Where to Eat in Vienna, Austria: A Food Guide to Vienna’s Must-Eats
Looking for the best places to eat in Vienna? Our food guide covers where to eat in Vienna, Austria – and what to eat there – to enjoy the best of Vienna’s must-eat cuisine. From traditional dishes to international gems, we’ve got it all in our curated list based on four weeks living there.
When we arrived in Vienna, I wasn’t sure how I would feel about the food. I imagined day after day of fried, heavy foods like schnitzel and sausage leaving me feeling bloated and uncomfortable. Thankfully, I couldn’t have been more wrong – Viennese food is delicious. From the classic Wiener schnitzel to the savory Tafelspitz and sinfully addictive Kaiserschmarrn, everything was so much lighter and more nuanced than I expected. After living here for a month, we identified some of the best places to eat in Vienna. In our Vienna food guide, we’ll give you a few basic pointers picking a great place to eat, and then provide all of our recommendations for where to eat in Vienna, Austria. We’ll also share what to order when you get there, so you don’t miss any must eat Vienna dishes.
Need help planning your itinerary for Vienna? Check out our post Visiting Vienna: Your 2-5 Day Itinerary. We’ve also got recommendations for where to grab a drink after your meal in our post 9 Top Bars in Vienna: Where to Drink in Wien.
Update note: This guide was reviewed in January 2026 to confirm current openings, pricing, and overall relevance.
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Where to Eat in Vienna, Austria - Your Food Guide to Vienna's Must-Eats:
How to Pick a Great Place to Eat in Vienna, Austria
There are a few basic rules to picking where to eat in Vienna, Austria to ensure you enjoy your meal:
- DON’T eat at a restaurant where the menu is entirely in English or contains photos of all of the food.
- DON’T choose a place because a waiter outside called you over and tried to persuade you to eat there.
- DON’T take Google Maps reviews as undisputed facts. We know, it’s an easy place to start and we gravitate toward those 4 star and up locations as well. But the truth is, in tourist destinations, these reviews are overwhelmingly contributed by, well, tourists, who may have different expectations for service than are standard in that country. If you see a place that looks good but the reviews aren’t top notch, check to see whether those reviews are food-related or simply someone being a little impatient.
- DO walk at least two to three blocks away from big tourist attractions to avoid higher costs and lower quality.
- DO gravitate to restaurants with a small, specific menu.
- DO make reservations at popular places to eat in Vienna in advance, like Plachutta, Cafe Landtmann, Lugeck, Griechenbeisl, and Huth Gastwirtschaft (reservation links embedded).
Follow these simple Vienna food guide tips and you’ll be set up for success!
Where to Eat in Vienna, Austria
We highly recommend these places to eat in Vienna – and must eat dishes – for your next visit. But before we start, a quick food guide tip on dining etiquette in Austria:
When you need something from your waiter, expect to call them over, rather than wait for them to check in on you. Austrians – rather unfairly, in my opinion – often have a reputation for being cold or standoffish. In truth, they’re quite friendly, but pride themselves on their respect for privacy. This means that when it comes to dining, your waiter isn’t going to be all over you, but rather will give you space to enjoy your meal. If you need them, just politely grab their attention (try “Entschuldigung!”) and they’ll be happy to help.
Traditional Vienna Must Eats
Viennese cuisine is one of my new favorites of Europe and there are some classic, must-eat dishes you’ll need to try while you’re there. Chief among these are Weiner schnitzel, which is most traditionally made with veal and served with a fresh squeeze of lemon, not gravy, and Tafelspitz, a boiled beef dish served with apples and horseradish. We’ll highlight the best places to eat these dishes, as well as other traditional dishes, in the list below. Of course, the coffee scene and desserts are also a huge part of Viennese cuisine, so we’ll get into that later on in the post.
Lugeck is the newest brainchild of the Figlmüller brothers, made famous by the (always booked) Figlmüller restaurants. Located nearby in the heart of the 1st district, Lugeck also serves the classics, but takes them into the 21st century. In a trendy upscale tavern setting, you can try their Weiner schnitzel or Tafelspitz, but I encourage you not to skip the appetizers. Lugeck serves an excellent frittatensuppe, a beef broth with thin slices of crepe-like pancake. They also make their own bread and butters, which are exceptional.
While not as fully-booked as Figlmüller, this top place to eat in Vienna is still quite popular – we recommend reserving a table at Lugeck in advance.
Top of the list for where to eat in Vienna, Austria when you want to try Tafelspitz is Plachutta, a true Vienna institution. If “boiled beef” doesn’t sound appealing to you, I get it, but I promise it tastes much better than it sounds. Fine cuts of beef are boiled in a rich and savory broth and served with bone marrow and bread, fried potato rosti, vegetables, chive sauce, and horseradish with apple on the side. The broth is delicious and the boiling process makes the beef so tender and flavorful. In fact, Tafelspitz is so good that it’s famous as being the favorite dish of Emperor Franz Josef I. Plachutta has been serving Tafelspitz and other Viennese classics for three generations now, so if you only get Tafelspitz once, you can trust this place has got the recipe perfected.
Plachutta is a very popular place to eat in Vienna, so we highly recommending reserving your table at Plachutta at least 1 week in advance.
Griechenbeisl is a cozy, traditional tavern famous for being the oldest restaurant in Vienna. With a history dating back to the 15th century, this venerated establishment has served as a meeting place for iconic figures like Beethoven, Mozart, and Mark Twain, with an extensive wall of signatures to prove it. At Griechenbeisl, you’ll feel like you’re a part of the city’s rich history while dining on classic dishes in a warm and rustic environment. Make sure to save room for dessert – they serve a mean Kaiserschmarrn, a must eat Vienna dessert. It’s composed of a donut-pancake-funnel cake base with a crispy bottom and a tasty plum sauce on top.
Being a historic restaurant in the city, we recommend reserving a table for Griechenbeisl in advance. We recommend scheduling this dinner for after the Viennese waltz class we recommend in our Vienna city guide and itinerary, as it’s right next door!
Wondering where to eat in Vienna, Austria for the perfect Weiner schnitzel? Of course you are! While Meixners Gastwirtschaft is a bit out of the way in the 10th district, after a month in Vienna it was still the best Weiner schnitzel we had, hands down. The huge serving of thinly beat and breaded veal was so light, crispy, and perfectly seasoned that it practically melted in your mouth. We just couldn’t stop ordering it, despite their full menu of other seasonally-rotating classic dishes. 10/10 would come back to Vienna just for this Wiener schnitzel. And about 8 orders of Kaiserschmarrn. Meixners offers both an indoor dining room and a lovely garden terrace, and as an added perk, they’re dog friendly!
Meixners Gastwirtschaft is a less well-known gem, so reservations aren’t required. However, if you prefer to play it safe, reserve your table at Meixners Gastwirtschaft here.
Huth Gastwirtschaft is a classy place to eat in Vienna for classics with a twist. Reservations are recommended for this popular spot in the city center, but it’s well worth the advance planning. Here, Colby and I ordered grammelknodl, which are potato dumplings with a salty, savory pork filling, and zweibelrostbraten, a beef steak smothered in caramelized and crispy onions. We also enjoyed their homemade bread and apfelstrudel (apple strudel). The grammelknodl were the surprise winners for this dinner, along with the excellent ambiance.
This is a neat one. Melker Stiftskeller is a historic restaurant dating back to 1629, whose dining room is inside a beautifully preserved cellar. It’s like a speakeasy with incredible food – the ambiance is warm, cozy, and intimate, and you feel like you’ve stumbled on a true hidden gem. Melker’s specialty is their Stelze, or pork knuckle, which is slow roasted for 12 hours and serves 3 people. But, if that’s not your thing, they also have an excellent roast chicken and full slate of other Viennese classics.
You can probably get lucky eating at this Vienna restaurant without a reservation, but it doesn’t hurt to plan ahead. Reserve your table at Melker Stiftskeller here.
Looking for a must eat Vienna dish on the go? Look no further than the city’s most famous sausage stand, Bitzinger Würstelstand. With one location outside of the Albertina museum and another in Prater park (two of the top sites in our 5 day Vienna itinerary), Bitzinger is convenient street food at its finest. While there are many sausage stands on the streets of Vienna, Bitzinger became famous primarily due to its location across the street from the Vienna State Opera house. Workers at the sausage stand would lure patrons leaving the theater with a glass of champagne, and then hook them with a tasty late night snack. They still carry on this tradition today, offering beer, wine and champagne for sale alongside their selection of sausages from 8:00am to 4:00am – perfect for soaking up those pints from the bar before bed. We recommend the Käsekrainer, a sausage stuffed with melted cheese.
Unique Finds
Even when the food is as delicious as Viennese cuisine, you still need to mix things up now and then. Here are our top picks for where to eat in Vienna, Austria for something a little different.
Mani im vierten is a super cute brunch spot located just around the corner from Naschmarkt (a lovely farmers and flea market on Day 4 of our Vienna itinerary). It’s the perfect place to eat in Vienna to start a sunny Saturday of strolling and shopping. With a diverse offering of international dishes, ranging from chicken and waffles to Shakshouka to Hong Kong style French toast, there’s something on the menu for everyone in your party. Plus, the bloody marys are killer. Reservations are recommended, as this is a popular spot, and make sure to bring some dolla dolla bills, because they’re cash only.
Make a reservation for mani im vierten via phone or email here.
Anyone who knows me – or has read some of our other top restaurants posts – knows that I am in love with Mexican food. If I had an employment contract with our blog, I’m pretty sure I would be legally obligated to find the best Mexican food in every city we travel to. In Vienna, that was Santos. Santos knocks it out of the park with delicious food, a stellar vibe, and killer margaritas to boot. Santos offers two locations, a trendy, nightlife-forward spot in Neubau and a more sunny, daytime location in Wieden. We preferred the vibe at Neubau, but the food was excellent at both.
We ate at the bar, but if you’d like a table, we recommend you make a reservation at Santos Neubau here.
Looking for where to eat in Vienna where your meal’s not just food, but a whole dining experience? Head to Mama Liu & Sons for Chinese-style hot pot. If you haven’t had hot pot before, you’re in for a treat. Hot pot is a soup-based meal that you cook yourself, like fondue or Korean barbecue. You’ll pick your preferred broth and meat, and then you’ll boil the meat until it’s perfectly cooked – only a few seconds. All soups come with veggies and noodles that you’ll cook as well, and the final bowl of soup at the end – after you’ve cooked all your meat and veggies in the broth – is so, so tasty. Mama Liu & Sons also offers a full cocktail menu, and their frozen mango margarita was the perfect pairing for our hot and spicy soup.
Mama Liu’s is walk-in friendly, but you can also reserve your table at Mama Liu’s here. Be prepared – they’re cash only!
Coffee & Desserts
Whether you’re looking for a morning kick start, an afternoon pick-me-up, or a sweet finish to your evening, no hour is the wrong hour for coffee – or cake – in Vienna. In fact, the list of coffees and must eat desserts to taste in this city is nearly as long as the main courses. Our personal favorites were Kaiserschmarrn (a donut-pancake-funnel cake hybrid served with plum sauce), Sachertorte (a chocolate cake with apricot jam filling), and Esterházy torte (an almond and buttercream cake), but apfelstrudel (apples in a flaky crust) and Manner Schnitten (a wafer cookie) are quite famous as well. When the craving strikes you, these cafés and konditorei (dessert shops) are the best places to eat in Vienna.
One of the most iconic and historic coffee houses in Vienna, Café Landtmann was established in 1873. This is a glamorous (read – expensive) choice, but it’s a top choice of where to eat in Vienna for a true Austrian experience. Plus, you won’t have to wait hours in line, like at Cafe Central. Though they offer a full dining menu, the real focus is on their extensive coffee menu and large glass display cabinet full of sugary delicacies. You can choose to sit in the enclosed greenhouse terrace or the plush interior, but we recommend sitting inside for the most classic experience. Try a melange, Vienna’s most popular coffee, (similar to a cappuccino), paired with their house gugelhupf, a round bundt cake with subtle sweetness.
We recommend reservations at this iconic institution – reserve your table at Cafe Landtmann here.
There is one key reason to visit Café Sacher, and that is to try its signature – and world famous – Sachertorte. This must eat Vienna chocolate cake has a sweet and tart apricot jam filling. It was invented in 1832 by Franz Sacher and it’s been made at Café Sacher ever since. Café Sacher also offers a full coffee and dining menu, in case you need a heartier choice before your cake. There’s typically a line outside, but it moves quickly, so don’t give up! The hotel is a top site in and of itself – included in Day 3 of our 5 day Vienna itinerary and city guide.
In our opinion, no Vienna food guide is complete without a recommendation for the best place to each Kaiserschmarrn, our favorite Vienna dessert. Café Demel is our pick. One of Vienna’s most famous konditorei, Café Demel has been delighting the masses with cakes and other delicacies since 1786. But, it’s not just the masses that have loved what they’ve been serving – Demel was appointed Purveyor to the Imperial and Royal Court shortly after its establishment. So, as you slide into a seat in the richly decorated parlor room and feast yourself on Kaiserschmarrn and espresso, you can imagine all the famous and royal patrons that may have sat in that very same seat – even Empress Sisi herself.
FAQs for Where to Eat in Vienna, Austria
Which Places to Eat in Vienna Require Advance Reservations?
Vienna’s food scene is popular, and heavily driven by reservations. If you’re a group of two and visiting during shoulder season, you can likely get by with mostly walk-ins. But, if you’re a larger group – or visiting during peak season – we recommend making reservations at the following in-demand restaurants at least 1-2 weeks in advance. Book now using the embedded links:
What Should I Eat at a Vienna Restaurant?
Several of Vienna’s dishes are world-famous, especially its desserts. Some of the most classic Vienna must-eat dishes you should order are:
- Wiener Schnitzel – lightly breaded veal cutlet served with a fresh squeeze of lemon
- Tafelspitz – boiled beef served with apples and horseradish
- Frittatensuppe – beef broth soup with thin slices of crepe instead of noodles
- Kasekrainer – a sausage stuffed with melted cheese
- Kaiserschmarrn – a crispy fried pastry served with plum sauce (dessert)
- Apfelstrudel – Vienna’s iconic apple strudel (dessert)
- Sachertorte – world-famous chocolate cake with apricot jam filling (dessert)
- Melange – Vienna’s most famous style of coffee, similar to a cappucino
Which Neighborhoods Have the Best Places to Eat in Vienna?
Many of the top places to eat in Vienna, Austria are located in the 1st (Innere Stadt) and 7th (Neubau) districts. The nearby 6th (Mariahilf) district is also home to some of Vienna’s top bars.
Given how walkable these districts are – and their proximity to some of Vienna’s must-eat restaurants, we also recommend choosing one of these neighborhoods for your stay. We’ve included some of our top hotel recommendations below – learn more about these and other recommended hotels in our guide to the best neighborhoods and hotels to stay in Vienna.
- 1st District (Innere Stadt):
- Hollmann Beletage Design & Boutique Hotel ($$$) – ⭐⭐⭐⭐, 9.1 average rating
- Hotel Zur Wiener Staatsoper ($$$) – 9.6 average rating
- 6th District (Mariahilf):
- Mint@Naschmarkt Premium Apartments ($$) – 9.5 average rating
- Boutiquehotel Das Tyrol ($$$) – ⭐⭐⭐⭐, 9.5 average rating
- 7th District (Neubau):
- Hotel Schani Salon ($$) – ⭐⭐⭐⭐, 8.4 average rating
- Hotel Altstadt ($$$) – ⭐⭐⭐⭐, 9.3 average rating
When Do People Typically Eat in Vienna?
Meal times in Vienna are similar to many Westernized cultures. Expect to eat breakfast between 7am and 10am, lunch between noon and 2pm, and dinner anytime between 6pm and 10pm.
Should I Tip at Bars and Restaurants in Vienna?
Outside of a grab-and-go sausage stand, expect that no matter where you eat in Vienna, Austria, tipping will generally be expected. You should plan to tip between 5-10%, increasing as the quality of the establishment and of the service increase.
Do Restaurants in Vienna Accept Credit Cards?
Credit cards are the predominant form of payment in Vienna, so you shouldn’t need much cash during your visit. However, some spots like Mama Liu’s and mani im virten mentioned above are cash-only, so we recommend having at least 100 euro (~$120) on hand during your visit. Don’t forget our pro tip on withdrawing from ATMs in foreign countries!
Pro tip: When offered an exchange rate by an ATM, you can – and should – always decline the rate displayed. This rate often includes a heavy markup on top of the market exchange rate. Declining the rate will not stop your transaction, but rather allow your personal bank to set the rate instead.
Do I Need to Speak Austrian German to Order at Restaurants in Vienna?
No, but knowing a few words won’t hurt. We had no issues interacting with people in the service industry in English during our 4 weeks in Vienna, though knowing a few key phrases will definitely win you some brownie points with the locals. Practice these ones before your trip:
- Hello – Hallo – HAH-loh
- Goodbye – Auf Wiedersehen – owf VEE-der-zayn (Austrians also use servus – SEHR-voos as a casual goodbye/hello, similar to Italy’s ciao)
- Please – Bitte – BIT-teh
- Thank you – Danke – DAHNK-uh
- Excuse me (to call the waiter) – Entschuldigung – ent-SHOOL-dee-goong
- Can I pay? – Kann ich zahlen? – kahn ikh TSAH-len
- The bill/check – Die Rechnung – dee REKH-noong
- Delicious – Guat – goo-aht
Want to learn more? Check out our post 120+ Basic Austrian German Phrases for Tourists & Travel.
Where Can I Learn More About Vienna and Why I Should Visit It?
Right here! We lived in Vienna for a month and have a full travel guide and itinerary for Vienna here, along with recommendations for our favorite bars in Vienna for your post-dinner nightcap. Check out all of our Vienna travel guides here.
Final Thoughts on Your Vienna Food Guide: Where to Eat in Vienna, Austria
Now that you know where to eat in Vienna, Austria, all that’s left to do is get out there and savor every bite. We hope this Vienna food guide helps you find the best places to eat, and what to eat once you get there! Comment below what your favorites were.
Looking for more recommendations on what to see and do in Vienna? Check out our posts Visiting Vienna: Your 2-5 Day Itinerary and 9 Top Bars in Vienna: Where to Drink in Wien.
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The Comments
Doralis
Hello I will be visiting vienna
Your information is were helpful