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Shop a Vienna Supermarket for Fun Austrian Food Souvenirs

Shop a Vienna Supermarket for Fun Austrian Food Souvenirs

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When in Vienna, I always make sure to visit a supermarket to pick up some of my favorite Austrian items that aren’t available in the States.  On my last trip, I checked out two typical Austrian supermarket chains, Billa and Spar.

austrian grocery store supermarket billaWhile in many cities you’ll have to trek to the outskirts to find a supermarket larger than a 7-11, in Vienna you’ll find well-stocked grocery stores right in the center.  A central location makes it easy to slip in a supermarket stop with the rest of your itinerary–  we hit this Billa after visiting the Stephansdom, just a couple of blocks away.

vienna tour guide shopping in supermarket

Ever wonder where your tour guide goes after the tour is over?

Visiting an Austrian supermarket can be a refreshing break from the tourist sites and is an easy way to join the locals in their day-to-day activities.

What typical Austrian food items can you buy at a Vienna Supermarket?

1.  Mozartkugel –Mozart Balls, a classic Austrian Souvenir

Love them or hate them, there is no denying that Mozart balls are the souvenir of choice for many tourists.

mozart balls viennaWhat exactly is a Mozart ball?  Conveniently, a visual is provided right on the packaging.  A green pistachio, marzipan core is covered with layers of nougat and chocolate, then wrapped up in shiny foil featuring Mozart’s portrait.

mozart balls cheapest

The supermarket had several brands of Mozart balls to choose from– and the best prices.

While you can only find the original Furst Mozart balls in Salzburg, you’ll find the copycat versions everywhere else in Austria– at gift shops, train stations, the airport, and of course at the supermarket.

Sissi chocolates Vienna AustriaAn alternative to the ubiquitous Mozart ball are these Sissi Talers– a combination of fruity apricot-marzipan on truffle cream, covered in milk chocolate.  We had these tasty treats placed on our pillow each night at our hotel, the luxe Bristol.

2.  Austrian Mustard and Mayonnaise in a tube

mayonnaise in a tube germanMayonnaise in a tube is perfect for squeezing out just the right amount of mayo, no clunky utensil required.

But what if you like your sandwiches with both mayo and ketchup?  Recognizing the extra labor involved in squeezing out both condiments separately, the Austrians have come up with a brilliant, time-saving solution. This ketchup and mayo combo pack dispenses separate ribbons of ketchup and mayo in one colorful, striped twist.

mustard in tubeColorfully packaged mustards of every possible variety lines the shelves.  It was all I could do to resist the urge to squeeze them right then and there. Some of the mustards were easy for a non-German speaker to identify– like this “Englischer” and “Grill” mustard.

kremser estragon austrian mustard tarragonFor others, I had to rely on the translation assistance of a helpful local browsing the aisle.  I never would have guessed that “estragon” mustards are made with tarragon and are an Austrian best-seller.  Into my shopping basket they went.  I also brought home some Kremser-senf  mustard– a mild, but flavorful, all-purpose type mustard that’s perfect on sandwiches.

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SF Packing tips for condiments-in-a-tube:

  • Mustards and mayonnaise count as liquids and will be confiscated from your carry on.
  • When packing your tubes in your checked luggage, make sure to place them in a box first (I used a shoe box) to prevent pressure from your other items from bursting the tube.  I learned this lesson the hard way on my prior trip when my mustard burst en route– fortunately the mess was confined to the Ziploc I packed my tube in.

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3.  Cult items like Heinz Curry Mango

Heniz curry mango sauce

I added this curry mango sauce to homemade chicken salad for an extra flavor kick.

Austrian supermarkets have all sorts of highly specialized condiments to browse, like these sauces designed exclusively for dipping chicken nuggets or potato wedges.

Intrigued by the Heinz curry mango sauce, I brought it home with me.  I later learned that despite the English label, the sauce is not distributed in many English-speaking countries and has a sort of cult item status on certain foodie boards, with forum posters swapping tips on where to replenish their dwindling supply.

4.  Austrian Cookies

Manner wafer cookies souvenir Austrian foodI didn’t realize how much I would love these Manner wafer cookies until I brought them home, read about the cookies and my visit to the Manner store here.

I also picked up these Shoko-Banane cookies, made with real banana pulp and these “bedtime cookies” to be eaten right before retiring for the night.

5.  Preserved and pickled vegetables

Austrians pickle all sorts of vegetable combinations.  Look for interesting varieties from famous purveyor Staud’s, which also has its own store in downtown Vienna.

6.  Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil

pumpkin seed olive oil from styria austriaAustrian pumpkin seed oil is dark green and nutty and commonly used in dressings, soups and sauces.

7.  Austrian Schnapps

austrian schnapps souvenir viennaIf you associate schnapps with the cheap peppermint stuff you may have drank at college parties, you haven’t tried real Austrian Schnapps.  Schnapps are a type of brandy made with fruit picked at the height of the season, often made in small batches by artisanal producers.

8.  Austrian Jams and Honey

austrian jam souvenirJams and honey are my go-to grocery store souvenirs, for both myself and to use as gifts.  Staud’s, known for pickling, also makes excellent jams. Darbo, a 100-year-old Tyrolean company, is another great jam option.

austrian food honeyLook for interesting honey varieties like this dark forest honey.

9.  Pre-Packaged Austrian baked goods

While hitting a cafe is your best bet for take-home Austrian treats like the Sacher torte, that can get pricey if you have lots of gifts to buy.  For an economical alternative, check out the abundant pre-packaged Austrian baked goods available at the supermarket.

You’ll find all sorts of Austrian classics like Linzer tortes, strudels and punschkrapfen. These are usually made without artificial ingredients and preservatives so you may be surprised at how delicious they are.

knodel austrian dumplingsLoved the sweet dumplings you had at a Viennese cafe?  Just heat and eat this ready-made version at home.

10.  Austrian baking mixes for DIY goodies

sacher torte cake mixDaunted at the prospect of baking a Sacher torte at home from scratch?  At an Austrian supermarket, you can buy everything you need to make your own. Start with a packaged Sacher torte cake mix.

sacher torte topping chocolate ganache ready made instant manner

I planned to pour this over a cake, but the foil top “accidentally” came off so I ended up eating it with a spoon.

Heat and pour this ready-made chocolate ganache topping over your cake.

austrian whipped creme, schlagThen finish with traditional Austrian schlag (unsweetened whipped creme).

11.  Knorr packaged items

Want to replicate your favorite savory Austrian treats?  Knorr isn’t an Austrian company but their products do vary country by country.

In Austria, you’ll find Knorr sauces for your favorite Austrian dishes like Rahmschnitzel, and ready made packaged side dishes like spatzle and savory knodels.

12. Coffee

austrian coffee souvenir

Made in Austria coffee from Julius Meinl

Remember not to ask for “Viennese” coffee in Vienna– it’s just called coffee here.  If you are looking for Austrian coffee specifically, make sure to check the label, as most of the brands they carried at the stores I visited were actually from Germany.

13.  Not souvenir friendly, but still interesting

Depending on where you live, customs or sheer inconvenience might prevent you from bringing home certain items.

IMG_0380Jarred Austrian frankfurters.

DSC05999Coffee creamer (all natural “double milk”) in these adorable glass jars.

DSC05991Austrian hams from the deli.

Bringing home your Austrian Supermarket Souvenirs

DSC06025Depending on how many items you plan to buy, you may want to make the supermarket the last stop before you head back to your hotel.  We left with heavy bags full of our great souvenir finds.

Have you shopped an Austrian supermarket?  Did we miss any of your favorite Austrian food items? Share in the comments below!

Want to read more souvenir shopping posts about Austria?  Check out these posts:

The Elegant Dogs of Vienna– warning: cute dog photos!
How Austrian men stay warm and stylish
Manner cookies– better than homemade
My favorite Christmas Market in Vienna
The best and worst of Vienna’s Christmas markets: my unfiltered guide

All photos Copyright 2014 by Souvenir Finder and may not be reused without express permission.

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Jill

Monday 19th of September 2022

This was such a fun list! We are going to have a family night where we will showcase Austrian foods and culture. Thank you for all of the helpful ideas. You are amazing! Don’t let the naysayers get you down.

Kristin Francis

Thursday 17th of November 2022

Hi Jill! Thanks for the encouragement :) I hope you enjoy the food night!

Walter Solorzano

Thursday 3rd of January 2019

I am planning to travel with my wife on May 2019 this is a good time to travel ??

Kristin Francis

Tuesday 22nd of January 2019

Hi Walter! Yes it should be an amazing time to travel, before the main tourist season but warm enough for strolls.

Sunday 17th of June 2018

as an austrian.. this list is just stupid... do not follow...

Mrs A Pinto

Saturday 12th of January 2019

Well, as an Österreicherin, I fully agree with the anonymous writer. You didn't touch on the most delicious things to be found there. I shan't even mention the meats and hams or over 30 variations of coffees to be had in the fantastic Kaffeehäuser including in Josef Meinl itself, Apfelstrudel, Vanillekipferl etc etc etc not to forget the Punschkrapferln from Aida. Go shopping in Austria for mustard and ketchup in the same tube? The mind boggles apart from me taking Estragon Senf from Mautner Markhof home but then I know what I'm doing. That list needs revising badly. The beautiful Austrian wines don't even get a mention or apricots from the Wachau which are the best in the world. None ANYWHERE taste like that. If you are there during that season, they must be tried or the Zwetschgen. Heuriger? Pls go back to Austria and do a proper research. Govto the Opera etc. Then go back and write about it.

Kristin Francis

Friday 26th of October 2018

Hi there! Not sure why you would comment to say that but have a great day!

Friday 16th of March 2018

I’m excited already. Coming April 12 this year. Thank you. Alicia

Kristin Francis

Monday 26th of March 2018

Thanks for commenting! I have a best of Vienna post in draft mode but not sure I'll get it out before then! Check out Loden Plankl, Sacher Tortes (and Imperial Tortes at Hotel Imperial), the antiques district and my other posts! Also don't miss the sandwiches at Trzesniewski.

Preena Monga

Saturday 10th of March 2018

Really interesting ! shall be visiting Billa for sure. You are great and thanks again

Kristin Francis

Monday 26th of March 2018

Thanks so much! Enjoy and let me know if you come across any good finds! Spar is another big supermarket chain.