Colorful tiles on the roof of St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna

back to:

Vienna Press Information – June 2026 Culinary discoveries in Vienna

June 1, 2026 – Once again, Vienna has a wealth of new restaurants, cafés and bars to discover. Exciting new projects are adding fresh energy to the city’s roughly 8,000 food and beverage businesses.

This year in Vienna, the spotlight is firmly on culinary culture. Under the motto “Vienna Bites. Cuisine, Culture, Character” the Vienna Tourist Board is showcasing what makes Vienna so distinctive from a culinary perspective. The many new openings in the food and beverage sector once again demonstrate just how vibrant and diverse the city’s dining scene has become.

Typically Viennese: From Beisl to sausage stand

It is always good news when Vienna’s traditional neighborhood inns, known as Beisln, find a new generation to carry them forward. One such historic tavern has now reopened under the name Zum Bretschneider. Its entire interior has been preserved in its original 1950s condition. The kitchen focuses on Viennese cuisine, including several offal specialties — just as a proper Beisl should. 

Anyone in Vienna craving a Wiener schnitzel is likely to find their way to Figlmüller. In early summer, the restaurant group is expanding with Brioche und Brösel, opening in a prime location in the 1st district. The concept is based on the street-food stand of the same name, known for new burger interpretations, including versions with Wiener schnitzel and sous-vide Tafelspitz. 

Viennese cuisine is also the focus at the beautiful Vestibül restaurant at the Burgtheater — and has been for 25 years. To mark its anniversary, the restaurant is relaunching with the new concept “Schank & Tafel.” The Schank in the front area serves Viennese specialties in a relaxed, no-reservations setting. The Tafel in the Marble Hall is the heart of the restaurant, offering Viennese cuisine at top-toque level in a spectacular setting. Old favorites meet new interpretations here — from Grammelknödel, stuffed cabbage rolls and Viennese fried meat to the signature dish, a Szeged-style lobster and cabbage stew. 

There is also movement in Vienna’s coffeehouse scene: the famous Café Central is currently closed for renovation and will reopen in fall 2026. In the meantime, the modern Café Decentral on Freyung invites visitors to stop by. Naturally, the patisserie from the original Café Central is also available there. Initially planned as a pop-up, Café Decentral is now expected to remain open permanently. 

On the Danube Canal, the popular open-air stretch of venues on the edge of the inner city, there is also a new culinary addition with Viennese flair: “Würstel am Kanal” is a sausage-stand offshoot of the restaurant Collina am Berg in Spittelberg. Alongside sausage-stand classics such as Frankfurters and Käsekrainer, the menu includes inventive creations such as kimchi hot dogs, Philly Cheese Krainer and banh mi with bratwurst.

1 of 13
Wooden tables and folding chairs line the sidewalk outside Zum Bretschneider on a quiet street, decorated with small flowers.
Zum Bretschneider — Entrance – © Patricia Peterka, Zum Bretschneider
Download print-ready version
Clear broth is poured from a small pot over a liver dumpling with vegetable strips into a deep plate.
Zum Bretschneider — Broth – © Patricia Peterka, Zum Bretschneider
Download print-ready version
From above, several people sit at a table with traditional soups, wine, and a small red drink in the sunlight.
Zum Bretschneider — Shared Table – © Patricia Peterka, Zum Bretschneider
Download print-ready version
Two plates of classic dishes sit beside a menu: spinach dumplings in a light sauce and breaded meat with mashed potatoes and gravy.
Zum Bretschneider — Viennese Classics – © Patricia Peterka, Zum Bretschneider
Download print-ready version
Two men stand relaxed in the restaurant doorway facing the camera; one is wearing a gray apron.
Zum Bretschneider — The Owners – © Patricia Peterka, Zum Bretschneider
Download print-ready version
A person serves a large plate of crispy breaded schnitzel on a wooden table, with a glass of white wine in the foreground.
Zum Bretschneider — Wiener Schnitzel – © Patricia Peterka, Zum Bretschneider
Download print-ready version
A hand spoons green chive sauce from a metal bowl onto a burger topped with meat and cabbage.
Brioche & Brösel — Chive Sauce on Burger – © Filgmüller Group
Download print-ready version
A fork places a piece of pickled lemon onto a breaded schnitzel burger; a jar of lemons is in the background.
Brioche & Brösel — Pickled Lemon Topping – © Filgmüller Group
Download print-ready version
Burger graphic labeled with ingredients—brioche bun, veal schnitzel, pickled lemons, lettuce, onion jam, and parsley mayo—with “Figlmüller Wien” at the bottom.
Brioche & Brösel — The “Viennese Burger” Ingredients – © Filgmüller Group
Download print-ready version
Grand dining room with marble columns, arches, tall floral arrangements, and white tablecloth tables in a classic setting.
Vestibül — Historic Dining Room – © Restaurant Vestibül / Fotograf Gerhard Wasserbauer
Download print-ready version
Two carefully plated dishes with dumplings, green vegetables, and sauce are seen from above on a white table setting.
Vestibül — Refined Dishes – © Restaurant Vestibül/Fotograf Gerhard Wasserbauer
Download print-ready version
A small kiosk labeled “Würstel am Kanal” stands right by the water, with benches and string lights in the sun.
Würstel am Kanal — Kiosk by the Canal – © Lili Schantl
Download print-ready version
A tray holds a sausage in a bread roll topped with herbs and seasoning, alongside a toasted sandwich in paper.
Würstel am Kanal — Sausage Roll and Toasted Sandwich – © Lili Schantl
Download print-ready version

A Feast for the Eyes 

Donauhof is one of the city’s most architecturally striking new openings. Built in 1902 by architect Franz von Neumann near Nordbahnhof, the building once housed a hotel with a restaurant, café, hair salon and ballroom. After a long Sleeping Beauty slumber, a restaurant has now opened here that is worth visiting not only for the architecture, but also for the food. The menu features modern interpretations of Viennese dishes, such as Paradeiskrautfleckerl with sour cream or beef heart in cream sauce with brioche dumplings, alongside contemporary bistro fare. 

Another venue that delights both the eye and the palate has opened in a former Imperial-era typewriter shop. Under the name Arici, the space now serves straightforward, flavorful Italian cuisine. The venue is without doubt one of the most beautiful in Vienna: a marble portal, 1920s wood paneling with elaborate inlays, seating in historic display windows and a mother-of-pearl tiled bar come together to create a true gem.

1 of 3
Baked pasta in red tomato sauce served on a white platter, topped with grated cheese and fresh basil.
Arici - Dish – © Christina Muller Studio
Download print-ready version
Cozy dining room with dark wood paneling, hanging bulbs, flowers on the counter, and seating in the background.
Arici - Dining Room – © Christina Muller Studio
Download print-ready version
Entrance to Arici with marbled columns, large display windows, flower vases, and street reflections in the glass.
Arici - Entrance – © Christina Muller Studio
Download print-ready version

Young concepts 

Bistro Fantasy is bringing fresh momentum to Vienna’s culinary scene. At the moment, this is where the city’s young creative crowd comes and goes. At Bistro Fantasy, minimalism rules. Raw concrete walls, sparse furnishings — and a menu pared down to the essentials, with all the more flavor for it. Breakfast and cocktails are also well worth exploring. 

With Pomali, two young, dedicated women are breathing new life into an old Viennese suburban tavern with a fresh concept. Modern vegetable dishes take center stage here, while one main course with meat and one with fish are also offered. Seasonality and regional sourcing are important to the two operators. The result is an uncomplicated Beisl with good everyday food.

1 of 7
Two upright menu cards reading “PRIORITY” and “FANTASY” stand on a rough stone block inside the café.
Bistro Fantasy — Menu Cards on Stone Counter – © Bistro Fantasy
Download print-ready version
Turntables and a mixer sit on a concrete shelf next to stacked vinyl records; a small red lamp glows by the window.
Bistro Fantasy — Turntables and Vinyl Corner – © Bistro Fantasy
Download print-ready version
Several plates of seasonal dishes are arranged on a light tablecloth, including white asparagus, filled pasta, and leafy greens.
Pomali — Seasonal Plates Served Family-Style – © Karoline Schuster
Download print-ready version
A plate of sautéed cime di rapa with caramelized onions and seeds sits in sunlight on a pale table.
Pomali — Cime di Rapa – © Karoline Schuster
Download print-ready version
A person holds a large plate of folded crêpes generously covered in glossy caramel sauce.
Pomali — Crêpes – © Karoline Schuster
Download print-ready version
A bright dining room with wood-paneled walls, an open glass door, and small flower vases on simply set tables.
Pomali — Interior – © Romain Bordier
Download print-ready version
The entrance to Pomali with a green sign, dark door, and an “ACHTUNG STUFE” notice on the lower glass panel.
Pomali — Exterior – © Romain Bordier
Download print-ready version

New ideas in old walls 

On the grounds of the former Sophienspital in the 7th district, a 1.3-hectare urban quarter with housing, cultural facilities and leisure venues has taken shape in recent years. The historic Kenyon Pavilion now houses event rooms and event spaces, as well as the food and beverage venue Sophie 7. The restaurant and bar enjoy a unique location right in the middle of green Sophienpark. The kitchen focuses on vegetarian and vegan sharing plates. 

The listed water tower at the former Nordbahnhof in the 2nd district is also being revitalized and will be converted into a gastronomic meeting place in the new neighborhood by the end of 2026. The historic structure will become a modern café with an outdoor garden, intended to serve as both a cultural hub and a neighborhood landmark. The distinctive brick tower was originally built as a reservoir for the boiler water of steam locomotives. Its interior height of up to 13 meters is particularly impressive. 

And another urban development area was completed this spring: Pier 22 on Danube Island is a 13,000-square-meter leisure area with barrier-free bathing platforms and public, no-purchase-required lounging and sports areas. Pier 22 also features three food and drink venues. With the latest opening, the island restaurant It’s Amore, the redesign of the leisure area on the Danube is now complete.

Fine Dining 

There are also new developments in Vienna’s fine-dining scene. In a quiet residential area, Peruvian-born chef Miguel Giraldo is venturing into fine dining with Ossa, a restaurant based on zero-waste principles. The cuisine is creative and product-focused, offering a six-course experience. 

Italian fine dining straight out of a storybook is served at Partenope. In an upscale setting, the restaurant offers authentic, outstanding seafood dishes from Italy. The menu also features wild-caught fish that changes daily.

Mea Shearim Fine Dining offers an exclusive concept for kosher cuisine. The restaurant combines the tradition of Jewish cooking with contemporary fine-dining culture, making it unique in Vienna. The dishes are inspired by Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Asian flavors — and are fully kosher.

New hotel restaurants 

Recently opened hotels have also brought several new dining venues to Vienna. At the luxurious Mandarin Oriental, Vienna, the equally luxurious restaurant Le Sept is generating buzz. Using French culinary techniques, the kitchen prepares exceptional seafood and fish dishes with subtle Asian accents. At the stove is Thomas Seifried, who previously cooked in the Cayman Islands and New York. 

The restaurant Boca is located in the stylish, recently opened hotel The Companion. There, Lauryn Therin, who previously cooked for Ottolenghi and NENI, creates modern Mediterranean cuisine. Visually, the stylish hotel and restaurant take their cues from the 1970s. Architecturally, Boca brings together historic fabric and contemporary design: exposed structures, polished marble and handcrafted wood create a welcoming atmosphere. The Calypso bar rounds out the hotel’s culinary offerings. 

The Wilde Aparthotel, set in a historic building in the 1st district, was inspired by Oscar Wilde. At its restaurant Rascal, brasserie dishes meet Eastern European influences with Viennese accents. Some classics, such as Caesar salad and beef tartare, are prepared and presented tableside. The interior combines historic elements with contemporary materials, inspired by Vienna around 1900. A light installation by the artist SHA regularly transforms the space and, after nightfall, continues outdoors in the courtyard of the former Postal Savings Bank as part of the “Museum of Change” project.

1 of 13
An artfully plated scallop sits in its shell on a white plate, set on an elegant table with wine and water glasses.
Le Sept — Fine Dining – © Mandarin Oriental
Download print-ready version
A long elegantly set table with floral arrangements and small lamps in a refined dining room with mirrors and chandeliers.
Le Sept — Dining Table – © Mandarin Oriental
Download print-ready version
Elegant dining room with white tablecloths, patterned chairs, mirrored walls, and large geometric chandeliers.
Le Sept — Dining Room – © Mandarin Oriental
Download print-ready version
Bright green sauce is poured from a small jug over a carefully plated seafood starter in a deep white bowl.
Le Sept — Starter – © Mandarin Oriental
Download print-ready version
Chickpeas in a creamy sauce with roasted squash and herbs, with oil being drizzled into the bowl.
Boca — Chickpea Stew with Roasted Squash – © The Companion Vienna
Download print-ready version
White wine is poured into a glass next to a plate of clams in a creamy sauce on a dark table.
Boca — Wine Pour and Clams in Cream Sauce – © The Companion Vienna
Download print-ready version
A slice of cheesecake topped with berries on a white plate as powdered sugar falls from above.
Boca — Cheesecake with Berries and Powdered Sugar – © The Companion Vienna
Download print-ready version
A chef in an apron arranges food at an outdoor table, plating a dish.
Boca - F&B Director Lauryn Therin – © The Companion Vienna
Download print-ready version
A long restaurant dining room with orange banquettes, set tables, and rows of round pendant lights overhead.
Boca — Restaurant Dining Room with Globe Lights – © The Companion Vienna
Download print-ready version
A stylish dining room with a vaulted ceiling, red chairs, blue bar stools, and a warmly lit bar.
Rascal — Dining Room – © Wilde Vienna
Download print-ready version
View through the dining room with round wooden tables, red chairs, wall mirrors, and soft lighting along the banquette.
Rascal — Interior – © Wilde Vienna
Download print-ready version
Several set tables with red chairs line tall, warmly lit walls with gold-colored wall lamps.
Rascal — Set Tables – © Wilde Vienna
Download print-ready version
A round table is filled with brunch dishes including eggs on toast, potatoes, salmon, bread, juice, wine, and a red drink.
Rascal — Brunch – © Wilde Vienna
Download print-ready version

Updates from the bar scene 

Madame Seradj in the hip Freihausviertel focuses on a distinctive bar ambiance. With her venue, the owner is pursuing the vision of a modern salon. The walls glow in deep blue, and small international dishes with a Persian twist are served – inspired by the modern salonniere’s family roots. A place where saffron meets champagne and the moment is celebrated. This is where Viennese ease blends with international flair.

DASH X DROP is a new cocktail bar that emphasizes regional ingredients and, in keeping with current trends, also offers a wide range of nonalcoholic drinks. Renowned bartender Dominik Oswald surprises guests with new flavors and combinations in his cocktails. He also sees his bar as a laboratory, where ingredients are distilled, fermented and hydrolyzed. 

Zollergasse in the 7th district has become one of the hippest strips for going out. Here, one venue follows the next. A new addition is Krawall Bar & Deli. On the ground floor, coffee and handmade sandwiches are served during the day; in the evening, the popular cocktail bar opens in the basement. At Krawall Bar, cocktail classics such as Sex on the Beach are approached with a wink. The crowd is young, the vibe trendy. 

By contrast, Le Fou, a cocktail bar near Bauernmarkt, is all about opulence – true to the motto “more is more.” Crystal chandeliers, silk wallpaper and velvet furniture define the décor. The atmosphere is inspired by legendary Paris bars, and so are the cocktails. In a bar with Parisian flair, champagne is just as essential as French wines. Bar food, in the form of tartare pralines, comes from neighboring Tatarie Marie.

1 of 13
Three martini-style cocktails with yellow drinks sit on a splash plate; liquid and ice splash upward.
Madame Seradj — Martini Glasses – © MadameSeradj
Download print-ready version
A crowd gathers outside the illuminated bar façade at night, while a passing vehicle creates red and blue motion blur in the foreground.
Madame Seradj — Exterior – © MadameSeradj
Download print-ready version
A busy evening dining area with many guests at tables and open doorways between rooms; in the foreground, a bar with bottles and glasses.
Madame Seradj — Bar – © MadameSeradj
Download print-ready version
A smiling woman holds two cocktails in front of her face so the glasses cover her eyes.
Madame Seradj — Woman Framing Her Face with Two Cocktails – © MadameSeradj
Download print-ready version
Three coupe cocktails sit on a dark plinth against a black background, each with a different garnish.
Dashxdrop — Martini x Brettljause Trio – © Martin Morscher
Download print-ready version
A cocktail in a tumbler sits on a plinth against a black background, topped with a garnish of fresh sprouts.
Dashxdrop — Old Fashioned x Butter – © Martin Morscher
Download print-ready version
A pink iced long drink sits on a plinth against a black background, with a strip of spiced rim on the glass.
Dashxdrop — Paloma x Bell Pepper – © Martin Morscher
Download print-ready version
A modern bar with backlit liquor shelves, bar stools, and a glossy counter, topped by geometric neon lighting.
Dashxdrop — Backlit Cocktail Bar Counter – © Tom Weilguny
Download print-ready version
View from a lounge area with blue sofas toward a bright bar lined with bottle shelves and a glowing ceiling installation.
Dashxdrop — Lounge View Toward the Bar – © Tom Weilguny
Download print-ready version
A dimly lit bar area with red upholstered booths, mosaic tile tables, and a warm light strip along the wall.
Krawall Bar — Red Booth Seating – © Philipp Doblhoff
Download print-ready version
A long terrazzo bar counter with blue bar stools and warm Edison bulbs hanging from the ceiling.
Krawall Bar — Bar Counter – © Philipp Doblhoff
Download print-ready version
A narrow bar interior with red booth seating, exposed ventilation ducts, and a view of the open kitchen in the background.
Krawall Bar —Interior – © Philipp Doblhoff
Download print-ready version
Two bartenders work behind the counter — one pouring a drink, the other preparing a shaker — with backlit spirit shelves in red light behind them.
Krawall Bar — Bartenders – © Philipp Doblhoff
Download print-ready version

All information on the culinary focus “Vienna Bites. Cuisine, Culture, Character” is available at viennabites.wien.info 

Addresses: 

Contact

Helena Steinhart
Media Relations
+43 1 211 14-364