When the morning mist gently settles over the fields, the vines shine in gold and red tones and the scent of roasted chestnuts wafts through the streets, the most enjoyable season of the year begins in Austria: the Autumn. The perfect time for culinary travel in Austria.
Experience culinary journeys in Austria
A time when regional specialties have their big appearance – between Harvest Festival and grape harvest, game weeks and Goose seasonAnd that's exactly what makes culinary journeys through Austria in autumn so special: They taste of landscape, of tradition, of real life.
In this article, I'll take you on a culinary journey through Austria – with personal recommendations and selected hotels that make dining an experience.
🍇 Wine Autumn in Lower Austria: Enjoyment in the Vines
When the new vintage is tasted and the Heurigen wine taverns open their doors, the wine autumn in Lower Austria becomes a celebration. Especially in the Kamptal, the Wachau or by Weinviertel Charming wineries and Bushmen to regional specialties such as Liptauer, Speck and Sturm.
Don’t miss out on your culinary journey in Austria: A guided wine hike through the colourful terraced vineyards of the Wachau – ideally combined with a visit to the winery.
(I.e. Hotel tip:
LOISIUM Wine & Spa Hotel Langenlois
Modern design meets wine culture: with a wine shop, cellar tours and a spa in the middle of a sea of vines.
👉 To the hotel* (Advertisement)
🎃 Styrian autumn delights: pumpkin, pumpkin seed oil & Schilcher
As soon as the pumpkins glow in the fields and the winemakers invite you to storm the harvest, Southern Styria reveals its most beautiful side. It's the perfect time for culinary journeys in Austria. Here, autumn is celebrated not only in color, but also in flavor – with dishes like pumpkin cream soup, Deer medallions or chestnut ravioli.
My tip: A trip along the South Styrian Wine Route with a stop at a Buschenschank at sunset – there is hardly anything more Austrian.
🛏 Hotel tip:
Weingarten-Resort Unterlamm Loipersdorf
Exclusive chalets with panoramic views, breakfast basket and private wine in the room.
👉 To the hotel* (Advertisement)
🦌 Salzburger Land: Between Alpine pastures and game cuisine
The Harvest Festival in Salzburg country is a living tradition. When the cows, adorned with their costumes, head down into the valley and venison stew, chanterelle mushrooms, and plum compote are served on the plates, this is where true country life pulsates.
Whether in the Grossarl Valley during the cattle drive or with a game menu in a historic inn – enjoyment and tradition go hand in hand on a culinary journey through Austria.
🛏 Hotel tip:
Nature Hotel Edelweiss Wagrain
Regional, sustainable and welcoming – with herb workshops and game specialties from our own kitchen.
👉 To the hotel* (Advertisement)
☕ City delights in autumn: Vienna, Graz & Innsbruck
The Austrian autumn also has a lot to offer in urban areas for culinary trips in Austria:
- In Vienna Traditionally, goose season begins in November – ideally in a classic inn with dark beer and potato dumplings.
- In Graz Modern interpretations of Styrian cuisine await you – from pumpkin tapas to pumpkin seed oil tiramisu.
- Innsbruck combines mountain panorama and alpine cuisine: Schlutzkrapfen, cheese dumplings, game – and all with a view of the Nordkette.
🛏 Hotel tips:
The Harmonie Vienna
Boutique hotel with organic breakfast and Viennese flair near the Servitenviertel.
👉 To the hotel* (Advertisement)
Aiola Living Hotel Graz
Stylish, central and right in the culinary heart of the city.
👉 To the hotel* (Advertisement)
NALA Individual Hotel Innsbruck
Unique rooms, sustainable cuisine and urban charm with Alpine views.
👉 To the hotel* (Advertisement)
🛏 Enjoyment tip: You can also enjoy autumn in Salzburg restaurants.
🍁 Autumnal enjoyment calendar – what tastes good when:
✨ Conclusion: Culinary trips in Austria in autumn taste like home
Whether with a glass of Sturm in the Styria, a chestnut stand in Vienna, or a game dish in the mountains – culinary autumn in Austria is more than a journey. It's a conscious arrival in the moment. In the aromas of the season, in the tranquility of nature, in conversation at a Heuriger.
And with the right hotels, the trip becomes an experience that lingers long after – on the tongue as well as in the heart.
Questions and answers about culinary trips in Austria
What makes culinary travel in the Austrian autumn so special?
When the forests are wrapped in warm gold and the first mist settles over the vineyards, a time begins in Austria that is not only scenically fascinating, but also culinary. Autumn is the time of harvest, of reflection, but also of enjoyment. This is when products come to the table that have been grown in small businesses with care and a great deal of knowledge of nature. Culinary journeys at this time of year invite us to pause and reflect. They lead us to people who bring their homeland to life – with fresh Sturm, with game from local forests, with chestnuts from roadside stands, and pumpkin dishes that are only found in the south of the country. We don't just taste autumn – we experience it.
Which regions are particularly inviting for culinary discovery?
There are regions in Austria that become true landscapes of enjoyment in autumn. Southern Styria, for example, unfolds its special magic between September and November. When we travel there, we are magically drawn to wine routes, wine taverns, and pumpkin fields. Further north, in the Kamptal or Wachau, we experience the wine-growing season with all our senses—from the grape harvest to cellar tours to a snack with a view. In Salzburger Land, on the other hand, culinary delights and traditions harmoniously combine. Cattle drives, harvest festivals, and game specialties on rustic alpine pastures demonstrate how closely the culinary traditions are interwoven with the landscape here.
Which dishes are as much a part of the Austrian autumn as the colorful leaves are of the landscape?
It's not just individual ingredients, but entire dishes that we associate with Austrian autumn. These include game dishes, especially venison or roe deer ragout, often served with cranberries, dumplings, and hearty red cabbage. Mushroom dishes—from chanterelles in cream to baked porcini mushrooms—are also on the menu. In Styria, a warming pumpkin soup with a dash of nutty pumpkin seed oil is a must. And when November arrives, goose season begins in many places—with roasted goose, potato dumplings, and sweet red cabbage. Chestnuts or plum compote with homemade vanilla ice cream are often served to round off the meal. These are dishes that warm, nourish, and remind us.
Which festivals and events make culinary autumn trips in Austria special?
The culinary joys of autumn are reflected not only on our plates, but also in the calendar. Numerous festivals celebrate what nature and people have to offer. The Wine Autumn in Lower Austria is particularly impressive. In small wine-growing towns, the wine cellars open their doors, and there are tastings, music, and tours of the vineyards – all in a peaceful, authentic setting. In Southern Styria, however, pumpkin festivals and harvest markets dominate the scene, featuring regional specialties, rural crafts, and traditional music. In Salzburger Land, the decorated animals roam through the valleys during the Almabtrieb (cattle drive), while at the same time, the Harvest Festival (Bauernherbst) is celebrated with events centered around game, mushrooms, and folk culture. These are festivals in which one doesn't just participate, but immerses oneself.
Is it worth planning a trip to Austria for the culinary autumn?
Absolutely. Precisely because autumn is often perceived as a time of transition, it offers the peace and quiet we so often seek when traveling. The temperatures are pleasant, the places are uncrowded – and the hosts have time. Those who travel consciously are particularly richly rewarded now: with warm conversations in a Buschenschank (wine tavern), with a glass of fresh cider under chestnut trees, with a meal made with ingredients that have barely traveled a kilometer. It is this closeness – to nature, to the producers, to the roots of enjoyment – that makes the culinary autumn in Austria so unique. We return not only full, but with stories in our luggage – and the desire to return soon.
How can culinary experiences be combined with nature and cultural experiences?
Especially in the Austrian autumn, culinary delights, nature, and culture merge wonderfully. Those embarking on a journey through wine-producing regions such as the Kamptal or Southern Styria will be rewarded not only with good food, but also with walks through vineyards, visits to wine-growing villages, and views of rolling hills. In places like Gamlitz or Dürnstein, wine tastings meet architectural history. In Salzburger Land, meanwhile, autumn hikes can be combined with alpine hut visits and traditional events. The culinary highlights often take place within historic buildings—old estates, monasteries, or farmhouses where history remains tangible. The result is a journey that nourishes body and soul—and creates memories that extend beyond the culinary.
What role do producers and direct marketers play in culinary travel in autumn?
They are the unsung heroes of every culinary journey. Because what impresses on the plate often begins long before – in the field, in the cellar, in the bakery. Especially in autumn, many producers open their farms to visitors: We can watch pumpkin seeds being pressed, walk through their vineyards with winegrowers, or engage in dialogue with the people behind the product at a must tasting. This proximity makes all the difference. It shows us how much knowledge, craftsmanship, and passion go into a glass of Sturm or a piece of wild salami. In a time when regionality is often just a buzzword, direct marketers offer real insights – and the opportunity to support not only themselves but also a sustainable, vibrant food culture by purchasing their products.
About the authors:
Monika and Petar Fuchs are the team behind TravelWorldOnline and have been working as travel journalists for over 20 years – with a special focus on Enjoyment, culture and slow travelTheir culinary journeys have taken them across Austria: from the wine-growing autumn in the Wachau region to game dishes in Salzburger Land and pumpkin delights in Styria. They visit producers, speak with winemakers, and discover regional specialties off the beaten track. In their articles, they combine in-depth information with personal experiences – authentic, knowledgeable, and always with a sense for the special things along the way. For them, enjoyment is more than just taste: it's an encounter.
More things to know
Source: own on-site research. Some of the trips were organized independently, while others were supported by the local tourism authorities. We are very grateful for this. However, our opinions remain, as always, our own.
Text: © Copyright Monika Fuchs as well TWO
Photos: © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TWO
Video: © Copyright Petar Fuchs and TWO
