Strong local food traditions jostle with sophisticated international fusion on Vienna’s vibrant culinary scene. The city’s elegant, Michelin-lauded restaurants and warm, charming bistros offer world-class gourmet dining at its most refined. But this does not automatically mean they are the best restaurants in Vienna; home-from-home delights and intimate, family-run eateries are also in the running.
Whatever you’re looking for, dining in Vienna creates food experiences that should be treasured. We have a look through this city of contrasts – which so effortlessly blends the contemporary and the classic, the innovative and the traditional, the intimate and the spectacular – to find the best restaurants it has to offer.
Restaurant Steirereck
This two-Michelin-starred restaurant is an intimate and charming spot within the Stadtpark (a large park in the middle of Vienna), serving classic Viennese dishes alongside contemporary Austrian and international cuisine. The restaurant’s menu is complemented by wines from an exceptional cellar of 35,000 bottles. With Chef Heinz Reitbauer at the helm, this restaurant has earned reader recognition in the Elite Traveler Top 100 Restaurants in the World.
Fabios
When you visit Vienna, a trip to Fabios is an absolute must. A much-loved destination restaurant offering innovative Mediterranean fine dining, Fabios’s mouth-watering, creative interpretations of classic dishes have helped it forge a reputation as one of the finest gourmet experiences in Vienna. A light-filled elegant contemporary interior of wood and leather adds style and comfort to a chic and memorable dining experience.
At Eight
In Vienna’s The Ring Hotel, At Eight gets to the heart of traditional Viennese cuisine. Be served in a bright, modern dining room or enjoy a meal in the garden during Austria’s warmer months. The menu changes according to what’s seasonally available, making new dishes available almost monthly for a new experience every time. At Eight is also noted for its wine list to complement dishes like the lamb with eggplant and parmesan or scallops with zucchini.
Please note: At Eight is currently closed for refurbishment, re-opening in 2022 with “a new look and a new name”. We’ll be keeping a close eye on the changes, so watch this space…
Walter Bauer
Nestled in one of Vienna’s quiet, curving lanes, this charming family-run restaurant is an absolute gem among Vienna restaurants. Restaurant Walter Bauer has earned itself a Michelin star for its consistently excellent traditional dishes, elevated to contemporary standards with invention and flair, and perfected over 20 years on the Viennese gourmet landscape.
Not only this, but the restaurant’s cellars are stocked with the best Austrian wines, and Walter Bauer (the owner) is a well-loved figure on the country’s culinary scene; warm, welcoming and exceedingly talented. Interestingly, the intimae restaurant does not have a website. To make a booking, diners are asked to call ahead, on +43 1 512 9871.
Silvio Nickol
Located within the Palais Coburg, this two-Michelin-starred restaurant by chef Silvio Nickol is widely regarded as one of the top restaurants in Vienna. Celebrated for its gourmet modern cuisine, at Silvio Nickol, the finest ingredients are creatively transformed into an array of exquisite dishes.
Expect to dine on a small, curated menu featuring dishes such as langoustines with fennel and tomato, and gouda with cucumber and nut butter. Each course in the two tasting menus (opt for either five or seven courses) can be paired with wines from an extensive list of fine wine and champagne.
