The selected restaurants have been divided into five categories: Gastronomic, Business, Trendy, Budget and Personal Recommendations. The restaurants are listed alphabetically within these different categories, which serve as guidelines rather than absolute definitions of the establishments.

The prices quoted below are for an average three-course meal for one person and for a bottle of house wine or cheapest equivalent; they include VAT but not service charge or tip.
$$$$ (over €60)
$$$ (€40 to €60)
$$ (€20 to €40)
$ (under €20)
More expensive restaurants automatically add a service charge of around 10% to the bill, otherwise a tip is usually required - either round up the bill to the nearest €1 or add 5 to 10%.

Korso bei der Oper
From the exquisite, classic décor to the exceptional food, produced under the direction of one of Austria's finest chefs, Reinhard Gerer, the Korso is considered one of the city's finest restaurants. It specialises in Austrian delicacies, with only the finest ingredients, including tafelspitz (boiled beef) and perch in red pepper cream sauce. The wine cellar also is one of the best in Europe. Diners should always save room for the wonderful versions of Viennese desserts. The restaurant has long been a favourite with international opera stars. No lunch Saturday.

Hotel Bristol, 01, Kärntner Ring 1
Tel: (01) 5151 6546.
Website: www.luxurycollection.com
Price: $$$$

Österreicher im MAK
This former cafe attached to the Museum of Modern Art (MAK) was given a revolutionary culinary makeover when one of Austria's seminal chefs, Helmut Österreicher, took charge of the kitchen in early 2006. Now the menu resides in the ‘modern Viennese' category, which equates to new takes on old plates; you'll still find wiener schnitzel, tafelspitz (boiled beef), and zwiebelrostbraten (beef and onion roast) here, but they're lighter versions of grandma's recipes in both size and calorie-count. There's a fine selection of additional dishes to choose from, which employ ingredients in season (pumpkin and wild meats feature heavily in autumn, asparagus in spring), and the sleek décor only helps smooth digestion. Evening reservations recommended.

01, Stubenring 5
Tel: (01) 714 0121.
Website: www.oesterreicherimmak.at  
Price: $$$-$$$$

Restaurant Anna Sacher
Since 1876, dining at the Hotel Sacher has been as much a social experience as a culinary one. Most celebrities visiting Vienna eventually end up at the scarlet dining room, usually to enjoy its most famous (and Austria's national) dish, tafelspitz, served with an apple and horseradish and a chive sauce. Diners should always save room for the dessert speciality, Sachertorte, a chocolate tart split in half, spread with apricot jam and iced with chocolate. Each month there is a new menu reflecting the seasons. Reservations are required and it is best for diners to arrive before 2300, wearing smart clothes.

Hotel Sacher Wien, 01, Philarmonikerstrasse 4
Tel: (01) 5145 6840.
Website: www.sacher.com  
Price: $$$-$$$$

Bodega Española
With an antique Spanish décor and a large open fire during the colder seasons, Bodega Española harks back to the days when the Hapsburg dynasty had strong connections to the Spanish throne. Located near the Belvedere Galleries, this is one of the finest tapas restaurants in the city. The menu features many small dishes, as well as excellent main courses, like bacalao á la malagueña (a fish speciality from Malaga) and lamb steak with lemon-rosemary potatoes. Closed Sunday. Reservations recommended.

04, Belvederegasse 10
Tel: (01) 504 5500.
Price: $$

Do&Co Stephansplatz
With the spectacular view from the seventh floor opposite St Stephen's Cathedral, Do&Co attracts the jet-set crowd and visitors should book a window table in winter or one on the terrace in summer to ensure the prime place in this sophisticated and stylish venue. There is a sushi bar (lunchtime) and a better-than-average selection of vegetarian dishes. Meat dishes include the superb king crab and steak combo, Uruguay beef and goose liver on Caesar salad with pumpkinseed oil and lobster St Tropez (sautéed in butter with tomatoes and basil). Sushi, teppanyaki and Thai dishes are also served. The restaurant also runs Onxy, a bar and cafe on the sixth floor.

01, Stephansplatz 12 (patrons must take Lift Two)
Tel: (01) 535 3969.
Website: www.doco.com  
Price: $$$

Yugetsu
Near the Staatsoper, Yugetsu is considered by many to be Vienna's best Japanese restaurant. The ground floor, comprising a sushi bar and conventional tables, is decorated in a simple and restful Japanese style and offers sushi, sashimi, tempura and a large à la carte menu. Upstairs is lighter, louder and done up for teppanyaki, with comfortable seats arranged around three sides of the double grill, upon which the teppanyaki cooks prepare meals in front of the diners.

01, Führichgasse 10
Tel: (01) 512 2720.
Price: $$

Fabios
Fabios has been at the head of the fashionable restaurant/bar scene for a number of years now, and its status doesn't look like changing soon. Everyone from politicians to TV personalities graces the tables here, but this isn't just a place for celebrity spotting, it's also a spot for exceptional dining. The attentive, professional waiters glide through a minimalist interior fitted with dark woods and floor-to-ceiling mirrors (for checking appearances don't you know darling), serving dishes from a creative menu heavily influenced by Mediterranean flavours. Perennial favourites include homemade potato gnocchi with squid in white wine and roast rack of venison fillet with red wine - but there is much more to choose from. Reservations are essential. Closed Sunday.

01, Tuchlauben 6
Tel: 532 2222.
Website: www.fabios.at
Price: $$$$

Neu Wien
The venue's casual, cellar-like setting is popular with Vienna's media and avant-garde crowd. The low lighting effectively sets off the many paintings and interesting murals and the restaurant itself was designated by the artist C L Attersee. Neu Wien is one of the finest examples of New Vienna dining, where nouvelle cuisine meets that of the Habsburgs. The menu changes frequently but could include dishes like zanderfilet (crispy pike with cream beet sauce) or veal in truffle sauce. The superb Vranac wines from Montenegro should not be overlooked. Open Monday to Saturday until 0100, Neu Wien is an excellent choice for late-night dining. No lunch.

01, Bäckerstasse 5
Tel: (01) 512 0999.
Website: www.neuwien.at  
Price: $$

Novelli
Novelli is one of Vienna's finest modern Italian restaurants, with an open-plan room with chandeliers and big leather chairs. The antipasti bar is superb and main courses include dishes like steak with sage gnocchi and onions in balsamic vinegar or sea bass poached in tarragon cream. Desserts are well in keeping with Viennese luxury and the Italian wine list is extensive. There is also a discreet bar. Closed Sunday.

01, Bräunerstrasse 11
Tel: (01) 513 4200.
Website: www.novelli.at  
Price: $$$

Wrenkh
Two venues form what is arguably Vienna's top vegetarian restaurant and bar combo, in which Christian Wrenkh serves great seasonal food to a young and elegant crowd. The restaurants have a light and airy designer feel, with the accent on comfort. Firm favourites include miso soup, Greek fried rice with vegetables, feta cheese and olives and wild rice risotto with mushrooms. The attached bar was designed by Eichinger and Knechtl. Closed Sunday.

01, Bauernmarkt 10
Tel: (01) 533 1526.
Website: www.wrenkh.at  
Price: $-$$

Zawodsky
In the green and vineyard-cloaked district of Grinzing in the northern stretches of Vienna is Zawodsky, a lovely (and traditional) heuriger (wine tavern). Its best visited in summer, when its apple trees offer plenty of shade for the picnic tables that dot the extensive garden, although a cosy evening indoors during spring and autumn is also inviting. The tart wine served is best mixed with soda water (the common practice at a heuriger), while the hearty buffet, which offers fresh spreads, breads, salads, and roast meats, requires more than one visit. There's occasional live music. Closed Tuesday and mid December to February.

19, Reinischgasse 3
Tel: (01) 320 7978.
Website: www.zawodsky.at
Price: $

Zwölf-Apostelkeller (Stadtheurigen)
'City heurigen' are generally located in the cellars of Vienna's old monasteries and offer a taste of what the outlying wine taverns are all about, for those who do not have the time to leave the city. In this one, parts of the '12 Apostles Cellar' predate 1561, with wooden tables under lighting partially provided by streetlights set into the floor. The low prices do not detract from the quality of the traditional food, which includes goulash soup, meat dumplings and schlachtplatte (a selection of meats with hot bacon and cabbage salad). As it is from the barrel rather than the bottle, which is common in a heuriger, wine is sold by the quarter litre. There is music daily from 1830. Closed July.

01, Sonnenfelsgasse 3
Tel: (01) 512 6777.
Website: www.zwoelf-apostelkeller.at
Price: $

Motto
Motto is the kind of restaurant that accepts everyone - from straights to gays, from TV stars to hard-working white-collar workers. But this is only the first plus of many, for Motto also has quality staff, modern, cellar-like surroundings and live DJs which add to an already relaxed, convivial atmosphere, and a menu with Austrian, Asian, and Mediterranean cuisine. The steaks here are famous, but you'd do just as well ordering the green chicken curry or tagliatelle with mussels; save some room for the dark and white chocolate mousse with raspberry sauce though. Evening dining reservations recommended.

05, Schönbrunner Strasse 30
Tel: (01) 587 0672.
Website: www.motto.at
Price: $$$

Stomach
Stomach specialises in wonderful Styrian cuisine and a hearty welcome. The menu does have a smattering of international dishes, but expect the majority to be of the southern Austrian variety, such as Styrian roast beef and pumpkin soup with an essential spoonful of kürbis kernöl (rich Styrian pumpkin oil). The building itself is also a gem, featuring dark-wood panelling and one of the loveliest gardens in the ninth district. The name derives from the rearrangement of Tomaschek, the butcher's shop originally located here. Reservations for evening dining recommended.

09, Seegasse 26
Tel: (01) 310 2099.
Price: $$-$$$

Ubl
Of the many beisl (traditional beer taverns) that dot Vienna, Ubl ranks among the finest. It still retains the heavy dark-wood wall and floor panelling reminiscent of such establishments, and the beer is as cold and refreshing as a good Austrian beer should be, but there are also modern touches, such as silver cutlery, a selective list of quality Austrian wines, and a refined, dining atmosphere. Order from a small but fine menu filled with Viennese classics - its hard to go wrong with the tafelspitz or wiener schnitzel here. Evening dining reservations not essential but recommended.

04, Pressgasse 26
Tel: (01) 587 6437.
Price: $$