Celebrating Thanksgiving in Vienna: Where To Go

Thanksgiving Restaurants Vienna. Where do you celebrate Thanksgiving in Vienna? If you are American you will envisage a large family-style dinner… though it may be just the two you in Wien. Possibly in a rustic place where tables groan under a pile of roast poultry, potatoes, vegetables, pies and bread. While Thanksgiving is not well known in Austria, you will find a familiar setting to celebrate.

Thanksgiving With Other Americans in Vienna

Thanksgiving Restaurants Vienna. Each year, a loose group of American expats and other Americans in Vienna with their friends gather around a large table to celebrate Thanksgiving.

At the cooking atelier of Andante’s cooking studio you can dive into crispy fire-roasted turkey that comes with all the sides you are used to: from sweet potatoes and maple butter carrots to beans and cranberry sauce. Before and after, expect a lot of pumpkin dishes.

Thanksgiving-Style Restaurants in Vienna

Thanksgiving Restaurants Vienna. For that rustic homely feel, the best places are either taverns (‘Beisln’) or wine taverns (‘Heurige’). Mostly, these eateries sit in popular neighborhoods, but you can also find a few right in the city center. This is where families typically come together for Sunday lunches and birthday meals.

Whereas turkey is rare expect traditional baked or roast chicken (Backhendl, Brathendl). Since Thanksgiving takes place between our ‘Martini’ festival on 11th November, and Christmas, you may even find traditional goose on the menu.

Top Three Homely Vienna Taverns

Thanksgiving Restaurants Vienna. If you prefer to celebrate Thanksgiving in the center but want that warm atmosphere there is no better place like the tavern Zu den Drei Hacken. Imagine an 18th-century tavern with creaking wood floors, a vintage bar area and newspapers hanging on holders from the walls. If you get the little room dedicated to composer and former regular Franz Schubert you have won the jackpot.

At just a stone’s throw off the city centre is Gasthaus Grünauer. Like any cherished neighborhood tavern, Grünauer’s baked chicken is lovely, the wines good, and the interiors like your second family dining room.

The other tavern I warmly recommend is Silberwirt in the fifth district of Margareten. The 200 year old Beisl serves fantastic food and good wine. Its interiors have been updated but preserve the cosy look and feel of the classic taverns.

Top Three Wine Taverns For Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Restaurants Vienna. Unlike common taverns, Vienna’s wineries also offer buffet-style food, including cold and warm meals. Therefore, if you prefer to share meals at Thanksgiving in Vienna, visit a ‘Heuriger’.

For example, Schübel-Auer in Nussdorf (photo) is hard to beat on cosiness and quality food. If you are lucky the Heurige will stage on of its regular music events during your stay. And just next door, you will find Heuriger Kierlinger, a gem of an authentic family run wine tavern and winery.

In the northern outskirts of Vienna you will find lovely Bioweinbau Petershof, an old organic winery in the village of Stammersdorf. Unlike other popular winery areas, Stammersdorf remains largely off-the-beaten tourist track. Most spectacularly, the winery arranges wonderful family events in their old wine cellar. The other winery for great family dinners is Weinhof Zimmermann in the picturesque suburb of Neustift am Walde. If you love traditional Austrian buildings Zimmermann will be your best choice.

Before you go, consult this wine tavern calendar for opening hours as wine taverns open quite irregularly.

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