Ask The Team: Unique Dinner Spots In Vienna

This year I came to celebrate my birthday to the big apple. The city of New York is mesmerizing at this time of the year and as you might imagine, the food spots in NYC are never-ending. This made me think of the nice spots we have in Vienna because it might not be New York, but it sure can be very cool too. At this time of the year, where most places are packed with office dinner parties, it might be helpful to have some more options in mind. Who hasn’t had a restaurant blackout sometime? Therefore, here are some of our current favorite spots in the city. But please make sure you do book a table in advance in all of these, especially in at this time of the year.

Spelunke, the word actually stands for a really dirty and not so pretty place where people meet, but in this case, it is exactly the opposite. One reason why we chose to have here one of our team dinners some months ago. The whole place is quite fancy, modern and there are different corners to get seated. In the middle of the restaurant, there’s a bar to have a drink while you wait for your table. Make sure you have a good look at their walls. Or should we rather refer to it as “wall art”? Yes, that would definitely be more accurate.

Pssst… you can make a virtual tour of the place on their website – Totally worth it!

Where: Taborstraße 1, 1020

Top food & drink choices: Beef tartar, truffle fries and “Lavalampe” shot.

ShanghaiTan is a place you should consider if you are into having some delicious Asian food and some privacy. Therefore, you should ask to get a table downstairs. The place is dark and romantic, you take off your shoes and sit in small pillows on the floor. No worries if you’re single, it is definitely a great place to have a nice dinner with friends too. Especially as the variety of food here is huge since they have plates from all around the Asian continent. Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese or Chinese. All in one – Isn’t this great?

Where: Gumpendorfer Straße 9, 1060

Top food & drink choices: Spicy tuna roll and of course whisky sour!

Salonplafond is located at MAK (Museum für Angewandte Kunst) and even though they are well known for their summery terrace, it is also very well booked within the winter months. It’s hardly surprising as the interior is designed by architect Michael Embacher. Their food menu is more limited, however, not one single plate is not worth the try! Therefore, their menus are constantly changing and designed by the artists who have an ongoing exhibition at the MAK. Isn’t this a great way of combining art and food?

Where: Stubenring 5, 1010

Top food & drink choices: Believe it or not, excellent schnitzel. Their salmon and steak dishes… delicious.

Last but not least, a real bit of Italy in Vienna. Angolo 22 is located in the 9th district. Their staff, 100% Italian and if you are lucky to be there at the right time, the pizzaiolo will come out of the kitchen and personally ask you about the dinner. Their food options include all types of pasta, pizze bianche and many other Italian delicacies but we could go on forever. A real experience!

Where: Währinger Strasse 22, 1090

Top food & drink choices: DO NOT by any chance leave this place without ordering… “Dolce Vita”, a Nutella and Mascarpone calzone.

More suggestions: In the case, the spots above do not fit your night, here are some other personal recommendations for you to consider.

El Hans (Spanish food with a twist), Santos Bar (Mexico in Vienna), Lima 56 (a taste of Peru), Mamma Liu & Sons (a real Asian fusion) or Via Toledo (Pizza & Wine, enough said).

DEUTSCH

Empfehlenswert ist die Spelunke (Taborstraße 1, 1020), die ihrem Namen nicht gerecht wird (im besten Sinne!). Ein sehr modernes Lokal mit außergewöhnlicher Ausstattung und interessant bemalten Wänden. Unbedingt probieren: Beef Tartar, Trüffelpommes und “Lavalampe” Shot.

Im Shanghai Tan(Gumpendorferstr. 9, 1060) ist bei der Reservation unbedingt zu erwähnen, dass man im Untergeschoss sitzen möchte. Mit roten Lampions und Tischen am Boden (mit Schuhverbot) fühlt man sich dort, als wäre man nach Asien abgetaucht. Essenstipp: Spicy Tuna Roll begleitet von einem Whisky Sour.

Mitten im MAK empfehlen wir den Salonplafond(Stubenring 5, 1010). Die perfekte Kombination aus Kunst & gutem Essen, da sich die Karte mehrmals im Jahr ändert, genauso wie die Ausstellung. Dort gibt es super Schnitzel und Steaks. Unbedingt probieren.

Wer neben Riva und L’autentico mal eine andere neapolitanische Pizza probieren möchte, muss ins Angolo 22 (Währinger Straße 22, 1090). Italienische Angestellte servieren dir dort echt italienische Pizza … und glaubt mir, die pizze bianche sind einfach unglaublich gut. Wer ein Zuckerliebhaber ist so wie wir, der muss die Dolce Vita Pizza probieren – Nutella und Mascarpone in Kombination sagt alles.