When Food Ruins the Dream – My Allergy Experience in Vienna

So, I’ve now been to Vienna — and I wish I could say it was everything I imagined. The castles were beautiful, the streets full of history, and the charm was definitely there. But sadly, what I’ll remember most is just how hard it was to eat — and how that struggle completely overshadowed the rest of the experience.

Mistake #1: Staying in a Hotel Instead of an Apartment

Looking back, I should have gone with my gut and booked an apartment with a kitchen and fridge. Instead, we ended up in a hotel. No cooking facilities, no fridge, and, because we arrived on a Sunday when all the shops were closed — no food.

That first day and night, I had nothing but a café to rely on. And trust me, that’s not where you want to be when you have allergies to eggs, nuts, sesame, and citric acid. The only options around were schnitzels and cakes — basically everything I can’t eat. I was starving, frustrated, and completely out of control.

My “Safe” Pizza Margherita… Wasn’t Safe

By evening, I thought I’d found a safe fallback — Pizza Margherita at L’Osteria. There was no allergen list, but I trusted the waiter who reassured me it should be fine.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t. I had a reaction — whether it was citric acid in the sauce, cross-contamination, or something hidden in the crust, I don’t know. But the first evening ended with me feeling sick and defeated. It was heartbreaking, and it made me question how I was going to get through the next few days.

Day Two: Slightly Better — Thanks to a Steak

The second day wasn’t easy either. Vienna is full of restaurants, yes — but they were crowded, most had long waiting times, and in that chaos, nobody really wants to discuss food allergies.

Finally, I found some relief at Block House Steak Restaurant. The atmosphere was calmer, the staff more attentive, and I could order a simple grilled steak with confidence. It was my first proper, safe meal of the trip, and it made a huge difference — both physically and emotionally.

Breakfast in Vienna? Not For Me

Breakfast was perhaps the most frustrating part. Traditional Viennese cafés are lovely places — but if you have food allergies, they can be a dead end.

At Café Dommayer, I sat in a beautiful space, watching others enjoy pastries and elaborate breakfasts. I, on the other hand, could only order a cappuccino and a cup of hot water. There was nothing else safe for me to eat.

My own dry tourism food was all I had, but on the first morning, I couldn’t even prepare it — no kettle in the room, no way to boil water. I had to eat it dry.

By the second night, I gave up on restaurants altogether and bought ingredients to make my own meal — a salad with cheese, prepped in the hotel bathroom. Not glamorous, but at least I wasn’t going to bed hungry again.

The Sad Truth: I Didn’t Enjoy Vienna

I came for the history, the architecture, and the charm of the imperial city — and all of that was there. But being constantly hungry, anxious, and unsure of what I could safely eat ruined the experience for me.

Food may not seem like the biggest thing on a trip, but when you can’t eat safely, it becomes the only thing you think about. It’s exhausting.

What I Learned (And What I’d Do Differently)

• Always book an apartment, not a hotel — especially if you need to prep food.

• Avoid arriving on Sundays in Austria, when grocery stores are closed.

• Don’t trust verbal reassurances — if there’s no allergen list, move on.

• Bring emergency food, and bring more than you think you’ll need.

• Pack a kettle or immersion heater — it sounds silly until you need it.

• Choose simple, grill-based restaurants like Block House over busy cafés or pizzerias.

• Expect that cafés won’t have allergy-friendly options, especially for breakfast.

I survived, yes — but I didn’t enjoy Vienna the way I wanted to. And I think it’s important to say that out loud. Not all travel stories end with “everything worked out great.” Sometimes it’s tough. Sometimes, it just doesn’t go the way you hoped. And that’s okay.

If nothing else, I hope sharing my story helps someone else avoid the same challenges. Because food allergies are real, they’re exhausting, and they deserve more understanding — especially in cities that welcome travelers from all over the world.