Smoking in Viennese Restaurants?
 

We're off to Vienna for a spur of the moment long weekend in a few days time. It's been quite a few years since I was last in Austria, and I was surprised to read in a fairly recent guidebook that not only is smoking apparently still permitted in restaurants, but rates of smoking are also very high by western European standards. I detest smoking and am now concerned we've made a poor choice of city break destination. Anyone out there with up to date info on what we should expect, and how to avoid?

Here is some info from WiKi
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_smoking_bans

Sounds like it could be an issue!

I hope the weather will be nice so you can grab a table outdoors.

You can check the front door of any establishment where you will find stickers with the typical cigarette icon (either crossed out or not) - showing whether the place is non-smoking, smoking, or has different rooms for either (in which case you will see both stickers)

By rule of thumb,
Restaurants (especially from a certain level on) and high-end Cafe-Konditorei in the 1st district and fast-food chain restaurants are usually non-smoking,
Heurigen, regular coffee houses or other more folksy establishments may have rooms for either preference,
Bars/clubs/pubs will be more smoking than non-smoking.

Jamikins, thanks I'd seen that already but it was a little vague.

Thanks Cowboy, we will look carefully for these stickers and try to be selective where we go. I remember well the "bad old days" in the UK, before the smoking ban, when many meals out were spoiled by the selfishness of other people smoking. Very ogten, the "non-smoking" area was just a different part of the same dining room with no separating walls (which was largely useless) - I am led to believe this situation persists in many Austrian restaurants (the ones with both stickers I guess).

Gordon_R, I live in Vienna. Cowboy is correct with the general rules of thumb. Even with restaurants offering "non-smoking" sections, though, don't be surprised if you have to wade through the smoking section to reach the non-smoking area.

I'm still really concerned about this, even the places with separate sections - my tolerance level for other people's cigarette smoke (especially when out for dinner) is extremely low.

Does anyone have any specific recommendations for completely non-smoking restaurants inside the Ring or near Belvedere Gardens (where our hotel is located), apart from the likes of TGI Fridays? We like to find moderate/higher-end places (€35-50 pp) with an emphasis on local ingredients/specialities when we travel.

Gordon_R, I did a search on http://www.falter.at. I selected "Nichtraucher" and "Die Beste" in the Inner Stadt (1010) and a list of 93 cafes, pubs, eissalons, and so forth that are designated "non-smoking" and that offer Viennese cooking. (Belvedere Gardens is in 1030.)

You may also want to select "Hunde nicht erlaubt" to exclude restaurants where dogs are permitted if you don't enjoy dining with dogs. (Careful, though. Doing so for "InnerStadt" and "Viennese cooking" produced no results.)

Guten Appetit!

Hmm. Interesting. I'd prefer the smoke to the dogs anytime.

Oh yes, dogs are practically better regarded than children here in Vienna. They're on public transportation, in most restaurants and malls (not grocery markets), and well integrated into the Viennese lifestyle. "Hundeschule" is required for owners of large dogs; the little one just disappear into the oversized totes. Our dog, a hound, rather enjoys his sensory outings and the chance to socialize, and I'm happy to have a companion to run errands with.

Plus, while you may dislike dining with Fido, there's a good chance the chefs who prepared your meal probably smokes (and breathes on your food as they're preparing it.) Just something to think about. ;)

European restaurants, cafés, and bars are becoming increasingly non-smoking. One of the last countries to adapt, Austria, is slowly being disarmed by the pressure from the outside.

I have been a non-smoker for all of my 67 years. However, I think I can understand the Austrian reluctance to adhere to a general smoking ban in restaurants and cafés.
Traditionally many Austrians - and in particular Viennese - have been cigar smokers. Now, it's a good few years since I was in Vienna, but I do remember entering old-fashioned coffee houses and finding the pervasive aromas of strong coffee and cigar smoke quite inebriating. A lovely homely sort of ambience. A whiff of "old Vienna" if you like.

I'm back after four very enjoyable days in Vienna. Although we did notice a lot of smokers out on the street and in outdoor cafes, by and large there was no problem indoors. None of the 3 or 4 places we ate in allowed any smoking inside which was a big relief.