17 December 2025  Vienna is known for its cafés, restaurants and lively streets, especially before Christmas. But this winter, many Viennese go out less often than before. One reason is that restaurants are often full, sometimes weeks in advance. Another reason is a growing feeling of frustration among guests. A term that appears more and more often is shrinkflation. Shrinkflation means that products become smaller, but the price stays the same. This concept is already well known from supermarkets, but it has also reached gastronomy. These days, you might find that a soup is served in a small cup rather than a bowl. Sometimes, the cup is similar in size to one used for a Viennese Melange coffee. The price, however, remains unchanged. In other cases, bread is announced on the menu but does not arrive with the soup. Many guests no longer complain. They are tired, busy, and accept the situation silently. Frustration in gastronomy is also documented in recent research. A study by Marketagent published in summer 2025 shows that only 22 % of diners in Austria feel they are "frequently treated like royalty" when dining out, even though 73 % believe this should be the case. Around one third of respondents (35 %) noticed a decline in service quality in restaurants, and the main sources of dissatisfaction were poor price-performance ratios, lower food and drink quality, and inadequate service. Many guests also resent rigid reservation rules and additional fees, and prefer transparent, fair treatment. (Fashion.at reported on the findings.) At the same time, inflation puts pressure on everyone. In Austria, inflation is around 4.0 percent, making daily life and eating out more expensive. Restaurants struggle with higher energy, staff and food costs. Guests, on the other hand, also feel rising prices in everyday life. Eating out becomes a risk: you do not always know what you will get for your money. A Crowded City and Little Appetite for StressVienna has grown strongly in recent years. More than two million people now live in the city, and in 2023 alone the population increased by over 24,000. Add tourists, Christmas markets and events, and the result is clear: public transport, streets and popular areas are often overcrowded. For many, this no longer feels festive, but exhausting. This winter's rush only increases the pressure on restaurants and diners.In this situation, cooking and eating at home becomes attractive again. A warm, predictable meal without stress, waiting times or unpleasant surprises feels like a small luxury. What Austrians Really Eat on Christmas EveThis is where the iglo trend study becomes relevant. According to the study, based on a representative survey of more than 1,000 people in Austria, Christmas eating habits remain very traditional. 43 percent of Austrians prepare a special dish every year on December 24. Another 28 percent usually follow a tradition but sometimes change it.The most popular dishes are Raclette (24 percent), Cold Platters (20 percent) and Soup (15 percent), followed closely by Bratwurst (14 percent). Fondue, goose, carp and salmon also play an important role. The study shows strong regional differences: carp is common in Vienna and Burgenland, raclette dominates in Vorarlberg, and soup is especially popular in Salzburg. Young people under 30 and families with children are particularly tradition-oriented. For many, family habits, childhood memories and easy preparation matter more than novelty. A Question of Trust and Portion SizeLooking ahead, trust may become a key issue for gastronomy. Guests want transparency and fair portions, especially when prices rise. A good meal made from good ingredients, served in a normal portion, should not feel like a special Christmas gift. It should be everyday normality.Until this trust is restored, many people may prefer the safe option: cooking at home. The iglo study shows that inspiration based on data and tradition can help avoid stress – and disappointment. Sometimes, the best way to enjoy Christmas is simply knowing what is on your plate. Image: A split image contrasting social scenes. Left: A crowd gathers on a sidewalk outside a lit classical building at dusk. Right: Friends enjoy a cozy Christmas dinner party in a high-rise apartment with large windows overlooking a city skyline. Photos: © Fashion.at — AI-generated with Google AI Studio |