Vienna, an ancient European city that combines history and modernity, is not only famous for its melodious music and exquisite architecture, but also a paradise for food lovers. Walking through the streets and alleys of Vienna, you will find that this city not only preserves the classical atmosphere of the Habsburg dynasty, but also exudes the vitality and creativity of new cuisine.
From traditional taverns with a century-old history to modern restaurants with stylish decorations, from desserts that melt in your mouth to rich and mellow main dishes, the dining table in Vienna condenses the Austrians’ attitude towards life and their reverence for food. Here, every bite is a dual journey of culture and taste.
1. Wiener Schnitzel: Figlmüller Wollzeile
Restaurant History and Overview
Figlmüller Wollzeile is a family restaurant founded in 1905. It is famous for making the most classic fried pork chops in Vienna and is known as the “birthplace of Vienna Fried Pork Chops”. It is now run by the fourth generation of the family and still retains the original cooking spirit and old-fashioned elegance. This restaurant is always full of guests and has become the only choice on the Vienna food map.
Food Features and Taste
Figlmüller’s Viennese schnitzel uses premium pork tenderloin, which is beaten to paper-thin using traditional techniques, then coated with three layers of golden ratio breadcrumbs and fried until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The pork chop has a light, crispy skin that melts in your mouth, while the meat remains tender inside. Served with classic potato salad or lemon slices, the oily aroma and freshness blend perfectly when you take a bite.
Restaurant Location and Reservation Platform
Location: Wollzeile 5, 1010 Vienna
Transportation: About 5 minutes walk from Stephansplatz Station on Subway Line U1
Recommended reservation platforms: OpenTable, TheFork (Fork can view real-time vacancies), TripAdvisor (with user ratings for reference)
Expenses
A Viennese schnitzel set meal costs about 22 to 26 euros, including side dishes and simple appetizer bread. Drinks are not included, and the average per person consumption is about 30 euros.
Recommended crowd
Recommended for travelers who are visiting Vienna for the first time and want to experience authentic traditional cuisine, especially for those who pay attention to the original flavor of ingredients and love crispy meat dishes. It is also very suitable for couples or family dinners.
2. Beef stew (Tafelspitz): Plachutta Wollzeile
Restaurant history and overview
Plachutta is a leader in Vienna’s catering industry and is famous for providing authentic Austrian family dishes. Its Wollzeile branch is the flagship store. It has been standing in Vienna for more than 30 years and has hosted countless politicians and celebrities, including the Austrian president and international chefs. The restaurant is elegantly decorated and retains the classical temperament of a typical Austrian restaurant. It is the first choice for experiencing traditional cuisine.
Food characteristics and taste
Tafelspitz is a slow-cooked beef rump, cooked with beef bone broth, supplemented with vegetables such as carrots, onions, and celery. The soup is clear and rich. Plachutta uses specially selected grass-fed beef, which is firm and chewy. The broth is rich but refreshing, and there is no greasy feeling at all. Served with apple horseradish puree, spinach cream sauce and fried potato chips, it is a classic main dish with rich layers and warm taste.
Restaurant location and reservation platform
Location: Wollzeile 38, 1010 Vienna
Transportation: 3 minutes walk from Stubentor Station on Subway Line U3
Recommended reservation platforms: OpenTable, Quandoo, Local Table
Expenses
The Tafelspitz set menu costs about 32 euros, including a clear soup, main course and sauce combination. Bread and butter are usually provided free of charge before the meal. The overall per capita consumption of the meal is between 40 and 50 euros.
Recommended crowd
Suitable for diners who like delicate and nourishing dishes, especially for travelers who want to warm up with a bowl of hot soup in cold seasons. Recommended for middle-aged diners and food culture researchers who love classic Austrian dishes and slow-cooked dishes.
3. Kasnocken: Gasthaus Pöschl
Restaurant History and Overview
Gasthaus Pöschl is a cozy small bistro restaurant in Vienna, run by a star chef, known for its combination of home cooking and innovative techniques. This restaurant is in an extremely advantageous location, close to the Vienna State Opera, and is often regarded by locals as a “small and beautiful” hidden restaurant. It has been on the recommendation list of Gault&Millau and local lifestyle magazines many times.
Food Features and Taste
Kasnocken is a cheese dish based on handmade noodles, originating from the Austrian Alps. Gasthaus Pöschl’s version is fried with local goat milk cheese and red onions. The cheese is rich in aroma but not greasy, and the noodles are soft and elastic. Sprinkle with fresh chopped green onions and charred onion chopped when served, and the aroma is fragrant.
Restaurant location and booking platform
Location: Weihburggasse 17, 1010 Vienna
Transportation: 5 minutes walk to Kärntner Straße shopping street
Recommended booking platforms: TheFork, LocalEats, TripAdvisor
Cost
A serving of Kasnocken is about 16 to 19 euros, suitable for one person, and desserts and drinks cost about 25 to 30 euros per person.
Recommended crowd
Very suitable for vegetarians, cheese lovers, and bloggers who like niche cuisine. It is also an ideal place for afternoon gatherings and friends to chat.
4. Vienna Sausage Platter (Würstelplatte): Zum Schwarzen Kameel
Restaurant History and Overview
Founded in 1618, Zum Schwarzen Kameel is one of the oldest restaurants in Vienna, and its history can be traced back to the Habsburg dynasty. This old restaurant is not only a gathering place for local politicians and business celebrities, but also a favorite place for travelers to eat authentic snacks. Today, this century-old restaurant is still active in the Vienna food circle, and its brunch and sausage platter are particularly famous.
Food Features and Taste
Würstelplatte is a classic street flavor in Vienna, usually composed of a variety of sausages (such as Frankfurter, Debreziner, Käsekrainer, etc.). The version of Zum Schwarzen Kameel is particularly exquisite. The sausage is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a strong meaty aroma. It is served with mustard, sauerkraut and buns. The taste is rich and juicy but not too greasy.
Restaurant Location and Reservation Platform
Location: Bognergasse 5, 1010 Vienna
Transportation: 3 minutes walk from Herrengasse Station on Subway Line U3
Recommended reservation platforms: OpenTable, Michelin Guide recommended page, TripAdvisor
Expenses
The price of the sausage platter ranges from 12 to 20 euros depending on the combination. If you order drinks and snacks, it is about 25 euros per person.
Recommended crowd
Suitable for travelers who love street food and savory flavors, and also very suitable for a night of leisure time with a drink. Suitable for young travelers and tourists who like to explore historical restaurants.
5. Sachertorte: Café Sacher Wien
Restaurant history and overview
Café Sacher Wien is one of the most representative cafes in Vienna. It belongs to the Sacher Hotel, and the Sacher cake was born here. This cafe has a history of 100 years. It is a microcosm of Vienna’s aristocratic culture and coffee culture, and it is also a holy place in the hearts of dessert lovers.
Food characteristics and taste
Sachertorte is a classic dessert made of chocolate cake sandwiched with apricot jam and covered with rich chocolate icing. The original production process of Café Sacher is strictly confidential. The taste is delicate and solid, the sweetness is moderate, the cake is dense but not dry, and the sourness and sweetness of the apricot jam add a rich layering to the chocolate layer. Paired with a cup of Viennese coffee, it is an unparalleled taste feast.
Restaurant location and booking platform
Location: Philharmonikerstrasse 4, 1010 Vienna (1st floor of Sacher Hotel)
Transportation: 5 minutes walk from Karlsplatz Station on Metro Line U1
Recommended booking platforms: TheFork, TripAdvisor
Cost
Sacher cake costs about 8.5 euros per slice, and the coffee set is about 15 to 18 euros, with an average per capita consumption of about 20 euros.
Recommended crowd
It is very suitable for dessert lovers, history and culture enthusiasts, cafe bloggers, and tourists who want to enjoy an elegant afternoon on the road.
The charm of Vienna is not only music and art, but also every dish and every restaurant contains history, culture and human touch. Whether you are a traveler who is just looking around or a food lover who is exploring in depth, you can understand Vienna in the most authentic way by following this “food map”.
From golden and crispy fried pork chops to warm and delicate beef broth, from cheese-flavored dumplings to the century-old Sacher cake, this city can always use a delicacy to take you into her soul. May your trip to Vienna be not only a feast for the eyes and ears, but also a harvest for the tongue and the soul.
