Sometimes, in the midst of grey, dreary Viennese winters, it is hard to remember how rays of sun feel on your skin. Or what warmth is. Or how summer smells like.
And that’s the moment when you realise that a little vacation in the form of a blessedly delicious Italian pizza is exactly what you need to survive the next round of fog and drizzle. Italian restaurants in Vienna are that little bit of dolce vita and southern laissez faire this city and its inhabitants love and need – and here are some of the best places to treat yourself to a perfect pizza (as well as pasta and tiramisu, obviously!) and dream of the next vacation at the riviera:
Where to Get the Best Pizza in Town
Bros.Pizza
The guys at Bros.Pizza know what they are doing – and that despite the fact that there’s not a single trace of Italian blood running in their veins. Knowing that, it shouldn’t surprise you to hear that pizza is being done a bit less traditional there. Special creations are their forte and the extra yummy dough is made from sourdough. Sounds interesting? We bet it does!
Where: Zollergasse 2, 1070 Vienna
Opening hours: Mon – Sat: 12 pm – 9 pm; Sun: closed
Web: —
Disco Volante
At first glance, this pizza parlour might look simple. Yes, we would even go so far as to say boring – particularly when you take the fact that it has found its home on one of Vianna’s hippest streets, the Gumpendorferstraße. The restaurant might not be big, but it’s roomy and decorations are sparse. That is, until you finally lay your eyes on the sparkly, name-giving disco ball that actually is the pizza oven. And once you’ve seen that, you just know that you have something special here. The pizzas are perfect and Italian to the core (no wonder, they are made by true Italians who really, really love what they are doing), and while the overall choice is sparse, everything on the menu is so good that you really don’t need any more!
Where: Gumpendorfer Straße 98, 1060 Vienna
Opening hours: Mon – Fri: 12 pm – 12 am (pizza: 12 pm – 3 pm & 6 pm – 11 pm); Sat: 12 pm – 12 am (pizza: until 11 pm); Sun & holidays: 12 pm – 11 pm (pizza: until 10 pm)
Web: Disco Volante
Francesco Grinzing
Once a true insider’s tip for 19th district dwellers, this Italian restaurant has seen people from all over Vienna flock to their doors lately. Apparently, word of the truly extraordinary quality of all the food served at Francesco’s has finally spread throughout the city. And rightly so, we say. Their pizza menu is small but really nice, and for all of you who are a bit more health conscious even when indulging in pizza, there’s even a whole grain dough option to be had. As we’ve said, the restaurant is a true favourite, so expect it to be full (particularly during the summer months, when the lovely garden in jam-packed!) and always book a table in advance!
Where: Grinzinger Straße 50, 1190 Vienna
Opening hours: daily: 11:30 am – 12 am
Web: Francesco
Il mare
This pizza place has first opened its doors in 1975 and has steadily grown a devoted fellowship ever since. More often than not, the restaurant is overrun by guests, who all come for the pizza but tend to stay (and come again) for the whole delicious menu. Next to their much-renowned pizza, we can only suggest trying at least one of their pasta dishes as well as their famous Bistecca Fiorentina, their tuscan-style T-bone steak. You won’t regret it!
Where: Zieglergasse 15, 1070 Vienna
Opening hours: Mon – Sat: 12 pm – 3 pm & 5 pm – 12 am; Sun: closed
Web: Il Mare
Il Sestante
The Il Sestante is your place to go if you’re in the mood for a truly authentic Italian pizza. And dining experience, really. Owned and run by Italians, this place oozes la dolce vita and mediterranean charm. The big restaurant looks just as you expect it to do (dark wood panelling, empty wine bottles as decorations), is always bustling, and the whole staff is super friendly and wraps you up in trademark Italian hospitality. For us, it’s amore!
Where: Piaristengasse 50, 1080 Vienna
Opening hours: daily: 11:30 am – 11:30 pm
Web: Il Sestante
l’autentico giardino
We can’t praise this pizza enough. It is mouthwateringly good, diverse and as authentic as pizza can be. The extra yummy dough is made from two different types of flour, need to rest at least an hour and -in true south Italian fashion- bakes for just 90 seconds, but at a whopping 450°C. In all likelihood, this is why the pizzas are just perfect. There’s little else to say, really!
Where: Grinzinger Allee 30, 1190 Vienna
Opening hours: Mon – Fri: 5 pm – 12 am; Sat, Sun & holidays: 11:30 am – 12 am
Web: l’autentico
L’Osteria
You may want to reconsider a visit at the L’Osteria if you’re “really not that hungry”. Trust us. If you feel like you could easily eat a horse, however, the four locations of this restaurant are your place to go! Pizzas there are huge. We’re not kidding. We have never seen a pizza at L’Osteria that hasn’t massively spilled over the plate. Not ever. What we haven’t seen either? A single guest that hasn’t been beaming from one ear to the other after their first bite. Our tip for you? Order a pizza with different toppings on each half. That way you can get even more of the incredible taste variety on the menu!
Where: BRÄUNERSTRASSE: Bräunerstraße 11, 1010 Vienna; FLORIANIGASSE: Florianigasse 55, 1080 Vienna; WIRTSCHAFTSUNI: Freudplatz 2, 1020 Vienna; HAUPTBAHNHOF: Am Hauptbahnhof 1, EG 152, 1100 Vienna; GRINZING: Grinzinger Straße 1, 1190 Vienna; AUHOF CENTER: Albert Schweitzer Gasse 6 2.OG, 1140 Vienna
Opening hours: all locations: Mon – Sat: 11 am – 12 am; Sun & holidays: 12 pm – 12 am
Web: L’Osteria
Pizza Mari
Don’t let yourself be fooled by the extra minimalist interieur. Nor by the laminated menu. Yes. Laminated. The Pizza Mari might take retro to a whole nother level, looks-wise, but holy cow they do make a mean pizza! Italian owned (Maria most certainly reminds us of a true Nonna) they most definitely know what they’re doing and offer pizzas like no other. Guests can choose between red and white bases (i.e. tomato or cheese) and get the most authentic Neapolitan flavours we have ever tasted in Vienna. A definite must-dine!
Where: Leopoldsgasse 23a, 1020 Vienna
Opening hours: Tue – Fri: 12 pm – 12 am (pizza: 12 pm – 3 pm & 6 pm – 11 pm); Sat: 12 pm – 12 am (pizza: 12 pm – 11 pm); Sun & holidays (except Mondays): 12 pm – 11 pm (pizza: 12 pm – 10 pm); Mon: closed
Web: Pizza Mari
Pizza Quartier
A relative newcomer to Vienna’s pizza scene, the Quartier has quickly amassed a loyal following. Located at a strategic location that guarantees the freshest ingredients (by the way: the Karmelitermarkt is always worth checking out, whether you stop for pizza or not!) this restaurant boosts a medium-sized menu, but one that doesn’t leave you wanting. A particular looker? The black pizza. Go on, try it, we know you want to!
Where: Karmelitermarkt 96, 1020 Vienna
Opening hours: Mon – Fri: 11 am – 11 pm , Sat: 9:30 am – 11 pm (food: 11:30 am – 10:30 pm); Sun: closed
Web: Pizza Quartier
Pizzeria Pozzuoli
It might look super kitchy at first glance (red-and-white checkered tablecloths? really?!), but under that layer or cliché lies a true gem of the Viennese pizza scene. The staff here is quick and friendly, prices are very fair, and the pizzas are just a dream! We honestly can’t recommend this little corner of stereotypical Italy enough – and neither can we stop dreaming of their Tiramisu!
Where: Fasangasse 7, 1030 Vienna
Opening hours: Mon – Sat: 12 pm – 3 pm & 6 pm – 11 pm; Sun & holidays: 12 pm – 11 pm
Web: Pizzeria Pozzuoli
Pizzeria Riva
In terms of pizza, this is the place to be right now. With three locations (heads up, the Summer Stage is only opened during the summer months. duh.) the Pizzeria Riva is still often overrun by hungry Viennese who have heard that you should not miss out on the quality served there. And best of all? The pizzas rightly deserve to be called authentic – there’s flour from Naples in the dough, and tomatoes are sourced from San Marzano. Not the most eco-friendly, perhaps, but super worth it in taste!
Where: Türkenstraße: Schlickgasse 2 (corner Türkenstraße), 1090 Vienna; Favorita: Favoritenstraße 4-6, 1040 Vienna; Summer Stage: Roßauer Lände right at the Donaukanal, 1090 Vienna
Opening hours: Türkenstraße: Mon – Fri: 11:30 am – 2:30 pm & 5:30 pm – 11 pm; Sat & Sun: 5:30 pm – 11 pm; Favorita: Mon – Sat: 11:30 am – 11 pm; Sun & holidays: 5:30 pm – 11pm; Summer Stage: (Mai – Sep; nice weather only): daily: 5 pm – 11 pm
Web: Pizzeria Riva
Regina Margherita
For everyone wanting to dine in style, the Regina Margherita is the place to be (and be seen). Located in the beautiful Palais Esterhazy, this restaurant serves authentic Neapolitan pizza in typical Viennese inner city flair. Voted the best-loved pizza restaurant in the city by Falstaff, there really isn’t a lot we can add to that accolade. With a thin crust and a melt-in-your-mouth topping, this pizza is worth every single Euro. And yes, prices are somewhat higher than you would expect for “just” pizza. But the quality and ambience really makes up for that. The Regina Margherita might not turn into your go-to pizza restaurant, but it’s a perfect choice for when you want something upscale but also really, really crave pizza!
Where: Wallnerstraße 4 – Palais Esterhazy, 1010 Vienna
Opening hours: daily 11:30 am – 11:30 pm
Web: Regina Margherita
That’s amore
With an Italian born and raised team and a tagline that translates to “we learned from the best of the best – our Mammas” things really can’t go wrong here. The atmosphere’s great, the pizzas are even better, and the Espresso – ordered and drunk at the bar, for just 1€ – leaves us with the certain knowledge, that we have found our little piece of Italy here in Vienna. And yes, that’s amore!
Where: Messenhausergasse 13, 1030 Vienna
Opening hours: daily: 11:30 am – 3 pm & 5:30 pm – 11 pm (food: until 10 pm)
Web: That’s Amore
