Vienna's Top Casual Restaurants

MAST Weinbistro in Vienna is run by two longtime friends and sommeliers who focus on fresh, local ingredients and an extensive wine selection. The relaxed atmosphere and personal touch make it an easygoing place to linger over a glass. Its straightforward approach to food and drink creates a welcoming space for anyone curious about modern Viennese flavors.

Recommended by

Marko Kovac

Foodie

A casual bistro in Vienna owned and personally run by two longtime friends and sommelliers, Steve and Matthias. Naturally, one of the best wine lists in the region, supporting easygoing modern take on Viennese cuisine. A true must when in the city.

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Am Nordpol 3 in Vienna has a lively, laid-back vibe with unusual art on the walls and a youthful crowd. It’s known for its bar-like atmosphere and affordable drinks, creating a relaxed spot to hang out. You can expect a casual dining experience without too much fuss.

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Billy Wagner

Sommelier

A bar with a restaurant feeling: loud, noisy, weird art on the walls. A lot of students at all tables. Pretty cheap drinks. Drink Beer and schnapps. Probably the best sausage and dumplings north, west, south and east of Vienna.

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Café Kandl is a relaxed spot in Vienna’s District 7 with a friendly vibe and a creative approach to its menu. They specialize in natural wines, making it an appealing place for those eager to explore fresh, unexpected flavors. Whether you’re looking for a laid-back meal or a casual gathering with friends, Café Kandl provides a cozy, inviting atmosphere.

Recommended by

Frank Heylen

Food & Wine hunter

For fans of natural wines, lots of vegetables and good ambiance: run to this lovely place located in District 7! The ´faux’ gras made from mushrooms, wine gel and crispy brioche is famous!

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Gasthaus Wolf in Vienna is a cozy spot with a relaxed setting and well-prepared food. The atmosphere feels casual yet welcoming, making it easy to settle in and stay for a while. It’s a comfortable place to enjoy a laid-back meal without any fuss.

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Daniella Illerbrand

Director of content

Pretty much everything you want from a traditional restaurant in Vienna. Gasthaus Wolf is pretty much everything you want from a traditional restaurant in Vienna- amazingly well prepared food, and a casual but beautiful setting that instantly feels like somewhere you want to stay for a very long time.

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Mochi in Vienna offers Japanese cuisine with a modern twist at reasonable prices. It’s a comfortable spot for a quick lunch or a relaxed evening out, and there’s also the option to enjoy your meal on the terrace.

Recommended by

Frank Heylen

Food & Wine hunter

Japanese cuisine with a modern twist at good prices! Delicious flavours ideal for a quick lunch or a nice evening! Also dining on the terrace.

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nineOfive Vienna is a relaxed spot that highlights Neapolitan-style pizza and a thoughtfully chosen wine list. They value natural ingredients, support local and Italian producers, and keep things simple and genuine. It’s a casual place to share a meal with friends in the heart of Vienna.

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Fabian Günzel

Owner & Head chef

“Pizza and wine place to be” is what they say on their homepage and that’s true. An easy pizzeria with a perfect winelist. Top quality starters, like anchovies, pickles, buratta… and pizza in flying mode, that you can enjoy the evening with friends.

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Restaurant Herzig in Vienna offers a relaxed fine dining experience that balances creativity and precision. Housed in the former Dorotheum-Fünfhaus building, it brings together art, playful ideas, and carefully thought-out menus. Guests can expect a welcoming atmosphere where attention to detail and a touch of individuality shine through.

Recommended by

Cornelia Milde

viennagourmet

Casual fine dining and art affine. Original, precise, in love with detail and well thought out. Breaking the rules again and again is Sören Herzig's motto. With a love of detail and expressive with innovative creations and reinterpreted classics, he gives his dishes a very personal touch.

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Reznicek is a contemporary Viennese inn in Vienna, led by sommelier Simon Schubert and chef Julian Lechner. They focus on product-oriented, seasonal cooking inspired by Austrian classics, served alongside a thoughtfully curated wine list. The welcoming atmosphere and straightforward style make it a comfortable spot for a relaxed meal.

Recommended by

Frank Heylen

Food & Wine hunter

Reznicek Wiener Wirtshaus Simon Schubert (sommelier) and Julian Lechner (chef) opened this small cool restaurant, a contemporary Viennese inn. They serve classic Viennese tasty dishes made from locally sourced ingredients like beef tartare, cordon bleu or beef tongue, roulade of courgette with bell peppers and almonds or river trout with saffron, paired with an amazing wine list. This cosy restaurant is an absolute hot spot for wine lovers and foodies.

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The Bank Brasserie & Bar is set in a historic former bank building in the heart of Vienna and is now part of Park Hyatt Vienna. Its unique architecture and central location create an inviting atmosphere for a relaxed meal or a night out.

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Cornelia Milde

viennagourmet

For me - the best beef tartare in town. I have a great passion for tartare! One of the best Beef Tartares in Vienna can be found in the brasserie "The Bank". Hand-cut, confit egg yolk, truffle, mustard caviar, potato bread. The restaurant was a bank at a time - and is now part of the Hotel "Park Hyatt Vienna" - in the best downtown location - an absolute insider tip!

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Tian Bistro am Spittelberg is a relaxed vegetarian and vegan spot in Vienna’s Spittelberg district run by chef Paul Ivic. The bistro focuses on fresh, seasonal produce from local farmers, creating a comfortable atmosphere to enjoy plant-based meals. A concise wine list that highlights regional favorites adds to the inviting experience.

Recommended by

Kenneth Nars

Creative Director

The vegetarian/vegan bistro by chef Paul Ivić with great seasonal dishes and killer local wines. Tian Bistro in the Spittelberg district of Vienna is the sibling to the one-starred Tian in the center of town. Both are run by chef Paul Ivić and serve vegetarian cuisine made of seasonal produce from local farmers and producers. The menu at Tian Bistro has some delicious and comforting dishes- I’d recommend to order the set menu or have plenty of shared dishes. Have a table in the winter garden and do not miss the beet root and mushroom tartar with chive mayo, the potato risotto with cabbage or the king oyster mushroom burger. The sourdough bread comes from Öfferl, the best bakery in town and the wine list includes a long list of Austrian natural wine stars like Martin Nittnaus, Claus Preisinger, Heinrich, Christian Tschida and Gut Oggau. PS most dishes are vegan.

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Plachutta Wollzeile is a well-known restaurant in the heart of Vienna, appreciated for serving traditional Viennese cuisine at a consistently high standard. It draws a mix of locals, visitors, and even famous guests, creating a welcoming yet slightly formal atmosphere. The attentive staff and smooth operation ensure a memorable dining experience.

Recommended by

Kenneth Nars

Creative Director

A hearty, delicious meal of boiled beef. A must try in Vienna. Tafelspitz, boiled beef rump served with broth and an array of condiments, is the most traditional Viennese dish, next to the Wiener Schnitzel. There are a few traditional inns still serving proper Tafelspitz, but the most established and well branded temple of Tafelspitz is without doubt Plachutta. There are a few locations but go for the original restaurant on the Wollzeile street. Plenty of tourists here and yes, the restaurant follows a set, commercialized concept, but still the operation is impressive. The menu features a dozen of different cuts of boiled meat, from tongue to beef ribs, all served tableside in a copper cauldron full of broth, root vegetables and bone marrow. The condiments include apple horseradish, chive sauce, hashbrown potatoes and toasted black bread. The original Tafelspitz cut is delicious. The menu also features classics like Wienerschnitzel and Kaiserschmarrn pancakes for dessert. The slightly formal service works with almost military precision, including bringing local daily newspapers to single lunch guests.

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Meierei im Stadtpark is a laid-back bistro in Vienna’s city park, serving Austrian favorites throughout the day. It’s part of the Steirereck family and provides a calm oasis for breakfast, lunch, or a midday break. The bright interior and leafy surroundings make it an inviting spot to unwind and enjoy a relaxed meal.

Recommended by

Kenneth Nars

Creative Director

Perfectly executed Wiener classics by chef Heinz Reitbauer. Try their Wiener Schnitzel-probably the best in town. Meierei im Stadtpark is 2-starred restaurant Steirereck’s bistro with perfectly executed Wiener classics by chef Heinz Reitbauer. Go for an excellent breakfast or for lunch, as the park view is beautiful. Try their Wiener Schnitzel-probably the best in Vienna. The tender veal is breaded and butter fried to a pink and juicy medium and comes as three smaller schnitzels with a lemon wedge. Add a glass of Grüner Veltliner and remember to order potato salad instead of the boiled ones. Save room for some 140 different cheeses to choose from-ask for some of the funkier mountain cheeses (Sulner käs and Rässkäse) from Tirol. And remember to save room for the Kaiserschmarr’n pancake with boozy sultanas and plum compote. Nice wine list, too.

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Glacis Beisl is a relaxed spot in Vienna’s 7th district, tucked between the MuseumsQuartier and nearby cultural sights. It quietly combines traditional and modern elements, offering a cozy dining area, a peaceful garden, and a carefully chosen wine selection. It’s a comfortable place to take a break from the city’s bustle.

Recommended by

Luka Balac

Restaurateur-sommelier

Classic Viennese dishes with amazing wine list! My favourite place in Vienna.

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O boufés is a relaxed wine bistro in Vienna run by Konstantin Filippou, known for its welcoming atmosphere and great selection of wines. Guests can linger upstairs or head downstairs to see the wine collection. It’s a comfortable spot to enjoy an evening out without any fuss.

Recommended by

Pierre Orsander

Food Writer

The wine bistro of Konstantin Filippou offers delightful dishes combined with a great wine selection in a relaxed atmosphere. Don’t forget to swing down the stairs and have a look at their wine collection while you are here.

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Restaurant Rote Bar is an inviting spot in Vienna’s Hotel Sacher, offering classic Viennese dishes in a warm, elegant setting. Diners can choose between a winter garden with a view of the State Opera or a richly decorated red dining room. Piano music in the evenings adds a relaxed touch to the overall atmosphere.

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Hrvoje Petric

Food & Travel Writer

The restaurant Rote Bar in Sacher hotel Vienna offers the perfect ambience for lovers of traditional, classic Viennese cuisine to experience it at the highest level. From original Sacher goose liver tarte with elderberry, apricot and brioche, to grilled pike pearch fillet and finish with the juicy Venison Wellington fillet with blackcurrant red cabbage, venison praline and parsnip, everything is very tasty. Food is accompanied with the nice selection of Austrian, Italian and French wines.

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