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, 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.
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.
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 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.
Vienna’s Cafe Sperl has been a century and half favorite of military officers, politicians, artists and about anyone favoring comfortable surroundings over a cup of coffee and strudel. Whether you visit for a pastry and coffee, a hearty egg and sausage breakfast, or one of the many traditional savory Austrian favorites for lunch or dinner, you’ll surely appreciate this historical domain.