Vegetarian in Vienna: our top 6 restaurants

Author: 1000things

Schnitzel, roast pork and co: we admit that at first glance, Viennese cuisine seems a little hearty and meat-heavy. But that's not the case everywhere. We'll show you where you can feast on the best plant-based delicacies in the city - from vegan schnitzel to vegetarian gourmet menus.

The Viennese disagree about many things. The best subway line, for example, or whether the Melange or the Einspänner best represents Viennese coffee house culture. But what we do agree on? The excellent Viennese cuisine. And so that vegetarians and vegans can also enjoy real Austrian home cooking, international delicacies and fine cuisine, we show you our favorite restaurants for plant-based enjoyment - including schnitzel, of course.

Tip for savers: With the Vienna Welcome Card, you receive 20 euros credit in the restaurant app TheFork for your next reservation.

Velani: The classics with a twist

Delicious Viennese cuisine with a twist awaits you at Velani. Everything - from liver dumpling soup to Wiener schnitzel, juice goulash, roast onion and Kaiserschmarrn pancakes - is served here 100% vegan. Although the restaurant does not use any animal products at all, the taste of the dishes is in no way inferior to the originals. Velani is also just a stone's throw away from Schönbrunn Palace, making it the perfect place to grab a bite to eat between sightseeing trips.

Tip: With the Vienna Welcome Card, you get a 4 euro discount on the Sisi combination ticket for Schönbrunn Palace, the Sisi Museum and the Furniture Museum. 

 

Simply vegan: vegan Viennese pub culture

When it comes to classic Viennese cuisine, Schlicht Vegan also has something to say. With its wood paneling, the rustic restaurant is reminiscent of some traditional inns from the rural regions of Austria - with one small but subtle difference. The food here is exclusively vegan, regional, sustainable and zero-waste. And even skeptics will realize that meat really isn't a must when they try the celeriac schnitzel, grenadier march and co. for the first time.

Tip: If you find it hard to decide between all the choices, it's best to drop by on Sundays and try the vegan all-you-can-eat buffet. Would you like to finish with a beer? The Ottakringer brewery is just a short walk away and with the Vienna Welcome Card you save 20 percent on a brewery tour.

 

Pizzi*s and Cream: La Dolce Vegana

Because even in Vienna, schnitzel doesn't end up on our plates every day and a slice of pizza is simply essential for any good city trip, we don't want to deprive you of Pizzi*s and Cream. You'll find the city's first vegan and organic pizzeria surrounded by vintage stores and cozy cafés in the heart of the trendy Neubau district - the perfect stopover for a day of shopping. The pizzas here are served with creamy cashew mozzarella and various toppings, from vegan salami and plant-based bacon to beyond meat and pineapple. And to top it all off, a fine selection of specialty coffees awaits you. 

TIAN Restaurant: gourmet star cuisine and soul food

TIAN Restaurant in the heart of Vienna is considered one of the best meat-free restaurants in the whole of Austria and has therefore more than earned its place on your to-eat list. Many a critic would probably agree, as the veggie hotspot is the only vegetarian restaurant in Austria to hold a Michelin star and has already been awarded four toques by Gault Millau. What makes TIAN so special? Vegetables are not just vegetables here. The chefs create unusual dishes based on their main vegetable ingredients, using everything from roots to leaves. The dishes are all vegetarian, but can also be ordered vegan. 

 

VeVi: a piece of Vietnam in Vienna

A plant-based diet is no longer a new phenomenon - even if it often feels that way when talking to various relatives. The best proof of this is Vietnamese cuisine, which has been heavily influenced by vegan dishes for centuries. And you can taste what is traditionally served up in Vietnam at VeVi in the 7th, 8th and 20th districts. From classic summer rolls to phò, you're guaranteed to find what you're looking for on the purely vegan menu. You don't even have to go without the taste of duck or seafood here, as VeVi makes delicious alternatives from seitan, konjac or soy protein. 

 

Secret Garden Café: veggie hideaway in the middle of the city:

In a way, the Secret Garden Café already has its flagship in its name. It is hidden not far from the bustling Mariahilferstraße in the idyllic Raimundhof and offers you not only fine cuisine, but also a little city escape. So take a seat and treat yourself to warming Indian dal, crispy salads and don't miss out on the many pastries. Once again, the entire menu is vegetarian or vegan and some are even gluten-free. Well-fueled and in the mood for a mix of art and immersive adventure? The Ikono Vienna with twelve different worlds of experience is just a five-minute walk away.

Tip: don't forget your Vienna Welcome Card and save 20 percent on your admission. 

 

Would you like another Melange and a slice of Sachertorte? In this article you will find our favorite traditional coffee houses in Vienna. And here we show you the best places for traditional Kaiserschmarrn