If you're currently on a low-carb diet, you might want to read our recommendations for the best sights and music venues in Vienna. If, on the other hand, you haven't completely sworn off sweet pastries and crispy delicacies, we'll tell you exactly what the popular apple strudel show is all about and whether it's really worth a visit. We also provide a few more recommendations on where you can get up close and personal with real Viennese baking.

A tip first: the Vienna Welcome Card gives you lots of discounts - and they're pretty sweet too. 

Gerstner K. u. K. Hofzuckerbäcker: Strudel show

Whether filled with curd cheese, poppy seeds or apples: The Viennese love their strudel and rightly so. The Viennese apple strudel in particular is a true emblem of Viennese coffee house culture: it consists of a wafer-thin pastry filled with juicy apples, cinnamon, sugar, raisins and nuts. The secret to the perfect strudel lies in the light and airy texture of the dough, which becomes crispy when baked and perfectly encloses the juicy filling. Many recipes are based on centuries-old traditions, including that of K&K Hofzuckerbäckerei Gerstner. In the strudel show in the historic rooms of Schönbrunn Palace, you can watch how real Viennese apple strudel is prepared four times a day. The show takes you down the time-honored steps into the historic cellar vault, where baking took place when the raisins were still delivered by carriage. The live show includes a tasting and provides entertaining historical information and practical baking tricks. 

Our verdict on the apple strudel show

The apple strudel show is exciting and entertaining throughout, the bakers have lots of funny sayings in store and show in an entertaining way how authentic Viennese apple strudel is prepared. Admittedly, we used to like to use ready-made strudel dough from the supermarket, but with the tips on preparing the dough, there are no more excuses. We finally know how to stretch the dough so thin that you can see through it - and are guaranteed to get the crispiest strudel out of the oven. Of course, you will also find out which apple varieties are the best and how to prepare the raisins. 

At the end, all participants will receive the original recipe and, of course, there will also be a proper slice of the golden-brown delicacy including coffee and mineral water. However, you can also choose a cheaper package without drinks, which only includes a tasting - but we definitely recommend the full snack. As a digestive walk afterwards, we recommend a tour of Schönbrunn Palace and the gardens, with discounts available with the Vienna Welcome Card. We can only recommend this informal and relaxed event as part of a visit to Vienna! 

Vollpension: baking courses from Sachertorte to Buchteln

We love full board: this intergenerational café has set itself the task of combating poverty in old age and ensuring an active exchange between young and old. And we don't need to explain to anyone that grandma and grandpa have the best baking tips, do we? In the two Vollpension coffee houses in the 4th and 1st districts, pastries are prepared and served by long-time baking professionals. The interior is just as cozy: just like grandma and grandpa. 

But you can not only enjoy wholesome baked goods, you can also learn for yourself how to make butter, flour and eggs. The Vollpension baking studio in the 6th district offers a range of courses: from the perfect Sacher torte to fluffy Buchteln (also vegan) and traditional Viennese apple strudel. The courses can be booked online in advance and you can of course dip your fingers in the dough yourself (the apple strudel show in Schönbrunn, on the other hand, is only for spectators).

Sweet bonus on top: with the Vienna Welcome Card you get a 20% discount on the baking course.  

Crust & crumb: Striezel, Kipferl, Kaisersemmel and more

Crispy crusts also await you at Krust & Krume, where traditional Viennese baked goods are also on the menu. Only the croissant is guaranteed to be crumbly, but not the mind during the baking course on Mürbes Wiener Kipferl. Or would you like to add making a fluffy Striezel from yeast dough to your baking repertoire? The art of crispy poppy seed fritters, Kaisersemmeln and pretzel sticks is also taught at the location in the 4th district. After all, Austria and Vienna in particular are not known for really good bread for nothing - you can take a leaf out of their book and take home some authentic baking know-how. We think the idea of delving a little deeper and closer to everyday life into the traditions of a city is a wonderful idea for a visit. And if it involves food conventions, then that's just another plus point. 

Fancy some more sweets? Here are our hotspots for Kaiserschmarrn in Vienna. Or would you prefer to give your stomach a break and take a tour of the city?

By the way: with the Vienna Welcome Card, you can also get some discounts on getting around.