Gmoakeller

The Gmoakeller is a proper Viennese Wirtshaus, the kind of traditional inn where locals come for honest home cooking, a glass of beer or wine and an unhurried atmosphere. It has a tradition going back to 1858 and sits on Am Heumarkt in the third district, just outside the Ring near the Konzerthaus and the Stadtpark, which makes it a handy choice before or after a concert.

The kitchen, led by chef Roland Wondrak, serves Viennese classics with a modern touch. The menu centres on the dishes Viennese diners expect from a Wirtshaus, such as Wiener Schnitzel and other classics, alongside seasonal specials and traditional desserts. In autumn the Wirtshaus holds its Ganslwochen, the goose weeks, when roast Martinigansl is served with red cabbage and dumplings, a seasonal ritual in Vienna that runs from October into November. On weekdays there is a good-value lunch menu that draws office workers from the surrounding streets.

The rooms are simple and comfortable, with wood panelling and tables for groups, and the house also has a vaulted cellar, a banqueting hall and a private room that can be booked for events. The tone is friendly and unpretentious, and it is a good place to see how the Viennese eat on an ordinary day rather than a tourist-facing version of local food.

It suits couples, families and groups who want a hearty meal at a fair price, and concert-goers looking for somewhere close to the Konzerthaus. The Gmoakeller is open Monday to Saturday from 11:00 to midnight and closed on Sundays and public holidays. Booking is a good idea for dinner, especially during the goose weeks and on concert nights, and can be made by phone or email.

Am Heumarkt runs along the southern side of the Stadtpark. The nearest underground station is Stadtpark on the U4, and Schwarzenbergplatz, served by several trams, is a few minutes' walk away. The Konzerthaus, the Wiener Eislaufverein ice rink in winter and the Steirereck in the Stadtpark are all nearby, and the old town is about ten minutes on foot across the Ring. It is also a sensible place to bring visitors who want traditional food without the crowds of the busiest old-town schnitzel houses.