We were Hungary... and other Vienna, Austria Restaurant Reviews

Restaurant Name: Ilona Stüberl

This small restaurant near Graben was my favourite during our stay in Vienna. (What a shock to realise this afterwards, after all I am talking about a Hungarian restaurant here and not about an Austrian one ;) I am a big fan of Schnitzel but the Schnitzels I had in the heart of Schnitzel-Country were mostly disappointing.) The food is Hungarian, waiters are Hungarian and a lot of people that were eating here were Hungarian, too. I guess that's a good sign, eh?

Favorite Dish: I had a Hungarian Gulasch with "Nockerln". It was very tasty. Too bad I only ordered the small portion. By the way, the Schnitzels on the table next to us looked fantastic. Too bad we didn't have time to return here and try them!

The apricot brandy we got after the meal was the best I have ever tried. Many of them followed during the weekend but not even one had a taste like the one at Ilona Stüberl. If only I knew which brand it was...

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Theme: Other
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Address: Bräuner Straße 2, 1010 Wien
Directions: Bräuner Straße is a small street off one of Vienna's main streets, Graben. 5mts walk from Stephansdom.
Website: http://www.ilonastueberl.at

Restaurant Name: Trzesniewski

You walked around Vienna for a few hours and you need a quick snack before you move on to see even more in the next fea hours? Head to Trzesniewski, a unique Snack Bar in a side street of Graben. All the local people do so, too. Businesspeople have lunch here, tourists come for a quick beer, old ladies on a shopping trip stop for a bread here... the sandwich bar with the unpronounceable name Trzesniewski is a must for everybody!

In here you only get bread with 21 different spreads. Spreads vary from "egg on egg" (no kidding!) to Swedish herring, from hot pepper to tuna with egg. Recipes are top secret.

Trzesniewski is a classic in Vienna. It started in 1902. Up to now there are 8 stores all over Vienna. The most traditional one is in Dorotheergasse 1 (off Graben).

Favorite Dish: I really loved the spicy "Pfefferoni" spread and to have egg on egg was kinda special, too.

All this washed down with a "Pfiff", the smallest beer I have ever seen and "my size" really (it's 1/8 litre of beer). (see Tourist Traps to find out why you shouldn't steal the glasses ;)

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Theme: Other
Comparison: about average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Address: Dorotheergasse 1 and at 7 other spots
Website: www.trzesniewski.at

Restaurant Name: Cafe Central

Cafe Central is an institution in Vienna. It's been there since 1860, at changing locations though. It used to be a meeting point for the literary scene of Vienna, the list of famous people who drank their coffee here include names like Kafka, Stalin, Trotzki, Kokoschka and Hitler. After world war II Cafe Central was gone. It came back only in 1975 at its current location in Palais Ferstel. It's popular with tourists and locals ever since.

Favorite Dish: I really enjoyed the paintings of Sissi and Franzl at the wall, the grumpy charme of the waiters, the typical atmosphere and the cakes here. I had Marillen-Palatschinken (apricot pancakes). They were nice but a bit sweet maybe (OK OK now, what did I expect? ;)

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Theme: Coffeehouse
Comparison: about average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Address: Herrengasse 14, 1. Bezirk
Website: http://www.ferstel.at

Restaurant Name: Demel

Demel used to be the confectionary of the K+K court. Sissi bought her violet sweets here. This history and the location opposite Hofburg makes this coffeehouse, which is more a cakehouse, a very touristy place. We came here for coffee and cakes and paid a fortune (I guess only Hotel Sacher is more expensive).

In the back of the cafe you can look at the creation of the cakes. Here you also find a Bill Clinton and a Kofi Annan head made out of cake and icing which look rather real actually.

To be honest, I enjoyed the cake and the whole interieur design of the place but it lacks this certain "Kaffeehaus" atmosphere.

Favorite Dish: The cake was really nice, the coffee apparently was nothing special.

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Theme: Coffeehouse
Comparison: most expensive
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Website: www.demel.at

Restaurant Name: Hawelka

I was dying to go to Cafe Hawelka. When I thought of Vienna I thought if this place before having been here. Believe me I am still in a state of shock that we visited Vienna while Cafe Hawelka was closed - a week of summer holidays. Everytime we passed by I had a look through the closed windows craving for the famous "Buchteln" and the smoky atmosphere. I guess this is only one of the reasons why I should return to Vienna some day....

Favorite Dish: Anything. As long as it's open :(

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Theme: Coffeehouse

Address: Dorotheergasse 6, 1. Bezirk
Website: www.hawelka.at

Restaurant Name: Schweizerhaus

The Schweizerhaus in Prater is probably the biggest terrace restaurant I've ever seen. It's most certainly the biggest terrace restaurant I've ever seen that was completely full. This place is popular among locals and tourists alike. So if you want to come here with a big group you better reserve a table!

The first restaurant at this location was there before 1766 already! It changed names several times over the years. Karl Kolarik bought it in 1920 and ran it until his death in 1993. Since then his family runs the restaurant. The street next to the Schweizerhaus was even named after this Prater legend.

We came here to end our company trip and had lunch and a few beers here. It was a nice stay with friendly waiters and great food.

Favorite Dish: I had a Hendl (chicken) here which was good but nothing to talk about. The legendary dish here is the Stelzn, pigs knuckles, big as I have never seen them before. They are so huge, it's impossible for one person to finish it. As I don't like to eat "complete pigs on toast" I only tried from the crust. It was very tasty! The beer on tap is original Czech budweiser which was very tasty as well.

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Theme: Local
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: +43 (1) 7280152-13
Address: Prater 116
Website: http://www.schweizerhaus.at

Restaurant Name: Naschmarkt Deli

Naschmarkt Deli is one of the small cafes on the grounds of Naschmarkt. We came here to meet a few people and stayed for many hours... Service was a bit on the slow side but the place was nice and good for people watching.

The menu here includes American Deli food as well as Turkish stuff. Apparently "deli" means "Mad" in Turkish, so the name of the place fits to both cultures.

Favorite Dish: I had a Bagel with Turkey breast, pineapple and curry sauce. It was very tasty. The only problem were the cold drinks, they weren't really cold on a hot day.

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Theme: Eclectic/International
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Address: Naschmarkt No. 421-436
Directions: Coming from Karlsplatz the Deli is in the right lane, somewhere near the middle of Naschmarkt. (Girardigasse is the street which comes closest)
Website: www.naschmarkt-deli.at