Vienna’s Jewish Palate: Navigating Contemporary Flavors
Vienna, a city steeped in history and culinary tradition, presents a complex tableau when it comes to its contemporary Jewish gastronomic scene. As one might keenly discern, the vibrant, multifaceted Jewish life that once flourished here, nurturing a rich array of culinary expressions, was tragically decimated by the Holocaust. Consequently, the Jewish community that has bravely reconstituted itself in Vienna, though small, is remarkably resilient and ever-evolving. This resilience manifests in a handful of kosher eateries, falafel joints, and pizzerias that cater to its specific needs. Concurrently, mirroring a global trend, Vienna has also embraced a burgeoning cohort of excellent Israeli-Pita-Falafel type establishments, often characterized by their modern, cosmopolitan flair. (I list a few of the best vegan/vegetarian options in town on a separate page. There are a couple of truly outstanding ones!)
It is perhaps crucial to preface this guide with a confession, albeit an open secret: a dedicated, authentically “Jewish Viennese cuisine” restaurant, in the sense of a public-facing establishment serving the nuanced dishes of pre-Shoah Viennese Jewry, remains, lamentably, a phantom. While some kosher meat establishments do, quite naturally, offer a schnitzel – a culinary cornerstone of Vienna – that is often the extent of their “Viennese” repertoire. The community’s scale, particularly the direct descendants of pre-Holocaust Viennese Jews, is simply too modest to sustain such an endeavor for the public at large, let alone one capable of satisfying the discerning critiques of the city’s culinary arbiters, both within and beyond the Jewish sphere. Thus, the enduring purpose of this “fictitious virtual restaurant”—this very website—becomes manifest. Should a benevolent, gastronomically-inclined donor wish to transform this virtual dream into a tangible reality, my lines of communication remain open!
For those eager to delve into the historical spaces where Viennese Jews once gathered, providing the intellectual and social backdrop to their culinary lives, I direct your attention to my curated lists of Vienna’s storied coffeehouses (where, incidentally, Jewish male intellectuals often found their most fertile ground for discourse) and charming pastry shops. And, as you meticulously plan your Viennese sojourn, do not overlook my personally annotated list of Vienna’s 14 Must-See Sights and Activities—a guide ensuring your cultural explorations are as rich and rewarding as your culinary ones.
What follows is a meticulously curated selection of Vienna’s most notable Jewish and/or Israeli restaurants, distinguishing between those certified as kosher (marked כשר) and others reflecting Israeli culinary trends. Our palate, as always, is our guide.
A Note on Independence
Lest there be any lingering suspicion, it is perhaps prudent to state unequivocally that the opinions and recommendations expressed within these pages are entirely, and passionately, my own. This blog operates on a strictly non-profit basis, born solely from a genuine love for Vienna’s culinary heritage. I receive no remuneration—financial or otherwise, not even a gratis pita—from any of the establishments featured herein, or indeed, from any external entity. This ensures that every commendation, every critique, stems from an uncompromised personal palate and a steadfast commitment to authentic, independent insight.
Restaurant Seven North
Schottenfeldgasse 74 (1070 Wien)
Restaurant Seven North, Schottenfeldgasse 74 (1070 Wien) At Seven North, Israeli culinary impresario Eyal Shani and his compatriot Shahar Segal unleash a symphony of bold, unbuttoned flavors in an atmosphere that feels more like a Tel Aviv warehouse party than a Vienna dining room. The menu is both raucous and refined — roasted cauliflower achieves the status of icon, lamb and tahini perform a pas de deux, and olive oil flows like Mediterranean poetry. Shani, the philosopher-chef known for turning humble vegetables into high drama, brings his signature “wild” style to Vienna’s industrial-chic Mariahilf district, creating a sensuous homage to the Levantine kitchen. It’s not so much a restaurant as a kind of edible manifesto: exuberantly Israeli, unmistakably urban, and utterly alive.
Restaurants Neni im Prater, Neni am Wasser & Neni am Naschmarkt
Neni im Prater, Perspektivstrasse 8 (1020 Wien), Neni am Wasser, Banks of the Donaukanal at Obere-Donaustrasse 65 (1020 Wien), and Neni am Naschmarkt, Naschmarkt 510 (1060 Wien), as well as branches in Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam aso.
Restaurant Neni am Naschmarkt, Naschmarkt 510 (1060 Wien) Under the entrepreneurial and culinary guidance of Haya Molcho and her enterprising sons, Neni has, over time, cemented its status as one of Vienna’s most compelling culinary destinations. This establishment is a study in vibrant contradictions: a bustling, undeniably youthful, and cosmopolitan hub that nonetheless offers a consistently delicious and deeply satisfying array of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean-inspired dishes. It is a place where culinary tradition meets contemporary verve, where the boisterous energy of the Naschmarkt, the Prater, or the banks of the Donaukanal finds its sophisticated counterpart in meticulously prepared plates. The different locations reflect the Molcho family’s expanding culinary influence both within Vienna and across a growing international empire.
Restaurant Miznon Vienna (temporarily closed)
Schulerstraße 4 (1010 Wien)
Restaurant Miznon Vienna, Schulerstraße 4 (1010 Wien) The Viennese chapter of Eyal Shani’s wildly imaginative, boisterously young, and unapologetically loud Tel-Avivian street-food sensation has, regrettably, hit a temporary pause. It is with heavy hearts, yet hopeful spirits, that the Miznon Vienna team announced the closure of their Schulerstraße location as of January 1, 2025. For nine vibrant years, this establishment transformed humble pita bread into an extraordinary canvas for bold flavors and unexpected combinations, inviting diners into a lively, immersive culinary performance. Alas, rising rental costs necessitated this difficult decision.
However, this is not an outright farewell. The team is actively seeking a new home in Vienna to reignite the energy, warmth, and magic of Miznon. In the interim, for those craving the distinctive Mediterranean flavors that Miznon so masterfully delivered, their sister restaurant, Seven North, remains open to satisfy your appetite and keep the culinary spirit alive. The closure of its physical space marks a moment of transition, but the hope for Miznon’s return to Vienna’s dynamic food scene remains palpable.
Further Culinary Discoveries (Alphabetical)
For a more systematic and comprehensive exploration of Vienna’s diverse Jewish, Israeli, and Kosher culinary landscape, the following esteemed establishments are presented in alphabetical order:
- Restaurant Alef Alef (כשר fleishik)
Seitenstettengasse 2 (1010 Wien)
Hashgacha: Rabby Schwartz, Khal Israe
Caters to the main shul, the “Stadttempel” synagogue at Seitenstettengasse. - Restaurant Bahur Tov (כשר fleishik)
Taborstraße 19 (1020 Wien)
Hashgacha: SKK (Sefardic Kashruth Komittee)
Rabb. Aminov, Rabby Israilov, Rabby Hotoveli - “Yitzy Hager” (Takeaway) (כשר fleishik)
Große Stadtgutgasse 7 (1020 Wien) inside the Hager’s butcher shop
Hashgacha: Rabby Schwartz, Khal Israel
A haimishe butcher shop serving all-week burgers, schnitzel, hot dogs, and other grilled meats, as well as shawarma on Tuesdays and Thursdays. - Dr. Falafel (Falafel stand)
Naschmarkt 560 (1060 Wien)
This friendly Naschmarkt market stand serves one of the best falafel balls in town. - Restaurants Florentin 1090 & Florentin Neubau
Berggasse 8 (1090 Wien) & Siebensterngasse 58 (1070 Wien)
A touch of Tel-Aviv’s bohemian neighborhood transposed to Vienna! - Restaurant Hungry Guy
Rabensteig 1 (1010 Wien)
Next to the main synagogue, this place serves the best pita in town. - Kosher Deli (כשר fleishik)
Kleine Sperlgasse 7 (1020 Wien)
Hashgacha: Machsikei Hadass, Rabby Moshe Weiss
Everything you need for your shabbesdike cravings. - Restaurants Maschu Maschu
Neubaugasse 20 (1070 Wien) & Rabensteig 8 (1010 Wien)
The city’s pioneer in all things Israeli street food. Restaurants Mazzes Insel (כשר fleishik)
Rotensterngasse 16 (1020 Wien)
Hashgacha: Rav Aminov (Chalak Bet Josef)
They serve sushi/Asian food and Austrian cuisine, as well as breakfast.- Restaurant Mea Shearim (כשר fleishik)
Schmelzgasse 3 (1020 Wien)
Hashgacha: Rav Aminov (Kosher Lemehadrin)
An Asian mix menu featuring steak and schnitzel. - Pizzeria Restaurant Novellino (כשר milchik & parve)
Zirkusgasse 15 (1020 Wien)
Hashgachah: Khal Israel, Rabby Schwartz - Pizzeria Prego (כשר milchik & parve)
Taborstrasse 43 (1020 Wien)
Hashgacha: Rabby Hotoveli - Schalom Food (כשר fleishik)
Rotensterngasse 16 (1020 Wien)
Hashgacha: Rav Aminov (Chalak Bet Josef)
A kosher fast food serving shawarma, falafel, schnitzel, hot dogs, etc. Restaurant Shabbeskitchen (כשר fleishik)
Ungargasse 6 (1030 Wien)
Hashgacha: Rabby Nechemia RotenbergRestaurant & Catering Simchas (כשר fleishik)
Taborstrasse 47 (1020 Wien)
Hashgacha: „Chalak – Beit Yosef“ – Sefardic Kashrut-Komitee- Restaurant Tewa am Karmelitermarkt & Tewa am Naschmarkt
Karmelitermarkt 29-31 (1020 Wien) & Naschmarkt 672 (1060 Wien)
Two nice places to get a coffee or a spritz. - Restaurant – Yudale
Volkertplatz 5 (1020 Wien)
Asian, Viennese, and Bukharan specialties.
For those eager to broaden their Viennese explorations beyond these restaurants, consider these further curated guides:
- Vienna’s Illustrious Coffeehouses: Delve into the very heart of Viennese intellectual and social life, a sphere where, historically, Jewish male intellectuals found not only sustenance but profound communal and creative spirit.
- Vienna’s Finest Pastry Shops: Discover a curated selection of Vienna’s most beloved Konditoreien, those bastions of culinary artistry that historically transcended social divides, where both Jewish and non-Jewish patrons have, for generations, found sweet solace and exquisite delight.
- Vienna’s Vegetarian & Vegan Scene: For those seeking plant-based delights, consult our concise guide to the city’s best vegetarian and vegan eateries.
- And, of course, don’t forget my personally annotated list of Vienna’s 14 Must-See Sights and Activities for a broader cultural immersion!
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