22 Best Restaurants in Vienna Woods, Lake Neusiedler, and the Danube River, Austria

Tucked away inside the historic Kremsmünsterhaus, this elegant restaurant rocks a mod-retro look with cozy tables, muted lighting, and attractive stonework. The cuisine is Austrian with a touch of Asia, as evidenced by the selection of wok dishes and an excellent sushi bar. Main courses include mouthwatering variations of fish (the panfried tuna is a favorite) as well as meaty treats (the rib-eye steak is to die for). If the weather is nice, you can opt to sit outside in the inviting, enclosed courtyard. The bar is open late, often hosting famous DJs.

Consistently ranked as one of the top restaurants in Austria, the "Dovecote" is a rambling, elegantly restored 19th-century farmhouse located halfway between Eisenstadt and Rust in the village of Schützen. The seasonally changing seven-course menu has featured dishes such as saddle of lamb with mangold blossoms and asparagus in saffron sauce. A variety of packages pair multiple courses with wines; some also include an overnight stay in the connected hotel. The former stables and outbuildings have been converted to 12 luxurious, unique bedrooms with wooden beams and cathedral ceilings.

It may be some way out of town, but the exquisite food, intimate atmosphere, and gorgeous views at this fine dining restaurant make it worth a special trip. Passionate owner-chef Erich Lukas crafts clever, seasonal set menus that combine Austrian and Mediterannean influences to great effect. Unusually, it's also possible to order dishes from the menus individually. For budget conscious travelers, the neighboring Verdi Einkehr bistro shares the same kitchen but serves more standard Austrian fare. If you don't have a car, you'll need a taxi to get here as it's located close to Lichtenberg, about three kilometers (two miles) north of the town center.

The Schandl family of Rust is one of the best-known wine growers of the Neusiedl Lake area; their devotees come for wine tastings and stay for dinner. The simple but satisfying buffet offers a selection of sausages, salads, cheeses, and pickles, as well as a few hot dishes, to complement the wine. You can also order entrées from the menu, such as roast pork with sauerkraut or soft cheese wrapped in bacon.

One of Austria's grand old coffeehouses, this is the only one of its kind in Upper Austria. It's the perfect place to savor a cup of coffee, read the newspapers, and enjoy a light meal. Ask for the specialty, Linzertorte (almond cake with jam) with your coffee, or try the homemade apfelstrudel.

In the heart of the medieval Altstadt is this storybook stone cottage run by Ulli Amon-Jell (pronounced "Yell"), who serves the tried-and-true recipes of her grandmother and great-grandmother, with a bit of her own modern flair added to the mix. Snails au gratin in garlic herb butter, roast kidneys with bacon and onion, and gazpacho with buttery parmesan dumplings are popular items on the menu. There are always lighter fish and vegetarian dishes, too, but the chef's motto is "no one goes home hungry from my tavern." Leave room for dessert if you possibly can, as the homemade marillenknödel (warm, apricot-filled dumplings) are a delight.

Book ahead in summer for a table under the grape arbor in the small, secluded outdoor dining area.

At this landmark in Krems's Old Town district, you'll find excellent regional cuisine along with an outstanding wine selection (some of these vintages come from the backyard). Owner-chef Haidinger learned his skills at Bacher, across the Danube in Mautern, so look for fresh river fish on the ever-changing set menus, along with locally-hunted wild boar and venison. The set menus start from three courses (€42.50; soup, main, and dessert) and go all the way up to six (€72.50).

It's hard to imagine a more idyllic setting for a memorable meal than this lovely restaurant in Unterloiben, a five-minute drive southeast of Dürnstein—especially if the weather is nice and tables are set out in the fragrant apple orchard. One of the oldest restaurants in the area, its kitchen offers inventive variations on regional themes, like Wachau fish soup, crispy roast duck, and foie gras parfait.

The atmosphere here is that of a spacious, contemporary Gasthaus, with a fabulous roofed garden filled with flowers. The varied menu of regional cuisine is reasonably priced and has a touch of the Mediterranean, with plenty of vegetarian options available. Nevertheless, the highlights are traditionally Austrian and meaty; the steak tartare, the Tafelspitz (boiled beef), and the size-of-your-head schnitzels. The place is easy to find; just look for the theater in the heart of the Altstadt.

Enjoy a walk through the Kurpark, where you'll find this 19th-century hunting lodge. The fine restaurant serves traditional dishes from the region, including Wiener and chicken schnitzel, pork fillet, and venison stew. The excellent wines served are local vintages, particularly St. Laurent, Zweigelt, and Blauer Portugieser. Stop for a meal or just take a break with coffee and cake. On weekends with clear air and good weather, the grand vistas across the hills from the terrace mean it's hard to get a table.

A lovingly renovated burgher's house—the town's oldest—at the top of the main square houses an excellent and imaginative restaurant. The menu depends on what's fresh, and might include grilled fish or Wiener schnitzel made with organic veal. Finish with apple strudel or marzipan. Light natural woods and vaulted ceilings set the tone in a series of smaller rooms; in summer there's an outside garden.