167 Best Restaurants in Austria

Known simply as "The Bosna Grill," this tiny sausage stand has become a cult destination for locals and international travelers. This Bulgarian-inspired, Salzburg-born specialty comprises two thin, grilled bratwurst sausages in a toasted white bread bun, topped with chopped onions, fresh parsley, and a curry-based seasoning mixture that's been a secret since the owner, Zanko Todoroff, created it more than 50 years ago. To find the hole-in-the-wall eatery, look for the long line of hungry people in the tiny passageway that runs from the Dantendorfer shop on Getreidegasse to the Universitätsplatz. It's open from 11 am to 6:30 pm daily, so come for lunch, an afternoon snack, or an early dinner. In winter, join the locals by combining your warm Bosna with a cup of Punsch (orange liquor-spiked punch) from the nearby Sporer liquor shop.

One of Vienna's most popular third-wave coffeehouses. It lives up to its hype and long lines with exceptional coffee, stylish decor, delicious baked goods and a sustainable focus. It's also just a cool place to hang with all the cool people. The patrons are a mix of locals tapping away on laptops over lattes and visitors enjoying the people-watching and the small selection of wine and bubbly.

Made famous by its illustrious guests, the Café Central is one of the most famous cafés in all of Vienna. The soaring ceiling and gigantic columns are hallmarks of the landmark, which was home to Viennese literati as well as world game changers at the turn of the last century, including Leon Trotsky, who mapped out the Russian Revolution here beneath portraits of the Imperial family. There is more than the standard café fare here, with the kitchen serving salmon fillet sprinkled with roasted pine nuts; or try the Mohr im hemd for dessert, chocolate hazelnut cake dusted with powdered sugar and served with hot chocolate sauce and whipped cream. Piano music fills the marble-pillared hall in the afternoon; it can get packed with tourists, but it's worth the crowds.

A favorite of politicians and theater stars (the Burg is next door, the Rathaus across the street) since 1873, this was Sigmund Freud's favorite café. If you want a great meal at almost any time of day, including options of several schnitzels, or just a slice of decadent cake, there are few places that can beat this one. During Ball Season, you'll spot tired but chatty groups of gowned and tuxedoed Viennese repairing here for breakfast after their night of dancing. An air-conditioned glass veranda has added contemporary flair to this venerable location.

Arguably the most famous café in Vienna, it is the home of the legendary Sacher torte, a dense chocolate torte with fresh apricot jam in the center. This legend began as a delikatessen opened by Sacher, court confectioner to Prince von Metternich, the most powerful prime minister in early-19th-century Europe. War-weary Metternich must have been amused to see a battle break out between Sacher and Demel—a competing confectioner—as to who served the real Sachertorte. Sacher puts its apricot jam in the cake middle, while Demel puts it just below the icing. If you're not a sweets person, try a savory alternative: Sacher Würstl (slim sausages served with freshly-grated horseradish, mustard, and home-baked bread). Mirrors and chandeliers add glitter, and there is live piano music every day from 4:30 until 7 pm.

Coffee in Vienna is designed to be savored and enjoyed, and one of the most splendid places for that is the Sperl. Featured in Hollywood films A Dangerous Method and Before Sunrise, the venerable café—commandeered way back when as the café for artists—is more than just a fantastically pretty face. The Old Vienna ambience is not merely preserved here, but vibrantly alive. Get a table by the window to ensure a captivating street view, and be sure to enjoy the piano music on Sunday afternoon.

This inn opened its doors in 1705 as an example of that newfangled thing, a Wiener kaffeehaus (Vienna coffeehouse), and was an immediate hit. Enjoying its 11 types of coffee was none other than Mozart's beloved, Constanze, who often dropped in, as her house was just next door. The Tomasellis set up shop here in 1850, becoming noted chocolatmachers. Order the famous Tomaselliums Café (mocha, whipped cream and Mozart liqueur on the side—or inside, if you prefer) along with one of the excellent homemade cakes, tarts, and strudels. The interior is all marble, wood, and walls of 18th-century portraits, but in summer the best seats are on the flower-bedecked terrace and at the pretty "Tomaselli-Kiosk" on the square.

If you haven't been to Zauner, you've missed a true highlight of Bad Ischl. The desserts—particularly the house creation, Zaunerstollen, a chocolate-covered confection of sugar, hazelnuts, and nougat—have made this one of Austria's best-known pastry shops. Emperor Franz Josef used to visit every day for a Guglhupf, a lemon sponge cake.

Dine at Vienna's poshest restaurant while taking in the stunning, 360-degree panoramic vistas of the city's skyline from the 18th floor of the Sofitel Stephansdom. The gourmet meals, often made with seasonal, locally-sourced fare, are just as fabulous as the view. A four-course tasting menu may include a caviar sandwich, sweetbread, fresh pan-fried pike perch from nearby Neusiedler Lake, and a dessert of melon with Yuna chocolate, parsley, and hazelnut. The ambience is centered on the spectacular ceiling, designed by Swiss multimedia artist Pipilotti Rist. She has created a magnificent visual feast, which is best viewed at sunset, as the changing colors outside have a lovely dance with the colors playing out on the ceiling above you.

One of Innsbruck's go-to gourmet experiences, this restaurant in the heart of the old town is known for its obsession with using local ingredients as much as possible, with absolutely no artificial additives. Details of suppliers, farms, and even local hunting grounds for the game on the menu are available for perusal. The interior is modern and the atmosphere is trendy.

The display cases are filled to the brim at the world-renowned Demel, a 200-year-old pastry shop and chocolatier famous for sweetmeats. Chocolate lovers will want to try the Viennese Sacher torte (two layers of dense chocolate cake with apricot jam sandwiched between and chocolate icing on top) and compare it with its competition at Café Sacher. Don't forget to watch the pastry chef at work in the glassed-in courtyard. Beyond the shop proper are stairs that lead to ornate dining salons where the decor is almost as sweet as the goods on sale.

Located in Mehlplatz, one of the oldest squares of Graz, Die Herzl restaurant opened in 1934 and is known for both its tavernlike atmosphere and its traditional Austrian cuisine. Seasonal entrées are mixed with typical Austrian dishes such as gemischter salat (a mix of cucumber, potato, and sauerkraut on lettuce) or the gebackener Camembert (fried Camembert cheese served with tart berry chutney). Drink local Austrian wines such as Grüner Veltliner and Welschriesling (white), or Zweigelt and Blauburger (red).

Expect elegant dress and quiet conversations at this high-class restaurant, where Johannes Denk and his creative team have been awarded by Gault & Millau for more than 30 years. The menus change every year, but diners can always expect creative, French-inspired dishes with regional influences, such as organic pigeon with savoy cabbage and hazelnut, or wild-caught turbot with clam. Local game is a passion, and freshly-picked herbs from the garden accompany almost every dish, from soup to sorbet. Order à la carte or choose from a four-, five-, or six-course tasting menu—expect to pay between €140 and €190 (or €200 and €280 with wine pairing)—served by well-trained, white-gloved staff in your choice of elegant dining room. The Gourmet-Restaurant is only open during the winter months (and only Wednesday through Saturday), but the same team serve dishes all-year-round in the equally excellent à la carte restaurant "ein Tirol", with its large terrace overlooking Kitzbühel.

This historic covered market still has a handful of fresh fruit, vegetable, and seafood stands, but most people come today for the varied dining and drinking options. Whether you're in the mood for Spanish tapas, Chinese noodles, or Austrian leberkässemmel (a kind of meatloaf sandwich), you'll find it here—along with great stops for coffee, cakes, beer, and wine. Most of the dining options close between 6 and 8 pm, so it's a better option for lunch than dinner.

Situated in the courtyard of the Stephansplatz, with a direct view of stunning St. Stephen's Cathedral, this teahouse is a rare find in a city steeped in the tradition of coffeehouses. It is a cozy tea parlor, indeed, with a selection of more than 200 brews and a particularly splendid afternoon tea menu with fancifully named options. Presented on the obligatory three-tier tea rack, the traditional finger sandwiches come with all sorts of fillings and are accompanied by scones with strawberry jam, clotted cream, and a selection of petits fours. They also have an extensive breakfast menu with bakery items, egg dishes, waffles, and pancakes, as well as substantial lunch or early dinner items including salads and plates of pasta.

In the small village of Aurach about 5 km (3 miles) south of Kitzbühel, Hallerwirt is known for its great Austrian cuisine and charm. Old wooden floors and a ceramic stove in the parlor lend a period flair to this 400-year-old farmhouse. A colorful mix of people gathers here, and young and old enjoy the easygoing vibe. The congenial hosts, Monika and Jürgen Stelzhammer, take time to give everyone some good wine suggestions. The friendly staff serves specialties such as Jerusalem artichoke soup and fillet of lamb.

Tucked away inside the historic Kremsmünsterhaus, this elegant restaurant rocks a mod-retro look with cozy tables, muted lighting, and attractive stonework. The cuisine is Austrian with a touch of Asia, as evidenced by the selection of wok dishes and an excellent sushi bar. Main courses include mouthwatering variations of fish (the panfried tuna is a favorite) as well as meaty treats (the rib-eye steak is to die for). If the weather is nice, you can opt to sit outside in the inviting, enclosed courtyard. The bar is open late, often hosting famous DJs.

Every last detail, from romantic furnishings to the doting service, is done to perfection here, making this restaurant the best in the area. Chef Johanna Maier's way with trout is exquisite, but don't overlook the game, roast poultry, or veal sweetbreads. Finish with topfenknödel (cream cheese dumpling), a house specialty. Frau Maier offers cooking courses several times each month—call for dates. The restaurant is within the equally plush and inviting hotel of the same name.

This extraordinary two-Michelin-starred restaurant, set in the beautifully understated dining room of Hangar-7 and overlooking its gleaming vehicle collection, features a different renowned guest chef every month. The chefs come here from all over the world—recent kitchen residents include Istanbul's Fatih Tutak, Chicago's Curtis Duffy, Copenhagen's Eric Kragh Vildgaard, and Taipei's Kai Ho—so every dining experience is different, although fresh, high-quality ingredients are always the order of the day. The mind-boggling array of cuisines and cooking styles (from the traditional to the molecular) are always presented in set menus of around six courses, which typically cost in the region of €250—double that with wine pairings. Visiting chefs are announced several months in advance, so you can plan your trip to Salzburg accordingly; though getting a table can prove tricky so book as early as you can. Martin Klein and the Ikarus Team, who ably assist the guest chefs throughout the year, take the reins themselves every August.

In a stunningly short time, Filippou has made a remarkable impression on the Vienna dining elite, evident from its Michelin star and its Gault Millau Chef of the Year award. A seat at the prized kitchen table allows a view into the kitchen to watch the chef preparing the meal, including the famous escargot seasoned with horseradish and watercress. The dining room itself is an invitation to stay awhile; crisp, ice-blue walls are a cool complement to warm, blond-wood floors and pine tables. An abundance of natural light further softens the ambience during daylight, which is when many of Filippou's customers come to enjoy a multi-course business lunch that changes weekly. Dine outside in the garden in spring and summer and you won't regret it.

This little restaurant's location on the seventh floor of the chic Rathausgalerie is as lofty as its reputation. The entire restaurant is encased in glass, providing you with sensational views of the Old City, and thanks to the creative menu, it has gained the reputation of one of Innsbruck's best hidden gems. Guests can choose between a handful of seasonal set menus, each with captivating dishes made from fresh local ingredients. The menu changes often and the desserts are especially good. If you're not lucky enough to get dinner reservations, score a table at the adjacent 360° Cafe (also by Lichtblick).

Idyllically set on the east side of the Stubnerkogel, directly on the ski slope, this Alpine hut is one of the oldest in Europe, remarkably well preserved, with wooden interiors and a huge open fire. Wooden parlors and a big terrace, with a spectacular view over Bad Gastein, invite visitors in for a substantial meal, followed by a couple of drinks after a hike or long skiing day. Try the homemade Kalbsbeuschel (veal ragout) with bread dumplings, or one of the desserts, such as traditional Austrian Kaiserschmarrn (chopped up pancakes served with fruit compote, often apple or plum) or Almbusserl (fresh strawberries with eggnog and ice cream). You'll need a car or taxi to get here; in winter you can ski in or take the restaurant's own chairlift. Reservations are highly recommended during winter, when it's a popular après-ski spot.

Among Austria's top dining spots, Obauer is presided over by brothers Karl and Rudolf, who share chef-de-cuisine responsibilities. The cuisine creatively mixes local delights and herbs with nouvelle garnishes, many inspired by the brothers' far-flung travels. Trout strudel with Veltliner sauce; honey quail with nettle, pear mustard, and sherry saucel stuffed zucchini blossoms with wild thyme and mushrooms—any of these specialties might top the nightly bill of fare and are highly recommended. For a complete experience you can also book one of Obauer's 11 chic and modern guest rooms and suites and enjoy a memorable breakfast in the morning.

The Pepper Ship is one of the most acclaimed restaurants in Salzburg, despite being 5 km (3 miles) northeast of the Neustadt. It's in a pretty, renovated rectory (dated 1640) and adjacent to a pink-and-cream chapel. You'll receive a friendly welcome and then settle in to a pampered experience in the country-chic atmosphere, adorned with polished wooden floors, antique hutches, and tabletops laden with fine bone china and Paloma Picasso silverware. There's a choice of seasonally changing, five- and seven-course menus (including all-vegetarian menus). Expect to pay northwards of €150 for each meal, without drinks. A taxi is the least stressful way of getting here, but if you have your own car, drive along the north edge of the Kapuzinerberg toward Hallwang and then Söllheim.

This gourmet establishment at the Palais Hansen Kempinski Hotel earned a Michelin star within months after opening. Now chef Thomas Pedevilla has taken over and serves an Alpine-Mediterranean menu. The interior is elegant, not opulent, with ivory walls and ebony-covered chairs complementing the stark white table linens. There are two entrances, one from the hotel lobby and one on the street, a nod to locals that this restaurant is for them, too. Five-, seven-, and nine-course dinners are available for a fixed price.

The classic Austrian dessert, the Sacher torte, resulted from a family saga that began with Franz Sacher, Prince von Metternich's pastry chef, and ended with Franz's son and his wife, Anna, opening the 19th-century hotel. Today, the Restaurant Grüne Bar continues the tradition of creating some of Vienna's finest cuisine, with modern takes on classic meals in multicourse tasting menus including a six-course "blind date" menu. The slightly less formal Rote Bar, at the front of the hotel, always has fish and meat classics on offer à la carte.

This extraordinary, two-Michelin-starred restaurant is one of Salzburg's finest fine dining experiences. The seven-course menu changes every two months, but typically comprises inventive and playful game, seafood, and vegetarian dishes. And there's always one mainstay: the exceptional black Patagonian toothfish with ajo blanco, tomato, and caviar. The dishes are beautifully presented—particularly the hors d'oeuvres, which are intricately arranged by taste (from sweet to umami) on a stone tablet shaped like the restaurant's logo—and the service is flawless. Set in a former bell foundry to the northeast of the New Town, the interior is theatrically industrial, with exposed brick walls and pipes, suspended light fittings, and polished copper tables. There's also a giant antique bell that silently looms above diners' heads. Today, what chimes most here is the food, prepared before your eyes in the open kitchen and brought to your table by identikit, black-shirted servers. Wine pairing is available for an extra €170.

Stylishly modern, with a functional yet intimate atmosphere, Sitzwohl has built up a solid reputation for superb cuisine, with an emphasis on Mediterranean and Tyrolean dishes. Chanterelle mushroom stew with dumplings or black gnocchi with wild salmon and fennel are favorites here. Lunchtime service is quick and efficient for business diners, but the evenings are more relaxed. In addition, chutneys, jams, and soups are available from the attached deli.