Bars and restaurants
Café Prückel, Innere Stadt
A standout even among Vienna’s other famed coffeehouses, Café Prückel boasts beautiful 1950s interiors, great coffee and mouth-watering apple strudels. The establishment’s warm atmosphere invites you to linger over the daily paper. Look out for Stammtische – tables set aside for longtime regulars.
Reznicek, Alsergrund
While Vienna has no shortage of places serving Austrian cuisine, a modern take on the traditional Wirtshaus (small pub) is a rare find. Rarer still is one with an extensive wine list. So why not combine the two? That’s exactly what Reznicek has accomplished. The menu changes regularly but its signature dish is a hearty cordon bleu.
Skopik & Lohn, Leopoldstadt
Skopik & Lohn has won praise for its hearty Austrian fare with a distinct French influence – think beef tartare and coq au vin alongside blood sausage. It’s a little off the beaten track but it’s well worth the detour, especially if you stroll through the nearby Augarten park.
Zum Schwarzen Kameel, Innere Stadt
Kameel (as the locals fondly call it) has been around in various forms since the early 17th century, though its current tile-and-wood décor in sumptuous Jugendstil (art nouveau) style dates back to 1901. Expect Austrian classics – schnitzel and goulash – as well as Kameel’s other famed offering: small, open sandwiches with various toppings. There’s also an impressive wine cellar.
Sausage stands (Würstelstände), Citywide
The humble sausage may well be Vienna’s finest snack. The city’s Würstelstände (sausage stands) were added to Unesco’s cultural heritage list in 2024 and serve many varieties of the staple, including the excellent Käsekrainer (a cheese-stuffed Slovenian sausage) and the Debreziner (a paprika-spiced Hungarian variation).
Click here for five must-visit sausage stands highlighted in a beautiful photography project
Pfarrwirt, Döbling
Sitting at the foot of Vienna’s wine-growing hills, Pfarrwirt is one of the city’s oldest restaurants – its main building dates back to the 12th century. It also boats an expansive, sun-dappled garden. The menu leans towards traditional Austrian fare, complemented by fine wines, including those from the surrounding vineyards.
Atlas Bar & Kunstgalerie, Neubau
Atlas Bar & Kunstgalerie opened in 2023 in place of Wratschko, a pub once praised by the late Anthony Bourdain. The rustic interior remains, as does Wratschko’s famous wooden bar. Doubling as a contemporary gallery, Atlas specialises in natural wines, craft beer and sourdough sandwiches.
Die Cafetière, Innere Stadt
Proprietor Peggy Strobel has preserved much of the original 1960s charm of this espresso bar. The wife of Markus Mraz, owner of the Michelin-starred Mraz & Sohn, Strobel serves delicious pastries and excellent coffee. The café’s rear also doubles as a furniture showroom.
Rinkhy Delikatessen Bar
A vast aquarium supplies this bar with fresh oysters daily. There’s also plenty of fish, alongside a selection of meze. The drinks are equally impressive, with some of Vienna’s finest cocktails and an extensive wine list that leans southward.
Volksgarten Pavillon, Innere Stadt
Open from April to mid-September, this 1950s pavilion is set among the greenery of the Volksgarten. Come in the evening for drinks and a dance: there are techno nights as well as regular jazz events. The food is excellent too – the pavilion hosts barbecues on an oversized grill.
