The 1,441-room Rococo imperial palace is the absolute top attraction in Vienna. The tour will probably take a full morning, including the 30-minute metro ride from the city center and the many attractions to visit in the complex. Our local expert will give you some recommendation to refuel before traveling back to the center. Read on to avoid the many tourist traps in the area. Here are the best restaurants near Schönbrunn Palace.
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11 Great Places To Eat Near Schönbrunn Palace
With 2 million visitors each year, Schönbrunn Palace is the top tourist site in Vienna. There is a lot to do within the complex, with numerous attractions including the staterooms, the zoo, the gardens and a carriage museum. The park hosts many eateries and cafe, sometimes not worth the overprice for the location.
You may probably be tired from the walking and with a rumbling stomach, and the area is a bit isolated and not as nice as the city center. Still there are some eating spots you wouldn’t travel on purpose to but are worth a visit! We crafted this list to give you some nice options to grab a bite straight away, and let you decide how memorable you want it to be! Here are 11 great places to eat near Schönbrunn Palace.
Restaurant & Heuriger Joseph II
Photo courtesy of Restaurant & Heuriger Joseph II
€€ | Traditional with a Modern Twist | Garden | Wide Austrian wine selection| SchönbrunnPalace
Located in the heart of the Schönbrunn complex, this modern restaurant will give you the chance to pair the traditional dishes with some of Vienna’s best wines. Viennese viticulture has a long tradition and the largest vineyards are located in the outskirts of Vienna. But the wine selection here reflects the diversity of Viennese winegrowers and will give you insight into the regional cellar.
Take a seat in the refined setting or in one of the 2 beautiful garden and discover the menu featuring the classics and some lesser-known Austrian specialties like the snails.
€€ | Traditional | Iconic |Reservation Required|City Center
Located in the heart of Innere Stadt, Figlmüller is known as the home of the original Schnitzel. The restaurant is a veritable institution in Vienna, so it’s definitely the place to try the popular cutlet at its best.
Worth the hype? The enormous veal or pork Schnitzel is indeed exceptionally thin and crispy (and pretty tough to finish). It comes with the typical potato salad, which is particularly creamy and tasty.
This is a classy ambience and immaculate tablecloths kind of place, so you may get a bit scolded if your child spreads those bread crumbs around. But for a fancy dinner for two? It’s perfect.
€€€ | Traditional | Iconic |Reservation Recommended|City Center
Be sure to try the comfort food typical of every Gasthaus. However, don’t leave Vienna without going to Plachutta to savour the originalTafelspitz, the signature beef in broth dish known for being a favorite of Emperor Franz Joseph.
The dining experience at this iconic restaurant is unmissable. You’ll enjoy sophisticated interiors and a low-key atmosphere. The dishes are well presented in copper cauldrons surrounded by smaller pots containing root vegetables, a mixture of horseradish and chopped apples, and sauces.
The very attentive staff will guide you through the proper ritual to enjoy this flavorful stew. No wonder there’s a wall full of photos of famous people who have visited Plachutta over the years. You should definitely make a reservation here.
If you’re looking for an affordable fine-dining experience, this is the fancy version of a traditional Austrian place. The menu has a wider selection of classic dishes, prepared with particular attention to locally-sourced ingredients, like the deer and their great selection of Austrian wines.
Everything is delicious and beautifully plated. The service is top-notch and the very central location is atmospheric and full of character. The restaurant is cozy and has private booth seating and antler wall decor.
It’s the little things that make the difference. For example, you’ll receive a delicious basket of complimentary bread with tasty spreads soon after arriving. Also, the very nice restrooms and the live piano music add to the experience.
Located in Prater (Vienna’s historic public amusement park), Schweizerhaus is exactly what you’d expect from a beer garden. They’re temporarily closed for the winter until March 15th, so stop by in the spring.
Besides the popular Stelze (crispy roast pork on the bone), the fried potato pancakes and the roast chicken are delicious. Everything comes in large portions and calls for rivers of beer, of course.
The place is huge but the garden is often packed, especially in the summer. The staff can get overwhelmed and a bit rude as a result, but take it in your stride—you’re on vacation. This is a family-friendly place to eat in Vienna. If you’re traveling with kids, try to get a table next to the restaurant playground to enjoy your meal in peace.
€ | Mediterranean|Vegetarian Options | Street Food |Stephansplatz
After a few days of mostly pork-based local cuisine, you may be in the mood for something different. So here’s a hidden gem. Located right behind Stephensplatz, Miznon is a casual rustic place with a vibe.
This Israeli chain serves Mediterranean street food. You order at the counter of the open kitchenette and then take a seat at one of the tiny tables. In the background, they play old iconic songs, adding to the vibe.
It can take pretty long to get your handcrafted pita bread with meat stew or vegetable filling. But it’s worth the wait. They can turn cauliflower into the most interesting ingredient and every dish is bursting with flavour.
I keep going back because of their everchanging menu, which offers the freshest seasonal produce. And I never leave disappointed, especially when it comes to eggplant and artichoke dishes.
€€ | International | Brunch | Outdoor Seating |Burggarten
I’m not going to lie, you’ll be served average and slightly overpriced food at this brasserie. However, the unique setting of Brasserie Palmenhaus makes it worth recommending.
Located in a giant greenhouse on the edge of the Burggarten, you’ll be seated either on a patio, overlooking the landscaped garden next to the Schmetterling Haus, or inside among the giant palms under the very impressive glass and steel structure. And you want to do both.
You won’t regret a casual lunch here after touring Hofburg or the Albertina Museum. Go for a salad and the Schnitzel—they’re decent everywhere after all!
Grab a bite at this very stylish and instagrammable eatery and snap the cutest photos. From the floor tiles to the vintage wallpaper and, especially, the impressive spiral staircase, there’s beauty in every corner of Adlerhof!
In this stylish bistrot, you’ll be surrounded by lush plants and velvet couches. The brunch menu is modern and includes delicious vegetarian and vegan options, which are hard to find in most Austrian places.
Dishes are beautifully plated, of course. It’s a great spot for brunch after a tour of the Leopold Museum. Also, take advantage of its district 7 location for a stroll in the coolest and most vibrant area of Vienna.
In the magnificent Palais Todesco, opposite the Vienna State Opera, this historic confectionery is one of the most fascinating coffee houses in Vienna. K.u.K literally means “Imperial Royal,” and was used to identify the official suppliers to the Imperial Court.
It is surely also the most underrated because you won’t need to wait in line as you will at Demel, Hotel Sacher, or Café Central, to name a few. Enjoy a truly Viennese experience and grab a sandwich or a small portion of Gulasch on the second floor after touring the Albertina Museum.
Or, just stop by for coffee and cake served on gold-edged dishes with shiny silver cutlery. At Gerstner K.u.K. Hofzuckerbäcker, enjoy a bit of luxury with its big crystal chandeliers and frescoed ceilings, not to mention the courteous penguin-dressed waiters.
You’ll be surprised that despite the luxurious ambiance, you can have a proper meal for €20. You’ll also be given a voucher to spend in the shop on the way out. The sweet delicacies from the Gerstner patisserie are the perfect souvenir to take back home!
€€ | Traditional | Homestyle |Outdoor Seating | Naschmarkt
Wandering in Naschmarkt? There are plenty of choices among the double rows of stalls and shops. This restaurant, however, stands out as a charming and inexpensive spot to enjoy some homestyle Austrian cuisine.
What’s not to love in a tiny well-established family-run restaurant? The classic dishes are perfectly executed, particularly their signature goulash. There’s also limited seating outside, fast service, and a laid-back atmosphere.
€€ | Austrian modern | International | City Center
Part of the Figlmueller family, this restaurant offers contemporary reinterpretations of Viennese classics alongside modern European cuisine. In a refined and elegant setting, your eyes and palate will be equally delighted.
The place is located in one of the most picturesque buildings in the city center, but away from the crowds. The traditional dishes are prepared with high-quality ingredients, served in smaller portions, and presented with great attention to detail.
Lugeck is the perfect spot for a casual lunch. Try the steak sandwich and the salads for a healthy and delicious quick meal. It’s also a lovely place to eat out with a special someone.
From the old-world elegance of the Innere Stadt to the contemporary cultural hotspot of Neubau, we’ll help you find the perfect place to stay in Vienna in this guide to the best hotels and neighborhoods.
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