Vienna Restaurants and Dining

(Vienna / Wien, Austria)

Many people dining out in Vienna often come with preconceived ideas of what to expect on the menus. Whilst it is true to say that the Austrian restaurants in Vienna have become well known for their traditional Viennese cuisine and schnitzel, the city also has much to offer in terms of international dining other than just Styrian specialities.

The signature dish at many Vienna restaurants is the famous 'Wiener schnitzel', which is widely available throughout the city and consists of a fried, flattened veal cutlet. Also popular around the city is boiled beef (Tafelspitz), fried mashed potatoes (Geröstete Erdäpfel) and an array of tasty pastries, such as apple strudel (Apfelstrudel).

Where to Eat

In recent years, coffee shops and similar eateries have invaded the streets of Vienna and offer a range of refreshments and cheap eats. Also popular are the many Viennese sausages, which can be purchased from many hot dog stands (Würstelstand) throughout Vienna. Particularly tasty is the city's very own Wiener Würstel sausage.

Simple buffet-style food can be found at dining venues known as 'Heurigen' or 'Beisl', which are actually simple wine taverns and clustered around the Grinzing district. A popular alternative to more expensive restaurants, a meal at a Heurigen can be washed down with some Viennese wine, produced at one of the city's surrounding vineyards.

Plenty of inexpensive restaurants are clustered around the University of Vienna, catering to the large student population concentrated in this part of the city. Slightly more upmarket dining options present themselves around the 1st District and along stretches such as the Dr-Karl-Lueger-Platz, Führichgasse, Himmelpfortgasse, Stephansplatz and the Weihburggasse.

A number of inexpensive eateries and restaurants in Vienna also reside around the Rabensteig, which is close to the Schwedenplatz, and also on the Ruprechtsplatz and Seitenstettengasse. However, for the best dining views, the Vienna Donauturm (Danube Tower) is home to no less than two revolving restaurants, which offer breathtaking vistas at a height of around 170 metres / 558 feet.