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
Weingut Trapl je Buschenschank (kmečka vinska krčma) na Šilherski vinarski cesti, kjer si gostje delijo klopi in uživajo domači Schilcher ter hladne kmečke plošče (Brettljause). Odprto od petka do nedelje popoldne.
Weingut&Buschenschank Weber
Weber Weingut & Buschenschank je kmečka vinska krčma z razgledom nad vinogradi, kjer postrežejo z domačim Schilcherjem in hladnimi kmečkimi jedmi (Brettljause). Odprto od torka do nedelje popoldne.
Schilcherweinbau Vollmaier vulgo Wieser
Schilcherweinbau Vollmaier ponuja nakup vin Schilcher neposredno pri pridelovalcu – zgolj prodaja steklenic, brez sedišč za degustacijo. Pred obiskom pokličite ali pišite prek WhatsAppa (angleščina je v redu).
Pokličite vnaprej 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 Klug je vinogradniška in kostanjeva kmetija pri Stainzu s samopostrežno prodajo vin Schilcher in kostanjevih pridelkov. Odprto vsak dan razen nedelje popoldne.
Wein- & Genuss Laden Familie Kleindienst
Wein- & Genuss Laden Kleindienst je degustacijska soba in prodajalna vin, kjer je mogoče okusiti in kupiti domači Schilcher ter druga vina; sedišč je malo. Odprto vsak dan razen nedelje od 9. do 18. ure.
Primarily a tasting room and bottle shop rather than a sit-down Buschenschank — come to taste and take wine home.
Buschenschank
Buschenschank Hiden je kmečka vinska krčma sredi štilinških vinogradov, kjer postrežejo z domačim Schilcherjem in hladnimi kmečkimi jedmi (Brettljause). Odprto od srede do sobote popoldne.
Weingut Buschenschank Machater
Weingut Buschenschank Machater je vinska krčma z natkrito teraso in zimskim vrtom, kjer ponujajo domači Schilcher in hladne kmečke plošče. Odprto ob sobotah in nedeljah opoldne.
Winzergasthof Windisch
Winzergasthof Windisch je vinarska gostilna (Winzergasthof) z jedilnico, kje strežejo tople obroke in lokalna vina; na voljo so tudi sobe. Odprto večino dni v tednu, zaprto v sredo in četrtek.
Buschenschänke
A Buschenschank serves the farm's own wine with cold food. Check opening hours before you walk.
Schilcherweingut Friedrich
Schilcherweingut Friedrich je Buschenschank z izjemno pestrim izborom vin Schilcher – od klasičnega do penine – in z možnostjo organiziranega oglednega degustiranja. Odprto večino dni v tednu od 9. ure.
Weingut und Buschenschank Lazarus
Weingut und Buschenschank Lazarus je prostorna Buschenschank na Šilherski vinarski cesti z lepim razgledom, kjer postrežejo z domačim Schilcherjem in kmečkimi jedmi. Odprto v sredo, petek, soboto in nedeljo.
Winzerei Schober
Winzerei Schober je Buschenschank (kmečka vinska krčma) s pogledom na vinograde, kjer ponujajo domači Schilcher in hladne kmečke plošče v sproščenem podeželskem vzdušju. Odprto od četrtka do nedelje opoldne.
Langmann Weingut Buschenschank
Langmann Weingut Buschenschank je kmečka vinska krčma ob gozdu z razgledno teraso, kjer ponujajo raznolike domače Schilcherje in hladne kmečke plošče. Odprto od četrtka do sobote popoldne.
Gasthäuser
Theresas - Eine Art Gasthaus
Theresa's – Eine Art Gasthaus je sodobna gostilna pri Deutschlandsbergu s skrbno pripravljenim kratkim jedilnikom in dobro vinsko karto. Rezervacija je priporočena; odprto od ponedeljka do sobote.
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
Restaurant Ya Habibi v Gradcu je maroška restavracija z avtentično orientalsko kuhinjo – couscous, hummus in tagine – v toplem, domačem vzdušju. Odprto od torka do sobote zvečer.
Caylend
Caylend je restavracija v Gradcu s sodobno kuhinjo, ki se osredotoča na ribe in morske sadeže. Odprto od srede do nedelje.
Mohrenwirt Graz
Mohrenwirt Graz je klasična avstrijska restavracija v Gradcu z dunajskim zrezkom, tatarskim biftejem in domačimi vini; priljubljena med domačini in obiskovalci. Odprto od srede do sobote.
Francis
Francis je bistro v Gradcu s tapas-slogom strežbe – majhne, za deljenje primerne jedi, kot so mesni in ribji tartarji, postrežene po skupnem menuju. Odprto vsak dan razen nedelje.
Bakeries
Bäckerei Café G&K Klary
Bäckerei Café G&K Klary je pekarna in kavarna v bližini Stainza, znana po svežem rženem kruhu in domačih pekovskih izdelkih. Podrobnih odpiralnihih ur nismo zasledili.
Supermarkets and farm shops
Stainzer Hofladen
Stainzer Hofladen je kmečka prodajalna v Stainzu s kakovostnimi pridelki lokalnih kmetov, vključno z likerji in regionalnimi živili. Odprto od četrtka do sobote.
Hubmann - Mein Kaufhaus
Hubmann – Mein Kaufhaus je lokalna trgovina v Stainzu z živili, oblačili in raznolikimi artiklih, vključno z regionalnimi specialitetami. Odprto od ponedeljka do sobote.
Attractions
Useful nearby stops for a wet day, a family visit, or a short Stainz outing.
Schloss Stainz
Grad Stainz je nekdanji avguštinski samostan v središču istoimenskega mesta, ki ga obkroža urejen park; na voljo je kavarna. Vstop v stavbo je mogoč z nakupom muzejske vstopnice.
Museen in Schloss Stainz: Jagdmuseum, Landwirtschaftsmuseum und Erzherzog Johann Museum
V gradu Stainz so trije muzeji: Lovski muzej, Kmetijsko-gozdarski muzej in muzej nadvojvode Johanna – vsi del Joanneumove mreže. Odprto od srede do nedelje od 10. do 17. ure.
Stainzer Flascherlzug - Ausflugsziel für Familien im Schilcherland
Stainzer Flascherlzug je izlet z ozkotirnim vlakom (ob vikendih s parno lokomotivo) skozi pokrajino Schilcherland; na vlaku je mogoče naročiti pijačo. Primerno za družine z otroki.
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