The Burning Question: Where To Go For The Best Schnitzel in Vienna?

When you think of Vienna, you think of the Waltz, Sisi, balls, café culture, imperial palaces — and that almost rude level of quality of life. But the Austrian capital is also home to the world-famous Wiener Schnitzel. After testing these restaurants ourselves, comparing notes with Viennese food insiders, and accepting a few extra kilos as occupational hazard, here are the 14 best Schnitzel in Vienna.

Viennese will argue over where to have the best Wiener Schnitzel; everyone has their favourite Schnitzel restaurant that is, of course, “the best” place to savour the city’s signature dish — traditionally made from veal, and IMHO, this is one tradition worth keeping. When it’s done right, veal gives you that tender, almost buttery bite under the crisp, blistered crust. The perfect Wiener Schnitzel must be seriously crunchy on the outside, and the meat so soft you can almost cut it with your fork. It usually comes with potato salad (Erdäpfelsalat) or cucumber salad.

If you promise to keep the secret, we’ll share our favourite spots for Vienna’s world-famous signature dish — starting with four classics from our old list, adding the five you requested, and finishing with five fresh additions.

The old-school classics we still defend

1- Figlmüller (Inner City, the famous one)

Yes, it’s busy. Yes, it’s “touristy.” But it’s famous for a reason: the schnitzel is paper-thin, crisp, and oddly light for something this indulgent. Their original location is legendary, and the schnitzel arrives looking like it needs its own postcode — bigger than the plate, never shy, and (when you stop thinking about the queue) genuinely delicious.

Address: Bäckerstraße 6, 1010 Vienna

2- Meissl & Schadn (Ringstrasse elegance)

This is schnitzel with good posture. A proper, traditional veal schnitzel — thin, golden, disciplined — in a setting that feels a bit more “Ringstrasse lunch” than “late-night comfort.” If you want the ritual — white tablecloths, polished service, the quiet assurance that Vienna has done this before — it delivers.

Address: Schubertring 10–12, 1010 Vienna

3- Herlitschka (Local, no theatre)

A no-fuss Viennese place that feels lived-in — the sort of restaurant where regulars don’t need to look at the menu. The schnitzel is light, crisp, and generously sized. In summer, the outside seating under the arcade is especially pleasant.

Address: Traungasse 1, 1030 Vienna

4- Schnitzelwirt (Chaotic good)

It’s loud, crowded, and allergic to the concept of “intimate dining.” But if you want a huge schnitzel and you don’t mind sharing a table with strangers (and their opinions), this is a classic Vienna experience. Hectic, friendly, and oddly fun — if you lean into it.

Address: Neubaugasse 52, 1070 Vienna

5- Gasthaus Pöschl (The cosy 1st district favourite)

Pöschl is one of those places that makes you understand why Vienna can feel like a warm living room disguised as a city. The schnitzel is reliably crisp and comforting — not a “reinvention,” just a very competent classic served in an atmosphere that feels gently old-world (in the best way). Reserve if you can.

Address: Weihburggasse 17, 1010 Vienna

6- Plachutta zur Oper (For a proper veal schnitzel moment)

Right by the State Opera, this is where you go when you want the traditional version done with precision — veal schnitzel as Vienna’s edible etiquette. It’s polished, central, and popular, which also means: expect prices that know exactly where they are standing.

Address: Walfischgasse 5–7, 1010 Vienna

7- Gasthaus Rebhuhn (9th district, classic and unfussy)

Rebhuhn has that slightly time-worn charm people come to Vienna for: simple rooms, traditional cooking, and a menu that doesn’t try to impress you — it tries to feed you well. A very solid schnitzel stop if you’re in the Alsergrund / Servitenviertel area.

Address: Berggasse 24, 1090 Vienna

Zum Schwarzen Kameel

8- Zum Schwarzen Kameel (Iconic spot, surprisingly serious schnitzel)

You might know it for the legendary sandwiches and the whole “Vienna meets society lunch” vibe — but the kitchen can be genuinely excellent. If you want schnitzel in a place that feels like a Vienna postcard with a private banking account, this is it.

Address: Bognergasse 5, 1010 Vienna

9- Gmoakeller (Old Viennese Wirtshaus energy, 3rd district)

A proper Viennese institution with that slightly nostalgic, wood-panelled, “this place has seen things” feeling. The schnitzel is classic here — satisfying, traditional, and exactly what you want when your day has been too modern.

Address: Am Heumarkt 25, 1030 Vienna

10- Skopik & Lohn (2nd district, modern Vienna with a wink)

If you want schnitzel without the “tour group energy,” Skopik & Lohn is a smart choice. Stylish but not stiff. The kind of place where your schnitzel feels current without losing its accent.

Address: Leopoldsgasse 17, 1020 Vienna

11- Zum Renner (19th district, classic “Gasthof” comfort)

A traditional spot in Nussdorf where Viennese hospitality feels genuinely… Viennese. Think cosy, classic, and reassuring — schnitzel that tastes like someone’s Sunday, even if it’s a random Tuesday.

Address: Nußdorfer Platz 4, 1190 Vienna

12- Glacis Beisl (MuseumsQuartier, leafy and relaxed)

A great option when you want schnitzel and a pleasant outdoor setting that doesn’t feel like you’re eating in a corridor of tourists. Perfect for a long lunch that quietly turns into early evening.

Address: Zugang Breite Gasse 4, 1070 Vienna

13- Café Landtmann (For schnitzel in a grand café mood)

Sometimes you want schnitzel where you could also order cake, read a newspaper, and feel like you’ve entered a slower century. Landtmann is a pillar of Viennese coffeehouse culture — and yes, you can absolutely make schnitzel part of that ritual.

Address: Universitätsring 4, 1010 Vienna

14- Restaurant Ofenloch (Historic cellar atmosphere, 1st district)

If you like your Vienna with a little drama — vaulted rooms, old-city mood — Ofenloch delivers the ambience, and the classics. Schnitzel included.

Address: Kurrentgasse 8, 1010 Vienna

Quick ordering notes (so you don’t accidentally start a small scandal)

• If you want the most traditional approach, order Wiener Schnitzel (veal). If it’s pork, it will usually be labelled Schnitzel Wiener Art (Viennese style) or described as “vom Schwein.”
• The classic companions are Erdäpfelsalat (potato salad), a lemon wedge, and a spoon of Preiselbeermarmelade (lingonberry jam). It’s not there to be cute — that sweet-tart hit is part of the balance with buttery veal and crisp crumbs.
• If you’re splitting, don’t be shy: many schnitzels here are easily “for two,” even if the menu pretends otherwise.

FAQ (for people who like certainty with their breadcrumbs)

What is the difference between Wiener Schnitzel and Schnitzel Wiener Art?
In Austria, Wiener Schnitzel is the classic version made with veal. If it’s made with pork (or another meat), it’s typically labelled Schnitzel Wiener Art (Viennese style) or explicitly described as “vom Schwein.”

Is Figlmüller worth it, or is it just a tourist thing?
It can be both: it’s famous, it draws crowds, and it’s still genuinely good if you want the classic “Vienna schnitzel pilgrimage” experience.

Where should I go for schnitzel near the Vienna State Opera?
Plachutta zur Oper is one of the most convenient, classic choices right by the opera.

Which schnitzel place feels the most “local”?
Try Rebhuhn, Zum Renner, or Gmoakeller for that wirtshaus feeling that’s less about spectacle and more about being properly fed.

After enjoying a delicious schnitzel, maybe you want to lean fully into Vienna’s edible culture: cake, coffee, and a proper bakery crawl.

Image courtesy @Meissl&Schadn, photo @FlorianWeitzer