Viennese originals – the Beisl in the suburbs
Beisl are as much a part of the Vienna culinary landscape as sausage stands and coffee houses. The word Beisl is probably Jewish and it originates from the word Bajiss, which means house. Beisls, which evolved in the 18th century are inns offering local specialities. In Vienna you will fortunately still discover many such traditional establishments in all districts of the city. Those which are the most true to the original Beisl can often be found on the outskirts of the city where the Viennese go to enjoy their Schnitzel, washed down with a Seidl (a small beer). Let us introduce you to a few particularly interesting Beisl from Transdubia – a term referring to the 21st and 22nd districts of the city which are the only two on the left bank of the Danube.
Strandcafé on the “Old Danube”
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The Strandcafé is a truly Viennese Wirtshaus (a term which includes cafés, restaurants and eating establishments in general) which is very popular in the city. In 2017 the richest man in the world, Microsoft founder, Bill Gates, enjoyed a meal here with his daughter. The menu offers a wide variety of Viennese specialities and several hundred guests can be seated here at one time. Also in winter, the recently renovated and generous interior is bustling. The highlights of the Strandcafé in Vienna’s 22nd district are, in addition to the delicious food, definitely the outdoor seating area, with places to sit behind the café as well as two guest gardens and terraces overlooking the Danube. Especially in summer, everything tastes much better with a splendid view of the river!
Strandcafé
Website: http://www.strandcafe-wien.at/
Address: Florian-Berndl-Gasse 20, 1220 Vienna
Opening times:
Interior dining area (all year round): Monday – Sunday: 11am – midnight
Promenade (March – October): Monday – Sunday: 11am – midnight
Waterside terrace (May – September): Monday – Friday: 5pm – midnight, Saturday – Sunday: 11am – midnight
Floating platform (May – September): Monday – Friday: 5pm – midnight, Saturday – Sunday: 11am – midnight
Garden: Monday – Sunday: 11am – 10pm (April – October)
Spoon-fed in Floridsdorf
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The Schwaigerwirt in Floridsdorf, although relatively new, is already regarded as one of the best Beisl in the city. A young team, including a motivated chef, took over the restaurant, which has been located in the district’s Schwaigergasse for decades, and they are now celebrating culinary success – recently even being voted as the “most favourite proprietor”. The so-called “Löfferlessen” here is particularly popular – quite literally, “spoon food” as various delicacies are served on small spoons in order to allow guests to try out as many different tastes and dishes as possible.
Schwaigerwirt
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Schwaigerwirt2017/
Address: Schwaigergasse 16, 1210 Vienna
Opening times:
Monday – Tuesday: 8:30am – 9pm
Wednesday – Friday: 8:30am – 11pm
Saturday: 9am – 9pm
Wirtshausgarten an der Alten Donau
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The Wirtshaus am Wasserpark has established itself as one of the “top dogs” amongst the Beisls and restaurants in Transdubia. The restaurant, which you will find between the Wasserpark (“Water Park”), a small recreational area, the Upper Old Danube and the Franz-Jonas-Platz, is not situated directly at the water but the Danube is only a two-minute walk away. Locals and visitors to the city are attracted not only by the wide range of homemade and, above all, regional dishes, but also by the large and shady garden which is popular in the warmer months with guests and walkers.
Wirtshaus am Wasserpark
Website: http://www.wirtshausamwasserpark.at/
Address: Freytaggasse 1/14, 1210 Vienna
Opening times:
Wednesday – Saturday: 10am – 10pm
Sunday, Public holidays: 10am – 3pm
The Old Watermill on the Old Danube
Since 1893 visitors from all parts of Vienna and the surrounding area have flocked to the Alte Kaisermühle (literally, the Old Water Mill), which is located directly at the Old Danube in Vienna’s 22nd district, Donaustadt. The restaurant is especially well known for its barbecues in summer but also for its huge and green garden directly at the water. Here you can enjoy traditional Viennese food and various grilled fish dishes, while watching the dozens of sailing, pedal and electric boots which are to be found in the Old Danube until late into the evening. When the former river arm of the Danube is frozen – something which is not even that rare – you can watch the many ice skaters from the comfort of the restaurant’s warm rooms.
The restaurant is currently closed for winter and should re-open – with a new host – in the middle of April.
Zur Alte Kaisermühle
Website: https://www.kaisermuehle.at/
Address: Fischerstrand 21a, 1220 Vienna
There are many new things to discover in Vienna and not only in the centre but also on the outskirts of the city. The area around the Old Danube is a particular highlight at any time of the year.