Mel’s Diner – Vienna

Mel’s Diner – Vienna

Mel’s Diner offers a near-endless assortment of craft beers on tap, a variety of burgers piled high with exotic ingredients, and some great sandwiches including some smoked pulled-pork or chopped beef piled high between two pieces of bread. You might prefer the gourmet hot dogs with quality Austrian sausages (nobody does them better) or for those of your going green, two pages chock-full of salads and veggie-burgers. Get any burger, sandwich, hot dog, or salad, along with a side and your choice of a beer or soft drink at lunch for 10 euros. That’s the deal of the century.

Le Burger – Vienna

Le Burger – Vienna

Le Burger is to burger joints as a 1960 Bordeaux is to wine. It even sounds French. This chain of burger-centric restaurants offering a build-your-burger format with unusual condiments and the opportunity to guzzle down a few cocktails with your burger is immensely popular. Great décor. Energetic, young waiters and waitresses. Even with reservations you might see a wait for a table at peak hours at the location in the 1st District.

Neni – Vienna

Neni – Vienna

Neni, Vienna, has two locations, one in Naschmarkt and one at the edge of amusement park Prater, and more coming soon. This international chain of middle eastern influenced restaurants, founded by celebrity chef, Haya Molcho, has salted-caramel pancakes, traditional fried eggs and bacon, or a North African shakshuka … Something to please everyone at breakfast. The evening fare is just and interesting and delicious.

Pürstner – Vienna

Pürstner – Vienna

Purstner is as iconic as a Viennese restaurant gets. The interior is more like a museum than a restaurant, full of kitschy memorabilia. And naturally they serve moderately priced Austrian classics. I’ve never been there during peak hours but I suspect that they serve quite a bit of brew and that the crowd might get a bit rowdy (in a good way). Food and service are good but certainly not up to the level of a few of the traditional Austrian restaurants we’ve visited.

Erich – Vienna

Erich – Vienna

Vienna’s restaurant Erich and little brother, Urich, a block away have identical menus, with your choice of either a wide variety of breakfast egg dishes or tacos. That’s almost as strange as the combo of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez. Ben’s the egg dish in case you didn’t have that one figured out. Wildly popular. Expect a wait for table during peak brunch hours.

Mi Barrio – Vienna

Mi Barrio – Vienna

Mi Barrio Restaurant in Vienna is part Tex-Mex, part Venezuelan, but entirely enjoyable. It’s small and pleasantly decorated with a friendly staff, a charming terrace and some Corona beer to accompany those burritos, nachos and arepas. Finish it off with a shot of Mezcal served in a glass rimmed with spicy peppered salt.