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6 places to enjoy a cozy Christmas dinner in Vienna, Austria

6 places to enjoy a cozy Christmas dinner in Vienna, Austria

by Amelia N. Collins
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Table of contents

  • 1. Café Landtmann
  • 2. Restaurant Grüne Bar
  • 3. Plachutta Wollzeile
  • 4. ef16 Restaurant
  • 5. Restaurant VERANDA
  • 6. Silberwirt
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The history of Vienna can be traced back to the times of the Roman Empire, and in the 11th century, it became an important trading location. In 1437, it grew into a capital of the Holy Roman Empire and a major cultural and arts center. Today, Vienna is the most populous city and the capital of Austria, and the second largest German-speaking city. As one of the most beautiful European cities with its impressive imperial palaces, recreation parks, countless museums, and a coffee house culture, it attracts millions of tourists each year, especially on holidays.

On Christmas, people come to Vienna to explore 20+ local Christmas markets, buy seasonal gifts, hot punch, and wander around the city. Viennese Dream Christmas Market, Christmas Village Belvedere Palace, and Christmas Village on Maria Theresien Square are among the most popular ones. You can also visit a special “Strauss and Mozart” Christmas music performance, explore St. Stephen’s Cathedral, The Hofburg Palace, and The Sigmund Freud Museum, and, of course, appreciate the local cuisine and have a cheerful Christmas dinner. Below, we will guide you through the best places for a Christmas dinner in this marvelous city.

1. Café Landtmann
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Café Landtmann
#108 of 5928 cafes in Vienna, Austria
Universitätsring 4, Vienna, Austria
Open until 10PM
Strudel
Strudel

The dish is a roll of very thin dough. The filling of strudel can be very diverse.

First opened in 1873, Café Landtmann is a Viennese coffee house located in close proximity to Rathaus city hall and enchanting Christmas markets. Preserving its original traditions and heritage, this coffee house keeps pace with the times but never fails to impress visitors with a great selection of in-house patisserie and Viennese breakfasts.

Café Landtmann has an upscale ambiance, with white tablecloths, upholstered sofas, and black & white-clad waiters. It is a well-known venue where famous politicians, actors, and business people meet, and it attracts locals and tourists alike with its refined and welcoming atmosphere.  Here, you can order a traditional Austrian strudel, Kaiserschmarrn (sweet scrambled pancakes), a mouthwatering chocolate cake, and a spicy chai latte. Café Landtmann is open on holidays, and a prestigious location along with its own Christmas tree make it a perfect spot for a dinner or snack after a long walk.

Price per person: 24 € - 48 €

2. Restaurant Grüne Bar
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Restaurant Grüne Bar
#172 of 5928 cafes in Vienna, Austria
Philharmoniker Str. 4, Vienna, Austria
Open until 12AM
Sachertorte
Sachertorte

Classics of Austrian cuisine, but meanwhile it is one of the most popular cakes in the world. This cake is obtained with a rich chocolate flavor and a light fruit note, thanks to apricot jam.

Grüne Bar is located in the Hotel Sacher, a historic high-end hotel that embodies elegance and uses state-of-the-art amenities. Opened in 1876, it has been an essential part of Vienna’s history and culture ever since. As a luxury restaurant, Grüne Bar meets guests with an upscale green and wood interior enhanced by original impressionist artworks. This place is perfect to try a sachertorte, a Viennese chocolate cake invented in 1832, amuse bouches or a tender mushroom soup. 

This Christmas, you can indulge yourself in the special Christmas menu, carefully composed by chef Anton Pozeg. Previously, Anton was an executive chef at the restaurant “Edward” which has received a Michelin star under his direction. Special Christmas Eve dishes include Tristan langoustine with pumpkin, truffle essence with tortellini, and an organic beef fillet with asparagus and truffle. A special five-course menu is €349,00 per person, including corresponding wines. If you are looking for a luxury festive experience with magical atmosphere, this restaurant is your best option.

Price per person: 16 € - 44 €

3. Plachutta Wollzeile
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Plachutta Wollzeile
#249 of 9324 restaurants in Vienna, Austria
Wollzeile 38, Vienna, Austria
Open until 11:30PM
Tafelspitz
Tafelspitz

Tafelspitz is a traditional Viennese dish. It was a favorite dish of Austrian emperors. Ideally, the meat should turn out so tender that a simple spoon is enough to separate the pieces. The dish is served with apple horseradish.

If you are planning a gastro tour this Christmas, do not overlook Plachutta Wollzeile, a historical restaurant that serves classical Viennese dishes. Located in walking distance from the Stadtpark (City Park) and Wien Museum Mozart apartment, Plachutta serves such Viennese specialties as wiener schnitzel, beef soup, and the famous Tafelspitz, a beef cut boiled in a savory broth. After boiled beef was popularized by Emperor Franz Joseph in the 19th century, it is considered Austria’s national dish.

At Plachutta Wollzeile, you can enjoy a rich and flavorsome taste of the authentic Tafelspitz cooked from beef of excellent quality from a family-run farm, following the multi-step ritual that the waiter will guide you through. You will need to choose the cut of the beef which will be boiled in a flavorsome broth, and you will receive soup with vegetables and beef for the main course.

From other specialties worth trying here, choose beef tartare, minced escalope, and mango sorbet, caramel ice cream, or a kaiserschmarrn for dessert. A calming green-paneled interior along with themed Christmas decorations will put you in the right mood for a restful yet cheerful celebration.

4. ef16 Restaurant
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ef16 Restaurant Weinbar
#95 of 9324 restaurants in Vienna, Austria
Fleischmarkt 16, Vienna, Austria
Open until 11:30PM
Duck breast
Duck breast

Duck Breast is a succulent poultry dish that is known for its rich, tender meat and crisp, savory skin. It's often pan-seared to render out the fat, which results in a crispy outer layer. The taste of duck breast is stronger and more robust than chicken or turkey, but less gamey than goose. It is usually served medium-rare, ensuring it remains tender and juicy.

ef16 is a modern Austrian restaurant and wine bar conveniently located in the heart of Vienna. The menu offers creative dishes made with regional and seasonal produce from local suppliers, as well as vegetarian options. Using innovative approaches to cooking, chef Christoph Lamprecht emphasizes the individual flavor of each component. Try duck breasts, wiener schnitzel, pumpkin soup, or asparagus risotto with wine pairing that consistently receives positive feedback from visitors.

For Christmas, ef16 has prepared a 4- and 6-course festive menu. Among the available options are pickled salmon, sepia gnocchi or lamb shoulder, pecan dumpling, Valrhona chocolate, and sorbet or Italian bitter liquor. An intimate and ambient atmosphere in this restaurant makes it a perfect choice for a cozy holiday dinner with family or close friends.

Price per person: 24€ - 47€

5. Restaurant VERANDA
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Veranda Brasserie & Bar
#869 of 4066 pubs & bars in Vienna, Austria
Hotel Sans Souci Wien, Burggasse 2, Vienna, Austria
Open until 12AM
Wiener schnitzel
Wiener schnitzel

A very thin piece of tender veal, breaded in flour, eggs and breadcrumbs, and deep-fried until golden brown.

Located in the luxurious Hotel Sans Souci and next to the Museum of Natural History Vienna. It offers gourmet dishes of Austrian and European cuisines prepared with organic ingredients and local produce. You can taste traditional Austrian dishes inspired by nature with a refined execution à la carte or as a set menu, and enjoy an upscale and welcoming atmosphere during every visit. Among the top dishes worth trying are mushroom soup, eggs benedict, tartare, and wiener schnitzel, a traditional dish first mentioned in the 19th century after a field marshal brought the recipe from Italy to Vienna.

Veranda restaurant is a delightful and elegant venue for a Christmas celebration if you are looking for an upscale experience in a relaxed atmosphere. The restaurant offers a five-course menu including wine pairing at a fixed price of 149€, deliciously prepared by a creative kitchen team. Culinary delights offered include amuse bouche, roasted Skrei codfish, venison calf saddle, and pickled char, and whatever you choose, you can expect an excellent execution, attentive service, and a truly festive experience.

Price per person: 24€ - 47€

6. Silberwirt
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Silberwirt
#1139 of 4066 pubs & bars in Vienna, Austria
Schlossgasse 21, Vienna, Austria
Open until 12AM
Goulash
Goulash

Everyone who has visited the Czech Republic, Poland or Germany and joined the sacraments of local cuisine will gladly remember the goulash. Goulash is a stewed juicy meat in a thick spicy sauce, served with dumplings and beer.

Silberwirt is a pub and a restaurant located in a historic 14th-century Margareten castle. This place is favored by locals thanks to its cozy ambiance and excellent service. A popular spot for traditional Viennese cuisine, Silberwirt is open to new culinary influences and creative approaches. Painted wood panels and wooden tables create a welcoming homelike atmosphere where every guest can relax after a busy day.

Silberwirt is the attraction point for tourists who wish to taste such traditional dishes as Austrian goulash, schnitzel, Tafelspitz, or a strudel, and have a glass of a cold beer. Traditional Austrian foods are served here on Christmas, too, so you can enjoy a festive dinner in the capital with a warm atmosphere and attentive service. The restaurant has two separate rooms that can be booked as well.

Vienna impresses every visitor with its stunning architecture from Renaissance, Baroque, and Rococo movements, imperial flair, beautiful city parks, and classical music. Before Christmas, the city is decorated with lights, and gold and silver ornaments that give the entire city a magical vibe.

Enjoy your holiday in Vienna, celebrate the birth of Christ, walk around the city to see its major sights, try some delicious Austrian specialties and share your impressions in the comments below!

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