-
Soupkultur
Soupkultur caters to office workers in search of a healthy bite on the run. Organic produce and aromatic spices are used to create eight different soups and six varieties of salads each week, ranging from red-lentil soup or traditional Hungarian goulash to Caesar salad or chicken and orange salad. There is a token seating area, but plan on taking it away (a leafy park is just around the corner).
-
St Josef
This super-friendly restaurant produces wholly organic and vegetarian food for a throng of happy diners. The menu changes daily - when we visited, sweet potatoes, vegetarian strudel, lentils and salad were among the choices. Dinkel (spelt) is used in some dishes catering to wheat-intolerant patrons, and drinks like guarana cola and cranberry ginkgo help to wash everything down. Sit upstairs, downstairs, outside on wooden benches or get it to go.
-
Steirereck Im Stadtpark
A gourmet restaurant of some repute, Steirereck im Stadtpark has been wowing diners for years and surprised many by moving to its current location in peaceful Stadtpark a couple of years ago. Lunch and dinner are six-course affairs (usually with two choices per course), with seasonal cuisine leading the way. An accompanying course of wine is an additional around €50 . The Meierei milk bar offers an amazing 150 cheeses and outstanding desserts.
-
Stomach
Stomach's menu includes meat and vegetarian delights such as Styrian roast beef, cream of pumpkin soup and, when in season, wild boar and venison. The interior is authentically rural-Austrian and the garden, all overgrown and uneven, has more character than some districts. The name 'Stomach' comes from the rearrangement of the word Tomaschek, the butcher's shop originally located here. Reservations are highly recommended.
-
Strandgasthaus Birner
Like the Schweizerhaus (Eating/East of the Danube Canal), Strandgasthaus Birner is a legend in Vienna. Its sunbathed terrace overlooking the Alte Donau is one of the finest spots in summer and the fish specialities from the kitchen are irresistible; don't pass up a chance to try one of the sublime fish soups. Be aware that summer and winter opening times aren't date-specific but rather determined by the weather.
-
Tancredi
This former Beisl attracts an affluent clientele with lovingly prepared regional and fish specialities, seasonal fare (the chef lazily but confidently told us 'it's a mix of cuisines, but generally what's in season'), bio (organic) products and an extensive range of Austrian wines. The surrounds are warm, pastel-yellow walls, stripped-back wooden floors, fittings from yesteryear and a tree-shaded garden that fills up quickly in summer.
-
Toko Ri
Toko Ri consistently delivers some of the best sushi in the city, despite the mounting competition. Fresh sushi, sashimi and maki (nori rolls) are the mainstay of the menu but Korean dishes are also available. The buzzing surroundings of the Naschmarkt are also a big hit with diners; if this doesn't suit, grab something to go.
-
Trzesniewski
Possibly the finest sandwich shop in Austria, Trzesniewski has been serving spreads and breads to all manner of Viennese (Kafka was a regular here) for over 100 years. Choose from 21 delectably thick spreads such as paprika, tuna with egg, salmon, and Swedish herring to garnish your choice of bread or simply pick a selection from those waiting ready-made. Plan on sampling a few; two bites and they're gone. This is one of seven branches in Vienna.
-
Ubl
This much-loved Beisl is a favourite of the Wieden crowd. Its menu is heavily loaded with Viennese classics such as Schinkenfleckerl , Schweinsbraten and four types of schnitzel , and is enhanced with seasonal cuisine throughout the year. You could do worse than finish the hefty meal off with a stomach-settling plum schnapps. The quiet, tree-shaded garden is wonderful in summer.
-
Umar
Umar ranks as one of the best fish restaurants in the business and puts nearby Nordsee (a German fast-food chain specialising in seafood) to shame. Importing its products direct from Italy and Turkey, it's able to offer the freshest fish around, usually served whole. There are difficult decisions to make, such as between mussels in white-wine sauce and giant shrimps fried in herb butter. Seriously good wines from the Wachau compliment the food.
-
Advertisement
-
Una
Una resides in one of the original wings of the Habsburg imperial stables and what striking stables they are, with gorgeous Turkish tiles, arched ceilings and massive windows. The light menu features simple but carefully prepared fare such as pasta dishes, vegetarian strudels, and seasonal specialities. The wine list is commendable, the atmosphere and staff refreshingly unpretentious.
-
Vegi Rant
A well-established restaurant with a strong nutritional bent, Vegi Rant has daily menus for hungry souls wishing to avoid meat. The food is imaginative, light and yummy; as the menu changes on a weekly basis (but always consists of a soup, main and dessert), expect anything from Linsengulasch (lentil goulash) to Topfenlaibchen (tofu loaf). While there, stock up on natural remedies and healthy goodies at the health food store next door.
-
Vestibül
Vestibül takes pride of place in the southern wing of the Burgtheater. The interior is a heady mix of marble columns and chandeliers, and is topped off with a glorious sparkling mirrored bar. The menu features anything from good old Wienerschnitzel to octopus Tatar (raw) with gherkin-mango salad. It's hard to choose a wine because the dozens on offer all look inviting. Reservations are recommended.
-
Weingut Am Reisenberg
Thoroughly modern premises with huge windows and a styled, brick interior, Weingut am Reisenberg is part of the new generation of Heurigen . Instead of the traditional Austrian buffet, Italian cuisine and vegetarian dishes are offered, and best enjoyed in the green garden overlooking the expanse of Vienna. It's a good 10-minute walk up a steep hill just north of Grinzing village, first up Cobenzlgasse and then Oberer Reisenbergweg.
-
Weinstube Josefstadt
Weinstube Josefstadt is one the loveliest Stadtheurigen in the city. Its garden is a green oasis amongst concrete residential blocks with tables squeezed in between the trees and shrubs. Food is typical, with a buffet-style selection and plenty of cheap meats (chicken wings go for only around €1 ). The friendly, well-liquored locals come free of charge. The only sign of its existence is a metal Buschel hanging from a doorway.
-
Wiener Deewan
'Good food, good mood' and 'eat what you like, pay as you wish' are the mottos here. Two vegetarian, three meat dishes and one dessert are served buffet-style; prices aren't set, and you can eat as much as you like. Most patrons pay well for the excellent and subtly flavorful Pakistani fare, which may include Lamb Karah (diced-lamb curry), Tinda (pumpkin curry) and dhal Masur (red lentil dhal). The atmosphere, like the staff, is relaxed.
-
Wieninger
Bus 30A stops a few minutes' walk east of Wieninger, a family-run Heuriger in central Stammersdorf. The food buffet, which features organic produce and a healthy smattering of vegetarian options, is extensive, the wine from its own vineyard fruity and light, and the atmosphere local and relaxed. Cellar tours are also offered.
-
Wrenkh
Wrenkh has been leading the way in vegetarian cuisine for years but its owner, Christian Wrenkh, recently introduced a handful of meat and fish dishes to the menu. The quality and presentation remains exquisite and everything is prepared with organic produce. Choose the vibrant front section with its glass walls and chatty customers or the quieter rear room with its intimate booths. Takeaway is also available from to Monday to Friday.
-
Würstelstand Am Hoher Markt
Würstelstand am Hoher Markt attracts people from all walks of life with its consistently good sausages, central location and long hours. Try the Käsekrainer , a hearty sausage infused with cheese; it can be a messy affair, but you won't soon forget it. Order ' Eitrige mit an Buckl ' (loosely translated, the equivalent of 'a hunchback full of pus') and you'l get the sausage with the prized end of the bread loaf - or an unintelligible Viennese insult.
-
Yohm
A typical scene in Yohm: black-clad waiters gliding from table to table, refilling glasses with celebrated Austrian wines as diners enjoy views of Peterskirche with their contemporary Asian cuisine. Sushi looms large on the menu, but consider ordering something more creative, such as udon noodles with Scottish salmon or fried duck roll with fresh mint and plum sauce. For all its class, it's a wonder meals are served with cheap wooden chopsticks.
-
Advertisement
-
Zahel
One of the oldest Heurigen in Vienna, Zahel occupies a 250-year-old farmer's house on Maurer Hauptplatz. The buffet is laden with Viennese and seasonal cuisine and wine is for sale to take home. It sometimes closes for weeks at a time; if so, head two blocks south to Maurer Lange Gasse for more options.
-
Zu Den 3 Buchteln
Bohemian and Russian cuisine is Zu den 3 Buchteln's speciality. The thick, juicy goulash is excellent but for something more unusual try the blood sausage with red cabbage and roast potatoes or the Russian Blinis (buckwheat bread with egg, cream, red onions and trout caviar). Czech beer flows freely all night and the dessert list is extensive.
-
Zu Den Zwei Liesln
A classic Beisl of legendary status, Zu den Zwei Liesln has been serving celebrities, politicians, office workers and students for decades. There are six varieties of schnitzel as well as other Viennese options and even two vegetarian choices. The wood panelling, simple wooden chairs and chequered tablecloths create a quaint and cosy interior, but the tree-shaded inner courtyard is more inviting in summer.
-
Zum Alten Fassl
With its private garden amid residential houses and polished-wood interior (typical of a well-kept Beisl ), Zum Alten Fassl is worth visiting just for a drink. But it would be foolish not to sample a menu loaded with Viennese favourites and regional specialities; when in season, Zanderfilet (fillet of zander) is the chef's favourite and not to be missed. Finish with homemade Topfen Palatschinken (crepes with quark) smothered in vanilla sauce.
-
Zum Schwarzen Kameel
Zum Schwarzen Kameel is a strange combination of deli/sandwich shop and highbrow wine bar. The high-society set who frequents this place normally nibble on sandwiches at the bar while pondering which Achterl (glass of wine) to select from the lengthy list. Soups are available to go while more substantial dishes are offered in the wood-panelled dining area upstairs.
