Vienna Food
Explore Vienna Food: Restaurants, Food Markets & More
Vienna’s food culture blends imperial tradition with local creativity, offering everything from elegant dining to hearty street snacks. Whether you’re visiting a Beisl or browsing a market, food is an essential part of daily life in the Austrian capital.
We spent a month in Vienna researching what to eat, where to eat it, and how local cuisine connects with broader Austrian traditions. This guide covers traditional Viennese dishes, recommended restaurants, food markets, and tours that help you experience the city through its food.
This page contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Traditional Food in Vienna
Vienna’s culinary heritage is grounded in Austrian tradition but shaped by centuries of imperial rule, cross-border influence, and regional specialization. Many of the dishes you’ll encounter here are found throughout Austria, but in Vienna, they’re often served with urban refinement and presented in Beisln, coffeehouses, and historic dining rooms.
For a deeper look at the essential food products and traditional dishes found across the country, check out our Austria Food page.Â
Austria Food
Austrian cuisine reflects both rural traditions and the cultural legacy of the former Habsburg Empire. Meals are often hearty and focused on simple ingredients—grains, potatoes, root vegetables, and dairy—paired with meat, especially pork and veal.
While the core recipes stay consistent across Austria, Vienna has given dishes like Wiener Schnitzel, Tafelspitz, and Apfelstrudel their most iconic forms. Some of these foods are officially protected under the European Union’s geographical indications system, which helps preserve traditional recipes and regional food culture.
Restaurants in Vienna
From historic taverns to modern dining rooms, Vienna has restaurants to suit every style and budget. Below is a curated list of places to try traditional dishes and explore the diversity of Viennese cuisine.
Edlingers Tempel
Address: Praterstraße 56, 1020 Vienna
Tucked into a quiet courtyard, Edlingers Tempel serves regional Austrian cuisine with seasonal set menus. The outdoor garden makes it a pleasant spot in warmer months.
Reznicek
Address: Reznicekgasse 10, 1090 Vienna
This traditional Wiener Wirtshaus offers a cozy setting and a rotating menu of Austrian classics.
Liebsteinsky
Address: Schubertring 6, 1010 Vienna
A casual bistro and wine bar serving international dishes in a stylish loft setting. Popular for lunch and after-work dinners.
Gasthaus Woracziczky
Address: Spengergasse 52, 1050 Vienna
Located near Naschmarkt, this family-run spot features friendly service and well-executed Austrian comfort food.
Skopik & Lohn
Address: Leopoldsgasse 17, 1020 Vienna
A neighborhood favorite known for its modern design, hand-painted ceiling, and upscale takes on classic Austrian dishes.
Stern Gasthaus Christian Werner
Address: Sternstraße 1, 1110 Vienna
Serving hearty local fare in a relaxed environment, this neighborhood gasthaus is known for friendly service and consistent quality.
[aend]
Address: Mollardgasse 76, 1060 Vienna
This Michelin-starred restaurant offers seasonal tasting menus in a minimalist setting. Expect creative dishes with local ingredients.
Restaurant Rote Bar
Address: Neustiftgasse 1, 1070 Vienna
Located in the historic Volkstheater, this elegant restaurant serves both traditional and modern Austrian cuisine.
Pichlmaiers zum Herkner
Address: Dornbacher Straße 123, 1170 Vienna
A historic Beisl offering contemporary interpretations of Viennese offal dishes and other traditional plates.
Restaurant Eckel
Address: Sieveringer Straße 46, 1190 Vienna
A well-regarded classic in the Sievering district, known for its onion roast, goulash, and elegant garden seating.
Kutschker 44
Address: Kutschkergasse 44, 1180 Vienna
A laid-back spot with creative local dishes, friendly service, and a terrace overlooking a pedestrian zone.
Fuhrmann
Address: Porzellangasse 56, 1090 Vienna
This cozy, traditional restaurant offers classic Viennese cooking with a focus on hospitality and familiar flavors.
Melker Stiftskeller
Address: Schottengasse 3, 1010 Vienna
Located in a centuries-old former wine cellar, this restaurant features hearty Austrian meals in a rustic setting.
Gasthaus Rebhuhn
Address: Berggasse 24, 1090 Vienna
An old-school Austrian restaurant with reliable schnitzel and local dishes at reasonable prices.
Gastwirtschaft Steman
Address: Otto-Bauer-Gasse 6, 1060 Vienna
A straightforward Beisl near Mariahilfer Straße, popular for goulash, schnitzel, and no-frills traditional meals.
Bastei Beisl
Address: Stubenbastei 10, 1010 Vienna
Central location, generous portions, and a wide menu of traditional dishes make this a convenient choice in the Innere Stadt.
Food Markets in Vienna
Vienna’s food markets offer a look at daily life through local ingredients, street food, and seasonal goods. Several are neighborhood fixtures, while others draw visitors from across the city.
Naschmarkt
Address: Naschmarkt, 1060 Vienna
The largest and most famous market in Vienna, with 120+ stalls offering produce, street food, sit-down meals, and a weekend flea market.
Brunnenmarkt & Yppenmarkt
Address: Brunnengasse, 1160 Vienna
Vienna’s longest street market (Brunnenmarkt) and its adjoining café-filled square (Yppenmarkt) offer a diverse mix of cultures and cuisines.
Karmelitermarkt
Address: Karmelitermarkt, 1020 Vienna
A daily market known for fresh vegetables, cheeses, and baked goods. The surrounding Karmeliterviertel adds charm with cafés and shops.
Rochusmarkt
Address: Rochusplatz, 1030 Vienna
Small but historic market in the 3rd district, known for specialty cheeses and quick lunch options.
Viktor-Adler-Markt
Address: Viktor-Adler-Platz, 1100 Vienna
Located in Favoriten, this bustling market is a working-class staple with a farmers’ section on Leibnizgasse.
Meidlinger Markt
Address: Meidlinger Markt, 1120 Vienna
A neighborhood market with fresh produce, small restaurants, and a distinctly local atmosphere.
Food Tours in Vienna
Food tours are a great way to learn about Viennese cuisine in context. Most include visits to traditional eateries, market tastings, and samples of local specialties. Tours can be booked in advance and are often led by locals familiar with the city’s food culture.
Best Places to Stay in Vienna
Hotels in Vienna
For easy access to restaurants, markets, and public transit, staying in or near the Innere Stadt (Old Town) is ideal.
Use the interactive map below to find hotel and apartment options based on your travel dates and preferences.
FAQs About Vienna Food
What food is Vienna famous for?
Vienna is famous for its rich and traditional cuisine, especially iconic dishes like Wiener Schnitzel, Tafelspitz (boiled beef), and Viennese sausages. The city is also known for its world-class pastries such as Sachertorte and Apfelstrudel, which reflect its imperial culinary heritage.
What is Vienna's specialty dish?
Vienna’s specialty dish is Wiener Schnitzel—a thin, breaded and fried veal cutlet that is traditionally served with potato salad or parsley potatoes. It’s a staple of Viennese cuisine and a must-try dish for anyone visiting the Austrian capital.
What is Vienna famous for food recipes?
Vienna is renowned for traditional food recipes that have stood the test of time, including Wiener Schnitzel, Tafelspitz, Gulasch, and sweet specialties like Sachertorte, Kaiserschmarrn (shredded pancake), and Apfelstrudel. These recipes are central to Austrian cooking and reflect the city’s historical ties to the Habsburg Empire.
What is the national dessert of Vienna?
Sachertorte is considered the national dessert of Vienna. This decadent chocolate cake with a layer of apricot jam and a smooth chocolate glaze was created in 1832 and remains one of the city’s most iconic and beloved confections, often enjoyed with a dollop of whipped cream.
Is Viennese food different from Austrian food?
While Viennese food is a part of Austrian cuisine, it has its own unique character influenced by the city’s imperial past. Dishes like Wiener Schnitzel and Sachertorte originated in Vienna and are now enjoyed across Austria, but Viennese cuisine also features urban variations and specialties you won’t find elsewhere in the country.
Where can I try traditional Viennese food in Vienna?
You can enjoy traditional Viennese food at classic restaurants and beisln (cozy taverns) throughout the city. Notable places include Plachutta for Tafelspitz, Figlmüller for Wiener Schnitzel, and Café Sacher for the original Sachertorte. Food markets like Naschmarkt also offer local dishes and ingredients.
What are the best desserts to try in Vienna?
Vienna is famous for its desserts, and must-tries include Sachertorte, Apfelstrudel (apple strudel), Kaiserschmarrn (shredded pancake), and Topfenstrudel (curd cheese strudel). These sweet treats are often enjoyed in traditional coffeehouses across the city.
What is a typical Viennese breakfast?
A typical Viennese breakfast includes fresh bread or rolls, butter, jam or honey, cold cuts or cheese, and a soft-boiled egg—served with coffee, usually a Melange (Viennese-style cappuccino). Pastries like croissants or Kipferl are also common.
Are there vegetarian or vegan options in Viennese cuisine?
While traditional Viennese food is meat-heavy, many restaurants now offer vegetarian and vegan versions of classic dishes. Popular options include vegetable strudel, mushroom goulash, and plant-based versions of Schnitzel. Vegan-friendly restaurants are also widely available across Vienna.
Is street food popular in Vienna?
Yes, street food is an important part of Vienna’s culinary culture. The city is especially known for Würstelstände (sausage stands), where you can try local sausages like Käsekrainer. Other street foods include Leberkäse (meatloaf sandwich) and seasonal specialties like roasted chestnuts.