How to Visit Heuriger: Vienna’s Rustic Wine Taverns, Austria 

Vienna is the only capital city in the world to produce significant quantities of wine within its city limits. The Austrian capital boasts a staggering 700 hectares of vineyards and 630 producers.

The most authentic way to experience Vienna’s wine culture is to visit a Heuriger. 

A Heuriger is a rustic wine tavern where winemakers exclusively serve their own wine under a special license during the growing season. Viennese of all ages gather at these casual wine taverns to socialize in a down-to-earth setting, especially on weekends.

The German word “Heurige” means “this year,” so Heurige is a reference to both “this year’s wine” as well as the actual wine tavern. 

A Heuriger is basically the public-facing branch of a winery. In Austria, wine tastings at wineries are not commonplace. So, this is how people acquaint themselves with Austrian winemakers and Austrian wines. 

Kati has been visiting Heurigen her whole life. And, I quickly fell in love with Vienna’s wine taverns as soon as I moved to Austria. We hope our Heuriger guide motivates you to explore the picturesque outskirts of the city and embrace Vienna’s undeniably unique wine culture.

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Vienna Heurigen Map

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What is a Heuriger

A Heuriger is a wine tavern.

In Vienna, some wine taverns are seasonal pop-ups, set directly in the vineyards. These self-service, open-air taverns serve white wine (Gruner Veltliner, Gemischter Satz, Riesling, Weißburgunder), sometimes red wine (Blauer Zweigelt, Blauer Burgunder), wine mixed with sparkling water (G’spritzter), fermented grape juice in autumn (Sturm), grape juice (Traubensaft), and water. 

They usually offer a selection of cold snacks like bread layered with various spreads (e.g. Liptauer, Grammelschmalz), cold cuts, or cheese. 

Other wine taverns in Vienna are permanent establishments with indoor as well as outdoor courtyard seating, which operate more like traditional restaurants. These taverns have large buffets, primarily filled with cold dishes. But, they may also serve some à la carte dishes as well. 

The history of the Heuriger goes back to 1784, when Emperor Joseph II issued an ordinance that allowed everybody to sell homemade food, wine, and juice without having to apply for a permit.

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Heuriger versus Buschenschank

Heurigen and Buschenschänke are both wine taverns.

Buschenschänke are very similar to Heurigen, but they traditionally only serve cold foods and their opening times are far more limited. 

The name “Buschenschank” refers to a “Buschen,” which is a bundle of twigs that are found at the entrance of the establishment. If the bundle is visible, it means that the Buschenschank is open and you are welcome to come in.

These wine taverns are not unique to Vienna. You’ll find them across the wine regions of Eastern Austria, especially in Lower Austria (e.g. Wachau Valley and Carnuntum), Burgenland, and Styria (e.g. South Styria). 

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How to Order Wine and Food at Heurigen 

There’s a wide range of wine taverns in Vienna. 

The taverns that are seasonally open in the vineyards are almost always self-service and cash only. You simply order your food and drinks at the stand, which might be a small hut, or a picnic table. The food and drink offerings are displayed on a chalkboard.

In a traditional Buschenschank with indoor and outdoor seating, wine is ordered at and served to the table, but food is usually self-service. Guests can select what they want to eat from a buffet, creating their own Brettljause (snack board).  

There’s usually a selection of cold cuts, hard and soft cheeses, different spreads, olives and pickles, and various salads. 

In a more “modern” Heuriger, a small selection of warm foods are offered. 

In a restaurant-style Heuriger, there’s usually a buffet as well as a typical restaurant menu featuring Austrian specialties. 

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When to Visit Vienna Heurigen

Heurigen are usually open between April and October during select months and select days. 

Most al fresco vineyard taverns are only open on fair-weather weekends and holidays. 

The best time to visit Heurigen in Vienna is in autumn (September – October) during the harvest season. This is when the colors begin to change, the daytime temperatures are most agreeable, and Sturm is available. 

If you’re planning on visiting a specific Heuriger, make sure to check the establishment’s website for opening dates. 

Related: Austria in Autumn

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Where to Find Heurigen in Vienna: Vienna’s Wine-Growing Regions 

Vienna’s wine taverns are concentrated in the outskirts of the city in the following Viennese neighborhoods (districts): Grinzing (19th District), Nussdorf (19th District), Kahlenbergerdorf (19th District), Neustift am Walde (19th District), Stammersdorf (21st District), Mauer (23th District), Oberlaa (10th District), Ottakring (16th District).

Good to Know | Many of Vienna’s official city walks lead to wine regions. For example, Stadtwanderweg 1 leads from Nussdorf to Nussberg, Stadtwanderweg 4a leads to several Ottakring wine taverns. And, Stadtwanderweg 5 leads from Stammersdorf to Bisamberg. So, it’s easy to go on culinary hikes in Vienna. 

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Nussdorf Heurigen

We particularly like Nussdorf, because many of the seasonal taverns are located directly in the vineyards of Nussberg, the hill above Nussdorf. These charming wine stands have stellar views overlooking the city. 

This Viennese wine area is easy to reach with public transit. Simply take tram line D to the end station: Beethovengang in Nussdorf.

The downside is that Nussdorf is the busiest wine region in Vienna, especially on a sunny weekend.

Keen walkers can follow the Vienna City Hiking Trail 1, which ultimately descends through the vineyards of Nussdorf (Nussberg). The route passes Buschenschank Feuerwehr Wagner (Google Maps), Mayer am Nussberg (Google Maps), and Wieninger am Nussberg (Google Maps).

On a sunny day, Mayer am Nussberg is the place to be. Overlooking rolling vineyards, this outdoor-only Heurigen feels like a classy day party. Located on the Vienna City Walk 1/Wiener Stadtwanderweg 1, you’ll see many locals stopping here to grab a bite to eat and drink before continuing their hike.

From the Nussdorf tram station, you can also walk directly to Wagnerei (Google Maps), an outdoor-only heuriger with a very inviting garden. Food is self-service, but drinks are served to the table.

From Wagnerei, you can ascend to Buschenschenkerei (Google Maps), Buschenschank Windischbauer (Google Maps), and Mischpoche im Weingarten (Google Maps).

For a more restaurant-style Heurigen, visit Mayer am Pfarrplatz (Google Maps), which has a lovely Weingarten (wine garden) draped in vines. 

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Stammersdorf Heurigen

Stammersdorf is located in the 21st district across the Danube, and it’s a great destination for exploring Vienna’s local Heuriger scene. Because this wine region is located quite far from the inner districts, the area remains largely tourist-free. 

Weinhandwerk (Google Maps) is an enchanting Heuriger in Stammersdorf. With its fresh, bohemian-vibe and culinary emphasis on “wild,” it’s easy to fall in love with Weinhandwerk. Wild herbs are sourced from the winery’s organic vineyards and served in the Heuriger’s salads and small plates. The outdoor seating area, situated at the foot of their vineyard, feels more like your mom’s garden.

One of our favorite places to eat and drink in Stammersdorf is Heurigen Krenek (Google Maps), which we wrote about in our Vienna restaurant guide.

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Neustift am Walde Heurigen

Neustift am Walde is located in the 19th District. 

Here, you’ll find: Fuhrgassl-Huber (Google Maps), Schiefer Giebel (Google Maps), and Weingut & Heuriger Kroiss (Google Maps).

On a sunny day, Weinhof Zimmermann (Google Maps) is a lovely place to grab a bite to eat when hiking the Stadtwanderweg 2. 

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Ottakring Heurigen

Home to the Ottakringer Brauerei, the 16th district is mostly associated with beer. However, Ottakring also produces wine. 

10er Marie (Google Maps), a Viennese institution dating back to 1740, is easy to reach with transit. 

If you follow the Vienna City Walk 4a in the direction of Schloss Wilhelminenberg, it will lead to Heuriger Leitner (Google Maps), which enjoys a pretty perch overlooking Vienna. Although the service is somewhat chaotic, their Schweinshaxe (pork knuckle) never disappoints.

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Where to Stay in Vienna

Read our guide to where to stay in Vienna for a comprehensive overview of our favorite areas and neighborhoods.

Stay in the 1st District for sightseeing and luxury stays: The Amauris Vienna (elegant luxury), The Guesthouse Vienna (modern luxury), Hotel Zur Wiener Staatsoper (romantic luxury), or Rosewood Vienna (5-star luxury). 

Stay in the 7th District for art museums, fashionable cafés and restaurants, and boutique hotels: Small Luxury Hotel Altstadt Vienna (luxury), Hotel Sans Souci Wien (luxury), Hotel Gilbert (midrange-luxury), or K+K Hotel Maria Theresia (midrange).

Stay in 6th District for nightlife: Hotel Motto (romantic luxury), Hotel Josefine (art deco luxury), Jaz in the City Vienna (midrange), Boutiquehotel Das Tyrol (luxury), or numa | Terra Apartments (budget-midrange). 

Stay in the 9th District for quiet evenings and lesser-known landmarks: The Harmonie Vienna (midrange). 

Look for accommodation in Vienna.

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More Vienna Travel Guides

City Guide:

• Vienna City Guide
• Vienna Hidden Gems
• How to Get Vienna State Opera Standing Tickets

Food:

• Best Restaurants in Vienna
• Traditional Coffee Houses in Vienna

Winter Travel:

• Vienna in December
• Vienna in January
• Vienna Rainbow Ball

Hiking:

• Vienna Mountains Hiking

Day Trips:

• Wachau Valley

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