I was standing outside a restaurant near Belvedere Palace, Daisy tucked into her carrier, when a woman looked at us and said “no chance.” Not unkindly, but definitely not warmly. They were fully booked for the entire Christmas holidays and walk-ins were not happening (we were there before Christmas). The couple ahead of us had gotten the same treatment with a bit more ceremony. We tried the place next door. Also no. Then we spent a solid 20 to 30 minutes wandering through cold streets trying to find somewhere, anywhere, that would take two women and a small Shih Tzu for lunch.
Here is what I wish I had known before that afternoon. Vienna is one of the most dog-friendly cities we have visited when it comes to dining out. Dogs are welcome in most restaurants, and not just tolerated but actually fussed over. But over the Christmas period, every popular restaurant has a queue, Sundays and holidays are a nightmare for walk-ins, and you will save yourself a lot of cold, hungry wandering if you book ahead.
We ate at five dog-friendly restaurants in Vienna over three days, and every single one welcomed Daisy with water, smiles, and genuine warmth. Here is exactly what we ordered, what we thought, and what you need to know if you are planning to dine out with your dog.
What You Need to Know About Dining with a Dog in Vienna
Before I get into the restaurants, a few practical things that will make your life easier.
Vienna has a legal requirement for dogs to be on a leash or muzzled in public places. In practice, at every restaurant we visited with Daisy, nobody asked about a muzzle. She is a small Shih Tzu in a carrier bag, and staff were more interested in saying hello to her than checking paperwork. That said, it is worth knowing the rule exists.
Queuing is a way of life here over Christmas. Every restaurant we tried had some kind of wait, from 20 minutes at Zum Schwarzen Kameel to 30 minutes outside Café Central. Dress warmly and accept it. The food is worth standing in the cold for.
Sundays and public holidays are the biggest challenge. Most popular restaurants are fully booked, and some close entirely. If you are visiting over a holiday period, make reservations for every meal you care about. We did not do this on our first full day and paid for it with that frustrating walk near Belvedere.
If you are looking for more on what to do in Vienna with your dog beyond eating, we have a full dog-friendly Vienna guide covering Christmas markets, transport, and a three day itinerary.
Plachutta zur Oper
Address: Walfischgasse 5-7, 1010 Vienna Nearest transport: U-Bahn Karlsplatz, about 150 metres Website:plachutta-oper.at
Price range: Mains €20 to €35 Dog-friendly rating: 10 out of 10 Reservations: Recommended, especially evenings and weekends
This is the restaurant that saved our Sunday. After being turned away from multiple places, we walked in and were told the restaurant was fully booked but there were two bar seats free. They offered them to us straight away, and from that moment the experience was perfect.
Daisy was greeted before we even sat down. She sat on my lap, and the staff brought her a bowl of water before we had looked at the menu. I will be honest, she needed it. I had not been good enough about keeping her hydrated during the day, and that was on me. But the fact that they thought of her before we even asked says everything about how this restaurant treats dogs.
Now the food. Our server Ivan recommended the schnitzel and a steak main to share and he was right. Some of the best schnitzel we have had in Austria. It was crispy, golden, and enormous. The steak with mashed potatoes was just as good. Ivan’s dessert recommendations were equally spot on. Every suggestion he made was a winner, and the whole meal felt like being looked after rather than just served.
Plachutta is actually a small chain with several locations across Vienna. The Wollzeile branch is their original and known specifically for Tafelspitz, which is a traditional boiled beef dish. We were at the Opera location, which focuses more on schnitzel and grilled dishes. If I went back, I might try both.
The vibe was warm, buzzy, and welcoming. This would have been a great spot for a Christmas dinner, and that is what we said to each other afterwards. 10 out of 10. Would go back without hesitation.
Zum Schwarzen Kameel
Address: Bognergasse 5, 1010 Vienna Nearest transport: U-Bahn Stephansplatz or Herrengasse Website: kameel.at Price range: Mains €23 to €37 Dog-friendly rating: 8 out of 10 Reservations: Not taken for the bar and deli area. Restaurant reservations recommended
This place has been open since 1618, which is a fact that still does not feel real when you are sitting outside in the cold eating liver dumpling soup. But that is exactly what we did, and it was one of the best meals of the trip.
We waited about 20 minutes for a table outside. It was freezing, so we used the blankets they provided, which Daisy immediately claimed. She wrapped herself into a burrito shape and was out cold for most of the meal, waking up only when the soup arrived for a curious sniff and taste.
The menu was different from what I would normally order. We went with the beef soup with baked liver dumpling, which sounds unusual but was incredible. The broth was rich and warming, the dumpling was perfectly cooked, and it was exactly what you want after hours of walking in December cold. For dessert I had crème brûlée and Auntie Cheryl had a crêpe. Both were delicious.
Zum Schwarzen Kameel is famous for its open sandwiches, and we did order them, but they never arrived. We did not push it because the soup and dessert were more than enough, but it is worth knowing that the sandwiches are the thing to get here, so maybe lead with those when you order.
The dog-friendly element was great. We were sitting outside, which is naturally easier with a dog, and nobody had any issue with Daisy being there. They did not bring her water or acknowledge her specifically, which is why I have rated it slightly lower than Plachutta. But there was no friction at all. They were super busy and I’m sure if I asked they would have brought it.
The best part of this meal, beyond the food, was making friends with an Irish couple at the next table. Daisy had been playing in the queue and barking, and they told us afterwards they had heard the Irish accent and said to each other “I hope that dog ends up nowhere near us.” She was, of course, right beside them. We had some great fun with Sinead and Padrick after that.
Café Landtmann
Address: Universitätsring 4, 1010 Vienna Nearest transport: Tram stop Rathausplatz/Burgtheater, or U-Bahn Schottentor Website: landtmann.at Price range: Mains €18 to €30 Dog-friendly rating: 10 out of 10 Reservations:Accepted and recommended
If I had to pick one restaurant where Daisy had the best time, it would be Café Landtmann. Not because the food was the fanciest or the building was the most impressive. But because the staff treated her like she was the most important guest in the room.
Café Landtmann has been open since 1873 and sits on the Ringstrasse opposite the Rathaus. Sigmund Freud used to be a regular. These days it is a mix of tourists and locals, and it has a warmth to it that some of the more famous Viennese cafés lack. If you are coming from the Rathausplatz Christmas market, it is right across the street.
We were given a booth, and this is where the queen moment happened. Daisy sat up in the booth like she owned the place, surveying the room for a solid five minutes before eventually lying down. Every now and then she would wake up, check if there was food worth eating, and then go back to sleep. Staff came over specifically to say hello to her. Other diners stopped by the table to pet her. She was wearing her yellow onesie, which I think did a lot of the heavy lifting in the attention department.
The food was delicious. I had the fried chicken and shared it with Daisy. Auntie Cheryl went for schnitzel because at this point she was fully committed to ordering it at every restaurant in Vienna. Both were really good. The fried chicken was crispy and well seasoned, and the portion was generous.
The restaurant brought Daisy water without being asked, and the whole experience felt easy. This is exactly what you want as a dog parent. A place where your dog is not just allowed but actually part of the experience.
Café Central
Address: Herrengasse 14, 1010 Vienna (corner of Strauchgasse) Nearest transport: U-Bahn Herrengasse (U3)Website: cafecentral.wien Price range: Mains €15 to €25, cakes €6 to €9 Dog-friendly rating: 7 out of 10Reservations: Available for groups. Walk-in for smaller parties, expect a queue Hours: Mon to Sat 7.30am to 10pm, Sun 10am to 10pm
This is the one you have probably seen all over Instagram. There was a queue outside every single time we walked past, and it took us until our last day to commit to it. We waited about 30 minutes in the cold, which was honestly about the average for Vienna over Christmas. The line visibly looks longer than any wait but it moves fast.
Was it worth the wait? For the building alone, yes. Café Central is inside Palais Ferstel, and the interior is something else. Vaulted ceilings, marble columns, and a sense of history that you can feel the second you walk through the door. Our host walked us through the history of the space and made us feel completely welcome. We were seated in the back room rather than the main dining area, which had just as much character.
Now the food. Here is where my honest opinion might differ from the reviews. We ordered the soup with vegetables, which came recommended, and hot chocolate cake for dessert. The soup was OK. Not bad, but not memorable. The bread that came with it was a dark bread that did not work for me at all. I would have much preferred white rolls or sourdough. If I went back, I would ask for an alternative.
The hot chocolate cake, on the other hand, was really good. Rich, warm, and exactly the kind of thing this place does well. The rose wine wasn’t great (you know when you see the dark colour you’re more than likely in for a bad glass, that it was but I still drank it!). Here is my take on Café Central. This is not the place you go for a drink. It is the place you go for coffee, cake, and the experience of being inside that building. Go in the afternoon rather than for dinner, and set your expectations around the atmosphere rather than the food.
Regarding dogs, Café Central allow dogs with a leash. Daisy was let in with no issue and nobody commented on her at all, but the dog-friendliness was neutral rather than enthusiastic. It is a busy, high-traffic café, so do not expect the same personal attention your dog would get at a quieter restaurant. Fine for a well-behaved, calm dog. Maybe not the place for an anxious or energetic one.
One thing I really appreciated is that once we were inside, there was absolutely no rushing. We stayed for nearly two hours and nobody made us feel like we needed to leave. That alone made the 30 minute queue feel worthwhile.
Demel
Address: Kohlmarkt 14, 1010 Vienna Nearest transport: U-Bahn Herrengasse (U3) or Stephansplatz (U1/U3) Website: demel.com Price range: Pastries and snacks €5 to €15 Dog-friendly rating: Quick stop, did not dine in Reservations: Not needed for takeaway
Demel needs to be on this list because it gave us the best pancakes of the entire trip, and it was our first taste of Vienna. Vienna is famous for their pancakes.
We had just arrived. It was freezing. We were hungry but not sit-down-for-a-full-meal hungry. We needed something hot and fast. Demel is right near Stephansplatz, and there was a queue outside for takeaway pancakes. We decided to sit outside and have a drink with some and they were incredible. Warm, fresh, and perfectly sweet without being too heavy.
Over the next two days we had pancakes at two different Christmas markets, and neither came close to Demel. The ones at the Spittelberg market were good. The ones at another market were fine. Demel was the clear winner.
Demel itself is a famous Viennese patisserie that has been open since 1786. If you have time, you can sit in and have cake, coffee, and the full experience. For a quick, warm, satisfying snack when you first arrive in the city, especially if you are doing the Christmas lights walk nearby, Demel is the move.
Quick Comparison
For anyone scrolling to the bottom looking for a summary, here is how I would break it down.
Best overall dog-friendly experience: Plachutta zur Oper. Daisy was treated like royalty and the food was incredible.
Best for atmosphere and history: Café Central. Go for cake and coffee in the afternoon. Skip the wine.
Best food surprise: Zum Schwarzen Kameel. The liver dumpling soup sounds unusual and tastes extraordinary.
Most welcoming to dogs: Café Landtmann. The staff loved Daisy more than they loved us, and I am fine with that.
Best quick bite: Demel. The pancakes are worth the queue.
Skip the walk-in on Sundays: Book everything. We learned this the hard way.
[IMAGE: Daisy relaxing after a meal in Vienna or a collage of restaurant moments. Alt text: best dog-friendly restaurants Vienna, where to eat in Vienna with dogs]
Practical Tips for Eating Out with Your Dog in Vienna
Book ahead for dinner. Lunch is sometimes possible as a walk-in, but dinner reservations are essential over the Christmas period. Use the restaurant websites or call directly.
Bring your own water bowl. Some restaurants brought Daisy water without being asked. Others did not. Having your own portable bowl means you are never caught out.
Dress warmly for the queue (you and your pooch). Even at restaurants that take reservations, you may still wait outside briefly. Over Christmas, outdoor queuing is standard. Bring layers for yourself and your dog.
Ask about indoor versus outdoor seating. Some restaurants are more relaxed about dogs inside than others. In winter, outdoor seating usually comes with blankets and heaters, but it is still cold. If you have a small dog who can sit quietly in a carrier or on your coat, indoor seating is usually fine.
Do not rely on being able to eat on Sundays without a plan. We were turned away from multiple places. The “no chance” near Belvedere was a wake-up call. Plan your Sunday meals in advance and confirm your reservation the day before.
Tip 5 to 10 percent. This is standard in Vienna. Do not expect American-style enthusiastic service. Viennese hospitality is warm but professional. You will not get the hard sell or the check slapped down the moment you finish eating. You ask for the bill when you are ready, and nobody rushes you.
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