{"id":33246,"date":"2024-03-28T00:00:10","date_gmt":"2024-03-27T23:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/checkinblog.it\/?p=33246"},"modified":"2025-03-11T18:37:06","modified_gmt":"2025-03-11T17:37:06","slug":"8-traditional-restaurants-where-to-eat-vienna","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/checkinblog.it\/en\/8-traditional-restaurants-where-to-eat-vienna\/","title":{"rendered":"Holiday in Vienna (Austria): traditional food to try and 8 restaurants where to eat well and at reasonable price"},"content":{"rendered":"

Vienna is one of the few cities in the world<\/strong> \u2013 perhaps the only one \u2013 to have given its name to a culinary style<\/strong>. In particular, there are two world-famous viennese specialties<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The first one is Wiener Schnitzel<\/strong>, a breaded veal chop<\/strong> whose recipe can already be found in eighteenth-century cookbooks. It is usually accompanied by french fries and a mixed salad<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The second one is the Sachertorte Cake<\/strong>, which can still be tasted in the place where it was born. It was first prepared in 1832 in the bar of the Hotel Sacher<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/a> by a 16-year-old chef who due to the unforeseen unavailability of his chef, had to create a last-minute-dessert for a gala dinner. That recipe remains secret even today<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Where to eat well and at good prices in Vienna<\/span><\/h2>\n

The Austrian capital is expensive so do not expect to find cheap places<\/strong>, especially across the city centre.<\/p>\n

Having said that, portions are usually very generous so one main course may be enough<\/strong> to feel \u201cfull up\u201d. This is the case, for example, of dishes like Wiener Schnitzel, Goulash or Tiroler Gr\u00f6stl.<\/p>\n

There are two cheaper alternatives to traditional restaurants<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Wiener Beisl<\/strong> are simple and characteristic places with walls covered with wooden panels and offering traditional cuisine. Wiener W\u00fcrsterstand<\/strong> are street-food-kiosks scattered throughout the city where to have a quick lunch or dinner break. Specialties are sausages<\/strong> (w\u00fcrstel<\/em>) prepared in various ways and served with chips, cheese or bread.<\/p>\n

\"Where<\/a>
Wiener Schnitzel – Kolonitz Beisl, Vienna<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Before telling you about the restaurants I have tried, I want to give you some useful advices<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

First of all, tipping is almost mandatory in Austria<\/strong> and it should correspond to the 10% of the bill<\/strong>. In most cases waiters will tell you about it, giving you the option to automatically add it to the bill. Of course, you can refuse but be prepared for receiving some bad words in German…<\/p>\n

Then, in Vienna payment by cash is preferred<\/strong> and many restaurants, especially if family-run, do not accept credit or debit card.<\/p>\n

Water is very expensive<\/strong>, especially for an Italian like me who is used to pay no more than 2-3\u20ac for 1L. There are two possibilities<\/strong>: order other drinks or ask for a Leitungswasser<\/strong>, (tap water) that costs much less. Even because Vienna has one of the best drinking water in Europe<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The last tip is to book your table in advance<\/strong> as restaurants are often sold out, especially at dinner. If you did not manage to make any reservation just try to go before peak times<\/strong>, for example between 12 and 12:30 pm or around 6 pm.<\/p>\n

Anyway, there are my 8 recommended places where to try the traditional Austrian-Viennese food<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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1) Kolonitz Beisl<\/span><\/h3>\n

It is a historic Beisl opened in 1900<\/strong> and located 500 m far from the Hundertwasserhaus<\/strong>, one of the hidden gems of Vienna<\/strong> (approximately 2 km from St. Stephen’s Cathedral).<\/p>\n

Prices are cheaper<\/strong> as for example the Wiener Schnitzel<\/strong> costs 11.90\u20ac when elsewhere you would pay on average between 17-25\u20ac. My choice for the dessert was the Palatschinken<\/strong>, a crepes without butter served with a jam (in my case apricot).<\/p>\n

The Kolonitz is open from Monday to Friday from 10 am to 11 pm<\/strong>. Opening hours, menu (Speisekarte<\/em>) and details on how to get there can be found on the website (only in German)<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"8<\/a>
Crepes “Palatschinken” – Kolonitz Beisl. Vienna<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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2) Zur Eisernen Zeit<\/span><\/h3>\n

Let\u2019s visit now another area, the Naschmarkt<\/strong>, located between Karlsplatz<\/em> (metro U1, U2 and U4) and Kettenbr\u00fcckengasse<\/em> (metro U4). This is the most famous market in Vienna<\/strong> and it boasts a gastronomic offer so varied<\/strong>, from Austrian to ethnic food.<\/p>\n

Saturday also hosts the weekly flea market<\/strong> and right here I ate a delicious Kaiserschmarren<\/strong> in a street-food version. It is a typical Austrian dessert<\/strong> that looks like a crepe reduced to small pieces and submerged in icing sugar with apple, currant or blueberry jam.<\/p>\n

\"Traditional<\/a>
Kaiserschmarren at Naschmarkt – Vienna<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

My choice for lunch<\/strong> was the ‘Zur Eisernen Zeit<\/strong>‘, opened in 1916 for the workers who worked there to set up the market stalls. The house specialty is Viennese Goulash<\/strong> but I also recommend K\u00e4sesp\u00e4tzle<\/strong>, cheese dumplings with the addition of fried onion and often accompanied by a mixed salad.<\/p>\n

For more information just check the restaurant’s website<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"8<\/a>
Zur Eisernen Zeit – Naschmarkt, Vienna<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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3) Mat\u2019s W\u00fcrstelstand<\/span><\/h3>\n

It is located near the Prater<\/strong> and I have been there a couple of times as it was also close to my accommodation (Ibis Budget Wien Messe Hotel<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/a>).<\/p>\n

As it is not right in the centre, it is mainly frequented by locals<\/strong>. Some people say that the best W\u00fcrstels in Vienna are eaten here. Of course, mine was very good and I spent around \u20ac8 ordering also the bread (Semmel) and a beer.<\/p>\n

To find out where it is I live you this link to Google Maps<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/a>, where you can read all the reviews<\/strong> (including mine) and opening hours<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"Street<\/a>
Mat\u2019s W\u00fcrstelstand \u2013 Prater, Vienna<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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4) Figlm\u00fcller<\/span><\/h3>\n

Situated within a walking distance from St. Stephen\u2019s Cathedral<\/strong>, this is a true culinary institution given its international reputation as the \u201cbest Wiener schnitzel in Vienna<\/strong>\u201d.<\/p>\n

I personally do not know if the quote is true as I find it quite difficult to prove but I have to admit that it is one of the best I have ever eaten<\/strong>. The house specialty version includes the Figlm\u00fcller Fries. At first I was a little worried by observing the size of the chop but the light breading and the oil used made for a smooth digestion!<\/p>\n

There are two restaurants<\/strong>: the historic one, established in 1905 at Woellzeile 5<\/em>; and the modern one, opened a few years ago at B\u00e4ckerstra\u00dfe 6<\/em>. Book a table is required<\/strong> but this has to be done months in advance throught the Figlm\u00fcller Restaurant website<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you cannot make it, as happened to me, I suggest to go directly to the new location before the rush hour<\/strong>. My mother and I were lucky because there was only one couple in front of us (on the way out I counted almost 80 people waiting…) and we were seated after just a couple of minutes.<\/p>\n

\"Where<\/a>
Figlm\u00fcller Restaurant – Vienna city centre<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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5) Gasthaus Hansy<\/span><\/h3>\n

Definitely less touristy, this is the place where to eat and relax immersed in the atmosphere of the \u201cold Vienna\u201d<\/strong> watching from the window the Giant Ferris Wheel close by.<\/p>\n

Reaching this restaurant is very easy as once you get off at the Praterstern metro stop<\/strong>, just follow the signs for the exit to Heinestra\u00dfe<\/em> and then cross the street.<\/p>\n

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Viennese-style fried chicken – Gasthaus Hansy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Inside, the Gasthaus<\/em> has a modern design while the menu<\/strong> features the classics of the local culinary tradition<\/strong>. My choice for the main course was the Viennese fried chicken<\/strong> accompanied by a cucumber salad (Backhuhn ausgel\u00f6st mit Rahm-Gurkensalat<\/em>), whilst for the dessert I had a couple of delicious crepes with chocolate<\/strong>, nuts and whipped cream<\/strong> (Schoko-Nuss Palatschinken mit Sch<\/em>lagobers). I also recommend the house beer.<\/p>\n

I booked a table the day before on the Gasthaus Hansy website<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/a>, and I was right because the restaurant was full.<\/p>\n

\"Traditional<\/a>
Palatschinken – Gasthaus Hansy. Vienna<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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6) Brezl Gw\u00f6lb<\/span><\/h3>\n

Overlooking a quiet alley just a few steps from the am<\/strong> Hof square<\/strong> in Vienna city centre, this restaurant stands out for its romantic ambience<\/strong>, candlelights<\/strong> and wooden furnishings<\/strong>. All this is accompanied by good home cooking<\/strong> and a rich list of wines and beers.<\/p>\n

As I was not so hungry I just ordered egg dumplings<\/strong> (Ger\u00f6stete Kn\u00f6del mit Ei<\/em>) together with a green salad. This main dish was served the Wiener Laugenbrezl<\/em>, a local version of a very common type of German bread. To book a table and check the menu please visit the Brezl Gw\u00f6lb website<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Egg dumplings with salad – Brezl Gw\u00f6lb, Vienna<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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7) St\u00f6ckl im Park<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>This is a brewery-restaurant<\/strong> located next to the gardens of the Belvedere Castle<\/strong> so is the perfect place for a culinary break before or after visiting the Gustav Klimt Collection<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Those who want to try something different from meat dishes I can suggest the salmon fillet<\/strong> (Lachs<\/em>). In my case I had a delicious beef broth with liver dumpling<\/strong> (Kr\u00e4ftige Rindsbouillon mit Leberkn\u00f6del<\/em>).<\/p>\n

\"8<\/a>
St\u00f6ckl im Park – Belvedere quartier, Vienna<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Speaking of desserts<\/strong> I obviously got a slice of Sachertorte cake<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Booking a table for dinner is compulsory<\/strong> but not for lunch. All information can be found on St\u00f6ckl im Park website<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Sachertorte<\/a>
Sachertorte cake at St\u00f6ckl im Park – Belvedere quartier, Vienna<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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8) Bettelstudent<\/span><\/h3>\n

An absolutely informal, almost family-like atmosphere<\/strong> is the soul of this place located a short walking distance from the Haus der Musik<\/em> <\/strong><\/span><\/a>and the Vienna State Opera<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Good food<\/strong>, excellent beers<\/strong> and live music<\/strong>. The restaurant area is quiet while the pub area is undoubtedly more lively, with lots of people at the bar counter and waiters carrying food and drinks from one side to another.<\/p>\n

I got a Bauerngr\u00f6stl<\/em>, a typical dish of the cucina povera<\/em> (\u201ckitchen of the poor<\/strong>\u201d) served with vegetables and an excellent Studentenbr\u00e4u<\/em> bier. Menu<\/strong> is available here<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/a> (Speisekarte<\/em>) and make a reservation is as always strongly recommended (eespecially for dinner).<\/p>\n

\"8<\/a>
Bettelstudent – Vienna<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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The best activities to do in Vienna<\/span><\/h2>\n

Some of the most popular attractions and other things to do are included in the list below:<\/p>\n