Only for the sweet tooth! and other Vienna, Austria Restaurant Reviews

Restaurant Name: Sacher Cafe and Restaurant

I have always wanted to try the famous Sacher torte (cake) in the well-known Sacher Hotel. Hence, one fine day. I went to the Sacher coffeehouse in the Sacher Hotel and ordered my coffee and a slice of Sacher torte. The indoor decors were rich and elegant. Waiters were polite but seemed aloof. The service in the Sacher coffeehouse was slow. Took some time to get my order. I find the Sacher Torte (cake) to be extremely sweet yet dry; coffee was strong and bitter, despite the vast amount of sugar and milk I poured in. When I got the bill, I was shocked at the high prices for a cup of coffee and a slice of cake. I didn't get a good first-time experience with Sacher.

LATEST UPDATE:

It's been many years since I've eaten at Sacher coffeehouse. I decided to give it another try since the restaurant/coffeeshop was renovated. The Sacher Torte is better this time, more moist/less dry - but still very sweet. The whipped cream on the side was rich but not sweet. The melange (coffee with milk) tasted good and the service has remarkably improved.

Now there is a Sacher Cafe at the Vienna International Airport - Terminal One Departure Hall. For those who didn't get the chance to try the sacher torte and coffee in Vienna city, go ahead and indulge your curiousity and sweet tooth before your flight. Just be prepared to pay a whopping price for it!

Favorite Dish: Sacher Torte (sacher cake) and Melange (coffee with milk)

Leave a Comment

Theme: Coffeehouse
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Address: Kartner Strasse
Directions: Next to the Opera House

Restaurant Name: Restaurant Waldviertlerhof

I never did like Austrian food until I was brought to this Restaurant by my date. In the past, I find austrian food to be too rich, greasy and too salty. However, Waldviertlerhof changed my mind forever about real austrian food.

For the first time since coming to Vienna, I finally had some really good austrian food. It is neither too greasy, rich or salty. The portions were generous and large. The salads were fresh and crisp. The meat was excellent and the austrian wines were wonderful. The desserts were sinfully delicious. I was told that majority of the food served in this austrian restaurant comes from the Waldviertler region of Austria, where the food is of good quality and farm-fresh. As for the prices, it was not expensive at all. For Euro 12, you can get a large full meal including drinks.

The restaurant is large, warm and cosy, with typical austrian country decor and pine wooden furnitures. When I enter the restaurant, I forgot that I am in the middle of a city. The place is lively and busy with local patrons, happily drinking beer and wines, and chatting animatedly and loudly. It's like being in the country-side. All the staffs wore typical austrian costume/outfits. The service is good and quick; the waiters are nice and friendly. Some of them can speak English.

If you go in Summer, you can sit in the outdoor summer garden, where you will be eating under a huge shady tree.

This restaurant is popular amongst the locals/viennese, so if you plan to have dinner there, better if you call ahead and make reservations. The restaurant is not open on Saturday and Sunday.

Favorite Dish: You must try the Toscana Schnitzel. Very different than the typical Wiener schnitzel, and very delicious. If you are not very hungry, try the Chicken Salad. You can have either fried chicken strips or grilled chicken strips with the green salad. It will be dressed with pumpkin-seed oil, and taste so good and healthy. For dessert, you must try the eispalatschinken or pancakes (crepes) with vanilla ice and chocolate fudge. Mmmmm... so yummy!

Leave a Comment

Theme: German/Austrian
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: +43 586 35 12
Address: Schonbrunner Strasse 20, 5th District
Directions: Take bus 12A, 13A or 59A, stop at Margaretenplatz/Schoenbrunner Strasse; or Take train U4, go to head of train, stop at Kettenbrueckengasse station, take elevator/stairs up, find Wehr gasse, walk to Schoenbrunner strasse, turn right & it's there.
Website: www.waldviertlerhof.at

Restaurant Name: Dubrovnik restaurant

Note: This information was accurate when it was first written but it can change without notice.
Latest Update: Sometime in 2007-2008, this restaurant has closed down. What a great pity because I really enjoyed the food there.

Dubrovnik's main cuisines are Croatian, Balkan, and Viennese. The restaurant, founded in 1965, consists of 3 dining rooms on either side of a central vestibule filled with busy but friendly waiters. The restaurant has a warm cosy atmosphere with soft yellow lightings.

The menu lists big choices of Balkan dishes, including gooseliver pâté; savory bean soup; homemade sausages; stuffed cabbage; fillet of veal with boiled potatoes, sour cream, sauerkraut, and grilled pork kidney. They also serve good selections of seasonal or Chefs speciality dishes, including grlled pheasant with potatoes and vegetables. Among the fish dishes, the most exotic is Fogosch (a whitefish) served with potatoes and garlic. For dessert, try baklava or an assortment of Bulgarian cheeses. The restaurant also serve good wines from Austria and the Balkans.

The restaurant has live piano entertainment nightly from 7:30 to 11pm.

Favorite Dish: For starters, I just love the gooseliver pâté served with warm bread, followed by smoked duck breast served with apricot chutney and vogel salat. For the main meal, I like the mixed sausages grilled with cheese and tomatoes, and served with mixed salads. I especially enjoyed the wines from Slovenia and Montenegro.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Eclectic/International
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: +43-1-713-7102
Address: Am Heumarkt 5
Directions: Take U-Bahn U4 to Stadtpark and cross the main street direction towards the Hilton hotel.
Open daily 11am-3pm and 6pm-midnight; cafe daily 11am-midnight.

Restaurant Name: Curry Insel

I heard about this Sri Lankan restaurant from my friends who have been there. Their ravings about the good spicy food served here convinced me to give it a try. You see, it is not easy to find a good curry house in Vienna, even though there is a small community of Pakistanis, Indians and Sri Lankans here.

When me and my friends first entered this Curry Insel restaurant, we were hit by the aromatic smells of spices and curry. The wonderful smells tickled our taste buds and we were getting more hungry as we looked around at the colorful food being brought to the other dinner guests. The restaurant is not very large, and the room is nicely decorated. There was a large indian movie poster on the backwall, and yellow lightings cast soft lights over the room. The atmosphere was a kind of busy enjoyment.

The service was fast and good, despite the place being quite packed and busy. The food took some time to arrive but then if you order starters, you will not feel it. The wait was worth it because the curry rice was really good. It's been long since I've eaten a good curry.

I would highly recommend this place to my other friends. Since it is quite popular, it is better to reserve a table in advance.

Favorite Dish: My favorites are the Naan bread, Thosai and Spicy chicken curry. Thosai is a kind of indian pancake, and eaten served with curry sauce. I ate my thosai with spicy chicken, which was good and really hot and spicy.

The restaurant informed us that if we want really spicy food, we have to say we want the "original taste". Then the restaurant will cook the curry according to their original standard - i.e. really chilli-hot and spicy. But beware, Sri Lankans level of hotness could be too much for those who are not used to chili-spicy-hotness. Get ready some sweets to soothe your burning mouth!

For good value, go on Sunday for the excellent Brunch where you get selection of curries, breads and sweets. Book a table in advance. Very popular!

Leave a Comment

Theme: Indian
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: +43-1-406-9233
Address: Lenaugasse 4, 1080 Vienna, Austria
Directions: Directly behind Cafe Rathaus in 8th District.
Take the underground U2 to Rathaus station, go up to the street level, and look for Cafe Rathaus. Then walked to the behind of the Cafe and you will find Curry Insel Restaurant.
Website: www.curryinsel.at

Restaurant Name: Sushi King - Asian Cooking

This asian restaurant is run by a chinese couple (husband and wife). The restaurant is small and its interior is simple and clean. The service is good and fast. The main food served is sushi and noodles. You can also get set box meals or bentos at very reasonable prices. The food is simple and good-tasting.

This asian restaurant is located next to the restaurant Graefin am Naschmarkt, on the Linke Weinzeile.

Note: This information was accurate when it was first written (2007) but it can change without notice.

Favorite Dish: Fried kue teaw with seafood, Malaysian style. Kue teaw is a kind of flat rice noodles. The owner and cook is from Malaysia and he can fry the noodles Malaysian style. You can request for the noodles to be spicy or non-spicy.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Pan-Asian and Pacific Rim
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Directions: If you go to the Naschmarkt area, you should walk on the Linke Weinzeile side of the street. As you passed by the Wine & Co., the Mocca Club, Theater am Wien, and then BIPA, you will soon come to Sushi King.

Restaurant Name: Le Wei Restaurant

This is one of the best chinese restaurant in Vienna. The restaurant is owned and run by chinese husband & wife team from India (chinese immigrants from India). The restaurant is modern, clean and tastefully decorated. The service is quick and friendly.

The lady-boss will come to take your orders, and she is very friendly. She can speak chinese, english, german and hindi. She will make the guests feel welcome and have an enjoyable stay.

The restaurant serve east asian dishes including chinese, thai, indian, korean and japanese cuisines. You can also custom order your dishes, according to your taste. They will try to accommodate your wishes.

Opening hours: Monday - Friday, 11.30am - 2.30pm and 6.00 - 11 pm; Sat. opens in the evenings from 6.00 - 10 pm; Sunday open 12 noon - 2.00 pm and 6.00 - 10 pm.

Favorite Dish:
One of my favorite dishes is fried egg noodles with chicken, beef & pork. The egg noodles is made by the restaurant; hence, the noodles are very good and fresh.

I also like starters such as fried stuffed tofu, steamed dim sums, and spring rolls.

For the main dishes - try Hakka Wontan, Crispy Le Wei Tofu, Garlic Crispy Duck, Spicy Beef, Seafood Curry, Fried Rice with minced chicken and chopped ginger, stir-fried vegetables, special eggplant dish, sizzling fish, and many many more... I get hungry whenever I think of the food there!

Leave a Comment

Theme: Chinese/Dim Sum
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: +43-1-533-0770
Address: 1010 Wien, Heinrichgasse 6
Directions: Take the underground U4 to Schottenring, walk to back of train, go up escalator, turn left when leaving train station and walk to Heinrichgasse. Or, you can take Trams 1 or 2 and stop at Schottenring. Walk to Heinrichgasse.
Website: www.lewei.at

Restaurant Name: Marchfelderhof Restaurant

Marchfelderhof is a famous austrian restaurant located in Deutsch-Wagram, an area outside of Vienna. The interior of the restaurant is very unique - you will see so many autographed pictures & photos of celebrities and VIPs covering all the walls; on the ceilings, you can see many kinds of interesting objects such as old violins, banjo, tambourines, drums, cooking pots and pans, masks, shaded lamps; the wood panels around the tables have metal plagues mentioning VIPs who have sat there; You will be seated in a private booth surrounded with lacy curtains, odd objects, antique lamps on your tables, and stuffed pillow on your chairs.

You will get free snacks for starters (which was great for me!). The service was good and courteous, although a bit slow. But then, you are there to enjoy the ambience and the surroundings, so the waiters do not wish to intrude too often.

Favorite Dish: One of my favorite dishes was the fried veal cutlet (schnitzel) covered in pumpkin-seed batter and serve with gnocchi potatoes and vegetables. During asparagus season, the restaurant also serve locally-grown white asparagus, steamed, with hollander sauce. Most of the food were delicious.

Leave a Comment

Theme: German/Austrian
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$31-40  » Currency Converter
Phone: +43 (0)2247 2243
Address: A- 2232 D. -Wagram , Spargelplatz 1
Directions: You would have to drive to outside of Vienna towards Deutsch Wagram district.
Website: www.marchfelderhof.at

Restaurant Name: Levante Restaurant

There are 5 Levante restaurants in Vienna, with the 2 in the 1st district. The popular one is located in Wallnerstrasse, near the Kohlmarkt (the designer boutique street off the Graben). The restaurant is large, lots of sitting area and clean. The service is good and fast.

Opening hours: Daily (Mon - Sunday) 11.00 - 23.30 hours.

Favorite Dish: I like all the food in this restaurant, especially the grilled/roasted meats or Kebabs. For starters, try the Levanteplatte Vorspeisen (mix plate of humus, grilled eggplant & zucchini, sheep cheese & stuffed grape leaf).

Main dishes include (all served with rice & salads):
- Döner Kebab (rotating roasted lamb/chicken/veal);
- Shish kebab (skewered & grilled pieces of lamb/veal);
- Huhnerspiess (skewered & grilled chicken);
- Adana Kebab (charcoal-grilled minced lamb);
- Fischplatte (mixed seafood plate).

If you want just a snack, you can have Doner Sandwich or Falafel sandwich. For desserts, you can have Baklava or Helva - typical turkish sweets - with turkish coffee.

You can wash down the food with white or red wines, which are reasonably priced. Everything is good to eat here!

Leave a Comment

Theme: Middle Eastern
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: +43-1-533 23 26
Address: 1010 Vienna, Wallnerstrasse 2
Directions: If you are in Stephansplatz, go to end of Graben, turn left and you're in Kohlmarkt. Walk towards the Louis Vuitton boutique, turn right and the restaurant is a few metres away.
Website: www.levante.at

Restaurant Name: Pizzeria Da Capo

Da Capo is a pizzeria and a restaurant (obviously it is an Italian restaurant!). Da Capo has a wood-fired oven, a good selection of Antipasti buffet and a show kitchen in the cellar. They have an extensive menu with seasonal specialties, meats and seafoods.

I find the restaurant to have a rustical-ambiance because of the wood-paneled brick vaults, decorated with wall paintings. In the evenings, you can have romantic candlelight dinners as well as spend an enjoyable evening with friends. On warm days, the restaurant open their inner courtyard, which is quiet and cosy.

Favorite Dish: I like the pizza and the pasta from Da Capo. They have a few good selection of pizza with different kinds of toppings, and the dough is thin and delicious. Their various pastas are also good and al dente (is this the correct spelling?); the pasta is just right, not overcooked. Off course, Da Capo also serves good main courses of meats and fishes. The desserts are also really yummy! If you are feeling quite hungry, you can try the full-course meals. In addition, they have good selection of local Austrian and Italian wines.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Italian
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: +43-1-5124491
Address: Schulerstrasse 18, 1010 Vienna
Directions: Da Capo is 2 minutes from the Stephansplatz (behind the Stephandom) and 5 minutes from the U3 Station Stubentor. Opens daily from 11.20 am to 11.30 pm
Website: http://www.dacapo.co.at/

Restaurant Name: Cafe-Restaurant Servus

Cafe-Restaurant Servus is known as one of the oldest Viennese coffeeshop. It has a beautiful cosy interior; high ceilings and tall white pillars, romantic soft lights from many small lamps, padded leather seats in separated booths with small tables and wooden chairs. The atmosphere is warm and lively. Sometimes, there is live piano music. Locals and tourists come here to sit and chat with friends, or read newspapers, or just to eat & drink. On warmer days, Servus will open their terrace; you can sit outdoors and do some people-watching while drinking your coffee or sipping your cool wine or cold beer.

I usually go to Servus for a meal before or after watching movies; English Cinema Haydn is next door to this restaurant. Sometimes, I will go here for some coffee after doing some shopping. I would recommend this cafe-restaurant to my friends because of its pretty and charming interiors and its good food.

Favorite Dish: Servus serves traditional viennese dishes, such as Wienerschitzel (egg-batter fried veal or pork cutlet with potato salad), Tafelspitz (boiled beef rump with vegetables), Zwiebelrostbraten (beef roast with fried onions & baby potatoes), Backhendelsalat (fried chicken & green salad), and many more.

I have many favorite dishes from this restaurant. One of them is Steak-Toast; it's two grilled mini-steaks dapped with cocktail dressing, served on toasted bread, topped with fried egg (sunny-side up) and with sideorder of marinated salads. The portion is large and it is a full meal, especially if you have a beer with it! The potato gulash is also good - it's potatoes, shreded bacon and chives in a thick soup. So yummy on a cold day!

Leave a Comment

Theme: Coffeehouse
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: +43-1- 5873401
Address: Mariahilfer Str.57-59, 1060 Vienna
Directions: Cafe-restaurant Servus is located on Mariahilfer Strasse, adjacent to the Mariahilfer Church and next door to the English Cinema Haydn (one of the few cinema that screens movies in their original version/in english).
Website: http://restaurant.servus-wien.com