Vienna, Austria

Eating out in Vienna, Austria

Eating and drinking in Vienna is rich enough to satisfy any craving, and varied enough to keep the most curious taster interested. The world-famous Wiener schnitzel is a breaded, tenderized veal cutlet fried in lard, butter, or both. The Viennese take this dish seriously, and it can be found at both the top restaurants in town, and the more traditional Beisln, which are neighborhood pubs. For meat on the go, many streets in Vienna will have a Würstelstand, which offer tasty Leberkäse, spicy meat sandwiches, and Brotchën, bite-size open sandwiches. Another Vienna specialty is tafelspitz, boiled beef, and a dish normally served on festive occasions such as Christmas eine gute fettguns, or roast goose.

The sweet tooth will also be mollified with the renowned pastries and cakes that are among the best in the world, such as apfelstrudel or Rehruken, a chocolate cake with almonds. Thirsty Viennese crowd the Heurigen, or wine taverns that are found in the suburban wine-growing country, but will also be found enjoying some of the finest beer in Europe. The true home of the Kaffeehaus is Vienna, and there is no problem finding one today. However, it is sometimes considered improper to drink a cup of coffee in a café without ordering a rich pastry to accompany it, but that usually isn't a problem.

Gourmet

Zu Den Drei Husaren means "The Three Hussars" and is one of the oldest and best restaurants in Vienna. Be prepared to be welcomed by a friendly staff, and tempted by an enticing hors d'oeuvre trolley that complements their delicious menu. Besides traditional Viennese cuisine cooked to perfection, two dishes that stand out are quinea fowl with stuffed morel mushrooms and veal cutlet over pesto fettuccine. After dinner a perfect desert is the Husarenpfannkuchen, or the house crepes. Reservations are essential, along with a jacket and tie, but the restaurant is closed from mid-July through mid-August. Weihburgg 4.

Highly Recommended

Café Imperial is an intimate yet impressive restaurant in the Imperial Hotel, centrally located on the Ringstrasse. The master chef Stefan Hierzer delights the senses with specialties from Styria, such as beef with Krautfleckerl, little squares of pasta with cabbage in pumpkin seed oil sauce, known as Kübiskernöl. However, the real treat is their fabulous Sunday breakfast, which starts at 7 am, and the world-famous Imperial Cake, which is delicious at any time. Kärntner Ring 16.

Local Flair

Café Central is lost in the era of late imperial Vienna, and basks in the splendor that radiates from the nearby Hofburg Palace. The most ornate Kaffeehause in Vienna, Central has catered to the likes of Trotsky and was traditionally known as the meeting place for Vienna intellectual elite. While upscale cafés within the Ring tend to be pricey, the atmosphere is so compelling that both tourists and residents alike continue to spend hours sipping from the tremendous selection of coffee and tea while perusing newspapers or just relaxing. In keeping with the Vienna tradition, Central offers a wide variety of rich pastries and desserts that must be experienced with a small cup of very strong coffee. Herrengasse 14.

Romantic

The Sacher Hotel Restaurant is home to two of the most famous Viennese dishes Franz Joseph's favorite tafelspitz (boiled beef in an apple-and-horseradish sauce with fried potatoes), and the "Original Sachertorte," a famous chocolate cake. The Hotel was founded in 1876 and became the hot spot for Austrian aristocrats in the golden age of Vienna power, around the turn of the 20th century. It wasn't until 1965, however, that an Austrian court ruled that the Hotel Sacher had the exclusive rights to the name "Original Sachertorte" for its recipe, concluding a long battle with the nearby patisserie, Demel. Philharmonic Route 4.

Going party in Vienna, Austria

As one of the most important music and performing arts centers in the world, Vienna offers a thrilling array of entertainment any night of the week. Austria idolizes the Opera and the symphony like no other place in Europe, with hometown heroes like Beethoven, Mozart, Haydn, and Schubert getting a lot of playing time. From the Konzerthaus to the Mozartsaal, classical music can be felt in the air. And so can modern dance and techno at one of the many nightclubs that pulse outside the Ring with throngs of young people partying until dawn. But perhaps the most fun night out is barhopping in the so-called "Bermuda Triangle," where drinkers get lost in the dozens of bars of many shapes and sizes in between the streets of Judengasse, Seitenstättengasse, Rabensteig, and Franz-Josefs-Kai. And for a quieter, more rustic night of drinking, the Heurigen are available for exploration on the outskirts of Vienna little wine taverns where each vintner sells his own wine. While some Heurigen are cozy enough to bring snacks to, there are elaborate restaurants that will serve a buffet of cheeses and breads with their wine. Distributed freely at tourist offices and hotel reception desks "Wien Monatsprogramm" is a good source of information on the cultural scene in Vienna in any given month.

Staatsoper

One of the most famous and classiest Opera Houses in the world has top-quality performances every night, with perfect acoustics and grandiose atmosphere. Dress up and walk the gorgeous marble staircase that is decorated with busts of some of music's elite, from Richard Strauss to Gustav Mahler. Then listen to today's best opera stars accompanied by the world-famous Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Though damaged severely during World War II, the city's top priority was restoring the magnificent building to its former glory, and it was reopened in 1955 to celebrate Austria's independence from occupation. Opernring 2.

Burgtheater

Further down the Ringstrasse sits another famous performing arts center, the National Theater. Also damaged during World War II, this legendary playhouse was reopened in 1955 and remains a cherished institution in Vienna life. Plays are performed in German but are nevertheless still worth the confusion. Dr.-Karl-Lueger-Ring 2.

Cercle Wien

No trip to Europe is complete without some gaming, and the Vienna Casino offers French and American Roulette, blackjack, and chemin de fer, amidst dark wood paneling and dazzling lights. Opened in 1968, the Casino is open until 4am every day, but a passport is needed to get in. Esterházy Palace, Kärtnerstrasse 41.

Jazzland

The most famous jazz club in Austria has live groups almost every night, situated in a deep cellar with brick walls and dim lighting. While Vienna is noted more for its classical music than modern jazz, the quality of acts here is surprisingly good. A large mug of beer is the drink of choice here, while tafelspitz and Wiener schnitzel are reasonably priced. Franz-Josefs-Kai 29.

Moulin Rouge

This upscale yet risqué nightclub is modeled after the original one in Paris, and sits to the right of the Opera House. The extravagantly decorated club has two tiers of seats and a reconstruction of the original's famous windmill. Pictures of the performers grace the windows, allowing passers-by to view what happens during their nightly show at 11pm. Walfischgasse 11.

Volksgarten

The most popular and trendiest nightclub in Vienna, this wild entertainment complex sits in the city park of the same name. Besides the glamorous parties, throbbing techno nights, and cool outdoor restaurant, the Volksgarten also offers an eclectic mix of "evergreen" music - Tyrolean polka - and classic rock from the 50s and 60s. Since 1946, Viennese partygoers have been dancing and eating here, right near the Hofburg Palace. Heldenplatz and Burgring 1.

Barfly's Club

For the sophisticated professional looking for a "real" bar, this finely detailed establishment is lined with bottles and even has a cloakroom. The enormous menu has a variety of over 300 types of liquor, including any mixed drink or cocktail ever created. There is only one food served "toast," which is merely warm sandwiches for $5 each. Some nights have live Cuban music. Esterházygasse 33.

Common events in Vienna, Austria

Silvester (New Year's Eve)/ Neujahr (New Year's Day) The biggest night of the year is celebrated with a famous annual concert by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, followed by the black-tie Kaiserball in the Hofburg Palace. Opera Houses perform "Die Fledermaus," and firecrackers are thrown in the streets. At 11 am New Year's Day, the Vienna Philharmonic plays music by Strauss, but tickets must be ordered a year in advance. January 1.

Fasching (Carnival)

Beginning in the New Year, Vienna's Ball Season starts with Kaiserball and ends on Ash Wednesday (Ashermittwoch), with the Opera Ball in February being the grandest, opening with the Opera House Ballet. The Vienna Tourist Board lists any available ball in Vienna from November through June. January through February.

Osterklang Wien (Sound of Easter in Vienna)

Throughout the city beautiful music can be heard to celebrate this time of year, such as the Vienna Symphony Orchestra performing Spring in Vienna, and Vienna Philharmonic performing concerts at the Vienna State Opera House. Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday.

International Music and Vienna Festivals

Vienna hosts the world's best orchestras and conductors performing the classical standards like Mozart or Beethoven. There are also new productions of classics in theater and opera, with newer dance pieces and musicals pushing the envelope of Vienna culture. May through June.

Euro Gay Pride 2001

The Free Party is nonstop entertainment event in June that draws thousands of people from all over Austria and the world. The largest Gay and Lesbian Pride Parade in the history of Europe begins June 1, with the Danube Island Festival lasting three days of free concerts on 20 stages at the end of the month. The Pop Film Festival-Memphis Music Night is also nine days of performances that draws huge names like U2 or the Backstreet Boys. June.

Music Film Festival

In the beautiful Rathauspark, famous Opera and Concert performances caught on film are shown for free at night. July and August.

Wien Modern

For 14 years, this exhibition has delighted audiences with contemporary works from around Europe, centered in the Verein Wien Modern. End October to End November.

Christkindlmärte

A huge Pre-Christmas celebration engulfs the entire city as handmade decorations, red ribbons, and evergreen boughs decorate the streets. Christkindlemarkts, small outdoor vendors, sell gifts, decorations for the Tannenbaum (tree), or little trinkets and toys. There are always plenty of sausage and cake vendors nearby, with the greatest concentration in front of the Rathaus and in the Spittleburg Quarter. December.