6 Best Restaurants in Vienna Woods, Lake Neusiedler, and the Danube River, Austria

Konditorei Kormuth

$$ Fodor's choice
It may look unassuming from the street, but step inside and it becomes immediately apparent why this is considered one of Europe's most beautiful cafes. The walls and ceilings throughout the interior are plastered in majestic Renaissance-style frescoes, while seemingly every nook and cranny of the old building is filled with antiques, some dating back to the 16th century. It's such a gorgeous interior, there's an entrance fee (€10 per person), although this does include a coffee and a cake. Fortunately the dining experience measures up to the decor, with bone china tea service and elegant patisserie.

Café Traxlmayr

$

One of Austria's grand old coffeehouses, this is the only one of its kind in Upper Austria. It's the perfect place to savor a cup of coffee, read the newspapers, and enjoy a light meal. Ask for the specialty, Linzertorte (almond cake with jam) with your coffee, or try the homemade apfelstrudel.

Café Breakfast Lunch Quick Bite $
Promenade 16, Linz, Upper Austria, A-4020, Austria
0732-773353
www.cafe-traxlmayr.at
Known For
  • grand coffeehouse atmosphere
  • delicious homemade cakes
  • outside terrace in summer
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: No credit cards

El Gusto

$$
This attractive and popular café-bistro is a great stop for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner or just a takeaway coffee and ice cream. Enjoy an international menu of soups, salads, pizzas, paninis, and burgers (along with a few local specialties) in the simple Scandi-style interior, or else sit outside on the pleasant street terrace. Above the bistro, five swanky El Gusto apartments are available to rent.

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Koun

$
In recent years, Bratislava has been taken over by ice cream stores, and today it's hard to find an Old Town street without a high-quality gelato option. But if you have to choose only one scoop while you're in town, opt for Koun (pronounced "cone"). Run by Barbara Szalaiova, who studied the art of gelato making in Italy, this award-winning gelateria has an ever-changing rota of flavors, with only eight of their hundreds of recipes available on any given day.
Fast Food Dessert Quick Bite $
Paulínyho 1, Bratislava, Bratislavský, 811 02, Slovakia
948–687–795
www.koun.sk
Known For
  • incredible lemon cake ice cream
  • sunny decor and even sunnier staff
  • half-hidden on a side street off Hviezdoslav Square
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.

Rudolfshof

$$

Enjoy a walk through the Kurpark, where you'll find this 19th-century hunting lodge. The fine restaurant serves traditional dishes from the region, including Wiener and chicken schnitzel, pork fillet, and venison stew. The excellent wines served are local vintages, particularly St. Laurent, Zweigelt, and Blauer Portugieser. Stop for a meal or just take a break with coffee and cake. On weekends with clear air and good weather, the grand vistas across the hills from the terrace mean it's hard to get a table.

Austrian Lunch Dinner Quick Bite $$
Gaminger Berg 5, Baden, Lower Austria, A-2500, Austria
02252-209–2030
www.rudolfshof.at
Known For
  • traditional and hearty Austrian fare
  • excellent local wine
  • beautiful views from the terrace
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.–Tues., Credit cards accepted

Wellen.Spiel

$$
This riverside bar-restaurant, overlooking the landing station from which the Danube to Melk cruises depart, makes a lovely spot for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Local specialties like freshly-caught fish and flammkuchen (a pizza-like pie slathered in crème fraîche, onions, and bacon bits) sit alongside no-fuss favorites like burritos, burgers, and steaks. Come in the evening to watch the sun slowly set over the river as you eat.