Restaurants in Vienna. Viennese cuisine. The Vienna bistro

Vienna’s eateries – ranging from the typical Viennese “Beisl” (tavern) to the luxurious gourmet temple - offer the entire spectrum of regional and international delights to please the palate.

  

A true bon vivant will know that Viennese Cuisine is the only cuisine in the world to be named after a city. Viennese chefs draw on influences from various countries to conjure up exciting dishes that never fail to capture the imagination.

The Vienna bistro

The bistro, or beisl, is a typical Viennese dining establishment. Down-to-earth, cozy and traditional, it makes its mark on a booming restaurant scene.

The term 'beisl' probably comes from the Yiddish word 'bajiss', meaning 'house'. The classic Viennese bistro has a spacious bar, where wine is chilled and beer is poured, dark-painted wood paneling, simple tables and chairs and a mixed crowd. The kitchen is dominated by tradition: soup with pancake strips or dumplings, schnitzel and offal, goulash and tasty pastries, such as Palatschinken and Kaiserschmarren, set the tone of the menu.

Steman on Otto-Bauer-Gasse in the 6th district is a splendid example of a bistro. It celebrates the delicious traditions of Viennese cuisine and has been a meeting point for all generations for more than 100 years. A similarly long history with a nicely retained patina in the guest parlor can also be found at Rebhuhn in the 9th district, not far from the Sigmund Freud House. It is one of the frequently found corner bistros in Vienna, which are located at the junction of two streets.

Gasthaus Wild is situated on Radetzkyplatz in the 3rd District. Following a revitalization project, this bistro shines with old-time splendor: The furnishings are mostly original. The restaurant Zum Friedensrichter is another beautiful bistro. The cuisine here focuses on breaded and deep-fried dishes, with the schnitzel a particular specialty.

Traditional Viennese cuisine is also offered by Ubl in the 4th district near the Naschmarkt. Its menu includes Wiener schnitzel, roast liver, beef shin and blood sausage, making the bistro one of the most authentic of its kind. Not far away is Gasthaus Wolf. This ‘beisl’ is as typical as they come, with excellent Viennese cuisine and an attractive bar out front. In the dining area, old Resopal tables and green paneling create a cozy atmosphere.

The typical Viennese bistro can also be found in the elegant 1st district. Beim Czaak offers many Viennese features in terms of the ambience and food. Authentic tavern dishes are the order of the day here. In a listed building in the 6th district, where Ludwig van Beethoven lived in an old apartment overlooking the courtyard, an old Beisl (Viennese-style pub serving food) has been given a new lease of life. Ludwig van serves classics of Viennese cuisine in a modern and often unusual interpretation – away from Wiener schnitzel and the rest.

The suburban inn Zum Herkner was once legendary and the very definition of the Viennese 'beisl', or bistro. After the death of Heinz Herkner, the inn stood empty for years until it was taken over by the Pichlmaier brothers in 2016 and given a makeover. Pichlmaiers zum Herkner is now once again one of the most important destinations for locals as well as for a bit of Styrian cuisine.

The modern also has its place in the Viennese bistro. Skopik & Lohn is located in the trendy district at Karmelitermarkt. The classic wood furnishings have been combined with an eye-catching, modern ceiling and wall design, while the Viennese cuisine is mixed with a hint of France. The furnishings and cuisine at Glacis Beisl in the MuseumsQuartier bridge the gap between modernity and the tradition of a Viennese bistro.