Although Viennese meals are traditionally big and hearty, innovative chefs throughout the city now turn out lighter versions of the old classics. Even so, the Viennese love to eat, often as many as six times a day. Breakfast usually consists of bread with butter, jam, or cheese, along with milk and coffee. Around 10am is gabelfrühstück (snack breakfast), when diners usually savor some type of meat, perhaps little finger sausages. Lunch at midday is normally a filling meal, and the afternoon jause consists of coffee, open-face sandwiches, and the luscious pastries that the Viennese make so well. Dinners can also be hearty, although many locals prefer a light evening meal.

Because Vienna cherishes its theaters, concert halls, and opera houses, many locals choose to dine after a performance. Après-théâtre is all the rage in this city, and many restaurants and cafes stay open late to cater to cultural buffs. Unlike those in other western European capitals, many of Vienna’s restaurants observe Sunday closings (marked by SONNTAG RUHETAG signs). Also beware of summer holiday closings, when chefs would rather rush to nearby lake resorts than cook for Vienna’s tourist hordes. Sometimes restaurants announce vacation closings only a week or two before shutting down.