In Paris there is the bistrot, Italy has the trattoria and in Vienna they have the “beisl.” Beisls (from the Yiddish word “bajiss”), or bistros are casual dining places that serve local specialities. Similar to its counterparts, the traditional Viennese beisl has that down-to-earth, easygoing atmosphere, outdoor tables when the weather is good and where local comfort food dominates the menu.
Here you get authentic Viennese cuisine fare such as Wiener Schnitzel, Tafelspitz, dumplings, goulash and many others paired with either chilled wine, ale or porter. A Viennese bistro is also a typical place for people to meet and hang out and because of this, you can find a lot of them in the city. There are some that do stand out from the rest and here is a guide to where you can find them: Glaics Beisl. Tucked in the historic and popular Museumsquartier in the first district is a bistro that has been around since World War II.
Here you can feast on traditional menu favorites include the Veal Schnitzel, Grammel-knodel (dumplings) and Rindsgulasch (goulash) in a modern bistro setting. Beaulieu. Also in the 1st district is a two-storey affair that combines the best of French and Viennese bistro fare. Aside from the traditional Viennese food, there’s also coq au vin, quiches, croque monsieur, escargot and other light French fare. The owners also added an epicerie so guests can add pate and a wide variety of cheeses to choose from. Gasthaus Wild. Located in the 3rd district and close to the Kunsthaus Wien is a heurigen converted into a bistro. It has a seasonal menu but there are the regular favorites – Schinkenfleckerl (a ravioli-like dish) and Apfel Strudel are always on the menu.
