Little Austria

For residents across Northern Virginia and the greater DMV area seeking an authentic European dessert experience, Little Austria in Sterling, VA, offers a true culinary gem. This award-winning, Loudoun County-based bakery has established itself as the premier manufacturer of traditional, authentic Austrian strudel in the region. Founded by two Austrian expatriates, Berni and Helene, Little Austria was born from a mission to bring the high-quality, genuine strudel of their homeland to the United States after finding a noticeable lack of it. They have since perfected the art of the delicate, hand-stretched strudel dough, using time-honored techniques and a commitment to high-quality, often locally sourced, ingredients.

The bakery’s main focus is the beloved Austrian pastry, strudel, which is characterized by its paper-thin, flaky, layered dough wrapped around sweet or savory fillings. This traditional process of hand-stretching the dough until it is thin enough to read a newspaper through is what sets their product apart, guaranteeing an authentic experience for every customer. Little Austria has quickly grown from a small operation selling at local farmers markets into a full-scale commercial bakery, yet they remain dedicated to the artisanal, hand-crafted quality of their products. This commitment to tradition and superior ingredients is why their strudels have become a sought-after treat for special events, holiday dessert tables, and daily indulgences across Virginia.

Little Austria's primary baking location is situated in the heart of Loudoun County, providing a convenient hub for customers in Sterling and the surrounding Northern Virginia communities. While it is an active manufacturing bakery and not a traditional walk-in retail storefront, its setup is optimized for local convenience through online ordering and direct pickup.

The address for their main operation is: 45915 Maries Rd S 102, Sterling, VA 20166, USA.

This location, while tucked into an office/industrial complex near Route 7, is designed to serve the community efficiently. Customers who place their orders online can select a designated time for pickup, ensuring a quick and seamless transaction. A unique benefit for local patrons is the availability of curbside pickup, which makes getting your fresh strudel incredibly convenient, particularly for those on a tight schedule. Furthermore, the facility is committed to accessibility, featuring a wheelchair-accessible entrance and a wheelchair-accessible parking lot, ensuring that all community members can easily access their pre-ordered treats.

For those who may find the Sterling location a distance away, Little Austria has a significant presence at numerous farmers markets throughout the DMV area, including various locations in Virginia, such as markets in Fairfax County, Arlington, and Reston. This extensive network of market stands allows Virginia residents to easily find their strudels closer to home on select days of the week.

Little Austria has structured its services to maximize convenience and reach for its Virginia clientele and beyond, focusing primarily on their strudel offerings.

• Online Ordering for Local Pickup: Customers can easily browse and order strudels, strudel boxes, and samplers via the bakery’s online shop.

• Curbside Pickup: The Sterling bakery is not a walk-in retail shop; instead, pre-ordered strudels are available for curbside pickup, offering a fast and easy service option. A customer review praised the convenience, noting they could order online and pick up at the store, which was described as "so convenient."

• Delivery/Shipping: While they serve the local community through pickup and farmers markets, they also offer nationwide shipping for strudels via third-party partners, making it easy to send a taste of Austria to friends and family across the country.

• Farmers Market Sales: Little Austria operates stands at over ten farmers markets in the DMV area, including many locations in Northern Virginia, allowing customers to purchase fresh, ready-to-eat strudels directly.

• Catering and Wholesale: The bakery takes large catering orders for parties and events, which must be placed 48 hours in advance for pickup at the Sterling bakery or a scheduled farmers market. They also supply products to food service establishments through national distribution partners.

• Offerings: In addition to their array of sweet and savory strudels, the bakery also offers coffee, providing a perfect accompaniment to their pastries.

• Payment Options: They accept a variety of modern payment methods, including Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and NFC Mobile Payments, simplifying the transaction process for quick visits.

Little Austria distinguishes itself in the Virginia dessert landscape through several key characteristics rooted in their Austrian heritage and commitment to quality.

• Authentic, Hand-Stretched Strudel Dough: The use of the traditional technique to create a paper-thin, flaky strudel pastry is the hallmark of the bakery and the core of their product’s authenticity. This attention to detail results in a product that is light, crispy, and not overly sweet, a quality highly praised by customers.

• Premium and Locally Sourced Ingredients: They commit to using only the highest quality and, when possible, locally sourced ingredients. This dedication means their products are made without artificial extras, corn syrup, or palm oil.

• Variety of Strudel Flavors: While the traditional Apple Strudel (Apfelstrudel) is the most popular, Little Austria offers a rotating menu of sweet and savory fillings. Menu items have included Apple Strudel Traditional (which is 100% plant-based/vegan), Apple Strudel with Mixed Berries, Apple Strudel with Walnuts & Raisins, and Cheese Strudel with Blueberries. A customer noted their anticipation for trying the cheese strudel, suggesting a strong variety of appealing flavors.

• Vegan-Friendly Options: Their traditional apple strudels are naturally 100% plant-based, making their signature product accessible to customers following a vegan diet.

• Customer Service and Personal Touch: The owners, Berni and Helene, are often praised in reviews for their friendly and welcoming nature. A customer noted that "The owner was sooo nice and answered all my questions. I felt so welcome," highlighting the personal, small-business approach to customer relations.

• Award-Winning Business: The company has received recognition for its authentic products and business growth, establishing it as a highly regarded bakery in the region.

To place an order, arrange a local pickup, or inquire about their presence at a nearby farmers market, Virginia residents can use the following details:

Address: 45915 Maries Rd S 102, Sterling, VA 20166, USA

Phone: The best method for contact and inquiries regarding orders and pickup is typically through the phone number provided: +1-301-917-7664.

It is important to remember that this location operates as a commercial production facility and is not a traditional retail store, so all strudels must be pre-ordered online or by phone for scheduled pickup. Checking their official website for current farmers market schedules is also the best way to find them locally across the DMV area.

For any Virginia local looking for a unique, high-quality dessert experience, Little Austria stands out by offering a level of authenticity that is hard to find outside of Europe. The primary reason to choose Little Austria is their unwavering dedication to the art of the traditional Austrian strudel. The process of hand-stretching the dough creates a distinctly flaky, light, and delicate pastry that is the true foundation of a great strudel, an aspect that customers consistently appreciate.

Many reviews highlight the perfect balance of flavors—specifically, that the fillings are "not very sweet" and offer a "mild sweetness," which is often preferred by those who enjoy authentic European pastries over overly sugary Americanized versions. Customers love the "crispy and light sweetness" of the pastry itself. Whether enjoyed warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, as one satisfied customer suggested, or simply with a cup of the coffee they offer, the strudel is a perfect dessert. While one review did point to an inconsistency in quality at a farmer's market stand, the overwhelming sentiment emphasizes the exceptional quality and flavor of the vast majority of their products and the warmth of the customer service, making the bakery an excellent choice for special occasions, holiday desserts, or simply a sophisticated, authentic treat. Choosing Little Austria is choosing a direct link to the delicious dessert traditions of Vienna, right here in Northern Virginia.

Little Austria

45915 Maries Rd S 102, Sterling, VA 20166, USA