traveldk.com

This exquisite restaurant, specializing in Viennese cuisine, is located in the Hotel Bristol. Once you’ve tried a bite of the excellent food, you’ll be a firm convert to the pleasures of Austrian cooking – it’s not surprising that the chef de cuisine , Reinhard Gerer, is one of the country’s star cooks. There’s an extensive list of both national and international wines as well as Schnaps, and cigars are also available (see p95).

With its fabulous service, culinary artistry and opulent location, the Steirereck is arguably the best restaurant in the city. Its menus exhibit stunning flair and have both regional and international influences. Specialities include sturgeon fillets in pepper sauce with crispy olives. In the restaurant’s cellar around 25,000 bottles of Austrian and international wines wait to be tasted.

For the ultimate Tafelspitz (see p70) you have to go to Plachutta. Authentic, high-quality Viennese cuisine is served, including premium beef from Austrian farmers. There are several Plachuttas all over Vienna and the quality is excellent in all of them. Make sure you book a table as they all get crowded (see p95).

One of the best vegetarian restaurants in the city, even popular with the meat-loving Viennese. On request, the high-quality products are also prepared to cater to vegan taste-buds. A great choice of wines is served in the stylish bar and restaurant, designed by two renowned Austrian architects, Eichinger and Knechtl.

The “Three Hussars” restaurant is a living monument to Viennese cooking traditions in their most exquisite form. It is famous for its delectable hors d’oeuvres and creates sophisticated set meals with several courses and complementary wines. Of course you can also order individual à la carte dishes if you prefer. Seating is in tastefully decorated salons and there is live piano music daily (see p95).

If you enjoy a comfortable atmosphere and international cuisine, then this small but fine bistro is the place for you. It is particularly favoured for lunch or early dinner, but many people come just to read the newspapers and enjoy a coffee. In winter oysters are a speciality (see p95).

La Scala specializes in Austrian nouvelle cuisine with a clear Mediterranean influence and serves perhaps the best pasta dishes in Austria. Three light, set business lunches are available on weekdays. From Tuesday to Saturday there is live piano music.

Enjoy classic Viennese cuisine and creative variations in the grand Art Nouveau atmosphere of the Konzerthaus. There are frequent special concert dinners on Sundays (see p123).

The large Art Nouveau conservatory in the Burggarten is a spectacular setting for a restaurant. Dishes are prepared with high-quality seasonal ingredients and you will always find a great selection of cheeses. There is an impressive wine list with the best of Austria’s vintages. In summer there is a bar outside with DJs on Fridays.

One of Vienna’s most famous seafood restaurants, the first-floor Hummerbar serves excellent lobster, oysters and caviar. The restaurant Kervansaray on the ground floor specializes in Turkish-influenced meat and fish dishes and probably has Vienna’s most beautiful meze buffet.