If I want to relax with my friends and enjoy some good food and wine, I prefer small bistro-like places. Almost four years ago we opened the first fully-dedicated natural wine bar in Austria, O’boufés. This is like our living room where we hang out with friends. When I am in the mood for fish, it’s Goldfisch; run by great people and off the beaten track in Vienna’s 8th district. They also serve nice natural wines.
If close friends were visiting from out of town, I’d taken them to Scharzes Kameel, a 400-year-old institution where, besides tourists of course, many locals love to go. You can have your breakfast there, your open-faced sandwich – which they are famous for – as a snack, your perfect Viennese lunch or dinner, and a great apéro. They also have a huge outdoor space. See and be seen. If I’ve been away travelling, the first thing I want to eat when I get back to Vienna is Tafelspitz – a typical Viennese dish of boiled veal in broth with vegetables. I usually eat it at Plachutta. I love the wiener schnitzel at Skopik & Lohn; a great brasserie-style restaurant with charming service. Feels like home.
Vienna still has a big offal culture. You get it for example at Gasthaus Wolf and Gasthaus Stern; and should definitely try it once you are in town, especially if you’re interested in experiencing the food culture here.
Bruder is a new and really interesting place serving creative food and cocktail pairings. It’s an exciting addition to the dining scene. Pastamara, an Italian restaurant at the Ritz Hotel is interesting as an unusually successful opening of a hotel restaurant-bar. The Viennese tend to not like to frequent hotel restaurants, so it’s definitely unexpected. It’s great for small bites and a perfect apéro.
Kiang Wine & Dine is an absolute neighborhood place with great Asian food. Other popular local restaurants like Mochi (Asian Fusion) and Beaulieu (French) are places you revisit once you have found them. Always good, always packed. MASTand Heunisch & Erben are also great stops. Both serve small plates and great wines in a super relaxed atmosphere.
The Viennese bar scene is booming, great places to visit after dinner are Robertos, Loos American Bar and Kleinod. Tür7 is the speak-easy bar every city needs. You need to ring the doorbell of the very discrete establishment or you call before, and super-charming owner Geri will fix your reservation.
