The hottest restaurants in Vienna: our top 7

Author: 1000things

From experimental fusion cuisine to Viennese classics and vegan creations: We'll show you where you can eat really well on your city trip in Vienna. And it's not just the dishes on the plates that are little works of art: the ambience also impresses with its unique charm. You're guaranteed to spend a great evening in these restaurants. 

They are many things, but not ordinary: the following restaurants in Vienna serve outstanding dishes that will transport you to culinary heaven from the very first bite. From exclusive award-winning restaurants to down-to-earth Viennese cuisine, there is something for everyone here - and always with that certain something. So if you really want to indulge yourself on your city trip, you should pay a visit to at least one of these trendy eateries and make sure you're hungry.

Tip: All of the restaurants mentioned are well connected by public transport, so you can make the most of the public transport benefits of the Vienna Welcome Card.

Second tip: make sure you book before you visit the restaurant! 

Bruder: upscale gastronomy with a minimalist flair

With a relaxed atmosphere, dim candlelight and jars of all kinds of home-fermented food behind the bar, you will be served very special culinary creations at Bruder. The team will provide you with experimental dishes from the world of fine cuisine without turning their noses up too high. On the contrary: the atmosphere is relaxed, the clientele young and hip - typically 6th district. The menu is very small, but offers a rich variety of flavours, playing a lot with fermented and fermented food. Chef Hubert's cocktails can also be described as sensational and should definitely be tried; we were also impressed by the large selection of natural wines. 

 

Disco Volante: relaxed Vienna meets delicious Italy

Pizza restaurant meets trendy pub: Disco Volante serves original Neapolitan pizza - one of the best of its kind in Vienna. The centrepiece of the pizzeria is a pizza oven that looks like an oversized disco ball and this trademark also gives the location its resounding name. Despite this glitter, the atmosphere here is casual Italian cosiness, with the rest of the restaurant kept simple and unadorned.   

When we think of the pizzas there, we quickly go into raptures:  Whether grilled vegetables or fresh prosciutto, everything harmonises with the fluffy pizza dough. Our highlight is definitely the folded pizza ripieno, filled with ricotta, mozzarella and prosciutto cotto. There are also plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, as well as aperitivo and other Italian delicacies.

 

TIAN: vegetarian gourmet restaurant in the heart of Vienna

Awarded a Michelin Green Star for sustainable gastronomy and four Gault Millau toques, the Tian restaurant in the 1st district serves fantastically creative, meat-free dishes. Here you really do dine like you're in 7th heaven, in the truest sense of the word: because Tian means heaven in Chinese. Top Tyrolean chef Paul Ivic has revolutionised vegetarian cuisine throughout Europe with his original dishes and preparation methods. The dishes at Tian are full of wholesome and mostly regional and fairly produced organic ingredients - above all, of course, seasonal vegetables. The six- or eight-course fine dining menu is of course no bargain, but you won't regret it, we promise. A visit is an absolute must if you want to top off your city trip in Vienna with culinary delights. 

 

Ramasuri: the chaotic and endearing happy place

If you love charming little eateries, then you should definitely take a stroll along Praterstraße in the 2nd district during your visit to Vienna. Here, aesthetically designed yet extremely casual young trendy bars and concept stores are lined up one after the other. One of these eateries is Ramasuri, which the owners themselves describe as a ‘somewhat chaotic, always delicious happy place’. And they hit the nail on the head: Ramasuri is colourful and relatively cramped, with a light pub flair running through the interior, but in an extremely sophisticated way. The menu features traditional Viennese cuisine such as butter schnitzel and braised beef cheeks, as well as meat-free alternatives. We particularly recommend the breakfast, which is served until half past two in the afternoon. In summer, you can enjoy a variety of spritzers in the beautiful garden and if you're here in the evening, you should dance the night away at the nearby Club Praterstraße - with a discount thanks to the Vienna Welcome Card

SEESUSHI: top-class regional fusion cuisine

Nigiri, sashimi, maki and signature rolls - but make it regional! You will find fusion cuisine of the highest culinary excellence at Seesushi in Palais Ferstel. The restaurant is a new opening in Vienna, but it is a tried and tested concept from the Salzkammergut region. It has already been awarded two toques by Gault&Millau. The Viennese offshoot under Markus Jager follows on from the original with high-quality sushi made from Austrian fish and seafood, and is highly successful. We were simply blown away - from starters such as crispy prawns in panko to SeeViche from Ausseer char and signature rolls such as crispy spicy char tartare with cucumber and crunch. What is served in this small restaurant - there is barely room for more than ten people - deserves to be called exceptional. 

 

Maria & Josef: casual elegance for special occasions

We love the interior - and the sophisticated food and drinks even more so: in Rahlgasse in the 6th district, the Maria & Josef restaurant is a very special place that has become one of the trendiest in the city in recent years. It is particularly recommended for a romantic rendezvous on the one hand and for a visit with a larger group on the other. If you come with a whole group, you can reserve the long table at the back, where you can enjoy some privacy. Dark, open cabinets with fine spirits meet modern designer pieces, while the special lighting concept creates a cosy, elegant atmosphere. The original menu is filled with delicacies such as tempura cauliflower, fennel tacos and crispy Emmental, many of which are perfect for sharing and sampling. Our favourites: the lamb saddle fillet and the spicy octopus with lemon alioli. The cocktails are also very impressive and must be savoured.  

 

Pig: (no) pig today

Many things are served at Schwein - but definitely not pork. Or chicken, beef, fish and game: because only vegetarian dishes are served at Schwein. The menu is extremely straightforward, but still full of surprises. You won't find hummus, soya schnitzel and the usual - already somewhat boring - classics of meat-free cuisine here, but you will find all kinds of exquisite creations that you've probably never tasted before. The crispy artichokes with cashew cream give a fabulous fish and chips vibe, while the broccolini with Gruyère and popped amaranth are a little sensation on the tongue. We would have loved to order a second portion of the shiitake croquettes with daikon kimchi, a fantastic mixture of mushroom and kimchi. The cauliflower steak is also really good and doesn't even try to imitate the original, but stands completely on its own.  The burnt roots also impress with roasted yellow and red beetroot alongside apple, horseradish, quinoa and crispy lentils. You will also find a range of excellent wines on the menu. If you've had a glass too many, there's no problem on the way home: the tram stops right on the street corner. With the Vienna Welcome Card, you not only get discounts on public transport, but also on taxis, buses and the like. 

 

Would you prefer a more traditional approach to your visit to Vienna? Then you'll find the restaurant classics for schnitzel, Tafelspitz and co. And anyone with a sweet tooth should take a look at our article on the best Kaiserschmarrn in Vienna.  

A little tip first: with the Vienna Welcome Card, you can get a 20% discount at Kaiser's.