Home to imperial sights, Mozart and cosy coffee houses, Vienna is incredibly rich in culture. Beyond the museums and historic buildings, I found the food scene incredibly underrated and it compelled me to write about it.

Felix & I took a short trip to Vienna in February before this whole Corona-craze started and thankfully we made it back before borders were shut and uninfected. This long-overdue post will feature my top 5 favourite eats in Vienna, don’t miss out!

Ribelli

Uncompromisingly good food made from only the freshest ingredients. We had this when we first arrived in Vienna, we were so hungry we ordered everything recommended to us by our friendly waiter. My favourite bit about Ribelli is that everything on the menu is made from scratch, from the pasta to the sorbet. If I had to choose two must-haves when visiting, it would be the Neapolitan pizzas and Mint Sorbet.

Retro

I would say Retro served up a storm for us. The portions were huge and we were happily stuffed. If I had to pick a favourite dish it would be tough. However, the Grilled Squid stood out as I’ve never had squid grilled so flavourful and tender, I usually retreat to Fried Calamari to prevent disappointment. I thoroughly enjoyed the recommendations the waiter so kindly gave us because the menu was in German. We left it in his hands and it was the best decision!

Space Burger

Felix is currently dabbling with the idea of becoming vegetarian and is currently on the pescatarian fence. I found this cute vegan burger joint and thought it might be a fun idea to try something that wouldn’t usually be our first choice. They had a variety of colourful burger buns with unique fillings to pair, all made with natural ingredients, which I love. I’m putting this on the list as I usually don’t find vegan food appealing but this was quite a treat! If you’re vegan, this will not disappoint.

Le Bol

A lovely French bistro in central Vienna where they serve breakfast, light meals, sandwiches, coffee and cakes. Felix & I had an early dinner there and found the ambience absolutely chic and cosy. We ordered a few dishes from the board of specials that are switched up every now and then, some must-haves from the main menu and of course, French wine to pair. After a few days of indulging in Viennese food, you’ll find your body in need of a bit of a detox from all that meat and grease, happy to say that Le Bol offered exactly just that!

Albert

Albert was the last restaurant I dined at before my flight back to Bristol. I didn’t think much of it at first and it definitely caught me off guard. This neighbourhood restaurant & bar serves innovative dishes I’ve yet to try anywhere else. They have two menus, one for lunch and another for dinner. I’d highly suggest going for dinner to try their extensive menu. It’s where all the chef’s creativity comes to life in my opinion. The dish I can’t seem to get over is the Octopus Poppers with Ink Mayo & Pea and Bacon Puree. Absolute goosebumps!