A true Wiener Schnitzel is a thin veal cutlet, breaded and fried until the crumb puffs up, served with lemon and a potato or cucumber salad. In Austria the name is legally reserved for veal; a version made with any other meat must be called Schnitzel Wiener Art (“Viennese-style schnitzel”), and that is usually pork, so read the menu. In a traditional Vienna restaurant expect to pay roughly €18–€30 for veal (2026).
| Quick facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Wiener Schnitzel | Veal only, by Austrian food rules |
| Schnitzel Wiener Art | Same method with another meat, usually pork: avoid if you eat halal |
| Classic sides | Erdäpfelsalat (potato salad), parsley potatoes, cucumber salad, lingonberry jam |
| Where to eat it | A Beisl (traditional tavern) or old Viennese restaurant |
| Typical price | About €18–€30 for veal (2026) |
What makes a good Wiener Schnitzel
The meat is pounded very thin, dipped in flour, egg and fine breadcrumbs, and fried in plenty of fat while the pan is moved so the coating lifts into waves. A well-made schnitzel has a crisp, golden crust that separates slightly from the meat, and it should not be greasy. It is served with a lemon wedge; squeeze it over just before eating.
Menus must say which meat is used, so read carefully: vom Kalb is veal, vom Huhn or Hühnerschnitzel is chicken, and vom Schwein is pork.
Where to eat schnitzel in Vienna
- Plachutta – a group of traditional restaurants best known for Tafelspitz (boiled beef), with classic veal schnitzel on the menu too.
- Neighbourhood Beisln – old-style taverns across the city serve schnitzel at lower prices than the city centre.
Restaurants change hours and menus, so check before you go and book at weekends.
How to order
| Say | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ein Wiener Schnitzel vom Kalb, bitte | A veal Wiener Schnitzel, please |
| Ist das Fleisch halal? | Is the meat halal? |
| Ist da Schweinefleisch drin? | Does it contain pork? |
| Mit Erdäpfelsalat | With potato salad |
| Mit Preiselbeeren | With lingonberry jam |
| Zahlen, bitte | The bill, please |
Tipping in Austria: round up or add about 5–10% and tell the server the total when you pay, rather than leaving money on the table.
Frequently asked questions
Is Wiener Schnitzel veal or pork?
By Austrian food rules, a dish called Wiener Schnitzel must be veal. Pork versions are sold as Schnitzel Wiener Art or Schnitzel vom Schwein.
What is served with Wiener Schnitzel?
Lemon, and usually Viennese potato salad or parsley potatoes. Lingonberry jam and cucumber salad are common too.
How much does a schnitzel cost in Vienna?
Roughly €18–€30 for veal in a traditional restaurant (2026 prices). Chicken schnitzel is usually cheaper.
Halal note: veal and chicken in ordinary Vienna restaurants are usually not halal-slaughtered, and the same fryer is often used for pork. If you eat halal, look for restaurants with halal certification (many are Turkish or Middle Eastern and serve chicken schnitzel), and ask Ist das Fleisch halal? before ordering.
More in Austria: Austrian Alpine dumplings. Browse all Austria food guides or estimate your food budget for Austria.
Sources
- Vienna Tourist Board (wien.info).
- Wiener schnitzel – history and naming rules.
