A little while ago I was working in Vienna for a couple of months for my day job. One night, on my way back to the hotel from the office, I came across Da Capo restaurant in a quiet side street, about 2mins walk from St Stephen’s. It immediately struck me as a very nicely kept, cosy, but elegant establishment. I hadn’t had dinner yet, so this looked like a great option to fill my empty stomach. DA CAPO RESTAURANT VIENNA SPORTS A BIG MENU Under normal circumstances it would have been difficult to find a seat without prior reservation. Because of Covid this was an easy exercise. The friendly waiter greeted me and led me straight to a small table in the beautiful cellar vaults. There is also spacious ground floor seating with large windows and a beautiful terrace. I was so overwhelmed by Da Capo restaurant’s big menu […]
Mythos, perhaps the Best Greek Restaurant in Vienna
When I was last working in Vienna, I visited Mythos, one of the best-ranking Greek restaurants there. Best-ranking Greek in Vienna, what does that even mean, I hear you say. Well the good people of this Austrian town really like their Greeks. #1 and #25 of the top 25 restaurants on Tripdadvisor are Greek. An authentic Greek I didn’t choose them, because they felt a bit too upmarket. I’m being a horrible person, but I want my Greek to come with lots of bones, tentacles, garlic, and onion, not with a demitasse of lamb mousse and tzatziki lobster terrine with wild flowers and samphire on a bed of Jerusalem artichoke ouzo puree. In my twisted mind, Greek, just like German, Thai, or Russian cuisine is best when it’s authentic and comparatively unsophisticated. #31 of 4,000 Viennese restaurants Mythos restaurant, Vienna, was awarded a Certificate of Excellence in 2014 and […]
Restaurant Paul in Vienna – a pear-driven, but not pear-shaped, fun evening
During my recent stay in Vienna for my day job, I passed by Paul every day on my way to work. It was pretty much at the midway point: 5 minutes’ walk from my hotel near St Stephen’s, 5 minutes from the office near Wien Mitte. Ranking and Atmosphere As usual I had read up on all the local eateries way before my departure from London. So I was fully aware that Paul was at or near the top of almost all rankings out there. I don’t know what took me so long to visit. I waited nearly until the last week of my stay. Prior to that I mainly went for more traditional places, or, at times, for something foreign like an Italian or a Greek. I’m guessing that Paul simply does not fall into a category I typically choose. It is a level below proper fine-dining (another category […]
Weibel’s Wirtshaus in Vienna – Beautiful Beuscherl
Weibel’s Wirtshaus happened to be more or less on my way from the office to my hotel. This was when I was working in Vienna for a few weeks end of last year. It is located in a small side street two minutes’ walk from St. Stephen’s. Hidden away from all the hustle and bustle of the big city. In summer, their small ‘Schanigarten’ or beer garden is popular, we hear. Michelin Guide Recommendation The Michelin Guide calls Weibel’s Wirtshaus “the archetypal Viennese restaurant.” It attests to a warm, friendly, rustic and snug atmosphere,” with “good, simple, traditional cooking.” On Tripadvisor it was awarded “Traveller’s Choice 2020.” The eatery is currently ranked a very respectable No. 218 out of over 3,700 restaurants. Pleasant Atmosphere, Great Service The warm, bright, friendly atmosphere immediately took me in. The cheerful waiter greeted me at the door. He led me to my table after […]
Gasthaus Poeschl – Your Cosy ‘Local’ in Central Vienna
During my recent trip to Vienna for my day job, Gasthaus Poeschl, which I had never heard of before, was one of three restaurants recommended by the local work colleagues (the other two ones I had known before: Café Korb and Café Englander; click on the links for the blog posts). Great Atmosphere More or less opposite the street from another favourite of ours, Zum Weissen Rauchfangkehrer, Poeschl immediately took me in with the cosy vibes of a place where locals congregate to have a meal and exchange some rumours. There was a fair bit of noise in the room. Some guests had brought their kids, others were involved in loud discussions about the sense or nonsense of the latest Covid restrictions. I admired the waiters for their agility and grace, manoeuvring three or four plates at a time through the tiny space between the bar and the tables. […]