Austria Information
Joined: 11 Oct 2006
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Home Country: austria
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 Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2006 4:58 am Post subject: FOOD & DINING IN AUSTRIA / AUSTRIA DINING GUIDE |
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FOOD & DINING IN AUSTRIA
Get a taste of Austria's culinary diversity! Over the years, Austria has become a real haven for gourmets. Ambitious farmers, winegrowers and innkeepers have re-discovered the joys of fresh, seasonal, local produce so visitors can sample the joys of good eating and drinking with all the finest products that the regions of Austrian have to offer!
If you thought Austrian food was limited to wiener schnitzel and apple strudel, think again. While traditional food is one of the highlights of visiting Austria, those in the know look for backstube platter – medallions of pork in garlic, with rosti (grated and cooked) potato, or kaiserschmarren – a sort of omelette with raisins and plum compote. And for those who aren’t watching their waistlines, there’s mohr im hemd, a delicious chocolate pudding in a chocolate sauce.
Traditionally renowned for its hearty fare, Austrian cuisine can be surprisingly delicate with Italian influences in the south and Hungarian to the north, and a range of mouth-wateringly good local cheeses.
And it’s not just Austrian cuisine for which visitors have developed a taste, while the best-known Austrian drink may be beer, Austrian wine is fast developing its own fine reputation. In Austria, wine lovers can now find a range of world-class white wines principally from Riesling and the indigenous Austrian Grüner Veltliner, but also from other Austrian white varieties such as Neuberger and Gelber Muskateller. There are also some excellent reds made from the more obscure indigenous grapes such as Zierfandler and Rotgipfler. From the connoisseur to those who just like to enjoy wine with a meal, choosing an Austrian wine will complement the food perfectly.
Eating out, in the sophisticated city restaurants or the more traditional Gasthaus (a homely inn), you can expect nothing less than excellent, seasonal ingredients, often organic and locally sourced, beautifully cooked and served.
A Guide to the Best Restaurants in Vienna
Austria has a justifiable reputation for music, the arts and literature, but also boasts a gourmet culture. Vienna’s dining scene respects Austrian culinary traditions but also thrives on global innovation. Being a vibrant & cosmopolitan metropolis, Vienna offers every kind of food imaginable, in a wide variety of establishments, from modern & café chic places to historically authentic & traditional restaurants. Most of which are open very late, as many people prefer to dine after opera or concert performances.
A good place to start the restaurant reviews and suggestions is with the local Viennese cuisine. Le Ciel, which ‘Cuisine and Travel in Austria’ voted best restaurant 2005, is one such place. Since the opening of the Grand Hotel Wien the doors of the restaurant ‘Le Ciel’ have been wide open for those who enjoy culinary delights. This star in the sky of the Austrian culinary heaven continues to rise and for the last 10 years they have maintained the highest levels of quality. The restaurant is located on the 7th floor, where the view over the city of Vienna is spectacular.
At Steirereck dinners can enjoy both traditional & modern Viennese dishes, prepared to the highest order. It has a Michelin star and is known to be one of the most consistently top rated restaurants in Vienna. The interior & food is beautiful, the atmosphere is refined but not stuffy and the wine list is impressively long. In fact, guests can inspect the large wine cellar which holds over 35,000 bottles. One of the best restaurants in the capital is Drei Husaren, which first opened in 1933. The food is based around traditional Austrian dishes, mouth watering desserts and many unique specialities. This is not somewhere to come if you are on a budget break. Although expensive, you can definitely taste the quality. The Drei Husaren is usually filled with people that have been to the opera and want to complete their evening in an elegant setting.
Altwienerhof is one of the most traditional restaurants in Vienna, a first class dining establishment for Austria short break clients. The Altwienerhof is only a few minutes walk from Schönbrunn Palace and serves good old traditional Viennese food. When Gourmets from all over the world come to Vienna a stop at the Altwienerhof restaurant has become routine. It is a house of individual charm and distinctive own philosophy. Dining at Altwienerhof will turn into a culinary experience and will really add something extra to a romantic weekend in this Austrian capital.
The restaurant ‘Korso with the opera’ in the hotel Bristol is one of the most prominent places of Vienna in relation to the State opera and at the beginning of the Kaerntner road. Since 1984 chef Reinhard Gerer has been spoiling people with fine food creations. The restaurant has received many awards, including: Michelin; 3 toques by Gault Millau and Chef of the Year. The décor is elegant, the service is impeccable and the experience of dining here is unforgettable. Korso is without a doubt a Vienna break top table.The restaurant has been running since 1988, which speaks volumes in this highly competitive world of cuisine. Another well established vegetarian restaurant is Wrenkh and is highly recommended for its tasty & creative menu. Other vegetarian restaurants to try are Bio-Bar von Antu and Nice Rice.
An Indian restaurant that never seems to be empty is Koh-i-noor, always filled with locals and tourists alike. Although stag partys are not encouraged. The food is good but pricey, but the food & service quality is definitely worth paying for.
A real gem is Tandoor, one of the nicest designed Indian restaurants in Austria. The décor is posh, with many unique artifacts & decorations filling this spacious dining establishment. For those that want to enjoy a romantic meal without being disturbed by a stag night, then Tandoor is a great choice.
One of the best and nicest places for great Indian food is Curry Insel. Curry Island is friendly and extremely cheap but they don’t cut corners. If you’re on a budget, then this restaurant is a great idea. The food is tasty and well-spiced and the service is spot on. Finally, the Mahal is another budget winner. The dishes are very nice and very affordable, but don't expect the ambience of a luxury restaurant, its more of a snack bar-takeaway.
The Unkai Japanese restaurant offers a fascinating variety of Japanese specialities. Sushi and Sashimi are served perfectly in the traditional manner, and Teppanyaki dishes are perpared in front of guests. These dishes have been awarded 'two toques' by leading restaurant guide 'Gault Milau' and they have also received the 'Trophee Gourmet' for ethnic cuisine. Two Tatami rooms with original decor and two European-sytle guest rooms are available for private functions. If you are a sushi lover, then try Toko Ri and Dschungel Café. Both have well designed decors, excellent head chefs and great reputations within the dining community in Vienna. For more Asian style cuisine, then try Ra’mien. This inexpensive restaurant attracts a trendy clientele, and is always a hub of activity.
Right in the heart of Vienna you will find Julius Meinl am Graben, culinary epicentre and premier address for Austria's gourmets and connoisseurs. At Julius, visitors will have an unforgettable dinner with a view down Vienna’s famous promenade. One of the top five restaurants in Austria, Meinl's Restaurant comes highly recommended for our Austria short weekend clients. In the Haus der Musik museum, or more precisely at the top, is Cantino restaurant. Not only does this new dining establishment present excellent dishes of various cuisines, diners can marvel at the wonderful views over Vienna’s roof tops. Hansen restaurant is housed beneath Vienna’s stock exchange and takes its name from the architect. The restaurant is actually combined with a florist making it an unusual but delightful place to eat. The sleek and modern décor in Hansen is very pleasant.
Italian cuisine is well represented in Vienna, in fact the hardest part is choosing the right place. Situated in a quiet area in the heart of Vienna, right next to St. Stephen's Cathedral is Firenze Enoteca, an Italian restaurant in the Hotel Royal. The architecture of the Firenze Enoteca reminds visitors of an Italian Palazzo of medieval times. The traditional Tuscan kitchen with a great variety of homemade pasta, as well as the excellent service will remind you of your last holiday in Italy. This is definitely one of Vienna’s premier Italian restaurants.
Cantinetta Antinori is Vienna’s oldest Italian restaurant an outstanding dining establishment, with a great reputation. Cantinetta Antinori is owned by the Antinori family, who are also famous for their respected Tuscan vineyards. The atmosphere is sophisticated & refined, one of the finest places to dine in the city.
Another Italian favourite is Novelli. Visitors will find a spacious and modern restaurant, with a contemporary Italian menu. This restaurant is always busy, so reservations are essential.
The side entrance facing the landscape garden of the baroque Liechtenstein palace leads to one of the top addresses for gourmets in Vienna. At restaurant Ruben, only the finest and most precious ingredients from all over the world are turned into tantalizing delicacies for taste-buds by an expert hand. To put it in a nutshell: the culinary delights are classic and exclusive. The finest upholsteries, the dark walls and the elegant hardwood floor give this restaurant its exquisite, private character. |
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