4 of the Best Heurigers in Vienna

By Tas TobiasLast updated: Aug. 11, 2023

Vienna is a city of wine: the only metropolis in the world with massive vineyards. The place to consume these wines are the Heurigers – unpretentious wine taverns run by the wineries and also serving food. Below, you'll find a few of my favorites, some down in the city, others high up on the hillside. The local specialty is the Gemischter Satz, a white blend made from different grapes that were grown and harvested together.

#1 Edlmoser Weingut & Heuriger

If the well-known Heurigers of Vienna’s District 19 in Grinzing and Nussdorf feel overly touristy, I suggest you head to Mauer on the other side of town. Here hides the charming Heuriger of Michael Edlmoser, a leading Viennese winemaker, serving excellent traditional Austrian foods and homemade wines for a lively crowd of neighborhood locals.

Edlmoser himself is among the servers that slalom through the crowd with tender pork belly slices, Liptauer and creamy egg spreads, or apple and cottage cheese strudels in hand. And of course wines. Start with his classic Wiener Gemischter Satz, then move on to the Rieslings, among the best in Austria. Be sure to check the opening hours – asg’steckt – as they’re open for two-week intervals at a time.

#2 Heuriger Muth

Heuriger Muth is the name if you'd like to experience a typical Heuriger in the center of Heurigerville, that is, the Grinzing neighborhood of Vienna's District 19. Enter through the barrel-vaulted courtyard, select some cold cuts and spreads – spicy Liptauer! – from the display case, then sit down under the soaring chestnut tree with a glass or two of easy-drinking Gemischter Satz, the local Viennese wine. Proprietor Michael Landrichter, also busy serving guests, gathered an especially kind group of servers. More good news: excellent warm dishes and few tourists.

#3 Wieninger am Nussberg

Wieninger am Nussberg is one of the growing number of Heurigers in Vienna that are located high up on the hillside. The panoramic views and a carefree environment right amid the vineyards draw young and chic – and sometimes rowdy – locals, who otherwise turn up their noses at the old-school Heurigers down in the city.

The wines come from Fritz Wieninger, the father of Viennese winemaking, who makes both excellent whites – Gemischter Satz, too, of course – and easy-drinking reds. The food comprises tasty Viennese classics. The best way to get here from the city center is taking tram #37 to the last stop (Hohe Warte), then walking the remainder of the way, about 30 minutes, the last section right through the vineyards. Open Thursday to Sunday in the outdoor season.

#4 Weinstube Josefstadt

Heurigers are a Vienna specialty: charming wine taverns in the suburbs, near the city’s famed vineyards. But what if you don't have the time or energy to trek out to Grinzing and Nussberg in Heuriger-land? You find the best alternative in the city, which is Weinstube Josefstadt. It's fun to discover this completely hidden drinking joint with a romantic, ivy-covered outdoor garden and residential houses towering over it.

While technically not a Heuriger – they don't make their own wines – the place looks and feels like one. Meatballs, roast pork belly, egg and liptauer spreads, spinach, apple, and cottage-cheese strudels are stocked in the glass display. The wines comprise local favorites: Gemischter Satz (Vienna's white), Blaufränkisch, and Zweigelt. Please note that Weinstube Josefstadt shuts down for the winter, from November until February.

Rankings are based on a combination of food/drink, atmosphere, service, and price. To remain unbiased, I visit all places incognito and pay for my own meals and drinks. I never accept money in exchange for coverage. If you've enjoyed this article, please consider supporting me by making a one-time payment (PayPal, Venmo).