Graz: The Foodie City of Austria
Why is Graz considered Austria's Capital of Delight?
Graz is considered Austria’s Capital of Delight because the city combines a Mediterranean lifestyle with regional diversity, innovative cuisine and Styrian culinary culture. From outstanding restaurants and vibrant farmers’ markets to regional specialties such as pumpkin seed oil, wine and seasonal products, Graz offers authentic culinary experiences at the highest level. As the capital of Styria, Graz unites traditional cuisine and creative fine dining, making it one of Austria’s leading destinations for food lovers, gastronomy and regional specialties.
Graz - Austria's Capital of Delight
But what exactly makes Graz THE Foodie City of Austria?
Is it the southern flair? The mild climate in which fruit, vegetables and wine thrive? Or maybe the many farmers’ markets with the freshest produce? Or the excellent chefs? It is probably like with any great recipe: a little bit of everything and not too much of any. Simply delicious.
Graz received this official accolade for the wonderful catering skills of its restaurateurs, who rely on their own regional produce paired with the courage to be creative. The partner restaurants of the Capital of Delight serve seasonal cuisine, drawing on the freshest ingredients from the Styrian regions of delights. Some of these even feature truffles from Graz’s Leechwald forest! Accompanied by Styrian beer, Styrian wine, Styrian fruit juices and Styrian spring water – simply the very best quality, you can taste it.
Good to know
The partner companies of the Foodie City of Austria are indicated by the logo of the Capital of Delight, Graz.
Wonderful dining & a relaxed atmosphere in the Foodie City of Austria
There’s outstanding cooking at the partner companies of the Capital of Delight, Graz. The range extends from award-winning restaurants to traditional inns. All share a love of regional produce, coupled with the courage to try creative variations. Here it’s simply about seasonal cuisine and the very freshest ingredients from the Styrian Regions of Delight – with indication of origin of course.
The traditional Kaiser-Josef market as well as the farmers' market in the trendy Lend district are a delightful meeting place for young and old. An absolute must: A visit on Saturday morning. Locals appreciate the lively atmosphere and the variety of culinary delights and samples at the numerous food stalls, as well as in the surrounding restaurants and their outdoor areas.
Bühnen Graz Gourmet
Let your evening turn into an unforgettable event and enjoy the Bühnen Graz Gourmet Menu as accompaniment to your performance visit, with a choice of a total of 10 partner restaurants.
The Foodie City of Austria - Top events
Graz truffle festival: 10/20 - 11/01/2026
Graz can boast a small culinary sensation, which is the crowning glory of Graz the „Foodie City of Austria“: seven different types and varieties of truffles have been discovered in the city forests of Graz! The truffle is considered to be a culinary treasure and a diamond in the kitchen. According to tradition, these mushrooms, which grow underground and are extremely difficult to detect, were already very popular in ancient Egypt. Even the burgundy truffle, coveted by gourmets, has been harvested in Graz. To mark this, a truffle festival will take place again in autumn 2026.
The Graz Truffle Festival is the great autumn festival to honour the exquisite gourmet truffle:
- International truffle market with specialities and high-quality truffle creations in the Paradeishof
- Guided truffle hikes in the Leechwald forest on the outskirts of Graz
- The partner companies in the Capital of Delight offer a whole host of sophisticated culinary highlights – with the „Graz Truffle“ of course!
Graz - Austria's Capital of Delight
The buzzword on many people’s lips today is regionality. In Graz, it is a promise and reality. The chefs and hosts in our Capital of Delight are proud of the food and produce from their farmers. Because ultimately it is the authentic taste of an entire region that characterizes us as a city. A “Made in Graz” accolade guaranteed by the Foodie City of Austria. The restaurants and cafés in Graz exemplify this every day. And of course, there are numerous top culinary events.
Currently, there are 38 Austria's Capital of Delight partner restaurants in Graz. They range from fine-dining restaurants to traditional Austrian inns. What they all have in common is a focus on seasonal cuisine, using only the freshest ingredients sourced from Styrian agricultural production - with clearly stated origins. Since 2021, all partner businesses have been AMA certified and are therefore subject to the strict quality controls of the AMA (Austrian Agricultural Market). You can immediately recognize Austria's Foodie City partner restaurants by their distinctive logo.
In 2008, Graz was officially awarded the title Austria's Capital of Delight.
Graz combines culinary diversity with regional products, farmers’ markets and a lively food scene. Regional and seasonal ingredients play an important role at the partner businesses of Graz – Austria’s Foodie City, ranging from traditional inns to contemporary restaurants. Visitors can also explore the city on foot, by bike or by public transport, while some accommodation providers hold recognised environmental certifications such as the Austrian Ecolabel or Green Key. With many attractions located close to one another, Graz makes it easy to combine regional cuisine, culture and local experiences during your stay.
Graz combines a diverse culinary scene with regional products, farmers’ markets and a vibrant local culture. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site and UNESCO City of Design, the city brings together historic architecture and contemporary creativity. Visitors can discover regional specialities at local markets and restaurants, while numerous family-run hotels reflect the city’s strong tradition of owner-managed hospitality. Some accommodation providers also hold recognised environmental certifications, such as the Austrian Ecolabel or Green Key. With many attractions in the historic centre within walking distance, Graz offers plenty of opportunities to combine food, culture and local experiences during your stay.