Restaurants in Vienna - my tips - Travelling Contessa

RESTAURANTS IN VIENNA – MY PLACES TO EAT OUT

Vienna offers great restaurants with food from all over the world and I cannot list them all. Same goes for hanging out places. Having said that, I decided to mention a couple that I really quite like and are not that obvious to a visitor to town.

FABIOS IS DEFINITELY ON THE LIST OF WHERE TO EAT IN VIENNA

Fabios is a chic Italian restaurant in the heart of Vienna and very popular with locals that are ready to pay above average for their food. You will find some of the nobles oblige having a drink or eating there. In case of rain, there is an appealing indoors as well.

RESTAURANTS IN VIENNA INCLUDE “SANTOS” – MEXICAN

Santos is walking distance from the Naschmarkt near the city center. The restaurant and bar are very popular especially during the week ends. During summer, there are tables on the sidewalk. They serve mainly Mexican food.

PIZZERIA RIVA IS A GOOD PLACE WHERE TO EAT IN VIENNA

If you have not reserved and are unlucky at to find a table in Santos try the nearby Pizzeria Riva. In my opinion, they have the best pizza in town.

RESTAURANTS IN VIENNA INCLUDE THE “MOTTO AM FLUSS”

Motto am Fluss is located on an anchored ship and has a coffee shop/bar and restaurant. It is quite popular in Vienna. You can be either inside or sit on the deck. Reserve a table for dinner.

Close by, there are other venues at the river front or the nearby Schwedenplatz.

THE ORIGINAL MOTTO

The owner has another, i.e. the original restaurant Motto in the 5^th district. It is on the corner of Schoenbrunnerstrasse 30 with Ruedigerstrasse. The entrance is in the latter. This place has opted not to have any sign indicating that there is a restaurant – you just have to know where it is. It has a restaurant and a bar area and stays open until 4 AM on Fridays and Saturdays. Reserve a table at the restaurant or the bar under 01 587 0672.

THE LOFT

Another popular place is the LOFT in the Sofitel Vienna on Praterstrasse Nr. 1 close by Schwedenplatz. You will get a fantastic view onto Vienna. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served and the bar is open until 02:00 on weekends. After 18:00, a more smart attire is welcome.

ROOFTOP OF HOTEL LAMEE

Hotel Lamee is a very centrally located hotel and has a charming small rooftop terrace where you can enjoy a drink and some food.

ROOFTOPS OF STEFFL AND HAAS HOUSE

The mall STEFFL on Kaertnerstrasse in the 1^st district has an appealing roof terrace for coffee, drinks or food. You can speed up your ascend to the top by using the elevator on the street.

The Haas House is on the square in front of the Stephansdom. It is the (somewhat out of place) modern building and has a great bar area and restaurant on the top floors with great views onto the square. There is an elevator taking you straight up.

SPITTELBERG

Moving out of the 1^st district you might want to get to Spittelberg which is close to the Museum Quartier near the center of town. Between Breite Gasse and Sigmundsgasse you will find a number of bars and restaurants. But have a look at the website of that area of Vienna and get inspired.

WHERE TO EAT IN VIENNA SHOULD INCLUDE A MEAL AT THE NASCHMARKT

Naschmarkt is a great place to have food albeit only during the week as on Sundays unfortunately everything is shut. There are plenty of places to choose from serving everything from typical Austrian food, to Italian, Chinese, Mexican, Vietnamese, you name it. If there on a Saturday, you could combine it with a visit of the flea market but be prepared to encounter considerable crowds.

By the way, if you are self-catering, this is a good place to get your veggies, fruits and a variety of other exotic food.

OUT FOR SOME GREAT FISH?

Getting into the Naschmarkt from the Secession near Karlsplatz, there are a number of fish restaurants with Umar passing for one of the best (and more expensive) ones. Reservation of a table is advised as the place is pretty small.

Around that area, you can also enjoy a variety of fresh Australian or French oysters accompanied by a glass of great chilled white wine.

TASTING SOME GOOD WINE

Close by to the fish restaurant area is Wein & Co with a very vast selection of local and international wine. They serve snacks to go along your wine.

HEADING A BIT FURTHER OUT

Heading a little further out around the 22^rd district, i.e. the Donauinsel where the United Nations building is located, I would suggest a couple of places.

HIGHEST ROOFTOP BAR IN VIENNA

This bar offers the best view onto Vienna from its location on the 58^th floor of the DC Tower on the Donau-City-Strasse 2. They serve Tapas to go with your drink. On weekends, a DJ plays starting at 21:00. Reserve a table under 0043/1/90104

STRANDCAFE

The Strandcafe had a recent reopening. It is very chilled out and, contrary to the name, it is a full fletched restaurant. Located on the shore of the Old Danube, it serves great spareribs or you may choose another dish from their exhaustive menu. You can get there with the U1 tube (station Vienna International Center) but then you will have to walk some 10 minutes to reach the place.

MARINA OF VIENNA

Another place near the river is the Marina of Vienna with a small habour catering for mainly speedboats. I find it very pleasant to sit on the water front terrace, watch the boat and ship traffic on the water while enjoying a sundowner or some food. It is located close to the Donauinsel and near the water front Hilton Hotel. Finding your way with a car is rather complicated but a taxi will get you there. Online reservation is advisable if you want to sit on the waterfront.

MY PREFERRED RESTAURANT IN VIENNA IS THE “KLEE AM HANSLTEICH”

I love the Klee am Hansl Teich. This more upscale restaurant near the little pond, the ducks and the surrounding forest make it a very special place. Food is very good albeit not cheap. Best to get there by car/taxi. It takes some 30-40 minutes from center town. It is great to take a stroll through the nearby forest.