Vienna, Austria — Food and Dining
Restaurants in Vienna, Austria
Restaurants
Expensive
Fabios
Fabios has been at the head of the fashionable restaurant/bar scene for a number of years now, and its status doesn't look like changing soon. This isn't just a place for celebrity spotting, it's also a spot for exceptional dining. The attentive, professional waiters glide through a minimalist interior fitted with dark woods and floor-to-ceiling mirrors, serving dishes from a creative menu heavily influenced by Mediterranean flavors. Reservations essential. Closed Sunday.
01, Tuchlauben 6
Tel: (01) 532 2222.
Website: www.fabios.at
Korso
From the exquisite, classic décor to the exceptional food, the Korso is considered one of the city's finest restaurants. It specializes in Austrian delicacies using only the finest ingredients. The wine cellar also is one of the best in Europe. Diners should always save room for the wonderful versions of Viennese desserts. The restaurant has long been a favorite with international opera stars. Open for dinner only.
01, Mahlerstrasse 2
Tel: (01) 5151 6546.
Website: www.restaurantkorso.at
Österreicher im MAK
This former café attached to the Museum of Modern Art (MAK) was given a revolutionary culinary makeover when one of Austria's seminal chefs, Helmut Österreicher, took charge of the kitchen in early 2006. Now the menu resides in the ‘modern Viennese' category, which equates to new takes on old plates; you'll still find wiener schnitzel, tafelspitz (boiled beef), and zwiebelrostbraten (beef and onion roast) here, but they're lighter versions of grandma's recipes in both size and calorie-count. Dishes employ ingredients in season (pumpkin and wild meats feature heavily in autumn, asparagus in spring), and the sleek décor only helps smooth digestion.
01, Stubenring 5
Tel: (01) 714 0121.
Website: www.oesterreicherimmak.at
RestaurantAnnaSacher
Since 1876, dining at the Hotel Sacher has been as much a social experience as a culinary one. Most celebrities visiting Vienna eventually end up here. Do save room for the legendary Sachertorte, a chocolate tart split in half, spread with apricot jam and iced with chocolate. Each month there is a new menu reflecting the seasons. Reservations are required, smart dress advisable. Closed Monday.
01, Hotel Sacher, Wien Philarmonikerstrasse 4
Tel: (01) 5145 6840.
Website: www.sacher.com/en-anna-sacher.htm
Moderate
BodegaEspañola
With an antique Spanish décor and a large open fire during the colder seasons, Bodega Española harks back to the days when the Hapsburg dynasty had strong connections to the Spanish throne. Located near the Belvedere Galleries, this is one of the finest tapas restaurants in the city. The menu features many small dishes, as well as excellent main courses, like bacalaoálamalagueña (a fish specialty from Malaga) and lamb steak with lemon-rosemary potatoes. Closed Sunday. Reservations recommended.
04, Belvederegasse 10
Tel: (01) 504 5500.
Motto
You get all kinds in Motto - from straights to gays, from TV stars to office workers. Top quality staff, modern cellar surroundings and live DJs make up a relaxed but convivial atmosphere; the menu features Austrian, Asian, and Mediterranean cuisine. The steaks here are famous, but save some room for the dark and white chocolate mousse with raspberry sauce. Evening dining reservations recommended.
05, Schönbrunner Strasse 30
Tel: (01) 587 0672.
Website: www.motto.at/motto
Ubl
Of the many beisl (traditional beer taverns) that dot Vienna, Ubl ranks among the finest. It still retains the heavy dark-wood wall and floor paneling reminiscent of such establishments, but there is also a refined, dining atmosphere with a good list of quality Austrian wines. Order from a small but well-thought-out menu filled with Viennese classics - it's hard to go wrong with the tafelspitz or wiener schnitzel here.
04, Pressgasse 26
Tel: (01) 587 6437.
Cheap
Trześniewki
Close to the Cathedral (just off Graben), this taste of Old Vienna has been serving locals for over 100 years with its "unspeakably good (open) sandwiches". It has a selection of around 20 each day, each costing €1, though you'll need a few to fill up. They also sell rough wine at the same price and beer in a tiny "pfiff" (one eighth of a liter) glass. It's very popular so you may have to stand to eat but it's all part of the experience.
01, Dorotheergasse 1
Tel: (01) 493 1332.
Website: www.trzesniewski.at
Wrenkh
Vienna's top vegetarian restaurant and (designer) bar, Christian Wrenkh serves excellent seasonal food to a young and trendy crowd. Expect dishes such as miso soup, Greek fried rice with vegetables, feta cheese and olives and wild rice risotto with mushrooms. Closed Sunday.
01, Bauernmarkt 10
Tel: (01) 533 1526.
Website: www.wiener-kochsalon.com/wien
Zawodsky
In the green and vineyard-cloaked district of Grinzing in the northern stretches of Vienna is Zawodsky, a lovely (and traditional) heuriger (wine tavern). It is best visited in summer, when its apple trees offer plenty of shade for the picnic tables that dot the extensive garden, although a cosy evening indoors during spring and autumn is also inviting. The tart wine served is best mixed with soda water (the common practice at a heuriger), while the hearty buffet, which offers fresh spreads, breads, salads, and roast meats, requires more than one visit. There's occasional live music. Closed Tuesday and early December to late February.
19, Reinischgasse 3
Tel: (01) 320 7978.
Website: www.zawodsky.at
Nightlife
The most popular cluster of bars is in the old Jewish Quarter (First District), in an area around Ruprechtskirche known as the Bermuda Dreieck (Bermuda Triangle). Other districts with fewer tourists include the Spittelberg area, around Amerlinghaus (Seventh District) and in the Fourth District, adjacent to the Naschmarkt. Many of the best places in Vienna will not be obvious to tourists, as they are strictly marketed at locals and are not necessarily in the center of town. Quite a few clubs operate choosy door policies, where the beautiful or the correctly dressed waltz past the queue. Alternatives to the club and bar scene abound - hip and trendy Viennese still enjoy traditional favorites, such as heurigen (beer taverns) and the city's many balls.
For information on what kind of sound and crowd to expect on any given night of the week, pick up Der Falter listings paper (www.falter.at) or check out Szene (www.szenewien.com).
Bars
Amerlingbeisl
The Spittelberg area (Seventh District) is dotted with bars, including the perennially popular Amerlingbeisl, with its leafy garden. This relaxed pub is a must-go in Vienna, especially around Christmas, when Spittelberg comes alive with its famous Christmas market. In the evenings, you can zip a cup of ginger-apricot punch in Amerlingbeisl's canopied atrium with fairy lights for stars.
07, Stiftgasse 8
Tel: (01) 526 1660.
Website: www.amerlingbeisl.at
Café Central
Coffee houses (Kaffeehäuser) are an essential part of Viennese life. For the price of a coffee you can sit for hours with the papers, some work, a book, or just watching the world go by. Café Central, located in the beautiful historic Palais Ferstel in the First District, is an old favorite, featuring gothic-style ceilings and live music daily.
01, Herrengasse 14
Tel: (01) 5333 76426.
Website: www.palaisevents.at/cafecentral
Café Stein
Coffee houses are big in Vienna and the new 'szene houses' attract a young, trendy crowd. Café Stein is the king of the new style, with minimalist décor, Internet facilities, veggie fare and all-day breakfasts.
09, Währinger Strasse 6-8
Tel: (01) 319 7241.
Website: www.cafe-stein.com
Lutz Bar
Lutz Bar is an elegant venue with a good cocktail selection. The building from the turn of the last century directly overlooks the MuseumsQuartier and the Museum of Fine Arts and sports floor-to-ceiling glass windows, perfect for people-watching while relaxing with a glass of wine.
06, Mariahilfer Strasse 3
Tel: (01) 585 3646.
Website: www.lutz-bar.at
Clubs
Club Roxy
Club Roxy features 1960s-style wooden paneling and red lights; expect funky grooves and guest DJs from the Viennese electronic scene.
04, Faulmanngasse 4
Tel: (01) 961 8800.
Website: www.sunshine.at/roxy
Elektro Gönner
For something a bit different try Elektro Gönner, an arty venue with DJs and weekly specials such as a film club or other interactive installations.
06, Mariahilfer Strasse 101/1
Tel: (01) 208 6679.
Website: www.elektro-g.at
Volksgarten
One of the hottest clubs in Vienna is Volksgarten, on the Ringstrasse, which offers raves on Friday and Saturday from 2200 until late in the morning and draws a very dressed-up crowd.
01, Burgring 1
Tel: (01) 532 4241.
Website: www.volksgarten.at
Live Music
Jazzland
Jazzland is Vienna's oldest jazz cellar (est 1972). The place is tiny and cosy, with unpretentious décor and friendly staff. But the best part is the music. Bands play traditional Jazz, Blues, Boogie, Swing, Folk and sometimes modern Jazz.
01, Franz-Josefs-Kai 23
Tel: (01) 533 2575.
Website: www.jazzland.at
Porgy & Bess
A converted porn cinema is the home of Vienna's best jazz club, Porgy & Bess, near the Stubentor U-Bahn stop. In addition to its ambitious program of first-class concerts from Austrian and international musicians, the club also focuses on unusual and interesting music.
01, Riemengasse 11
Tel: (01) 512 8811.
Website: www.porgy.at
Wiener Stadthalle
Wiener Stadthalle is the main indoor venue for large acts.
15, Vogelweidplatz 14
Tel: (01) 799 9979.
Website: www.stadthalle.com
