffeehouses, delectable pastries and sweet specialties like Linzertorte and Sachertorte. It can cost a lot to eat well in Vienna, but it doesn't have to, especially if you follow a few hints that will help you get the most out of your food budget.

Things You'll Need

• Foreign Language Phrase Books
• Local Guidebooks
• Maps
• Local Newspapers
• Airline Tickets
• Travel Services

Instructions

1. Buy a budget guidebook or two before your trip. Many guides include restaurant listings in a variety of price ranges, and some will give you the information you need to convert prices listed in Austrian shillings into your own currency.

2. Surf the Web before you go or visit an Internet café once you arrive to find restaurant lists and reviews.

3. Go to a coffeehouse for a truly Viennese experience. Order coffee and a pastry and sit as long as you like. You won't get a full meal, but you'll get a fascinating cultural experience. Check the prices before you order, of course, since the price of coffee can vary widely.

4. Visit the area around the university for a number of good budget choices. Some restaurants serve traditional Austrian cuisine, and others offer a variety of ethnic foods.

5. Walk a few blocks away from the main tourist areas, where food tends to be very expensive.

6. Avoid the fast-food chains that are strategically placed to attract homesick tourists. The prices are higher than those at home, and the food will be unremarkable.

7. Look for local specialties like goulash and Wiener schnitzel; ask the management at your hotel or hostel for some suggestions.

8. Ask residents for their budget dining suggestions - almost everyone is sure to have a few favorite places. Don't worry if you don't speak German - most people know at least a few words of English.

9. Keep your eyes open for restaurants with cafeteria-style service ' many of them will be affordably priced.

Tips & Warnings

• Bring a German phrase book with phonetic pronunciations of food-related terms. The book will help you understand menus and place orders, especially if you are unfamiliar with the German language.

• Visit a "heurigen," a combination wine bar and restaurant where you'll find the latest vintage of fruity local wine served with traditional Austrian cuisine. Prices and ambience can vary ' some place are tourist traps, while others (usually out in the suburbs) offer a more traditional and affordable experience. Your hotel might be able to recommend an easily accessible heurigen in your price range.

• Find out in advance if the restaurant where you plan to eat takes credit cards. Many European restaurants don't, while others accept just one card instead of the whole range.