Food & Grocery in Austria

Austria offers a wide range of affordable, high-quality food options for international students, whether you’re cooking your own meals or eating out. From budget supermarkets and student-friendly Mensen (canteens) to ethnic grocery stores catering to Indian, African, and Asian communities, you’ll have no trouble maintaining your food preferences or trying Austrian specialties.

This guide covers everything you need to know about daily food budgeting, grocery shopping, local cuisine, and halal/vegetarian availability in Austria’s major student cities like Vienna, Graz, Linz, and Innsbruck.

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🛒 Grocery Shopping in Austria – Budget-Friendly & Convenient

🧺 Popular Supermarket Chains (Low-Cost)

These are widely accessible and perfect for students living on a budget:

Supermarket Description Link
Hofer (Aldi) Discount store offering fresh produce and international items https://www.hofer.at/
Lidl Budget chain with weekly offers and fresh bakery https://www.lidl.at/
Spar / Eurospar Mid-range grocery chain with extensive selection https://www.spar.at/
BILLA Known for promotions, store-brand items, and organic foods https://www.billa.at/
PENNY Markt Great for everyday basics and frozen foods https://www.penny.at/

💡 Tip: Most chains offer weekly discount flyers on their websites and apps.

🌍 International & Ethnic Grocery Stores

Austria’s major cities have numerous South Asian, African, and Asian grocery stores, ensuring access to your favorite spices, grains, snacks, halal meat, and regional products.

🥫 Indian, Pakistani & Bangladeshi Stores

🍛 African & Middle Eastern Stores

📌 These shops are often located near train stations or immigrant neighborhoods. Ask fellow students or join Facebook/Telegram groups for local recommendations.

🏫 Student Canteens (Mensen)

Austrian universities offer affordable meals at on-campus restaurants known as Mensen, managed by Mensen.at. Meals cost between €3.50 and €6 for students and often include:

  • Vegetarian and vegan options
  • International cuisine (Italian, Asian, Turkish, etc.)
  • Daily changing menus

✅ Use your student ID for discounted prices at most Mensa outlets.

🥗 Eating Out – What’s Affordable?

A typical student spends €8–12 on a meal at a casual restaurant or café. Options include:

  • Kebabs & Döner  – €4–6 (popular budget meal)
  • Pizza & Pasta – €7–10
  • Falafel & Veg platters – €5–8
  • Austrian Lunch Menu (Mittagsmenü) – €6–9 (2–3 courses during weekdays)

Use food delivery apps like:

💡 Look for “Mittagsmenü” signs outside restaurants – these are student-friendly meal deals offered during lunch hours (usually 11:30 AM to 2 PM).

🍽️ Vegetarian, Vegan & Halal Food Options

Austria is increasingly friendly to diverse dietary needs.

🌱 Vegetarian & Vegan:

  • Many Mensen and restaurants have dedicated “vegetarisch” and “vegan” meals
  • Vegan Austria directory: https://www.vegan.at/

🕌 Halal Options:

  • Halal meat is available at ethnic grocery stores
  • Restaurants with halal-friendly tags: https://www.zabihah.com/
  • Vienna, Graz, and Linz have several Turkish, Arab, and South Asian halal eateries

💰 Estimated Monthly Food Costs (2025)

Living Style Estimated Cost (€)
Groceries (home-cooked meals) €150–€250
Eating out (2–3x/week) €80–€120
Mixed (home + restaurant) €200–€280

📌 Cooking at home is the most budget-friendly option. Team up with roommates to shop in bulk and cook together.

📦 Online Grocery Options & Meal Kits

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