15 Best Restaurants In Vienna For Traditional Food, Cafés, And Fine Dining

Are you looking for the best restaurants in Vienna? You are in the right place.

If you are planning a trip to Austria, spending time exploring the restaurants in Vienna is an experience in itself. Vienna’s food scene blends grand historic cafés, traditional Austrian comfort food, elegant fine dining, and modern international cuisine, all wrapped up in some of the most beautiful interiors in Europe.

One minute you can be sitting beneath chandeliers eating a slice of Sachertorte in a centuries-old café, and the next you are tucked into a cosy restaurant serving schnitzel, goulash, and huge bowls of pasta. Vienna somehow manages to feel both refined and relaxed at the same time, which is part of what makes dining here so memorable.

This guide covers some of the best restaurants in Vienna, including traditional Viennese restaurants, historic cafés, Michelin-star dining, vegan restaurants, and a few local favourites that are absolutely worth adding to your Vienna itinerary.

There are so many things to do in Vienna so you will need some subsistence to make sure you see it all.

What Kind Of Food Experience Are You Looking For In Vienna?

One of the best things about eating in Vienna is how varied the food scene feels. Some restaurants are grand and elegant, others are cozy and traditional. Before choosing where to eat, it helps to think about the kind of dining experience you want during your trip.

Traditional Viennese Restaurants

Vienna is known for classic Austrian comfort food like Wiener schnitzel, goulash, tafelspitz, and apple strudel. Many traditional Viennese restaurants feel like they have barely changed in decades. If you want an authentic local food experience, make time for at least one traditional Austrian meal while visiting Vienna.

Historic Cafés In Vienna

Vienna’s café culture is famous around the world for good reason. The city’s historic cafés are not just places to grab coffee, they are part of Vienna’s identity. Many date back centuries and are known for elegant interiors, cakes, pastries, and a slower pace of life. Visiting a traditional Viennese café is honestly one of the best things to do in Vienna.

Michelin-Star And Fine Dining Restaurants

Vienna also has a surprisingly strong fine dining scene, with Michelin-star restaurants and modern tasting menus that blend Austrian ingredients with international influences. If you are celebrating something special or simply love food, Vienna has plenty of upscale restaurants worth booking in advance.

Best Vegan Restaurants In Vienna

Vienna is actually a very good city for vegan and vegetarian food. Alongside traditional Austrian restaurants, you will find modern vegan cafés, plant-based bakeries, and creative international restaurants throughout the city.

Family-Friendly Restaurants In Vienna

If you are visiting Vienna with children or a larger group, there are plenty of casual restaurants that still offer fantastic food without feeling overly formal. Many Viennese restaurants are relaxed, welcoming, and ideal for long lunches or cosy evening meals.

15 Best Restaurants In Vienna For Traditional Food, Cafés, And Fine Dining

OBEN Kitchen And Bar Is One Of Vienna’s Best Rooftop Restaurants

Best for: Rooftop dining, cocktails, and panoramic views across Vienna

Breakfast in Vienna normally consists of ham, cheese, eggs, bread, and jam, and nowhere does it better than the Oben Kitchen and Bar.

Just above Vienna’s Central Library, it’s a stylish place with a huge roof terrace.

Breakfast comes in many forms here including vegan options. If the European options are not for you they do have pancakes.

Their philosophy here is that ‘Enjoyment is a way of life and an art’ which I love.

And this comes through with everything they do from their high-quality produce used to thinking about their customer well-being.

This restaurant in Vienna should be top of your list. They also do a great Sunday brunch here, they serve some of the best Vienna food.

Figlmüller Is One Of Vienna’s Most Famous Schnitzel Restaurants

Best for: Giant Wiener schnitzel and a classic Vienna dining experience

If you are looking for traditional Vienna food, Figlmüller is probably one of the most famous restaurants in the city.

Known for its enormous Wiener schnitzels, this restaurant has become a bit of a Vienna institution and is popular with both tourists and locals alike.

The schnitzels here are famously huge, often larger than the plate itself, but they are also perfectly crispy, golden, and surprisingly light.

There is something wonderfully classic and old-school about eating here. The atmosphere feels traditional, lively, and very much part of the Vienna experience.

If you only try one traditional Austrian dish during your trip, this is absolutely the place to order Wiener schnitzel.

Amador Is One Of Vienna’s Most Exclusive Michelin-Star Restaurants

Best for: Luxury fine dining and an unforgettable tasting menu experience

This three-Michelin-star restaurant in Vienna is a must-visit for that special occasion. On the edge of the historic district, it might have you rethinking what a Michelin-star restaurant is.

Here everything is parred back. The vaulted cellar is simple yet elegant and the creative cooking pulls from many influences.

Chef Juan Amador has a unique approach to cooking. It’s a rustic yet simple style with Juan himself referring to his cooking as the parred-back little black dress.

And indeed the kitchen is open and everyone can see what is happening.

Food changes with the produce available, but there are heavy Asia and Mediterranean influences.

This is one of the top restaurants in Vienna and a great place to take a special someone.

Skopik & Lohn Is One Of Vienna’s Most Stylish Modern Restaurants

Best for: Creative modern cuisine and a trendy Vienna dining experience

If you looking for the best Schnitzel in Vienna then head here. If you don’t know, schnitzel is a slice of meat thinned by pounding and then breaded and fried.

The food is great quality and seasonal and many praise how helpful the staff is here.

Inside it looks somewhat like an art installation with a black and white spiraled painted ceiling giving way to wood and crisp white tablecloths.

The Schnitzel here is so popular there was a local uproar when they tried to take it off the menu.

It’s served with a choice of potato salad or cucumber salad in a dill yogurt sauce and it is oh-so-delicious. The portion is big and the meat is so tender you can cut it with a fork.

If you are looking for that ristorante Vienna feeling come here. Book in advance if you can as it does get busy.

Rollercoaster Restaurant Is One Of Vienna’s Most Fun Dining Experiences

Best for: Families, interactive dining, and food delivered by rollercoaster tracks

If you are looking for a truly unique experience then head to the Rollercoaster Restaurant it’s one of the best places to eat in Vienna.

Situated next door to Madame Tussaud’s on the second floor of an unassuming building is a restaurant like no other.

When you walk through the door you are greeted with something that is hard to describe.

Small neon-lighted tracks snake around the building and tables, it has that futuristic feel that wouldn’t look amiss in a virtual reality world.

Here you order on an electronic tablet, and you can watch robot arms shake drinks. Food is delivered on mini ‘rollercoaster’ type carriages. Children will love it here.

The menu is diner-type food with some vegan options but you really do come here for the experience. This is a great place for a fun lunch.

Vollpension Is One Of Vienna’s Most Unique Cafés

Best for: Homemade cakes, cosy atmosphere, and a truly local Vienna café experience

if you are looking for brunch in Vienna then head to Vollpension. Set in the 4th district there is something so homely and comforting about this place.

Vollpension is the German word for pension and this restaurant is known as ‘granny’s’ cafe because its aim is to unite the young and the elderly.

The cafe is staffed by senior citizens who pass on their knowledge of baking and life to their customers.

It’s truly unique and a wonderful venture. It has that living room feel inside and the menu is as wholesome as the cafe.

It’s a delightful place to spend some time and serves some of the best food in Vienna.

Crème De La Crème Is One Of Vienna’s Best Dessert Spots

Best for: Homemade ice cream, pastries, and sweet treats in Vienna

This family-run patisserie serves the best breakfast in Vienna is the most delightful surroundings. Inside it’s a delightful mix of gold and white with an elevated feel.

Here they take their patisserie seriously.

It’s just a short walk from the University of Vienna in Josefstadt and is the place to come for pastries like no other. Many believe here is where you find the best croissant in town.

Everything is french inspired with Mousse au Chocolat and Tarte à la vanilla being popular choices although perhaps not for breakfast.

Breakfast items include pastries, traditional Austrian Breakfast, avocado on toast, and the like.

This is a beautiful little establishment and perfect for the last morning breakfast. It’s one of the best restaurants in Vienna Austria.

Pfarrwirt Is One Of Vienna’s Oldest Traditional Restaurants

Best for: Traditional Austrian food and a historic Viennese atmosphere

Pfarrwirt serves some of the best Schnitzels in Vienna. It is known as the oldest tavern in Vienna and is in the 19th district garden.

In summer you can dine in the garden and in winter inside the historic house. It’s a great place to bring guests and has a wonderful feel about it.

The menu changes with the season but the famous Schnitzel stays put. Here the batter is light the meat tender and is served with a side of potato salad.

This is one of the best restaurants in Vienna, Austria.

Restaurant Steirereck Is One Of Vienna’s Most Famous Fine Dining Restaurants

Best for: Michelin-star dining and modern Austrian cuisine

Restaurant Steirereck serves Austrian cuisine in a contemporary setting and both will blow you away.

Within the Stadtpark, this restaurant is a stunning metal building that has an incredible interior. This is a restaurant that makes a statement before you even enter.

When it comes to Michelin-star restaurants in Vienna they don’t get much better than this. It has been named one of the top 100 restaurants in the world.

The food is fresh and they serve traditional and contemporary Austrian dishes.

Menu items include such items as Tiger Trout with Golden Beet, Piglet´s Tail with Swiss Chard, Wild Duck with black Walnut, and Pompoen‘ Pumpkin with Red Beet.

If you are looking for a great restaurant in Vienna for a special occasion then this might be right up your alley.

Plachutta Is One Of Vienna’s Best Traditional Austrian Restaurants

Best for: Classic Viennese food and the city’s famous tafelspitz

If you are wondering where to eat in Vienna then how about the world-famous Plachutta Vienna? It’s the place to go in Vienna to get Tafelspitz.

Tafelspitz for those that don’t know is a dish consisting of boiled veal or beef in broth, served with a mix of minced apples and horseradish.

It’s a classic Viennese dish and this is the place to come for it.

If you love beef this is the restaurant in Vienna to come. The Plachutta family has six similar restaurants all equally as good.

At Plachutta for your Tafelspitz, you first choose your cut of meat, and then it is cooked at the table in a copper pan.

You are first served the broth from the pan with vegetables and the meat is taken out for your main. It’s a unique and delicious experience.

If you are looking for great food in Vienna this is the place to come.

Mama Liu & Sons Is One Of Vienna’s Best Chinese Restaurants

Best for: Hot pot, handmade dumplings, and sharing-style dining

If you looking for Chinese food in Vienna then Mama Liu And Sons might be the place for you. This trendy yet simple restaurant serves great food at decent prices.

The hero of the show here is the fried and steamed dumplings coming in a variety of flavors. Their Hot Pot is also delicious with a vegan option. They are large enough to feed two.

The menu isn’t huge but it’s thoughtful with something for everyone. You can have a full meal or just drinks and a dim sim at the bar. Whatever you choose you will enjoy it here.

Pepper & Ginny Is One Of Vienna’s Best Vegan Restaurants

Best for: Creative plant-based food and a relaxed modern atmosphere

If you are looking for great vegan food then you are going to love this place. Everything here is plant-based and it’s a great place for lunch.

They serve bar and bistro classics including an incredible vegan lox which many say is the best they have ever tasted.

On Saturdays, they do an amazing brunch which includes vegan egg dishes, cheese, and other delights.

This place is a delight for vegans. It’s elevated vegan food that really will make you happy you are choosing to eat plant-based.

They serve some of the best food in Vienna here. You will love it.

 Pizzi’s & Cream Is One Of Vienna’s Best Casual Italian Restaurants

Best for: Fresh pasta, pizza, and relaxed comfort food in Vienna

Looking for the best vegan pizza in Vienna you have found it. Whatever kind of pizza you want you will find it here all plant-based.

Pizza comes in all sorts of flavors including ones made with vegan tuna, vegan pulled pork, and cashew mozzarella. Whichever you choose they are all delicious.

You can buy the slice and everything here is made in-house including the dough and cheese. And make sure you save some room for dessert as this vegan ice cream is delicious.

A great place to get a quick lunch while enjoying the sights in Vienna.

Vevi Is One Of Vienna’s Most Popular Vegan Restaurants

Best for: Affordable vegan food and generous portions in Vienna

This low-key vegan restaurant in Vienna serves some of the best vegan Vietnamese food you will find.

The menu is full of vegan takes on Vietnamese dishes. Expect Vietnamese spring rolls, Bánh Mi, and Pho which are all delicious.

The food is so elevated here many can’t believe it is all plant-based and locals love this place. And the best part is it’s so reasonably priced that you will definitely leave with a smile on your face,

This Vienna restaurant is perfect for a quick lunch for those on a plant-based diet.

Café Central Is Vienna’s Most Famous Historic Café

Best for: Elegant interiors, coffee, and classic Viennese desserts

When it comes to Vienna restaurants none are as grand as Café Central.

It is located inside Palais Ferstel, a palatial mansion house inspired by Venetian Trecento-era architecture. Many famous people have frequented this eatery.

Trotsky and Freud both were frequent customers and the line outside is a testament to this place’s mark on the city. It’s pricey and busy but this place has to be experienced.

There are no words to describe the beautiful interior and the historic atmosphere. You have to see it to believe it. Do yourself a favor and visit it.

The menu includes classic Viennese dishes, sweet treats, and traditional coffee, and I’m told the apple strudel is out of this world.

This place will leave you with memories to savor and is the perfect venue. It’s open from 9 until early evening and is the perfect place for breakfast.

It’s one of the best restaurants in Vienna Austria.

As you can see when it comes to the best restaurants in Vienna there are so many to choose from.

In this article, I have included what I feel are the best places to eat in Vienna but obviously, it’s all subjective.

Vienna food is amazing and all these restaurants are great in their own way. Whichever you choose I know you will have a fabulous time.