16 Best Restaurants in Vienna, Austria

Background Illustration for Restaurants

Vienna has tried hard to shed its image of a town locked in the 19th century, and nowhere is that more evident than in the kitchens of the top-notch Austrian chefs who dominate the culinary scene here. They have turned dining from a mittel-europäisch sloshfest of Schweinsbraten, Knödeln, and Kraut (pork, dumplings, and cabbage), into an exquisite feast of international flavors.

No one denies that such courtly delights as Tafelspitz—the blush-pink boiled beef famed as Emperor Franz Josef's favorite dish—is delicious, but these traditional carb-loaded meals tend to leave you stuck to your seat like a suction cup.

The dining scene of today's Vienna has transformed itself, thanks in part to a new generation of chefs, such as Heinz Reitbauer Jr. and celebrity-chef Christian Petz, who've worked hard to establish an international brand of Viennese cooking known as Neue Wiener Küche (New Vienna cuisine). They have stepped onto the stage, front and center, to create signature dishes, such as fish soup with red curry, which have rocketed to fame; they have fan clubs, host television shows, and publish top-selling cookbooks, such as Neue Cuisine: The Elegant Tastes of Vienna; there are star Austrian chefs the way there are in New York and Hollywood, and these chefs want to delight an audience hungry for change.

Schmaltzy schnitzels have been replaced by prized Styrian beef—organic meat from local, farm-raised cattle—while soggy Nockerl (small dumplings) are traded in for seasonal delights like Carinthian asparagus, Styrian wild garlic, or the zingy taste of common garden stinging nettle. Wisely, Vienna has also warmly welcomed into its kitchens chefs from around the world, who give exotic twists to old favorites.

Café Sacher

$ | 1st District Fodor's choice

Arguably the most famous café in Vienna, it is the home of the legendary Sacher torte, a dense chocolate torte with fresh apricot jam in the center. This legend began as a delikatessen opened by Sacher, court confectioner to Prince von Metternich, the most powerful prime minister in early-19th-century Europe. War-weary Metternich must have been amused to see a battle break out between Sacher and Demel—a competing confectioner—as to who served the real Sachertorte. Sacher puts its apricot jam in the cake middle, while Demel puts it just below the icing. If you're not a sweets person, try a savory alternative: Sacher Würstl (slim sausages served with freshly-grated horseradish, mustard, and home-baked bread). Mirrors and chandeliers add glitter, and there is live piano music every day from 4:30 until 7 pm.

Demel

$ | 1st District Fodor's choice

Vienna's best-known pastry shop, Demel offers a dizzying selection, so if you have a sweet tooth, a visit will be worth every euro. And in a city famous for its tortes, its almond-chocolate Senegaltorte takes the cake. Demel's shopwindows have some of the most mouthwatering and inventive displays in Austria.

Demel

$ | 1st District Fodor's choice

The display cases are filled to the brim at the world-renowned Demel, a 200-year-old pastry shop and chocolatier famous for sweetmeats. Chocolate lovers will want to try the Viennese Sacher torte (two layers of dense chocolate cake with apricot jam sandwiched between and chocolate icing on top) and compare it with its competition at Café Sacher. Don't forget to watch the pastry chef at work in the glassed-in courtyard. Beyond the shop proper are stairs that lead to ornate dining salons where the decor is almost as sweet as the goods on sale.

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Restaurant Grüne Bar

$$$$ | 1st District Fodor's choice

The classic Austrian dessert, the Sacher torte, resulted from a family saga that began with Franz Sacher, Prince von Metternich's pastry chef, and ended with Franz's son and his wife, Anna, opening the 19th-century hotel. Today, the Restaurant Grüne Bar continues the tradition of creating some of Vienna's finest cuisine, with modern takes on classic meals in multicourse tasting menus including a six-course "blind date" menu. The slightly less formal Rote Bar, at the front of the hotel, always has fish and meat classics on offer à la carte.

Philharmonikerstrasse 4, Vienna, A-1010, Austria
01-514–56840
Known For
  • Famous Sacher torte chocolate cake
  • Modern spin on Austrian fare
  • Lots of Vienna history
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Aug., Reservations essential

Vollpension

$ | 4th District/Wieden Fodor's choice

Oma is the word for Grandma in German, and if you ever wished you had one of your own to make you homemade kuchen (cake) or simple, hearty Austrian meals, make a beeline for Vollpension. This delightful café-restaurant employs Austrian grandmas (and a few grandpas) who make their favorite cake recipes for you to enjoy. They also serve hearty breakfasts and small but satisfying snacks like sausages with bread and mustard, potato salad, and sandwiches. In addition to coffee and tea you'll find wine, beer, prosecco, and coffee cocktails.

Café Bellaria

$ | 1st District
Located steps from the Volkstheater and close to the Kunsthistorisches Museum and the MuseumsQuartier, the Bellaria is a legendary resting spot between sights and beloved by locals for its live piano playing, great desserts, and relaxed café cuisine.

Cafe Dommayer

$ | 13th District/Hietzing

Owned by Austria's Cafe Oberlaa empire, this traditional café (Strauss used to hang out here) serves omelets, sandwiches, and cakes.

Café Frauenhuber

$$ | 1st District

You can retreat to Café Frauenhuber, billed as Vienna's oldest café, to find some peace and quiet away from the busy shoppers on Kärntnerstrasse. Breakfast is a go-for-broke affair, and might include a pot of tea (or coffee), a glass of prosecco, fresh-squeezed orange juice, toast, and fresh salmon with a dash of horseradish. The original turn-of-the-20th-century interior is a visual treat, with the obligatory red-velvet seating and somewhat tired upholstery (if you don't suffer from back problems you'll be fine). Despite the history, you'll generally find fewer tourists here than in other typical cafés, and more of a local feel, which it's had since it opened its doors in 1824.

Himmelpfortgasse 6, Vienna, A-1010, Austria
01-512–5353
Known For
  • Extravagant breakfast buffet
  • Local hangout with few tourists
  • Traditional velvet-seat decor
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Close Sun.

Café Griensteidl

$ | 1st District

Once the site of one of Vienna's oldest coffeehouses and named after the pharmacist Heinrich Griensteidl—the original dated back to 1847 but was demolished in 1897—this café was resurrected in 1990. Karl Kraus, the sardonic critic, spent many hours here writing his feared articles, and it's also here that Hugo von Hofmannsthal took time out from writing libretti for Richard Strauss. Although this establishment is still looking for the patina needed to give it real flair, locals are pleased by the attempt to re-create the historic atmosphere. Numerous newspapers and magazines hang on the rack (many are in English). It's also entirely no-smoking.

Café Hawelka

$ | 1st District

Practically a shrine, the Hawelka was the hangout of most of Vienna's modern artists, and the café has acquired an admirable art collection over the years. The Hawelka is most famous for its buchteln, a baked bun with a sweet filling, served fresh from the oven. While cakes, sausages and other hearty fare are on offer, this is a place where many come for just a cup of coffee or a casual drink. Ask to look at the guest book, itself a work of art, with entries including some illustrious names (including Elias Canetti, Andy Warhol, and Tony Blair). Back in the 1960s, the young John Irving enjoyed the atmosphere here, too, as you can see when reading The Hotel New Hampshire.

Dorotheergasse 6, Vienna, A-1010, Austria
01-512–8230
Known For
  • Buchteln, a baked sweet bun with a sweet filling
  • Famous former guests
  • Impressive art collection

Café Schwarzenberg

$$ | 1st District

Located near the Hotel Imperial, this is an ideal spot for a coffee and cake or a meal after a performance at the Musikverein or Konzerthaus, both just a couple of minutes away. Open until midnight, it has a good choice of food and pastries. Wall-to-wall mirrors reflect the elegant clientele perched on dark-green leather seats. Even though the waiters can be a little snobby, the overall atmosphere is still nice enough to encourage longer stays. Piano music can be heard until late on Wednesday and Friday, and from 5 until 7 pm on weekends. Sit outside when the weather allows and appreciate the lights on Schwarzenbergplatz.

Meinl am Graben

$ | 1st District

The main draw is the location on the ground floor of Vienna's premier gourmet grocery store, with fabulous views out the panoramic windows onto the historic Graben, a people-watching mecca. The food is on the light side, as this is a café (not to be confused with the full-service restaurant upstairs). Expect to find an array of soups and salads including pumpkin cream soup and tomato and mozzerella with pine-nut pesto. A wee bit pricey, but you're paying for the view.

Oberlaa

$ | 1st District

Popular with the locals and a great value, you'll find irresistible confections such as the Oberlaa Kurbad cake, truffle cake, and chocolate-mousse cake here. The lemon torte is filled with a light, fruity lemon cream and a thin layer of almond paste. The Maroni Obers Torte is a dark chocolate cake, filled with chestnut and milk-chocolate mousse, garnished with maraschino cherries. There are many Oberlaa branches to choose from, including Landstrasser Hauptstrasse 1 and Babenbergerstrasse 7. Included among the tasty delights are gluten- and lactose-free treats. Candy can also be wrapped as a lovely gift to take home.

Neuer Markt 16, Vienna, A-1010, Austria
01-513–29360
Known For
  • Lots of tasty desserts and cakes
  • Gift-wrapped candy options
  • Gluten- and lactose-free treats

Ramasuri

$ | 2nd District/Leopoldstadt

With tables set outside amidst flowering plants and trees, in the middle of cobbled Nestroyplatz, it is no wonder this is one of Vienna's favorite breakfast and brunch spots. The menu is huge with plenty of vegetarian options, but if you're here for a leisurely breakfast or brunch, go with the eponymous Ramasuri sandwich, with bread from one of Vienna's best bakeries (Josef), wildflower cheese, scrambled eggs, candied bacon, and sun-dried tomatoes. Drinks, coffees, and service are excellent, so this is a perfect stop at any time of day.

Veganista

$ | 1st District

Vienna's most popular vegan ice cream maker has 11 locations scattered across Vienna's districts, but the one in the first district is closest to Vienna's major sights (there is a weather-permitting kiosk at the MuseumsQuartier, too). They're known for traditional flavors as well as nods to local and seasonal tastes like poppy seed and damson plums. Try the popular ice cream sandwich cookie (with vegan cookies, of course), cleverly named the "Inbetwiener" (Vienna is spelled "Wien" in German). Their ever-rotating flavors are listed each day on their Instagram and Facebook pages.

Tuchlauben 12, Vienna, 1020, Austria
Known For
  • Seasonal flavors
  • "Inbetwiener" ice cream sandwich cookie
  • Popular chain across Vienna

Zanoni & Zanoni

$ | 1st District

Between Rotenturmstrasse and Bäckerstrasse, this place dishes up 25 or more flavors of smooth, Italian-style gelato, including mango, caramel, and chocolate chip, and has frozen yogurt and vegan ice cream, too. Breakfast and a few sandwiches are also available.