Top restaurants serving everything but Schnitzel in Vienna, Austria

Since we are going against the mainstream Vienna foodie recommendations, let’s start by avoiding its center with numerous beautiful yet overpriced establishments. Our first pick, Sinohaus, is one of the best Chinese hotspots in the entire city and the highest-rated destination in the Stockerau neighborhood, boasting a seal by Restaurant Guru for its exceptional service for over 20 years. The most authentic teppanyaki experience at affordable cost is provided to you by the welcoming Chen family of restaurateurs who moved to Austria from China a couple of decades ago. One of the managers here – Juni – in charge of customers, is a brilliant young maître d', who gained valuable knowledge working in fine-dining institutions in Germany. After returning home to Vienna, she focused on helping the Sinohaus team to keep up with the modern hospitality standards.

The front of the house is spacious and airy: adorned with beautiful yet uncluttered artifacts paying homage to East Asia. On pleasant spring and summer days, you are invited to escape the humming of the bustling metropolis on their lovely terrace. And fret not: even though the seating capacity is immense, nobody ever complains about long waiting times. You can opt for buffet or à la carte, with dishes such as hearty miso soup, dim sums with shrimp, fried rice with pork, and bami goreng noodles with carrots, garlic, sprouts, and tender chicken being the top irresistible specialties. Keep in mind: the portions are generous as if you found yourself in the middle of a Thanksgiving dinner, and leaving room for dessert is a highly recommended, but almost impossible mission. If you succeed, try vanilla ice cream with deep fruits and fried sesame balls.

Average bill – €11 – €20

Our next spot is a quaint modern establishment started by two friends who love everything Asian. Mochi is a lovely restaurant that serves casual Japanese cuisine with a unique twist. The interiors are designed by the Viennese architect trio, Kohlmayr Lutter Knapp (KLK), who have created a comforting and welcoming dining space, made up of gray granite floors, polished wooden tables, elegant black chairs, diffused light fixtures, and an open kitchen where you can see the cooks at work preparing sushi rolls and grilled specialties.

The culinary team is managed under the guidance of owners Tobi Müller and Eduard Dimant, who present a menu of diverse Asian dishes. Some of the delicious items you can sample here are salty edamame with horseradish, fried soft-shell crab with daikon, shrimp gyoza served with dashi broth, miso soup with tofu, grilled salmon trout in teriyaki glaze with cucumber kimchi, sea bream ceviche with crispy green asparagus, and charred rib eye steak with spicy teriyaki sauce. Mochi also offers a vast beverage selection featuring natural biodynamic wines, sake, cocktails, beers, and Japanese teas.

Average bill – €52

If you fancy a real Italian dining experience in Vienna, the answer is NOLA situated in Josefstadt. Named after a small town in Naples, it is a chic bistro restaurant where patrons can enjoy authentic gastronomic fare. The decor is minimalistic and inviting in the atmosphere, consisting of polished mahogany furniture, soft leather-furnished sofa chairs, banquettes, bright LED light fixtures, an open bar, and a maroon-pistachio green color palette.

The kitchen team is the same group of people who are behind the successful Levante chain and offer a menu of pizzas, pasta, and antipasti dishes. Expect to savor decadent specialty items like beef carpaccio with shaved Parmesan, minestrone with toasted bread, sliced veal in tuna sauce, fruit de mare in tangy tomato sauce, gnocchi in sage butter emulsion, and grilled calamari with potatoes. Do not miss out on their classic desserts, including panna cotta with caramel sauce, homemade chocolate almond cake, and choux pastry donuts with whipped cream.

Average bill – €38

Located in the heart of the city, Ariston Hellenic is a Greek fine-dining establishment started in 2018. It is a friendly neighborhood restaurant that is loved by locals and tourists alike. The ambiance is modern and upscale: the front of the house is adorned with contemporary wooden furniture with leather fittings, black timbered flooring, hanging Edison lamps, white-washed walls with vintage portraits, and large glass windows.

The menu revolves around authentically prepared Mediterranean cuisine with a bountiful array of exquisite dishes. You can relish scrumptious creations, such as grilled halloumi with balsamic vinegarette dressing, pan-fried hake with baked potatoes in garlic lemon sauce, crispy calamari with butter aioli dip, grilled octopus leg served with roasted red peppers, and lamb gyros in tahini sauce. Elevate your meal by pairing it with their hoppy craft beers, sweet ales, wines, Schnapps, or fruity mocktails.

Average bill – €41 (without drinks)

Serving the community since 1996 and known as the first restaurant of its kind, Indien Village is the brainchild of Chef Sunny Sakhuja. He is an internationally experienced cook who remains loyal to authentic cuisine while also catering to every individual guest’s taste buds. The moment you step into the premises, it feels as though you have been transported to North India. The decor oozes a vintage and inviting vibe with its colorful walls, traditional artworks showcasing a village set up, a statue of Ganesha and other Hindu deities, silk fabric hanging from the roof, handcrafts decorating the shelves, and white-gold accents.

Chef Sakhuja presents typical spiced dishes made using the finest seasonings. Diners can sample flavorsome offerings: tandoori chicken, deep-fried vegetables coated in gram flour, lamb biryani garnished with nuts, prawns coconut curry with fragrant steamed rice, palak paneer (cottage cheese in a spinach gravy) with onion kulcha (flat bread), and beef pepper curry with garlic naan. Satisfy your sweet cravings with dessert items, such as gulab jamun, ras malai, and rice kheer (pudding).

Average bill – €48

Tian Bistro is the sister restaurant of a Michelin-starred fine-dining destination in Downtown Vienna. It is a casual establishment that specializes in vegetarian and vegan delicacies. The interiors are lavish and elegant in ambiance, complete with chandelier lights, dark mahogany flooring, velvety soft sofas, an open vino bar, hanging green plants, and high ceilings with metal beams.

Chef Paul Ivić composes mouthwatering flavor symphonies with each course made using the freshest seasonal ingredients. Indulge your taste buds in a gastronomic adventure of creative dishes, like oyster mushrooms on flatbread with bean cream, lentil salad in a coconut yogurt dressing, short crust croissant with hummus, mushroom paté with pickled radish, lamb’s lettuce with potatoes, and rosemary-infused cottage cheese with blackberry. They also feature a drinks offering of organic juices and a wine list presenting biodynamic labels from Southern Styria and Weinviertel, as well as the legacy of Burgundy by Domaine Benoît Ente.

Tasting menu – €57

Rumor has it that in one of Austria’s main airports, there is a special desk for people who initially intended to go to Australia. Luckily, it is just a meme spread by the Internet community. But if you accidentally misspelled your desired destination, were directed to this guide, and found it interesting enough to keep on reading the whole thing, let us reward you by helping get back on the Australian track with the following suggestions:

9 Aussie-to-the-core dishes to eat in Sydney, Australia
Absolute best things to do & foods to try in Melbourne, Australia
Top eateries to cheat on your diet in Sydney, Australia