The Ultimate Foodie's Guide To Vienna, Austria

Vienna is a foodie's paradise, offering everything from Michelin-starred restaurants to cosy pubs and traditional Austrian cuisine to global imports. The city's culinary scene is characterised by its focus on local and organic ingredients, with most restaurants committed to using hyperlocal and certified organic produce.

For those seeking an authentic Austrian dining experience, Wratschko Gastwirschhaft, a cosy beisl pub with a historic bar from the 1800s, is a local favourite. Another popular option is Zwölf Apostkeller, a cavernous old-style beer hall hidden in a centuries-old cellar, serving up hearty Austrian dishes. Gastwirtschaft Steman, with its invitingly simple menu and historic touches, is also a great choice for those looking to mix with the locals.

When it comes to traditional Austrian food, Figlmüller and Plachutta are the go-to brands, with their inner-city restaurants always bustling with tourists craving the Viennese dining experience. However, for a calmer atmosphere, the suburban outlets of Plachutta are recommended. Schnitzelwirt is another classic choice, known for its kitschy decor and massive schnitzels.

For those seeking a more upscale dining experience, Mraz und Sohn, a top-level Viennese institution, offers finely coordinated courses and a relaxed fine dining atmosphere. Pramerl & the Wolf, a Michelin-starred modern take on a traditional Beisl, is another excellent option, with chef Wolfgang Zankl handling all the cooking, service, and wine choices himself.

Vienna also boasts a variety of international cuisine, including Japanese fusion at Mochi, modern Italian at Pizza Mari', and creative pizzas at Randale. For plant-based options, Tian Bistro am Spittelberg offers a brilliant range of meat-free dishes in a casual urban setting.

Whether you're craving traditional Austrian fare or something more global, Vienna's diverse culinary scene has something for everyone.

Schnitzel and strudel

For schnitzel, head to Skopik & Lohn in the second district for a real veal Wiener Schnitzel, or Café Rüdigerhof, a coffeehouse-restaurant that's over 100 years old and serves fluffy, light pork schnitzel. Figlmüller is another famous spot for schnitzel, with a thin and tender pork loin in a crunchy crust.

If you're looking for a more modern take, Hausbar serves a seven-course menu with a mix of contemporary international cuisine and traditional Austrian influences, including schnitzel. For a cheap, cheerful, and traditional option, head to Rebhuhn, where you can get schnitzel alongside other Austrian classics like potato soup and roasted pork belly.

When it comes to strudel, head to Heindl's Palatschinkenkuchl for Austrian food based on pancakes, or try the apple strudel at Rebhuhn. For a more modern take, Neni Am Naschmarkt serves modern Middle Eastern food in Vienna's biggest food market, including filo cigars filled with spinach and sheep's cheese.

Viennese pubs

Vienna has a diverse drinking scene, from traditional beer halls and gardens to cocktail bars and sports pubs. Here is a selection of some of the best pubs and bars in Vienna, Austria.

Zwölf Apostelkeller

An ancient pub hidden in a cellar just off Fleischmarkt, Zwölf Apostelkeller (Cellar of the 12 Apostles) dates back to at least 1339 and retains the charm of a traditional medieval tavern, with wooden tables, ancient relics adorning the walls, and traditional music. The menu features classic Viennese food, including a huge Wienerschnitzel, and the drinks menu includes wine and bottled beer.

Loos American Bar

Designed by celebrated Austrian architect Adolf Loos, this iconic American-style cocktail bar is found just down a side street off Kärntner Strasse. The Art Deco interior features an intricate design made of onyx, marble, and coral wood. The cocktail menu is extensive, and the architect's favourite drink, Adolf Loos Fine Injected, is a refreshing champagne-based cocktail with mint and strawberries.

7 Stern Bräu

This traditional Austrian beer hall serves a range of ales from its own brewery, as well as classic Viennese pub food. Beer lovers can enjoy German pilsners, Prague-style dark beers, and seasonal specials, such as a chilli beer.

Fischer Bräu

One of the best pubs in Vienna for outdoor drinking, Fischer Bräu has a big beer garden in a classic Viennese courtyard. The Fischerbräu is a light and refreshing beer brewed by the pub, and there is also a range of craft beers and wine available. The inside is cosy and serves hearty pub meals.

The Needle Vinyl Bar

Nestled down a side street in the Inner City, The Needle Vinyl Bar is a great spot for music lovers. The only tunes played are from their impressive vinyl collection, bringing an international vibe while retaining Viennese class. The drinks menu caters to all tastes, from beer and wine to fine cocktails.

Das Augustin

A chilled pub and restaurant in Vienna, Das Augustin offers affordable Austrian food and drinks. The menu caters to meat-eaters, vegetarians, and vegans, with schnitzels, burgers, and strudels, and there is also a good range of cocktails and beers. The pub is known for its resident cats, which keep customers company.

Reinthaler's Beisl

Previously a restaurant, Reinthaler's Beisl is now a classic pub with hearty food and free-flowing beer. Located just behind St Stephen's cathedral, it serves beer from a few different local breweries, with the most common being Gösser, both draught and bottled. The specialty is boiled beef broth.

Champions Sports Bar & Restaurant

An American-style sports bar in the heart of Vienna, Champions is located in the Marriott Hotel on Parkring, opposite Stadtpark. With over 20 4K screens, the bar shows soccer, American football, ice hockey, motorsports, and any other big sporting event. The drinks menu includes cocktails, and the food menu features bar meals like burgers, hot dogs, and BBQ platters. In the summer, customers can sit outside and soak up the atmosphere.

Das Loft

Perched on the 18th floor of the Sofitel hotel, Das Loft is a special bar with impressive city views and a unique roof design. The drinks menu includes creative cocktails, a great wine selection, and a lengthy gin list.

Tanzcafe Jenseits

Tanzcafe Jenseits is a quirky bar with velvet and tapestry decor, where people stay until dawn. The music ranges from Soul to Funk, retro-Pop, and local Schlagers, and the design has not changed in decades. Customers can enjoy a glass of wine and a cigar at a decent price, and there is also a DJ most nights.

Das DonauTechno

A local institution for Techno music, Das DonauTechno is a hidden bar with no signs or branding. The huge space has high ceilings and arches that resemble a church, bold light decorations, and a laid-back atmosphere. There is a different underground DJ every night, and drinks are cheap and good. The bar also hosts the only indoor Würstelstand (sausage stand) in the city.

Spelunke

With an eclectic menu and a stellar drinks menu, Spelunke swings between being a restaurant and a bar. The interior design is out of this world, with walls like a gallery of street art featuring quirky images.

Puff

Housed in what used to be a brothel, Puff has retained the atmosphere of its former life. Customers can order a 'puff cock', as well as sexy and original cocktails. The black booths and mirrored lights from the brothel remain, and the waiters wear classic cocktail bar attire.

If Dogs Run Free

More than just a bar, If Dogs Run Free is a dark corner of your subconscious in which hard liquor is served. The cocktails include old-school classics like Old Fashioneds and Margaritas, as well as original shots like Russian Cocaine and Pickleback.

Café Europa

A Viennese institution, Café Europa has been around for 33 years and welcomes all kinds of people. With a retro look, the bar has a dark turquoise and yellow colour scheme, sweeping bars, eccentric lighting, and marble tables surrounded by handsome chairs.

Kaffee Alt Wien

An old Viennese coffee house, Kaffee Alt Wien has the feel of a traditional pub, with loud chatter, cigarette smoke, and constant orders of pints. The lighting is low, and the walls are cluttered with posters of art exhibitions and concerts.

Krypt

To get into Krypt, you must ring a bell and pass through a glass door and down some stairs before finding yourself in front of a bar that resembles a crypt. The cocktails are pricey but tasty and unexpected.

Loos Bar

Named after the local famed architect who designed the space, Loos Bar is a legendary, tiny bar hidden in a small alleyway off Stephansplatz. The cocktail list is extensive, and the bartenders

Austrian fine dining

Vienna's fine dining scene reflects the city's grandeur and cultural diversity, with a blend of culinary innovation and timeless heritage. Here is a list of some of the best fine dining restaurants in Vienna, Austria, serving Austrian cuisine:

Steirereck

Steirereck is a fine dining restaurant located in the serene setting of Vienna City Park. It offers a unique experience of Austrian cuisine, perfected by chef Heinz Reitbauer. The restaurant is recognised for its creative food menu, exceptional wine list, and special focus on sauces. The signature dish, freshwater mountain fish cooked at the table in hot beeswax, demonstrates the innovative techniques applied to traditional Austrian dishes. The restaurant holds two Michelin stars and offers a five-course lunch menu for under €200.

Mraz & Sohn

Mraz & Sohn is a family-run restaurant known for its unique approach to dining. The raw ingredients of the seasonal surprise menu are first presented to diners and then transformed into meals course by course. The restaurant is helmed by Markus Mraz and his son Lukas Mraz, with Manuel Mraz taking care of guests' needs. It has been awarded two Michelin stars and offers a relaxed, unpretentious dining experience.

Hausbar

Hausbar serves contemporary international cuisine with traditional Austrian influences. Located next to the famous Karlsplatz, it offers a seven-course menu in a lovely garden setting during the summer. The cocktail creations are just as impressive as the food, and reservations are essential.

Pramerl & the Wolf

Pramerl & the Wolf is an unpretentious, modern take on a traditional Beisl. This Michelin-starred restaurant offers small and large taster menus, freshly baked bread, and surprises from the kitchen. All the cooking, service, and wine are handled by chef Wolfgang Zankl himself, making for an intimate dining experience.

Restaurant Konstantin Filippou

With a menu exclusively featuring fish and seafood, Konstantin Filippou's cuisine reflects his Greek-Austrian roots. The restaurant is renowned for its high-quality ingredients and well-balanced dishes, with brandade with caviar as one of the signature offerings. The establishment holds two Michelin stars, underscoring its commitment to fine dining.

Heunisch & Erben

Heunisch & Erben is a wine bar, restaurant, and wine shop known for its comfort food and great wine list. The restaurant offers a range of dishes, from handmade bread to tartar of veal, and desserts like green apple with rosemary. It provides a relaxing environment for those looking to enjoy their meal without feeling rushed.

Viennese cafes

Vienna is famous for its coffeehouses and cakes, and its food scene is centred around local and organic ingredients. Here are some of the best cafes to visit in the city:

Café Central

Located in the Palais Ferstel, Café Central is one of the most famous coffee houses in Vienna and is a favourite amongst tourists. The interior architecture is stunning, and the cafe has hosted the likes of Trotsky and Freud.

Café Hawelka

This cafe is the subject of one of Vienna's best-loved songs, "Jö Schau", by the late Austrian songwriter Georg Danzer. Pop legend Falco celebrated his 30th birthday here, and other notable guests have included Andy Warhol, Klaus Maria Brandauer, and Peter Ustinov.

Café Korb

Café Korb has been serving guests since 1904, offering all-day breakfast and a fantastic Wiener schnitzel. It is famous for its Artlounge, a room designed by several artists, and features many pictures from the life of the owner, the actress and performance artist Susanne Widl.

Café Sperl

Located halfway between Mariahilfer Strasse and Vienna's famous Naschmarkt, Café Sperl has been synonymous with Viennese coffee house culture since 1880. The furnishings remain largely unchanged, giving the impression that time has stood still.

Café Jelinek

Slightly off the beaten track, Café Jelinek is a small cafe offering everything that Viennese coffee house culture is known for. Most things have remained unchanged for decades, including the wrought iron wood burner, excellent coffee, free newspapers, and an array of sweet treats, including the famous homemade guglhupf cake.

Café Schwarzenberg

Café Schwarzenberg is Vienna's oldest Ringstrasse cafe, exuding old-world charm. It is a popular meeting place and was almost turned into a car dealership in 1980 before the future mayor, Helmut Zilk, intervened.

Other notable mentions include Café Frauenhuber, which opened in 1824 in a building where Beethoven and Mozart used to perform, and Café Diglas, which has several locations across the city, including one within an abbey complex.

Viennese markets

Vienna's markets offer a delightful array of local produce, street food, and international cuisine. Here is a guide to some of the best markets and must-eat foods in Vienna, Austria.

Naschmarkt

Naschmarkt is Vienna's biggest food market, located in the trendy Neubau district. It is home to a diverse range of vendors, from fresh produce stalls to exotic prepared food options. Neni am Naschmarkt, a super-cool restaurant serving modern Middle Eastern cuisine, is a must-visit. Their Israeli breakfast, featuring labneh, scrambled eggs, olives, salad, and fluffy pittas, is a highlight.

Brunnenmarkt

Located near the Naschmarkt, Brunnenmarkt is another vibrant open-air market. It is famous for its fresh Asian ingredients, and nearby Yppenplatz is home to Mani, a chilled-out restaurant offering delicious starters and main courses. Don't miss the homemade Baba Ghanoush or oven-baked eggplant on tomato confit.

Karmelitermarkt, Kutschkermarkt, Meidlinger Markt, Rochusmarkt, and Vorgartenmarkt

These markets offer a variety of local produce, exotic foods, and street food options. Karmelitermarkt is particularly notable for its vendors selling a range of spices typically found in countries like Egypt and Jordan.

Christmas Markets

During the festive season, Vienna sparkles with Christmas markets offering traditional treats such as Christmas punch, roast chestnuts, Lebkuchen (similar to gingerbread), Stollen (dried fruit bread), and various Christmas biscuits.

Street Food

Vienna's street food scene is vibrant and diverse. The Wiener Würstel, or Viennese sausage, is the city's go-to street food. Würstelstands, or sausage stands, offer a variety of wieners, including bratwurst, currywurst, and Käsekrainer. For vegan options, try the Würstelstand am Hohen Markt.

Classic Cafe Culture

Viennese coffeehouse culture is renowned, even recognised by UNESCO. Classic cafes serve traditional coffee drinks like the Wiener Melange, similar to a cappuccino but made with milder coffee beans, and delicious pastries. Notable cafes include Café Central, Café Hawelka, Café Jelinek, and Café Sperl.

Specialty Coffee Shops

For crafted single-origin coffee, visit specialty shops like Wolfgang Coffee. These modern cafes cater to coffee enthusiasts who prefer a more tailored coffee experience.

Sweet Treats

Vienna is famous for its desserts, with cakes forming an integral part of the city's culinary culture. Here are some must-try sweets:

• Sachertorte: a unique chocolate cake created in Vienna, layering chocolate sponge cake with apricot and chocolate icing. Demel and Sacher Hotel are the go-to spots.
• Kaiserschmarrn: shredded pancakes served with roasted plum jam.
• Palatschinken: thin, French crêpe-style pancakes filled with jam and dusted with powdered sugar.
• Manner Neapolitan Wafers: five-layer wafers with hazelnut spread, a popular souvenir.

Fine Dining

For a special dining experience, Vienna offers a range of Michelin-starred restaurants:

• Mraz und Sohn: a top-level Viennese institution serving finely coordinated courses, often with a specific ingredient as a motto.
• Pramerl & the Wolf: an unpretentious modern Beisl with a small or large taster menu, including surprises from the kitchen.
• Hausbar: fine dining and extraordinary cocktail creations, with a lovely summer garden.
• Lugeck: contemporary spins on traditional Wiener schnitzel and Tafelspitz, Franz Joseph I's favourite boiled beef dish.
• Motto: elegant takes on traditional dishes like Tafelspitz and strawberry nougat dumplings in a stylish setting.
• Mochi: some of the city's best sushi and sashimi, with a challenging reservation system. Try their sister restaurant, Mochi Ramen Bar, for walk-in ramen.
• Pizza Randale: creative pizzas with unique toppings like fennel-infused boar sausage and black pudding.

International Cuisine

Vienna's culinary scene extends beyond traditional Austrian food, with excellent international options:

• All Reis Bangkok Street Food: pad thai.
• Banh Mi Hoi An: banh mi.
• Kim Kocht: Korean cuisine.
• Mama Liu & Sons: dim sum, hot pot, and dumplings.
• Disco Volante, Pizza Randale, and Via Toledo Enopizzeria: Neapolitan pizza.
• Neni am Naschmarkt: modern Middle Eastern cuisine.
• Bahur Tov and Florentin: Israeli cuisine.

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