The quest for the perfect schnitzel will take you all over Vienna, beyond the 1st district and the Old City, to more distant neighborhoods where no tourist has ever set foot. Just kidding… finding a good schnitzel in Vienna is not an impossible mission. On the contrary, in most restaurants serving Viennese cuisine, you can order a satisfying schnitzel. However, there are a few places in the city that have made schnitzel their crowning glory, and we’ve included them in the list below. Of course, schnitzel in a local restaurant is not kosher, but there are worthy alternatives in Vienna’s kosher restaurants like Alef Alef or Mea Shearim.
Before we start reviewing the 10 restaurants and cafés with the most delicious schnitzel in Vienna, you’re probably asking yourselves what all the fuss is about. Indeed, there is a difference between a regular schnitzel you might eat back home and the one served in Vienna. This actually has historical reasons dating back to the Habsburg Empire. Additionally, the Viennese schnitzel is made in a unique way and served with side dishes that might make you raise an eyebrow. To not stray too far from the main point of this article, we recommend you join a culinary experience in Vienna, where you can learn more about the world of Wiener Schnitzel.
10 Recommended Restaurants and Cafés in Vienna for the Best Schnitzel
After many discussions with locals in Vienna, we’ve narrowed it down to a list of 10 recommended places. Of course, you can eat schnitzel in almost any restaurant you walk into in the city, but the places on this list are considered the local schnitzel experts.
For those who don’t want to read the details about each restaurant, here is a summary list of the recommended schnitzel restaurants in Vienna:
- Gmoakeller
- Salmbräu
- Schnitzelwirt
- Gasthof Zum Renner
- Figlmüller
- Café Anzengruber
- Café Rüdigerhof
- Gasthaus Kopp
- Glacis Beisl
- Café Votiv
Now, let’s detail each of the places on the list so you can make the best decision on where to go.
1. Gmoakeller
This restaurant has been serving authentic Viennese food since the mid-19th century. It is said that Prince Rudolf of the Habsburg dynasty used to come to this restaurant to secretly meet his mistress. Maybe he chose this restaurant because of the excellent schnitzel… who knows. In any case, you can order a veal or pork schnitzel here with a side of homemade potato salad.
Additional Essential Information
Address: Am Heumarkt 25, 1030 Wien
Website: www.gmoakeller.at
Opening Hours: Every day of the week from 11:00 AM until midnight. Closed on Sundays and holidays.
2. Salmbräu
This restaurant is also an ancient brewery, operating for about 450 years! The decor is antique and creates an authentic atmosphere. Here you can enjoy a quality veal schnitzel and beer brewed on-site.
Additional Essential Information
Address: Rennweg 8, 1030 Wien
Website: salmbraeu.com
Opening Hours: Every day from 11:00 AM to 11:30 PM.
3. Schnitzelwirt – Popular
Without a doubt, one of the most popular (and touristy) schnitzel restaurants in Vienna. It’s located not far from the main shopping street, Mariahilfer Strasse. The schnitzel is delicious and large, and the atmosphere is typically Viennese. The opening hours are quite limited, and they go on vacation in the summer, so if you’re in Vienna when they’re open, it’s worth a visit for a schnitzel. Be aware that there might be queues at the entrance during busy periods.
Additional Essential Information
Address: Neubaugasse 52, 1070 Wien
Website: www.schnitzelwirt.co.at
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 10:45 AM to 9:30 PM. They take a vacation during the summer months, so it’s a good idea to check their website to see if they are open.
4. Gasthof Zum Renner
If you choose to venture outside the city center for a stroll near the popular Kahlenberg, you can combine your trip with a stop at this restaurant. This place has been run by the same family for over 120 years. Definitely a place for a Viennese experience with a veal, chicken, or pork schnitzel.
Additional Essential Information
Address: Nußdorfer Platz 4, 1190 Wien
Website: www.zum-renner.at
Opening Hours: Every day of the week from 11:30 AM to 11:00 PM. The kitchen is open until 9:30 PM. On Sundays, it’s open from 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM, and the kitchen is open until 8:30 PM.
5. Figlmüller – Popular
If you haven’t heard of Figlmüller yet, you are probably in the very, very early stages of planning your trip to Vienna. In that case, you can use the Vienna itinerary we prepared especially for these situations. Anyway, Figlmüller is the most popular restaurant among tourists when it comes to schnitzel (some say it’s the most famous schnitzel restaurant in the world). The lines at the entrance are long, and sometimes you can only book a table weeks in advance. Figlmüller has two branches located quite close to each other in the 1st district of Vienna. One is on Wollzeile and the other on Bäckerstraße. If you don’t have a reservation, you can take advantage of this and check which location has a shorter queue. On the matter of schnitzel, everyone can agree that the Wiener Schnitzel you get at Figlmüller is very large; it usually spills slightly off the plate. As for the taste, opinions are divided, but you won’t know until you try. Keep in mind that the prices are higher, as befits such a popular restaurant.
Additional Essential Information
Address: Bäckerstraße 6, 1010 Wien
Website: https://www.figlmueller.at/baeckerstrasse/
Opening Hours: Every day from 11:30 AM to 11:00 PM. The kitchen is open until 10:00 PM.
6. Café Anzengruber
This place is not just a café, but also a restaurant and a bar. The design is relaxed and inviting, and the atmosphere is very Viennese. In terms of schnitzel, they specialize in pork schnitzel, so that should be taken into account. If that’s not an issue, you can enjoy one of the best schnitzels in the city here.
Additional Essential Information
Address: Schleifmühlgasse 19, 1040 Wien
Website: https://anzengruber.cafe/
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 4:00 PM to 1:00 AM. Closed on holidays. The kitchen is open until 11:00 PM.
7. Café Rüdigerhof
A café and restaurant with a 1950s Viennese atmosphere, located not far from the Naschmarkt. A popular meeting place for artists and coffee lovers, but also for schnitzel lovers! The place is not very touristy (but not the cheapest).
Additional Essential Information
Address: Hamburgerstraße 20, 1050 Wien Opening Hours: Every day from 11:00 AM to 2:00 AM.
8. Gasthaus Kopp
If you happened to eat at this place by chance, you either got lost in the city or you have a highly developed sense of smell. It is located in the 20th district of Vienna (not one of the central districts). The place specializes in Austrian cuisine, and of course, schnitzel is on the menu. You can have pork or chicken schnitzel. Visitors love the restaurant for the respectable size of the portions served there.
Additional Essential Information
Address: Engerthstrasse 104, 1200 Wien
Website: https://www.gasthaus-kopp.at/
Opening Hours: Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
9. Glacis Beisl
Glacis Beisl is a surprising place (you’ll understand when you get there). It’s located in the popular 7th district of the city. The dishes are Viennese and not cheap, and the schnitzel is considered to be of the highest quality, just as a Wiener Schnitzel should be.
Additional Essential Information
Address: Breite Gasse 4, 1070 Wien
Website: glacisbeisl.at
Opening Hours: Tuesday from 5:00 PM to midnight. Wednesday to Sunday from 12:00 PM to midnight. Closed on Mondays.
10. Café Votiv
This charming café is located a short distance from the University of Vienna, so the crowd is young during certain hours of the day. The portions are generous, the prices are reasonable, and the schnitzel is great. In the summer, you can also sit outside and enjoy the atmosphere and the air.
Additional Essential Information
Address: Reichsratsstraße 17, 1010 Wien
Website: https://cafe-votiv.at/
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Saturday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 AM. Sunday and holidays from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM. The kitchen is open until 10:00 PM (on Sundays until 9:30 PM).
Found another place with a great schnitzel that’s not on the list? Share your recommendation in our active Facebook group! We’d love to hear where you ate and what the best place you visited in Vienna was!
If you’d also like to taste good Viennese coffee along with a unique Austrian pastry, you can continue reading about the 21 recommended coffee houses in the city. Additionally, for bar lovers, there is a list of recommendations for luxurious and high-quality bars in Vienna.
Of course, if you’re searching for the best classic schnitzel in Vienna, a classical concert would probably be a wonderful addition to your trip. So, in a sharp transition from food to culture, we recommend, if you haven’t thought about it yet, reading about one of the popular concerts in Vienna. It’s the best way to experience the world of Viennese classical music.
