Steirereck im Stadtpark

Steirereck is widely regarded as Vienna's finest restaurant. It is run by the Reitbauer family, and the kitchen is led by Heinz Reitbauer, whose cooking is creative and contemporary but firmly rooted in Austrian ingredients, from vegetables and herbs to freshwater fish and game. It holds three Michelin stars, the top rating from Gault Millau and a place on the World's 50 Best Restaurants list, and Vienna's tourism board describes it simply as the city's best restaurant.

The setting is part of the appeal. The restaurant occupies a modern steel-and-glass building on the bank of the Wien River in the Stadtpark, and you catch a glimpse of the kitchen as you arrive. The dining rooms are divided into several smaller spaces, which keeps the atmosphere calm and private even when the restaurant is full. Guests can choose a six- or seven-course set menu or order à la carte, and at lunch there is the option to put together a shorter menu of four or five courses. Look out for the bread trolley and the cheese trolley, both of which are famous in their own right, and ask the sommelier for guidance through a long list of Austrian wines.

This is a special-occasion restaurant, ideal for couples, food lovers and anyone wanting to understand modern Austrian cooking at its most refined. Expect a long meal: allow three hours or more for a full dinner menu. Smart dress is appropriate. Lunch is the more affordable way to experience the kitchen, and the same building also houses the Meierei, a more casual sister restaurant known for its breakfasts, Viennese dishes and cheese selection.

Book well in advance, especially for dinner and Friday evenings. The restaurant is open Monday to Friday for lunch and dinner and closed at weekends, so plan your trip accordingly. Vienna's tourism board lists step-free access, a lift and an accessible toilet, and assistance dogs are welcome. Mention any allergies or dietary needs when you reserve.

The restaurant is on Am Heumarkt at the southern edge of the Stadtpark, a short walk from Stadtpark station on the U4 and the trams on the Ring. Before or after your meal, walk through the park to see the gilded statue of Johann Strauss II and the Kursalon, or continue to the Konzerthaus for an evening concert.