Best Vegan Restaurants In Vienna, Austria In 2023

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Best Vegan Restaurants In Vienna, Austria

Vegetarianism as a major movement came late to Austria (even if Vienna once hosted a vegetarian congress in 1886). But a cosmopolitan capital has enough options to keep vegetarians like me happy and fed.

When I first arrived in Austria, I asked someone where I can buy semi-skimmed milk. They expressed immediate concern for whatever gastrointestinal disease I must have suffered from, for surely no healthy human would want something as exotic and rare as milk without all the fat.

I give you that story just to illustrate that Vienna and Austria joined the healthy eating movement somewhat later than many others. Times have changed. Fortunately.

In early 2021, for example, Nestpick rated Vienna as the fourth-best city in the world for vegetarians out of the 200 they surveyed. Only London, Berlin and Munich ranked higher. As well as the usual arguments, such as the climate emergency, nutritional awareness and animal welfare, vegetarianism in Austria benefited (in my amateur opinion) from synergies with the country’s remarkable organic food movement.

Go into any Vienna supermarket and the astonishing range of organic products available may surprise you. The actual number of vegetarians in Austria depends on which survey you read, but I’d estimate roughly 5-10% of the adult population as vegetarian or vegan. So being a vegetarian is nothing unusual and the grocery stores and restaurants have adapted accordingly.

Though traditional Austrian cuisine tends to be heavy on meat, many restaurants in Vienna now offer a range of vegan and vegetarian meal options. Whether you plan to go for a casual lunch of vegan schnitzel or an eight-course veggie dinner at a Michelin-star establishment, the Austrian capital has a restaurant for you.

Ten years ago, finding high-quality, delicious vegetarian options in a Viennese restaurant was tough, says LIA, an artist who lives in the Austrian capital and runs the vegetarian food blog Vegetaria. “Restaurants would typically have a ‘light’ section of the menu where they would hide the vegetarian options, but I always had to check if they contained meat because this was never 100 percent clear,” LIA tells Culture Trip. “Basically, the only realistic way to be a vegetarian was to cook at home. When I went out to eat, I had to accept that I was not going out for the quality of the food, but for the company of my friends.”

However, over the past few years, the vegetarian and vegan scene in Vienna has drastically improved. “Today, it’s really not a big problem to get a good vegetarian meal when going out to eat,” LIA says of Vienna. “Even restaurants in small country towns have mostly adapted their menus to feature more vegetarian and vegan options.”

Those with plant-based, dairy-free or meatless diets can now find plenty to eat in Vienna, including a world-class meal at one of the city’s fancier restaurants. For smaller budgets, there are plenty of options inspired by a range of cuisines, including Indian, Vietnamese and even Austrian.

Vienna is famous for its Schnitzel, pork knuckle, and Kaisekrainer meat sausages, which might have you thinking it's impossible to find good Vegetarian or Vegan food options in the city. However, if you know where to look, there are a wealth of delicious vegan & vegetarian restaurants to enjoy, from top Michelin starred fancy restaurants, to cute casual cafes and everything in between.

The History Of Veganism In Vienna

Though historically, vegetarians and vegans in Austria have been relatively rare, the cuisine has gradually embraced a plethora of local vegetarian and vegan dishes. Because of Austria's relatively small population, specialty restaurants tend to specialize in either meat or dairy, leaving room for vegan and vegetarian food.

Austria was one of the first European countries to welcome vegans, back in the 1980s. One restaurant, Andere Königs Schallplatten, in Vienna’s hipster district of Meidling, was started by two gay bikers in response to their wives’ demands for non-vegetarian food. The restaurant quickly became one of the hippest spots in the city, attracting loyal customers who shared their love for both vegan food and the bikers’ biking lifestyle.

Long before the introduction of birth control in the 1970s, diets in Germany and Austria (and most of the world) were dictated by periods of abstinence or infertility. As a result, from the mid-1800s through the 1970s, forgoing meat, dairy, and eggs was the norm.

It was at this time, in the early 1970s, that Austria saw a massive uptick in veganism due to the work of Austrian author and activist Sonja Ginzburg. A native of the famous Lenzerheide sanatoriums, Ginzburg helped promote a vegetarian diet as a treatment for cancer in her self-published book, Zwei Heilige Segnen: Zwei Vorteile für das Leben für den Tumor.

Why Vegan Restaurants Are Important

Veganism is on the rise around the world, and Austria is no exception. With over 500,000 vegan travellers making their way to Austria each year, veganism is going mainstream, and you can even find vegan souvenirs and clothes here. Additionally, the Austrian government has made it one of their goals to promote veganism, even going so far as to create a specially-designed vegan cheese for the Austrian cheese market.

The rise in veganism in Austria has helped create a niche restaurant industry. If you're vegan, it's not uncommon to find a cafe or deli devoted to vegan cuisine, as well as boutique vegan eateries that serve exotic cuisines that would be more at home in your home country.

Vegans are a fast-growing demographic around the world, but in Austria, this figure has skyrocketed in recent years. In 2000, the number of vegans in Austria was 785,000. Today, there are a total of 8.4 million.

Vienna has been in the vanguard of this rapidly growing trend. So important is this development that the city’s farmers’ market is now an international hub for vegans and vegetarian foodies. And the city’s vegan restaurants contribute to this popularity.

The city has more than 300 vegetarian and vegan establishments. Many of the vegan restaurants are run by Austrian celebrities, such as “Böse Herr” chef Heini Kutscher, who pioneered the local movement in 2000.

Why Vegan Restaurants Are Popular In Vienna

Vienna is perhaps one of the best cities in the world to be vegan. A haven for vegetarians, vegans, and those looking for good vegetarian food. Furthermore, Viennese vegan food offers a wide selection of delicious traditional foods that do not contain animal products. With so many different restaurants offering different foods, it is hard to decide which one to try first.

Because veganism is becoming more and more mainstream, cities around the world have become more welcoming to people who opt for a vegan diet. They may also be willing to help educate others who have not yet made the switch. If Vienna is good for what you do, you’ll probably find vegan options available at many eateries around the city.

Increasing Number Of Vegans In Vienna

There are over 5,000 restaurants in Vienna, and almost 20 percent of these are vegan. A similar percentage of the population is vegetarian, although it’s worth mentioning that not everyone decides to be vegetarian at the same time.

The city of Vienna and the whole of Austria is renowned for its culinary diversity. There are no other countries in the world where there is such a variety of vegan cuisines. Almost any dish can be prepared with a range of ingredients that include eggs, dairy, and gluten. It is no surprise, then, that Vienna is one of the top ten vegan-friendly cities in the world.

Vienna, the capital of Austria, is a cosmopolitan city that attracts more than 1 million visitors each year. It is the eleventh-largest city in the world by population and the third-largest city in the European Union.

The city is an international center for culture, music, art and business. The fact that Vienna is a center for politics and the economy also attracts a huge population of students, young professionals and students from other European countries.

Vienna is also home to many international organizations that attract diverse residents. However, contrary to what some may think, Austria does not see a very high number of vegan and vegetarian residents.

The statistics show that there are approximately 3,600 vegan residents in Austria, including 1,000 in Vienna.

Where To Find Vegan Restaurants In Vienna

You’ll find a wide variety of vegan dining options in Vienna, from vegetarian cafes and wine bars to upscale restaurants with a range of gluten- and dairy-free options. Many of the most well-known and Michelin-starred restaurants in Vienna even have special vegan menus.

One of the most well-known is the upscale Pizza Al Duomo, which has long been a vegetarian and vegan favourite. The massive restaurant has three dining areas: Pizza, Pizza al Funghi, and Pizza al Ristorante.

Pizza al Funghi serves hand-tossed pizzas and local wines, while Pizza al Ristorante offers European-style pizza (which is baked instead of fried) and a wide range of traditional and non-traditional pizzas.

Pai Pong Club. If you’re looking for something more formal than a sushi bar and want a place where you can sit and enjoy your meal, Pai Pong is the place for you. Pai Pong Club, which opened in 2011, offers diners a variety of vegan and vegetarian dishes. There are dishes that contain no meat and dairy, such as a curry called “Mahamoji,” and “Paprika Zucchini” as well as plenty of vegan options on the main menu.

Three Turtle Co. This is a vegan and vegetarian restaurant based in Vienna, but one that has many locations in the city. One of the oldest and most popular locations is located in an industrial area known as Egonfeld. Three Turtle Co.

If you’re in Vienna and you’re looking for vegan restaurants, you are in luck. One of the most famous options is Earth Cafe, which specializes in vegan meals. Their menu includes many different kinds of vegetarian food and of course, vegan options. Vegetarian food is not on the menu, but you can get everything else you need from the restaurant.

Bonsai. A tiny vegan restaurant just around the corner from the Schonbrunn Palace (immediately inside the palace walls) in the Mariahilf district, Bonsai is filled with brightly coloured artwork from the owner’s personal collection. The owner, Julian Kraus, is an Austrian chef who was also a judge on the Austrian version of The Next Iron Chef, all while running his vegan restaurant.

De Stemmler by Jan Stemmler, which offers tasting menus based on locally-sourced ingredients and European European techniques. Located in the charming and romantic inner-city district of Vienna's Rathaus, this upscale and elegant eatery is popular for not only its contemporary Austrian cuisine but also for the authentic artworks that line the walls.

Blüht at the Ritz. Chef Matthias Gommer founded the vegetarian restaurant Blüht in 1999 in the historic Adlon Hotel. “For me, it's always been about food,” Gommer says. He likes to pair his vegetables with imported German wines and employs a small army of loyal vegetarians in the kitchen. “I don't get angry when I see that at least a quarter of my customers eat meat because I know they only go to me because they really love the food,” he says. “There's no hatred.

What To Expect From Austrian Vegan Cuisine

Austrians have traditionally considered themselves “marionettes of the state,” and although the nation has become one of Europe’s largest economies, it remains one of the most restrictive when it comes to veganism. Aside from the occasional market stall offering tofu products and tiny restaurants with no menus (which are most likely to serve food that can easily be made vegan by simply removing the meat) vegans can expect limited availability in Vienna.

This situation is somewhat improved thanks to the proliferation of online blogs and websites, such as Vegan Vienna, but it remains a challenge to eat vegan in the capital.

The flavours of Austria's hearty cuisine still permeate most restaurants in Vienna, and vegan food is no exception. Some restaurants serve traditional dishes, while others cater to non-vegans with vegan versions of international delicacies.

“I believe that veganism is the most effective medicine against animal cruelty in today's world. Veganism offers people a vision of peace and non-violence,” explained Anne Stokes, an American vegan blogger who frequents restaurants in Vienna.

Unlike in the U.S., traditional Austrian cuisine does not really have vegan options and those that do usually involve meat substitutes, such as soy. However, there are lots of vegan options in Vienna, including vegetarian schnitzel, a piece of delicious smoked cheese on toast, tofu-based soups and stews, and fresh salads. Vegans are also well catered for in restaurants that specialize in vegetarian food, such as Hefefe Stiegl (Hefe's), Cafe Zuflucht (Salads of the Day) and Tafelburg (famous for its delicious cake and crepes).

Other vegan dining options include vegetarian and vegan ice creams and hot chocolate from the plethora of vegan dessert cafes in the city and a whole host of creative cafes, such as the Stangl Wien (a famous vegan cafe), which will indulge any sweet tooth.

Other Vegan Products

Of course, not every food item in Vienna is vegan. Though the land of Mozart has always taken a unique approach to food, vegan restaurants and groceries are far from unheard of. Most markets offer lots of vegan options, as well. Many coffee shops offer vegan oat milk, a typical milk substitute, though coffee-houses of Vienna are known for using coffee flavored with cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, and other spices that aren’t common in most American coffee shops. But for those seeking truly vegan products, the city has a number of fast-casual restaurants offering soups, salads, burgers, stir-fries, and even gluten-free dishes.

You can find tofu, soy yogurt, tempeh, and so much more at supermarkets across Austria. Many Austrian companies also make vegan food and clothing items, too.

Benefits Of Veganism

The most obvious benefit of going vegan is the fact that animals can’t be tortured to provide your meal. Furthermore, the high environmental impact of meat-heavy diets has been proven to be largely unsustainable.

In addition to the environmental impact, vegan diets help with weight loss, cholesterol, and even belly fat. A 2018 study by Tractable found that vegan diets could help individuals lose 3-5% of body weight and also reduce cholesterol and blood pressure.

In 2009, a survey conducted by the Austrian Meat and Dairy Association revealed that 2 percent of Austrian households declared themselves vegan. Since then, more and more Austrian people have declared themselves vegans. In 2016, the vegan population grew to nearly 4 percent of the Austrian population and counting. For those of you who live outside of Vienna and are looking for vegan food, the nearest vegan city is Zurich, Switzerland.

Vienna’s most popular vegan restaurant is The Super Green Vegan Restaurant. Located in the Währing district, this is a family-run vegan restaurant and café that provides delicious vegan dishes. Not only are the dishes healthy, but they’re also beautiful. Green noodles topped with cashew pesto and almond crème Fraiche, for example, look fantastic.

There are many animal-welfare benefits to adopting a vegan diet. You’ll be eliminating dairy products, eggs, and meats from your daily menu. Animal agriculture is responsible for the deaths of billions of animals each year, both on factory farms and in slaughterhouses.

For the animals that are killed in factory farms, there are an estimated 30 billion land animals suffering each year in the US alone. Most of this animal suffering is caused by monoculture and industrial farming methods that mimic the natural environment. Monoculture is where plants or animals are crowded together in one place and fed a diet that is designed to maximize food yield. This diet is designed to maximize the yield of the animals, not the crops themselves.

Veganism Is A Lifestyle

According to the Vegetarian Society of Austria, around 50,000 people in Austria practice a vegetarian or vegan diet. That’s around 6 percent of the country. The majority of them go for a vegan or vegetarian diet for health reasons, and enjoy a life of minimal waste.

Moreover, according to a study also conducted by the Vegetarian Society of Austria in 2017, nearly 1 in 3 people in Vienna consider themselves vegetarian and at least 1 in 5 people have adopted a vegan diet.

Steganos restaurant is one of the few vegan establishments in Vienna. They serve delicious meals with a focus on local, organic ingredients.

For people who are on a vegetarian or vegan diet for health reasons, Viennese cuisine is a superb choice. The dishes are fresh and healthy, which makes them perfect for the modern vegan diner.

Conclusion

Eating vegan may not be a glamorous pursuit, but that doesn’t make it any less worthy of your time. Whether you’re getting back to basics for the new year or simply following your own health and wellness regimen, you can feel better, look better, and enjoy a calmer, more pleasant life if you incorporate more plant-based foods into your daily diet. In fact, studies have shown that going vegan has a host of positive effects, including making you look and feel years younger.

So embrace veganism, and let the weight of the world drop away. Even if you have to leave the house to find some decent vegan food, at least you’ll be a little bit healthier.

I trust you enjoyed reading the article about the Best Vegan Restaurants In Vienna, Austria. Please stay tuned. There are more blog posts to come very shortly.

JeannetteZ

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