Food & Drink
Eating in Western Styria
Styrian cuisine is rustic, seasonal, and deeply connected to the land. It is farm-to-table not as a trend, but as a way of life that has continued for centuries. The food here is honest — built on quality ingredients, served generously, and best enjoyed slowly.
The essentials you must try
Brettljause
The quintessential Buschenschank meal. A wooden board (Brett) loaded with cured meats, local cheeses, spreads, pickled vegetables, horseradish, and fresh bread. Simple, magnificent, and best paired with a glass of Schilcher on a sunny terrace overlooking the vineyards.
Kürbiskernöl (Pumpkin seed oil)
Styria's "green gold." A dark, viscous oil pressed from local pumpkin seeds with an intense, nutty flavour. You'll find it drizzled on salads, stirred into soups, poured over vanilla ice cream, and used in ways you'd never expect. Once you've tasted the real thing, you'll want to bring bottles home.
Verhackertes
A smoked pork spread that's a Styrian specialty. Spread it on dark bread and you have one of the most satisfying simple meals in Austrian cuisine.
Backhendl
Styrian-style breaded fried chicken, often served with a salad dressed generously with pumpkin seed oil.
Steirisches Wurzelfleisch
A traditional Styrian pork dish cooked with root vegetables, served with grated horseradish and roasted potatoes. Hearty and comforting.
Sturm (in autumn)
Sturm is young, partially fermented grape juice — cloudy, slightly fizzy, sweet, and deceptively strong. It's available only for a few weeks during harvest season (typically late September to October) and is as much a social event as a drink.
Kastanien (Chestnuts)
In autumn, roasted chestnuts appear everywhere — at markets, in restaurants, and in dedicated stalls. They pair perfectly with Sturm.
Food, wine, and nearby stops
The closest wine addresses sit in the Gundersdorf cluster, where several wineries can be reached on foot by forest and vineyard tracks. For a full meal, use the drive times: Gasthäuser and Graz restaurants are better planned by car or taxi.
Walkable wineries around Gundersdorf
These are the first calls for Schilcher near the house. The walkable entries show the trail estimate first, then the drive time.
Weingut Trapl
Buschenschank mit eigenem Schilcher und kalten Brettljausen an langen Tischen, freitags bis sonntags ab dem frühen Nachmittag geöffnet. Von der Mosthütte in rund 30 Minuten zu Fuß erreichbar.
Weingut&Buschenschank Weber
Buschenschank mit eigenem Schilcher und Brettljausen, dienstags, freitags, samstags und sonntags ab dem frühen Nachmittag geöffnet. In etwa 25 Minuten zu Fuß von der Mosthütte erreichbar.
Schilcherweinbau Vollmaier vulgo Wieser
Weinbaubetrieb mit Direktverkauf ab Hof; kein Ausschank, nur Flaschenverkauf. Vor dem Besuch bitte kurz anrufen oder per WhatsApp melden — Englisch kein Problem.
Vorab anrufen Call or WhatsApp first — English is fine.
Not a Buschenschank — this is cellar-door bottle sales only, no seating. Call or send a WhatsApp ahead (English is fine) before you go.
Wein- und Kastanienhof Klug
Wein- und Kastanienhof mit Selbstbedienung; Wein und Hofprodukte können direkt ab Hof gekauft werden, in der Herbstsaison auch Kastanien. Sechsmal wöchentlich geöffnet.
Wein- & Genuss Laden Familie Kleindienst
Verkostungsraum und Weinladen der Familie Kleindienst zum Probieren und Kaufen, unter anderem ihr Schilcher. Kein bewirtetes Lokal; montags bis samstags geöffnet.
Primarily a tasting room and bottle shop rather than a sit-down Buschenschank — come to taste and take wine home.
Buschenschank
Buschenschank des Weinguts Hiden, mittwochs bis samstags ab 14 Uhr; kalte Jausenbrettel und eigener Wein.
Weingut Buschenschank Machater
Buschenschank des Weinguts Machater, samstags und sonntags ab Mittag geöffnet; eigene Weine und Brettljausen drinnen sowie auf der sonnigen Terrasse.
Winzergasthof Windisch
Winzergasthof mit Mittagessen und Abendessen an fünf Tagen pro Woche ab ca. 11 Uhr; Übernachtung ebenfalls möglich.
Buschenschänke
A Buschenschank serves the farm's own wine with cold food. Check opening hours before you walk.
Schilcherweingut Friedrich
Auf Schilcher spezialisiertes Weingut mit Verkostung und Weinverkauf, sechsmal wöchentlich geöffnet; breites Schilcher-Sortiment von still bis prickelnd zum Probieren und Mitnehmen.
Weingut und Buschenschank Lazarus
Gut eingeführter Buschenschank mit Schilcher und Brettljausen, mittwochs, freitags, samstags und sonntags ab 11 Uhr geöffnet; für die Gegend recht großzügig und mit Spielplatz für Kinder.
Winzerei Schober
Buschenschank der Familie Schober, donnerstags bis sonntags ab Mittag geöffnet, mit eigenem Wein und Brettljausen. Auf dem Weingut werden auch Ferienwohnungen vermietet.
Langmann Weingut Buschenschank
Buschenschank in ruhiger Waldrandlage, donnerstags bis samstags ab dem frühen Nachmittag geöffnet; eigene Weine und traditionelle Jausenbrettel.
Gasthäuser
Theresas - Eine Art Gasthaus
Traditionelles steirisches Gasthaus rund 24 km entfernt mit einer kleinen, täglich wechselnden Karte; nur Barzahlung, Reservierung empfohlen.
Stainzerhof Hotel & Restaurant
Modern hotel in a 1900s brewery with a high-end restaurant, a riverside terrace & a gym.
Fuchswirt St. Stefan ob Stainz
Restaurant
Hotel und Restaurant Schilcherlandhof & Winzerhaus Sierling Eins
Bright venue with modest rooms, as well as a country-style restaurant & breakfast.
Restaurants
Restaurant Ya Habibi
Marokkanisches Restaurant im Raum Graz, rund 38 km entfernt; dienstags bis samstags ab 17 Uhr geöffnet.
Caylend
Restaurant in Graz, rund 37 km entfernt, mit österreichisch geprägter Küche und Schwerpunkt auf Fisch und Seafood; ab Mittwoch abends, am Wochenende ab Mittag geöffnet.
Mohrenwirt Graz
Traditionelles österreichisches Restaurant in Graz, rund 37 km entfernt; Klassiker wie Beef Tatar und Wiener Schnitzel. Mittwochs bis samstags geöffnet.
Francis
Bistro in Graz, rund 36 km entfernt, mit modernem Sharing-Menü im Tapas-Stil; montags bis samstags ab 11:30 Uhr geöffnet.
Bakeries
Bäckerei Café G&K Klary
Kleine Bäckerei-Café mit frischem Roggenbrot und Gebäck; von der Mosthütte in rund 45 Minuten zu Fuß erreichbar.
Supermarkets and farm shops
Stainzer Hofladen
Hofladen in Stainz mit regionalen Erzeugnissen von lokalen Betrieben — Lebensmittel, Aufstriche und Liköre; donnerstags bis samstags geöffnet.
Hubmann - Mein Kaufhaus
Gut sortiertes Kaufhaus in Stainz mit Lebensmitteln, regionalen Spezialitäten und Bekleidung; montags bis samstags geöffnet.
Attractions
Useful nearby stops for a wet day, a family visit, or a short Stainz outing.
Schloss Stainz
Schloss auf einem Hügel in Stainz, rund 11 km entfernt, mit regionalen Museen im Inneren; Zutritt nur über den Museumseintritt. Ein Café befindet sich auf dem Gelände.
Museen in Schloss Stainz: Jagdmuseum, Landwirtschaftsmuseum und Erzherzog Johann Museum
Drei Museen im Schloss Stainz zu Jagd, Landwirtschaft und Erzherzog Johann; mittwochs bis sonntags geöffnet. Hinweis: Kinderwagen sind im Inneren nicht erlaubt.
Stainzer Flascherlzug - Ausflugsziel für Familien im Schilcherland
Schmalspurbahn auf einer rund 11 km langen Strecke durch das Stainzer Land; an Wochenenden mit Dampflok, wochentags mit Dieseltraktion.
Know before you go
How a Buschenschank works — Order a Brettljause (shared board) and a glass of Schilcher. The table is yours as long as you want it.
A Buschenschank is not a restaurant — it's a wine tavern where the winemaker serves their own wine and cold food only (no beer, no hot dishes, by law). You typically order at the counter or from a simple menu. The main thing to order is a Brettljause — a wooden board with cured meats, cheese, spreads, bread, and pickles. It's meant to share. Pair it with a glass (or carafe) of Schilcher, the local rosé. There is no rush. No one will bring you a bill until you ask for it. Linger, enjoy, watch the vineyards. Tip by rounding up (e.g. €18.50 → €20). Say 'Zahlen bitte' when you're ready to pay.
Eating at a Gasthaus — A traditional inn. Seat yourself, order from the menu, pay at your table when ready.
A Gasthaus is a traditional inn serving hot food. Unlike many American restaurants, you usually seat yourself — look for a free table and sit down. If a table has a 'Stammtisch' sign, that's the regulars' table — avoid it. Water is not automatically served (and tap water is uncommon to order in restaurants — ask for 'ein Leitungswasser' if you want it, or order mineral water). Bread may come to the table and is usually charged extra. Tipping: round up by 5–10% (e.g. €23 → €25). You pay at your table — say 'Zahlen bitte' and they'll bring the bill. Credit cards are increasingly accepted but cash is still king in rural Austria.
Cash is king — Bring cash (euros). Many small places don't accept cards.
Rural Austria still runs significantly on cash. Buschenschänke, farm shops, small Gasthäuser, and markets may not accept cards. ATMs (Bankomaten) are available in Stainz and other towns. Withdraw enough euros to cover a few days of local spending. Larger restaurants and supermarkets accept cards. When paying cash, hand the money directly to the server and state the total you want to pay (including tip) — e.g., hand them €30 and say 'Dreißig' if the bill is €27.
Tipping — Round up 5–10%. Say the amount you want to pay when handing over cash.
Tipping in Austria is not like the US — there's no 20% expectation. Round up by 5–10%. If the bill is €18.50, pay €20. If it's €45, pay €50. The key difference: you tell the server the total you want to pay when you hand over the money. Don't leave coins on the table. Say 'Stimmt so' (keep the change) or state the rounded amount. At Buschenschänke, a small round-up is appreciated but not expected.
In Graz
If you venture into Graz (20 min), you'll find an excellent dining scene. Graz was designated a UNESCO City of Design and has a vibrant food culture ranging from traditional Gasthäuser to modern restaurants.
Cooking at home
The Mosthütte kitchen is fully equipped for serious cooking, and sourcing ingredients locally is a pleasure.
Farm shops and direct sellers (Ab Hof)
Many local farms sell directly to the public. Look for Ab Hof Verkauf signs along the road. You'll find eggs, cheese, honey, fruit, bread, and — of course — pumpkin seed oil and wine.
Markets
- Graz farmers' market (Kaiser-Josef-Platz): Daily except Sunday. One of the best markets in Austria.
Drinking beyond Schilcher
- Sauvignon Blanc: Southern Styria is renowned for world-class Sauvignon Blanc — a short drive to the Südsteiermark wine road.
- Gelber Muskateller: Aromatic and floral, another Styrian specialty.
- Schilcher Frizzante: Sparkling Schilcher — light, refreshing, perfect for a sunny afternoon.
- Most: Apple and pear cider — the traditional drink that gives the Mosthütte its name.
- Schnaps: Fruit brandies made from local fruit — Williams pear, apple, plum, elderflower.
- Beer: Puntigamer and Gösser are the local Styrian lagers. Craft beer is growing in Graz.
Dietary notes
Austrian cuisine is meat-heavy, but vegetarian options are increasingly available. Buschenschänke always have cheese, bread, and vegetable options. Graz has dedicated vegetarian and vegan restaurants. Cooking at home with market ingredients is easy and rewarding.
See also: The Schilcher Wine Road, Seasonal Guide