In Vienna at Christmas, focus on buying traditional handicrafts, including hand-painted glass ornaments, wooden toys, ceramics from Altwiener Christkindlmarkt on Freyung, and Vienna Snow Globes. Culinary gifts like Mozartkugeln, Manner Schnitten, Austrian wine, and honey are popular. Don't forget to keep the souvenir Glühwein mug.
Popular items to buy in Vienna include Mozartkugeln (chocolate pralines), Sachertorte (famous chocolate cake), and Austrian wines. Traditional Viennese porcelain, Gustav Klimt-inspired souvenirs, and handmade crystal glassware also make great gifts.
The traditional Christmas Market offers Christmas gifts, Christmas tree decorations, handicrafts, culinary treats, confectionery, and warming drinks. At the Vienna Ice World at the Christmas Market, ice skaters can put on their skates and make rounds through the romantically illuminated City Hall Park.
Although there is no officially declared national dish, the original Wiener Schnitzel made from veal is regarded worldwide as Vienna's culinary emblem. Closely following is Tafelspitz, the boiled beef dish made famous by Emperor Franz Joseph.
At the forefront, Red Bull remains Austria's most valuable brand at EUR8. 7 billion, followed by Erste Group Bank AG at EUR6. 1 billion and Raiffeisen banka International AG at EUR3. 1 billion.
In Austria, the dirndl is a symbol of national identity, seen in Austria as a national symbol. In tourist settings, staff in offices, restaurants, wineries and shops often wear dirndls as a work uniform; this is also the case in the non-Alpine regions in the east of Austria.
Consider the Sachertorte pretty much a staple food in Viennese coffee houses, Café-Konditoreien (café-confectioneries), patisseries, and many restaurants. The cake usually lies innocently in a glass vitrine. As you walk past, it flutters its chocolate eyelashes at you, draining your will to resist a slice (or two).
This being said, here is what you should not miss when it comes to Vienna's traditional food: Wiener Schnitzel, Spare Ribs, Tafelspitz, Goulash, Würst, Kaiserschmarrn, Apple Strudel with Vanilla Sauce, and Sachertorte.
