Where to Eat in Vienna: From Imperial Cakes to Schnitzel and Street Food

Vienna is a city that feeds you well. Think classic coffeehouses, over-the-top pastries, schnitzel as big as your head, and surprisingly good international food tucked between all that baroque beauty. Whether you’re here for a museum marathon or just floating around in a sachertorte haze, here’s where to eat in Vienna—broken down by vibe.

🍽️ Traditional Viennese Classics

Schnitzel, goulash, and Tafelspitz—these spots serve the best of Austria, from cozy taverns to elegant institutions.

1. Figlmüller Wollzeile

📍Wollzeile 5
This is the place for schnitzel. It’s famously large, golden, and crispy—just know it’s touristy, but still worth the hype. Reserve ahead or prepare to wait.
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2. Gasthaus Pöschl

📍Stiftgasse 1
Old-school charm with real-deal Austrian food. The goulash is excellent, the service is warm, and it has that cozy tavern feel that makes you want to linger.
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3. Plachutta Wollzeile

📍Wollzeile 38
If you want to try Austria’s legendary Tafelspitz (boiled beef, yes, it’s better than it sounds), this is your spot. Fancier than most gasthauses, but still inviting
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☕ Iconic Cafés & Sweet Stops

Coffee, cake, and old-world charm. Vienna’s café culture is legendary—and delicious.

1. Café Central

📍Herrengasse 14
It’s touristy. It’s also beautiful, historic, and totally worth it at least once. Sit under the vaulted ceilings with a slice of cake and soak up the literary vibes.
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2. Café Sperl

📍Gumpendorfer Str. 11
Less flashy, more local. Grab a melange and apple strudel, and pretend you’re writing a novel while spying on Viennese life.
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3. Demel

📍Kohlmarkt 14
Imperial patisserie with glittering cakes and mirrored walls. Skip the café line and head straight to the shop counter if you’re just grabbing sweets to go.
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🍕 Casual Bites & International Eats

Quick, tasty, and easy. Great for lunch breaks or when you’re schnitzeled out.

1. Swing Kitchen

📍Schottenfeldgasse 3 (and more)
Vegan burgers and fries that even meat-lovers devour. Great for a quick, feel-good bite in between sightseeing
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2. Naschmarkt Food Stalls

📍Vienna Naschmarkt
Browse everything from döner to dumplings to fresh juice. You could easily eat your way through this market and call it lunch. Or dinner. Or both.
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3. Miznon

📍Schulerstraße 4
An Israeli street food spot in the heart of the city. Don’t miss the roasted cauliflower or anything wrapped in pita.
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🍷 For a Nicer Night Out

Feeling fancy? These restaurants deliver good food, good vibes, and a little sparkle.

1. Steirereck im Stadtpark

📍Am Heumarkt 2A
Michelin-starred and very Viennese. Go for the tasting menu, stay for the cheese cart and riverside setting. It’s a splurge, but a memorable one.
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2. Motto am Fluss

📍Franz-Josefs-Kai 2
Trendy, stylish, and right on the water. Excellent cocktails and a menu that blends Austrian and international flavors. A good choice for a chill but elevated evening.
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3. Meierei im Stadtpark

📍Am Heumarkt 2A
Steirereck’s more casual sibling. Still excellent, still elegant—just slightly more low-key.
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🍻 Where to Grab a Drink

Wine bars, rooftop views, and stylish cocktails—Vienna knows how to do drinks right.

1. Kleinod

📍Bäckerstraße 4
Slick, stylish, and a little mysterious. Their cocktail game is on point. Come here when you’re ready to dress up a bit.
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2. Das Loft (SO/ Vienna)

📍Praterstraße 1
The view is the star here—panoramic city skyline and a ceiling that glows. Drinks are pricey, but worth it for the vibe.
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No matter what brings you to Vienna—art, history, Christmas markets, or just the allure of schnitzel—you’ll eat well. From imperial pastries to late-night bites, this city delivers flavor with flair. Come hungry, leave happy!

Where to Eat in Vienna: From Imperial Cakes to Schnitzel and Street Food