The real Viennese Heuriger, or vine tavern for all of you with difficulties wrapping their tongue around the Austrian term, is probably as well-known as the Ferries Wheel, Schönbrunn Castle, or the Lippizaner horses. At least among those who cherish great wine, good food, and a hefty dose of tradition and nostalgia.
The Heurige derives its name from the beverage it is most famous for: this season’s wine (heurig roughly translates to seasonal). And this is, where things could get complicated, but tend not to because the Viennese are famously laid back and relaxed when it comes to rules. Technically, a wine can only be called a Heuriger until November 11, St. Martin’s Day. This means, from November 12 onwards, Heurige don’t serve Heurigen wine any longer and therefore probably shouldn’t be called Heuriger, but rather Buschenschank (named after the bush-like bundle of pine branches Heurige put up above their main entrance to signal that they are open). Which, as you can imagine, is a great topic for slightly wine-fuelled debates, but nothing we will keep on boring you with.
Heurigen are famous for their Gemütlichkeit, their special relaxed and homey atmosphere, and have been immortalised in any number of books, films, and songs. And rightly so, we think.
There’s nowhere else in the world where great wines meet traditional accompanying foods in a comparably welcoming atmosphere as in Vienna’s Heurigen. And you should definitely visit one (or more) of the following great locales:
Must-See Heurigen In Vienna
10er Marie
Named after its location (Ottakring, the 10th district), this Heuriger is (one of) the oldest in Vienna and something you definitely shouldn’t miss. The 10er Marie has first opened in 1740 and has treated their guests with superb wines and a wide, tasty selection of food (yes, even Schnitzel!) ever since.
Where: Ottakringer Straße 222/224, 1160 Vienna
Opening hours: Mon – Sat: 3 pm – 12 am; Sun: closed
Web: 10er Marie
Buchenschank Mayer am Nussberg
Guests come for the wine, but stay for the view. This Heuriger has scored many an award for their superb wines, but what makes it really special is its location in the midst of Vienna’s vineyards at the foot of the Kahlenberg. A nice selection of meat and cheese platters round off the experience.
Where: Kahlenberger Straße vis-a-vis #210, 1190 Vienna
Opening hours: (fair weather only) Fri & Sat: 2 pm – 10 pm; Sun & holidays: 12 pm – 10 pm
Web: Mayer am Nussberg
Buschenschank Müller
The perfect spot to rest up after (or during) a hike along the Stadtwanderweg 1, this Heuriger is one of the most interesting “newbies” on our list. The wine on offer is perfect and the many delicacies (supplied by Mozart & Meisl) going with it are so good we’re sure you’ll not want to keep on hiking before having a second helping, at least.
Where: Cobenzlgasse 38, 1190 Vienna
Opening hours: see website
Web: Buschenschank Müller
Buschenschank Stift St. Peter
This Heuriger has been in the hands of Benedictine monks since 1042 and several of its cellar vaults date back to this period. The Buschenschank is a great place to enjoy the unique and atmospheric surroundings while listening to traditional Viennese Heurigen music.
Where: Rupertusplatz, 1170 Vienna
Opening hours: see website
Web: Buschenschank Stift St. Peter
Fuhrgassl-Huber
The legendary (in Vienna) Heurige in the middle of Vienna’s wine-growing village Neustift am Walde is a truly homely and idyllic place to spend an afternoon and evening. The rustic interior is great, but what’s the real looker is the terraced garden that offers sights of the Heurigen’s own vineyards as well as the Vienna Woods.
Where: Neustift am Walde 68, 1190 Vienna
Opening hours: Mon – Sat: 2 pm – 12 am; Sun & holidays: 12 pm – 11 pm
Web: Fuhrgassl-Huber
Heuriger & Weingut Bernreiter
Guests of this wine tavern love the cosy restaurant and shady garden no less than they love the truly great wine selection and culinary delights. Here, the Viennese Heurigen tradition is celebrated in style, and so it is no wonder that the Heuriger Bernreiter is also well-known for its cultural events that perfectly fit in with drink and food.
Where: Amtsstraße 24 – 26, 1210 Vienna
Opening hours: (even months only –> February, April, June, August, October, December [Dec: only until the 15th]) Tue – Fri: from 2 pm; Sat: from 12 pm; Sun & holidays: from 11 am
Web: Bernreiter
Heuriger Hirt
First opened in 1935, this Heuriger offers great views over the Danube, and has been a welcome stop for anyone hiking either the Leopoldsberg or the Kahlenberg. Viennese Heurigen-tradition is preserved here perfectly and so it shouldn’t be surprising that visitors have to get up and have a look at the buffet to pick their delicacy of choice instead of being able to rely on menu and waitresses.
Where: Eiserne Handgasse – Parzelle 165, 1190 Vienna
Opening hours: (April 1 – October 31) Wed – Fri: from 3 pm; Sat, Sun & holidays: from 12 pm; (Nov 1 – March 31) Fri – Sun & holidays: from 12 pm
Web: Heuriger Hirt
Heuriger Sirbu
Another one of the beautiful Heurigen tucked onto the sloping hills at the foot of the Kahlenberg, this location offers not only a stunning view over the city, but also entices weary hikers and well-rested guests alike with incredible traditional dishes and their truly superb wines.
Where: Kahlenberger Straße 210, 1190 Vienna
Opening hours: (April – Oktober) Mon – Fri: 4 pm – 11 pm; Sat: 3 pm – 11 pm, Sun & holidays: closed (bad weather: call to check if they are open!)
Web: Heuriger Sirbu
Heuriger Wolff
Guests of this traditional Viennese Heurigen have been treated to hearty dishes, homemade pastries and truly exquisite homegrown wines since it first opened in 1609. Here, history meets culinary delights, and has their patron’s hearts soar with delight.
Where: Rathstraße 46-50, 1190 Vienna
Opening hours: daily: 11 am – midnight
Web: Heuriger Wolff
Karl Lentner
Locals and tourists alike flock to this Heurigen in search of a glass (or five) of their award-winning wines. Food and drink (make sure to leave some room for the delightful homemade pastries!) are served in the spacious restaurant as well as in the lovely garden at the foot of the Bisamberg.
Where: Amtsstraße 44; 1210 Vienna
Opening hours: (even months only –> February, April, June, August, October, December) Mon – Sat: 2:30 pm – 11 pm; Sun & holidays: 9 am – 10 pm
Web: Karl Lentner
Mayer am Pfarrplatz
This Heuriger lies in a truly historic building: where guests enjoy the culinary delights of the Mayer am Pfarrplatz today, star-composer Ludwig van Beethoven has once lived. But not only that – he also penned his famous 9th symphony here. Somewhat in keeping with its musical past, there’s original Viennese Heurigen music played live every day from 7 pm.
Where: Pfarrplatz 2, 1190 Vienna
Opening hours: Mon – Fri: 4 pm – midnight;
Sat, Sun & holidays: from 12 pm
Web: Heuriger Mayer am Pfarrplatz
Weinbau & Heuriger Edlmoser
Crowned the best Heurigen in the city, and with an extra helping of humour (they dubbed themselves “the Facebook of real life” as an allusion to the Heurigen’s function of having people meet and chat that would not be in contact otherwise) the Edlmoser is a place you shouldn’t miss out on. (It should go without saying that both food and wine are superb here!)
Where: Maurer-Lange-Gasse 123, 1230 Vienna
Opening hours: see website
Web: Weinbau & Heuriger Edlmoser
Weinbau Zawodsky
There is nowhere, and we do mean nowhere!, else to be on a hot summers afternoon than in the incomparable garden of this Heurigen. We won’t spoil the experience for you by trying to describe it with -invariably- inadequate words. What we will say, though, is that the romantic atmosphere as well as the charming service and very excellent food make for a very unique Heurigen experience.
Where: Reinischgasse 3, 1190 Vienna
Opening hours: see website
Web: Weinbau Zawodsky
Weingut Helm
Majestic plane trees in the garden and award-winning wines are certainly arguing for a visit to this Heurigen. Insiders know a much better reason, though: there’s an incredible winepress dating back to 1793 to be discovered in this beautiful, rustic Heuriger.
Where: Stammersdorferstr. 121, 1210 Vienna
Opening hours: see website
Web: Weingut Helm
Weinhandwerk
There is no place in Vienna that is more idyllic than this Heuriger, we think. Located at the foot of the Bisamberg, this magical place needs a bit patience when it comes to arriving via public transport, but it is well worth every minute spent in the tram as well as the roughly 30 minute walk afterwards. Truly exquisite food (the Heuriger is also known for its workshops and seminars covering anything that has to do with herbs – coincidence? we think not!), perfect wines and magical views make coming here a real treat.
Where: Senderstrasse 27, 1210 Vienna
Opening hours: (April – October) Fri – Sun & holiyday: from 12 am
Web: Weinhandwerk
Weinhof Zimmermann
Right. We won’t be held accountable for anything that may or may not happen to the fit of your trousers after this information: if you do nothing else, go and have an applestrudel with custard at this Heuriger. It’s (we kid you not) legen-waitforit-dary!!!! Now that we have got this out of the way, let us just briefly mention that the lovely terraced garden, the traditional Viennese culinary delights and the great wine would be reason enough to wholeheartedly recommend a visit to this Heurigen – but, as we said: there’s the applestrudel!!!!
Where: Mitterwurzergasse 20, 1190 Vienna
Opening hours: (mid-March – end of October) Tue – Sat: 3 pm – 12 am; Sun: 1 pm – 10 pm
Web: Weinhof Zimmermann
Zum Berger
This traditional Grinzinger Heuriger dates back to 1713 but comes with all the extras a contemporary audience demands. The traditional buffet offers regional, but more importantly, seasonal culinary delights; and all of the wines are organically grown. And if you need any further enticements to check the place out: Prince Charles and Camilla dropped by a few years ago (organic winery, remember?!) and allegedly liked the offered wines quite a bit.
Where: Himmelstraße 19, 1190 Vienna
Opening hours: Thu – Sat: from 2:58 pm (fair-weather: 11:54 am); Sun: from 11:54 am
Web: Zum Berger
