Where do you get the best Wienerschnitzel in Vienna? In a dedicated German schnitzel restaurant? Or in the neighbourhood tavern that no one in search of 'der weinersnitchel' ever heard of? To add local flavour, my Wiener Schnitzel restaurant guide largely reflects where Viennese residents like to go. I think you will love those places, too!
Pichlmaiers Zum Herkner
Wienerschnitzel Vienna. Where Vienna Woods charm meets fine dining in a 100-year-old family business biting into a schnitzel is a crowning experience. Awarded 'best Viennese Beisl' (aka bistro) in 2019, Martin and Christiane Pichlmaier have devoted themselves to holding up the restaurant's reputation of serving excellent Austrian cuisine. Consequently, the Wiener Schnitzel are thin (but not like paper), crispy and come with buttery parsley potatoes.
Located in the green suburb of Neuwaldegg, the spacious tavern looks like what many Viennese search for: carefully evolved tradition with a good pinch of design. Hence, the Pichlmaiers have accentuated the old dark green wood panels and typical chairs with contemporary elements. To head out to Pichlmaiers simply take tramway 43 from central Schottentor station.
Address: Dornbacher Strasse 123, 1170 Vienna
Opening Times:Â Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 6.00 pm to midnight; Friday to Sunday 11.30 am to midnight (kitchen closes at 9.30 pm);
Meierei im Stadtpark
Wienerschnitzel Vienna. Why would you eat schnitzel in a dairy cafe? Because an excellently cooked schnitzel stands for itself. Besides, since Meierei is the less expensive sister of two Michelin star restaurant Steierereck im Stadtpark you can assume some knowledge transfer. Definitely, the chef knows how to generate a soft wavy coat of breadcrumbs, a quality sign of frying the schnitzel in butter fat.
If you like lofty contemporary interiors Meierei will not disappoint. On top, the restaurant's large glass front brings the surrounding Stadtpark and adjacent Wien river inside. That touch of nature goes wonderfully with the clean white interior design.
Address: Am Heumarkt 2a, 1030 Vienna
Opening Times: Monday to Friday 8.00 am to 11.00 pm; Saturday and Sunday 9.00 am to 7.00 pm; closed on public holidays
Schnitzel Restaurant Meissl & Schadn
Wienerschnitzel Vienna. A peek into the open salon kitchen confirms that this eatery makes no secret about its 'Schnitzel love'. A former local institution frequented by Freud, Mahler and Strauss, the eponymous hotel and restaurant at Neuer Markt burnt down during World War II. In 2017, the Viennese got their Meissl&Schadn back in a new spot, but with the traditional recipes. As such, the restaurant uses only veal to prepare the original Wiener Schnitzel. Unlike anywhere else, guests can choose the kind of fat to sizzle their Vienna schnitzel: butter fat, pork fat or pure vegetable oil.
By the way, every Tuesday evening you can beat your own schnitzel and watch it sizzling in the pan.
Address: Schubertring 10-12 (inside hotel Grand Ferdinand), 1010 Vienna
Opening Times: daily from noon to 11.00 pm
Café Anzengruber
Wienerschnitzel Vienna. With Anzengruber, boho Vienna has been secretly cultivating its own schnitzel paradise. Actually, the former classical coffeehouse has long transformed into a bistro serving after-work crowds and night owls. Not just intellectuals discussing their ideas and soccer fans watching the latest match appreciate a sizable and perfectly cooked Vienna schnitzel. In fact, Anzengruber also attracts a few savvy Naschmarkt visitors searching for rest in a relaxed living room atmosphere, and lovely Austro/Bohemian cuisine.
Address: Schleifmühlgasse 19, 1040 Vienna
Opening Times: Monday to Saturday 4.00pm to 2.00 am
Gasthof Zum Renner
Wienerschnitzel Vienna. If size matters to you as much as quality, take tramway D out to Nussdorf. There, amongst some of the best Vienna wineries, Renner tavern dishes up schnitzels as big as elephant ears. (Some guests share it among two people.) Not just because uncle Karl became Austria's first post War president but because of the Renner's unwaivering commitment to fantastically cooked local cuisine people still love this place. This is also a great spot for both beer and wine lovers.
Expect romantic Austrian interiors, such as antique painted farmers' furniture, and a beautifully overgrown garden of chestnut, apple and lime trees.
Address: Nussdorfer Platz 4, 1190 Vienna
Opening Times: daily 11.30 am to 11.30 pm; kitchen open until 10.00 pm
Vienna Schnitzel Cooking Class
Preparing Wiener Schnitzel is hands-on fun, from beating the meat over breading the schnitzels to letting them sizzle in the pan. My friend Angelika, a well known Viennese food blogger, invited us to one of her Schnitzel and apple strudel cooking classes.
While her living room transformed into a private cooking studio we exchanged our Viennese grandmothers' best schnitzel secrets.
Read our story in Vienna cooking classes with private dining.
Other Places For Wiener Schnitzel In Vienna
Wienerschnitzel Vienna. Other widely praised places in Vienna to enjoy a fantastic 'German' schnitzel are Plachutta's Gasthaus zur Oper, Gasthaus Pöschl, and Skopik und Lohn. More in Vienna restaurant favourites.
want to make Schnitzel yourself? here is my best Wiener Schnitzel recipe
more food ideas in Restaurants in Vienna
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