How it works:
- Situation:
- Most food places are fine, it’s generally just a few bad eggs around touristy areas that spoil it for the rest.
- Set-up:
- Version 1: showing cheap prices on the display menu and when you enter, given a menu with no prices. The price on the bill is much higher as the cheap prices on the display menu are claimed to only be applicable for takeaways.
- Version 2: advertising good dishes at cheap prices but which are unavailable when you try to order.
- Version 3: serving dishes that were not ordered.
- Version 4: extra charges such as charging for ketchup.
Places to beware:
- Salzburg: Tokyo Restaurant
- Vienna: Grafin am Naschmarkt
What to do:
- Choose: reputable places and avoid those promoted by touts.
- Check: menu (prices, fine print), itemized bill, and do not eat what was not ordered.
- Reputable food tour operators: a reputable operator will ensure that you get to sample the best and the most unique cuisines which Austria has to offer while immersing in the local culture. Some reputable local names to consider include Food Tours Vienna (discover Vienna’s gourmet on one of the best guided local culinary tours).
- Alternative: GetYourGuide (best day tours platform in Europe) has a couple of food tours.