Heunisch & Erben
For curious wine drinkers looking to taste as many by-the-glass pours as possible – in one of the city’s most beautiful bar spaces, nonetheless – a trip to Heunisch & Erben is a must. Quasi wine bar, quasi restaurant, this sprawling wine-focused establishment offers over 100 by-the-glass options at all times, which are available in various size pours for maximum exploration opportunities. Although the kitchen is only open during lunch and dinner hours, the bar’s vast array of cheese, meat, and salty bites (olives, nuts) is available all day long. Fun fact: the word Heunisch pays homage to the often-forgotten grape Heunisch Weiss (Gouais Blanc), which is a parent to Chardonnay.
Glacis Beisl
Credit: Glacis-Beisl
Finding a gorgeous outdoor space to indulge in a delicious bottle of wine can be a difficult feat in urban settings – especially in neighbourhoods as busy as Vienna’s Museumsquartier. Thankfully, Glacis Beisl offers an excellent reprieve. Loved for its classic bottle selection, tasty by-the-glass offerings and authentic (and affordable) Viennese cuisine, this plant-filled oasis offers the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city’s crowded streets and unwind with something delicious. With regards to wine, a well-curated selection of traditional and natural offerings grace the list, which is Austrian heavy.
Chez Bernard
Located on the top floor of the trendy Hotel Motto, Chez Bernard’s drinking and dining scene is a whole vibe. Decked out with trendy furniture, an extensive collection of plants and floor-to-ceiling windows (which offer some of the best views of the city), this hotel restaurant/bar is a great place to grab a glass of something local – with a view, of course. As the name implies, the menu is French themed, which may sound counterintuitive for those looking to enjoy local Austrian fare, but the meticulous execution of the dishes makes the stray from local cuisine worth it. It’s worth noting that the restaurant is also open for breakfast and lunch, the former of which serves up some of the city’s best bread and pastries made at the hotel’s on-site bakery. In warmer weather seasons, enjoy the outdoor rooftop access, which is found next to the restaurant’s entrance – cocktail in hand, of course.
Rundbar
Credit: Rundbar
Rundbar, otherwise written as R&Bar, first opened its doors in May 2022, and has quickly become the go-to meeting place for natural wine lovers all over the city. In addition to an all-natural bottle selection, the bar serves up rotating by-the-glass pours, including red, white, rosé and skin-contact options, as well as a variety of well-executed small plates. Minimal sidewalk seating is available, though the real party is to be found within the bar’s four walls – and don’t be surprised if you end up rubbing shoulders with local Austrian or visiting European natural winemakers, This is truly the place to be.
Gasthaus Grünauer
A direct recommendation from Austrian-born sommelier Aldo Sohm (voted Best Sommelier in the World, 2008) himself, Gasthaus Grünauer is a great place to go for authentic, no-frills Austrian fare. Family owned and operated since 1957, Grünauer’s specialities include classic old school favourites including schnitzel, cucumber salads and plum cakes, as well as a variety of beef and plant-based soups. Grab a glass of something local and enjoy some of the city’s best comfort food (reservations recommended). Heads up, Grünauer is only open for dinner and is closed on the weekends.
ONYX
Credit: ONYX
While it may sound strange to head for sushi in Vienna, the views from Onyx are simply unbeatable. Located on the sixth floor of the Do & Co Hotel, ONYX offers breathtaking views of St. Stephen’s Cathedral via its prime location and floor-to-ceiling windows. Expect contemporary Asian dishes prepared on the restaurant’s robata grill, which is open for both lunch and dinner. For those not interested in sushi, we recommend popping in during off-hours for a simple coffee or glass of wine to experience the view firsthand.
MAST, Porzellangasse
At lunchtime or for an after-work glass of wine, MAST is where the new generation of winemakers and sommeliers hang out. This modern wine bar is located in the ninth district, just a short tram ride from the inner city. It is run by two friends and award-winning sommeliers, Matthias Pitra and Steve Breitze, with a focus on natural and orange wines.
Steirereck am Stadtpark
The Steirereck restaurant, owned by chef Heinz Reitbauer and his wife, Birgit, is Austria’s most-awarded restaurant and is ranked among the best 15 restaurants in the world. The fine-dining cuisine is peerless. The wine list, managed by the award-winning chef sommelier René Antrag, is breathtaking, offering a wide selection of mature Rieslings from the Wachau and perfect food-pairing with noble sweet wines from Burgenland.
Feinkosterei Schwarz-Hirsch
Feinkosterei Schwarz-Hirsch. Credit: www.stefanknittel.at
Imperial Vienna with a modern touch. A welcoming wine bar on the quaint Judenplatz square serving Austrian sparkling Sekt by the glass, plus local and national wines and noble fruit brandies. Dynamic duo Daniel Hirschmann and Matthias Schwarzmüller offer traditional Austrian cuisine with a modern interpretation. To make the most of your experience, go with a group of friends, order as many small plates as possible, and enjoy.
Silvio Nickol at Palais Coburg
The cellar at this restaurant boasts the largest collection of fine wine in Austria with around 6o,000 bins. Combined with the fine cuisine prepared by celebrity chef Silvio Nickol, this is an exclusive venue to relish exquisite Austrian and international cuisine matched with some of the rarest wines in the world. The food-pairing menus are sublime. Advance booking is recommended.
Huth Gastwirtschaft
A trip to Vienna would not be complete without a traditional Wiener Schnitzel (escalope of veal) served with a cold potato and lamb’s lettuce salad. This traditional Wirtshaus (tavern) is typical of those offering classic Austrian dishes and is open all year round. Its wine list features some of Austria’s most acclaimed names and its house wines are limited bottlings blended directly with the winemakers and served by the glass from magnum.
Vinothek St. Stephan
Situated opposite the horse-drawn Fiaker carriages, this was Vienna’s first vinotheque, established in 1976, when it enjoyed a reputation for fine Sherry, claret and Italian wines. Forty years on, this is the place to purchase that very special bottle of Austrian wine, Riedel glassware and fine Austrian spirits. Expect personal service and competent advice. For regular visitors to Vienna, it offers a special cellar service to store and enjoy your wines at the WineBANK.
Tian Bistro am Spittelberg
Tian am Spittelberg. Credit: www.vinothek1.at
The original Tian Restaurant is Austria’s only vegetarian one-star Michelin restaurant. This second venue, located in the artistic seventh district of Vienna, serves innovative vegetarian and vegan recipes with locally brewed beer and organic Austrian wine. All meals at Tian Bistro am Spittelberg are served family style, and are produced from locally-sourced ingredients grown on organic farms. In addition to the world-class dinner menu, Tian Bistro am Spittelberg also offers a prix-fixe family style breakfast menu for €25 per person on Saturdays from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Choose your main, then share a variety of sweet and savoury snacks brought out for the table.
Schweizerhaus im Prater
The Schweizerhaus is a Viennese institution – despite its Swiss name. Found in the vast Prater public gardens near the amusement park, this beer garden, pub and restaurant pays homage to the former imperial monarchy and serves Czech and Austrian beer alongside huge roasted pork knuckles. The wine list now includes Viennese wines, plus other Austrian specialities.
