The Best Restaurants in Vienna 2026

Vienna’s culinary landscape blends centuries-old traditions with bold innovation, offering everything from classic Viennese Beisls to cutting-edge fine dining. Whether you’re seeking the perfect Wiener Schnitzel, a cozy coffee house experience, or innovative cuisine that pushes boundaries, the Austrian capital delivers unforgettable flavors in settings that range from imperial elegance to contemporary cool.

Before diving into specific restaurants in Vienna, it helps to understand the city’s unique dining institutions. Viennese food culture revolves around several distinct establishments, each offering a different experience:

Most Viennese restaurants close at least one day per week, and many offer special lunch menus (Mittagsmenü) on weekdays. Reservations are highly recommended, especially for popular establishments. And remember to bring cash – many traditional places don’t accept cards.

These restaurants excel at traditional Austrian dishes, offering authentic flavors that have defined Vienna’s culinary identity for generations.

No list of restaurants in Vienna would be complete without mentioning Figlmüller, the undisputed “home of schnitzel.” Their massive pork schnitzels extend well beyond the plate’s edges and have been drawing crowds since 1905.

Dating back to 1858, Gmoa Keller offers an authentic Viennese dining experience in a historic setting. Popular with concertgoers from nearby Konzerthaus, this traditional restaurant serves impeccable Austrian classics.

When local chefs are asked about their favorite old-school restaurant, Gasthaus Grünauer frequently tops the list. Family-run since 1957, this warm, wood-paneled establishment invites diners into the kitchen to see what’s cooking before ordering.

These restaurants honor Austrian culinary traditions while introducing contemporary techniques and global influences.

Bruder has established Vienna as a serious foodie destination with its creative cuisine and inventive cocktails. Open for dinner only, this candlelit restaurant offers 2-course, 3-course, or 7-course menus that defy easy categorization.

This wine bar and restaurant offers an impressive array of domestic and international wines by the glass, making it perfect for an evening of wine exploration paired with exceptional food.

Located in the charming Spittelberg neighborhood, Collina am Berg offers cuisine that marries Austrian, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean flavors. The result is bold, flavorful dishes that push boundaries while remaining approachable.

Vienna’s culinary scene has evolved beyond meat-heavy traditions to embrace creative plant-based cuisine.

The casual sister restaurant of Tian (Vienna’s celebrated vegetarian fine dining establishment), Tian Bistro serves a set menu of shared vegetarian plates in four rounds. All dishes can be made vegan upon request.

This modern Viennese Beisl in the 2nd district comprises four small, interconnected rooms and serves colorful seasonal dishes designed for sharing. The small but mighty menu is very vegetable-focused.

Vienna’s cosmopolitan character shines through its diverse international restaurant scene, offering authentic flavors from around the world.

This tiny eatery on Vorgartenmarkt serves lovingly-prepared, mouth-watering ramen and Japanese tapas. Step inside and you’ll feel transported to Japan, with a narrow, tightly-packed dining area that’s worth squeezing into for the best homemade ramen in Central Europe.

The NENI restaurant brand began in Vienna’s Naschmarkt in 2009 and has since expanded across Europe. NENI am Wasser, located on the Danube Canal, offers delicious Levantine cuisine in a stylish, cacti-lined space.

Vienna may be one of the best places outside Naples to enjoy authentic Neapolitan pizza. Among the city’s excellent pizzerias, Pizza Randale stands out with delicious topping combinations and lightning-fast service.

Beyond the tourist hotspots lie these local favorites, offering authentic experiences and exceptional food.

This traditional Viennese restaurant serves heartwarming Bohemian-Viennese cuisine in a relaxed, friendly environment. A favorite among locals, Am Nordpol 3 consistently delivers satisfying comfort food.

This 7th district restaurant serves imaginative dishes, delicious cocktails, and biodynamic wines. In summer, their secret garden (Hinterhof) provides the perfect setting for a memorable evening.

This heurige (wine tavern) is located at the end of Stammersdorfer Kellergasse, the wine cellar lane in Stammersdorf. Following their “good, clean, fair” motto, they source high-quality ingredients from regional producers.

For easy access to Vienna’s best dining options, consider staying in these food-centric neighborhoods:

Vienna’s dining scene offers something for every palate – from the hearty traditional dishes that have sustained generations to innovative cuisine that pushes boundaries. The restaurants featured in this guide represent the best of what Vienna has to offer, but they’re just the beginning of your culinary adventure in this magnificent city.

Whether you’re savoring a perfectly executed Wiener Schnitzel, lingering over coffee and cake in a historic café, or discovering bold new flavors in a contemporary bistro, Vienna’s restaurants provide not just meals, but memorable experiences that connect you to the city’s rich cultural heritage and vibrant present.