Zum Weißen Rauchfangkehrer

Zum Weißen Rauchfangkehrer, the White Chimney Sweep, is one of the old town's classic restaurants, set on a side street between Stephansplatz and the Stadtpark. Its name comes from a light-hearted old story about a tipsy chimney sweep, and the panelled dining rooms, with their wood carving and soft lighting, have the warm, slightly old-fashioned feel of a traditional Viennese dining room. The restaurant's own motto is that history does not have to mean old-fashioned.

The menu is built around Austrian cooking updated for today, using seasonal and regional ingredients that are mostly organic where possible. Classics include Wiener Schnitzel, Tafelspitz, Hüferschwanzel (a tender cut of boiled beef), lake trout and Kaiserschmarrn, the torn, caramelised pancake that is one of Austria's favourite desserts, with beef tartare and carpaccio among the starters. Vegetarian and vegan dishes are always available. The restaurant appears in the Michelin selection.

The wine cellar is a particular strength, with around 30,000 bottles, most of them Austrian, and a sommelier to help you choose. There is also a long list of spirits and fruit schnapps, so it is a good place to try a glass of Austrian Marillen (apricot) or Williams pear brandy after the meal. If you are unsure what to choose, ask for a wine to match each course rather than ordering a single bottle for the table.

This is a good choice for couples, small groups and visitors who want a classic Viennese dinner in a traditional setting without the formality of a fine-dining restaurant. It is open daily from 12:00 to 24:00, with last kitchen orders at 21:45 and desserts and cheese until 22:30, which makes it useful for a late lunch or an early or post-theatre dinner. It is closed on 24 and 25 December. Book online or by phone, especially at weekends, and groups of seven or more are asked to book by email.

Weihburggasse runs off Kärntner Straße, five minutes' walk from St. Stephen's Cathedral and Stephansplatz station (U1, U3). The Haus der Musik, the Franciscan church on Franziskanerplatz and the Stadtpark are all nearby, and the State Opera is about ten minutes away on foot.