Vienna. Restaurants in the Old City

At every turn in the Old City you will find Viennese cuisine just as it is meant to be served, with traditional meals ranging from schnitzels to goulash.

  

Figlmüller 

Figlmüller is celebrated for its fabulous schnitzel and has symbolised Vienna’s incomparable lifestyle for over 110 years. Young and old alike enjoy meeting at this restaurant to savor its Viennese cuisine and quality wines.

First by Rosenberger

The market restaurant offering classic Viennese dishes, Italian pasta, steaks, grilled delicacies, and an all-you-can-eat buffet. 1 main dish for a parent = 1 free child’s meal!

Gerstner Café-Restaurant

Enjoy the glamourous ambience and unique view of the State Opera while being served typical Viennese dishes and famous pastries from the Gerstner manufactory.

Griechenbeisl

One of Vienna’s oldest guesthouses. “Lieber Augustin” once played here, and later guests included Mozart and Beethoven. Today the Zitherstube rings to the sound of live music played daily. Viennese cuisine and a cosy atmosphere welcomes guests.

Leupold

This restaurant is regarded as an integral part of Vienna’s old city; traditional Viennese cuisine has been served here since 1952, close to the Ringstrasse, in a welcoming guesthouse atmosphere with beer bar and pavement café. Daily specials.

Lugeck

An absolute jewel of a restaurant. As well as traditional dishes, including tafelspitz and schnitzel, etc., guests can enjoy modern Viennese cuisine in an urban ambience. Unconventional wines and creative craft beers, rather than run-of-the-mill beverages, are a charming attraction.

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.

  

Vienna. Welcome to the ball season

Each year more than 450 balls take place in Vienna. The city of waltzes exuberantly celebrates Carnival in January and February. The three-quarter rhythm is supplemented by more contemporary sounds, offering enjoyable dancing for every taste.

  

The best time of the year begins for ball-goers and dance fans on 11 November. The Vienna ball season starts punctually at the beginning of Carnival with public dancing of the waltz in the city center. In Vienna, the ball season reaches its peak in January and February. The old tradition of carnival balls continues to thrive in the city. While some dancers enjoy following the three-quarter time of the waltzes, others may prefer letting loose to a disco beat.

Vienna's ball season offers more than 2000 hours of dancing.

The ball season kicks off with the Vienna Red Cross Ball at City Hall (30 November 2018). On New Year’s Eve, guests dance into the new year in a magnificent setting at the New Year’s Eve Ball at the Hofburg Vienna (Imperial Palace).

Numerous other famous ball events are held here as well, such as the Hunters' Ball - Jägerball (28 January 2019), the Doctors' Ball (26 January 2019) and the Lawyers' Ball (2 March 2019). The Coffee-house Owners' Ball (22 February 2019) is one of the most atmospheric. Each year it brings about 6,000 visitors to Vienna's Imperial Palace and into the Redoutensäle.

The Opera Ball (28 February 2019) at the Vienna State Opera is legendary. On this one day, visitors have the unique opportunity to see the famous opera house on Ringstrasse not only from the spectators' seats but actually experience it "backstage" surrounded by many music celebrities.

The Vienna Philarmonic (24 January 2019) opens the doors to its ball at the Vienna Musikverein. However, at this event the musicians of this world-famous orchestra can only be found with their instruments during the introduction. Because even the performers of the Vienna Philarmonic want to shake a leg now and then.

The sweetest ball is the Bonbon Ball (1 March 2019) at the Wiener Konzerthaus. This ball is known for its fun and informal ambiance. The Strauss Brothers once celebrated their greatest accomplishments at the Vienna Kursalon - where visitors can now dance to the tune of waltzes at the Johann Strauss Ball (16 February 2019).

For the Flower Ball (18 January 2019), City Hall transforms into a unique sea of flowers. Also being held in City Hall is the Viennese Ball of the Sciences (26 January 2019), which represents Vienna’s entire research and higher education landscape in all its diversity, internationality and excellence.

This year’s Ball of the Vienna Boys' Choir (March 29 2019) will be held outside the traditional ball season in Palais Coburg. The spring ball is opened by the Boys' Choir and is thematically dedicated to a different country each year. This time, the focus is on Japan.

 

Viennese cuisine

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.

  

Restaurants in the Old City

At every turn in the Old City you will find Viennese cuisine just as it is meant to be served, with traditional meals ranging from schnitzels to goulash.

  

Bitzinger's Augustinerkeller

At the heart of Vienna, directly beneath the Albertina, you can indulge in traditional Viennese cuisine, delectable Austrian wines and Vienna’s own Heuriger music. Be it in the historic basement vault or the stylish vinotheque: Your pleasure is our business!

  

Figlmüller

Figlmüller is celebrated for its fabulous schnitzel and has symbolised Vienna’s incomparable lifestyle for over 110 years. Young and old alike enjoy meeting at this restaurant to savor its Viennese cuisine and quality wines.

  

First by Rosenberger

The market restaurant offering classic Viennese dishes, Italian pasta, steaks, grilled delicacies, and an all-you-can-eat buffet. 1 main dish for a parent = 1 free child’s meal!

Viennese nightlife

Vienna's club scene is all about parties with music of the highest quality. Electronic music from Vienna is known for creating an international sensation - and with good reason. The parties range from chic to underground. Clubs such as Flex have already attained cult status. The program there is just as varied as at the city's other party venues.

  

The establishments under the arches of the former Stadtbahn railway along the Gürtel, such as Chelsea, B72 and Rhiz, have been fixed features of Vienna's nightlife scene for years. Flex, Grelle Forelle and Werk are just some of the clubs that make up the party area by the Danube Canal, which is joined by numerous beach bars in the summer. Night-owls also make their rounds on the Ringstrasse: at the Volksgarten Disco, Säulenhalle, Babenberger Passage and Albertina Passage as well as at the Platzhirsch.

Albertina Passage

The dinner club at the Vienna State Opera offers sophisticated cuisine, live jazz music and DJ sounds in a futuristic ambience.

  

A former pedestrian underpass now shines with a new glow as a chic dinner club. The Albertina Passage is an exciting combination of top-class dining, classic American bar and club with live music. The food has a focus on light, Asian-inspired cuisine.

Dancing, drinks & club

The refined seating niches are grouped around a stage on which live music with a focus on jazz is played on Fridays and Saturdays from 10.00 pm. When DJs take over the music program in the Albertina Passage, guests can also dance to their heart's delight. Special eye-catchers are the futuristically curved cocktail bar as well as the stage and walls, which can be illuminated in a wide range of colors. The venue has space for around 300 visitors.

Club Schwarzenberg

The club on Schwarzenbergplatz promises a party feeling and entertainment of the highest standard.

 

A club in the style to be found in the party metropolis of Ibiza was the goal of the host at the new Club Schwarzenberg. The premises of a former movie theater was given a chic makeover. Club Schwarzenberg now presents itself on the highest level, both architecturally and as far as the sound and lighting systems are concerned. 46 LED light rings create a visual experience. The enormous room height even makes it possible for artists to perform acrobatic stunts at lofty heights on occasion.

The music focuses on R’n’B, hiphop and house. The club aims to appeal to a crowd between 20 and 40 years of age, which is why admission is restricted on some days to the over-20s only. VIP tables can be booked in the gallery and come with special extras such as an ice cube dispenser and secure cell phone charging stations.

Volksgarten Club Disco

The disco in Vienna city center is actually set in the midst of a wonderful garden. The Volksgarten Club Disco has a long history and has survived as a hotspot of Viennese party culture for decades, despite the fast-moving club culture.

 

When locals go "to the Volksgarten", they are not normally talking about the park, but about a disco. And not just any disco, but one of the best locations, which has been a fixed point of the city for decades. The history of the Volksgarten Club Disco goes back over 180 years. Today, the extensive establishment around the architecturally attractive glass pavilion offers both open-air and indoor nights with international greats of the party culture scene.

After renovations, the winter garden captures a special flair, featuring original furniture from the 1950s. The open-plan interior conveys a cozy feeling, with palms, Thonet furniture and old chandeliers. The music consists of house, disco and party hits.

The former Volksgarten Banane, an addition to the disco, is now managed as an independent club under the name "Säulenhalle".