What to Eat and Drink at Vienna’s Christmas Markets
The festive foods, warming drinks and useful ordering details worth knowing before your first Vienna Christmas market visit.
Updated for the 2026 season · Dates can change
Vienna’s Christmas markets are not one enormous dinner menu. Some stalls specialise in drinks, others in grilled food, sweets or gifts, and the selection changes from market to market. Arrive hungry enough to try things, but do not order the first familiar sausage simply because it is there.
The best approach is to share, taste one item at a time and leave space for whatever smells better at the next square.
The savoury staples
Käsekrainer is a smoky sausage containing small pockets of cheese, usually served with mustard and bread. Bratwurst is the simpler classic. Langos — fried dough often served with garlic, sour cream or cheese — is ideal for sharing because it is bigger and heavier than it looks.
You will also see raclette-style melted cheese, potato dishes, soups and regional variations. Look at what is being cooked in front of you and choose a stall with a short, moving queue rather than the one nearest the entrance.
Sweet things worth leaving room for
Roasted almonds and chestnuts are the easiest walking snacks. For something more substantial, look for Kaiserschmarrn, torn pancake pieces served warm, or Austrian pastries such as strudel and doughnut-like Krapfen. Chocolate-covered fruit looks lighter than it often is; one skewer can comfortably be shared.
Vanillekipferl — crescent-shaped vanilla biscuits — are especially tied to Austrian Christmas. They also travel better than most hot desserts if you want something for later.
Markets mentioned
Glühwein, punch and alcohol-free choices
Glühwein is hot spiced wine. Punsch is a broader category and can contain rum, fruit, tea or other spirits, so ask what is in it before assuming every cup is the same strength. Kinderpunsch and other alcohol-free fruit punches are widely available.
The ceramic mug usually involves a deposit, called Pfand. Return the mug to recover the deposit or keep it as a paid souvenir. Deposit rules and mug designs vary, so check the sign at the stall rather than relying on what happened at the previous market.
Good to know
Hot punch can be stronger than it tastes. Alternate with water, especially if you are visiting several markets in one evening.
Where to focus your food evening
Large markets provide the widest selection, while compact markets make it easier to compare stalls without walking far. Am Hof works well in a central food route; Rathausplatz offers choice; Spittelberg lets you combine market snacks with the surrounding neighbourhood. Riesenradplatz is useful for a later, lively evening.
A sensible tasting plan
Start with one savoury item, move to a different market for a drink, then decide whether you want dessert. Sharing makes it possible to try more without spending the entire evening eating. Carry some cash, ask the price including mug deposit, and keep both hands free if the market is crowded.
- ✓Share larger dishes
- ✓Ask whether the punch contains alcohol
- ✓Check the displayed mug deposit
- ✓Carry small euro notes and coins
- ✓Save one sweet item for the final stop
Want to make the evening easy?
Food and drink are included on Magdalena’s private market tour, which is useful if you would rather have a local choose the stops and explain what you are ordering.
See the private tour →