Breaking Your Fast in Austria

I have been asked to write about food in Austria. I feel that I have been neglecting my duty on this all important topic. So here goes. I will be writing a series on food and dividing it up by meal (breakfast, lunch, coffee time, and dinner). I’ll also be giving tips on what to eat and order. Warning for vegetarians: Austrian cuisine is all about meat and potatoes. I’ll help you get around that.

Everyone knows that eating breakfast is an important health choice. Below is what you’ll usually find when breakfast is being served.

• Bread. It’s the most delicious that you have ever tasted. I don’t know what they do to their bread here. You usually get a basket with a variety from white bread to dark bread filled with seeds and nuts. Divine!
• Butter and jam are served along with the bread. If you’re lucky, you’ll somehow get a hold of homemade jam. It seems like every woman here makes her own. I am a fiend in collecting homemade jam. I like it because it seems to have less sugar, allowing you to taste the fruit more.
• Nutella. If I have to educate you about Nutella, you are missing out on one of life’s greatest pleasures. Chocolate is allowed, (no!) full accepted, as part of breakfast. For you Americans, you can buy it at any grocery store where the peanut butter is. Smear it over French bread and let your taste buds dance with delight.
• Hard boiled eggs are usual. You can ask for soft boiled eggs if that is your preference.
• Ham and cheese. I find it very weird to have lunchmeats for breakfast. Austrians make themselves little sandwiches for breakfast. Odd.
• Coffee and orange juice.

At an Austrian breakfast you will not find omelets, pancakes, or muffins. There are no breakfast joints either. If you want to go to breakfast, you go to a (surprise!) coffeehouse and are spoiled by the above items being served on silver platters. Literally. Silver platters. I find the experience to be decadent.

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