„If you have good food, people will come to your restaurant.“- Mickey Gilley; Esterhazykeller
Sometimes it’s precisely these spontaneous ideas that turn out to be particularly wonderful in retrospect. Last weekend was just such a moment. A free lunch, the whole family together, and that one restaurant I’d seen so many times walking by – the Esterhazykeller. Every time I thought to myself: We have to go in there sometime. Traditional Viennese cuisine, a cellar restaurant, history within its walls. And this time, the time had finally come. Without much planning, without the stress of reservations, we simply walked in. And looking back, I can say: It was long overdue to not just see the Esterhazykeller from the outside, but to actually experience it.
Even upon arrival, you notice that something is different here compared to many modern Viennese restaurants. No fancy window display, no loud advertising – instead, a certain reserve that piques your curiosity. And perhaps that’s precisely why the Esterhazykeller stays in your mind if you regularly stroll through the city center.
The way down
– history, vaults and wine tavern flair
Before settling in comfortably, there’s one thing you should know: The Esterhazykeller isn’t just located in the basement. You actually descend quite a bit. Steep stairs lead down. But it’s precisely this descent that makes it so appealing. With every step, you distance yourself a little more from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Once you reach the bottom, a small world unfolds before you. Various passageways lead to large vaulted cellars, thick walls, low ceilings, and that quintessential Viennese cellar atmosphere. The Esterhazykeller consists of several interconnected rooms, and you’re almost guided through the establishment before reaching your seat. It doesn’t feel like a single dining room, but rather like a small labyrinth steeped in history.
The furniture is classic, old, but not dusty. Wooden tables, benches, rustic chairs – everything looks as if it has witnessed many stories. That very wine tavern atmosphere you expect from traditional Viennese cuisine is naturally present here. I especially loved the booths. These small, somewhat secluded areas immediately offer more privacy. You’re not sitting table to table, but rather have the feeling of truly having your own space.
At the Esterhazykeller, this is invaluable, especially if you want to eat and talk in peace. And then there are the little details. Old pictures, decorative elements, candles that don’t look fussy, but simply harmonious. Nothing is overly staged; everything feels authentic. This is exactly how you imagine a Viennese cellar restaurant – and precisely why the Esterhazykeller fits so well into the culinary landscape of this city.
Culinary start
– soup pot, hunger and honest cuisine
When you arrive hungry, there are two options: either you eat with restraint and think about taking photos – or you follow your gut. We definitely opted for the latter. As a starter, my husband and I shared the soup. And yes, I have to confess: we were so hungry that I started eating immediately. No photo, no pause – just spoon in and enjoy. In the Esterhazykeller, that’s exactly what happens faster than you’d think.
The soup was rich, warming, and perfectly seasoned. No frills, no unnecessary extras – just a good, honest soup. And quite frankly, when you devour a dish that quickly, it often says more than any food photo. I can promise you, it was really good. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have stopped eating before I even thought about picking up my phone.
What I particularly like is that the cuisine at Esterhazykeller doesn’t try to be modern or reinterpret classic dishes. They stick to what they do best – and it shows. The menu reads like a familiar menu, almost like a promise of exactly what you expect. And sometimes, that’s precisely the best part.
Main courses
– classic dishes and a family table atmosphere
After the soup, we moved on to the main courses – and here, too, it became clear why the Esterhazykeller has been a go-to spot for lovers of Viennese cuisine for years. I opted for the Esterhazy beef schnitzel. Tender meat, juicy texture, and that classic preparation that simply works. No frills, no distractions – just pure flavor.
My husband chose the pork schnitzel, breaded golden yellow, crispy, and generously portioned. Exactly as you’d want it. His stepmother chose the Grammelknödel (pork crackling dumplings), a dish you don’t find everywhere and which definitely demonstrates a commitment to tradition. And his father ordered the veal goulash with Spätzle – a true classic that tastes exactly as it should at the Esterhazykeller: hearty, full of flavor, and wonderfully satisfying.
What made this lunch so special for me wasn’t just the food, but the feeling at the table. That typical family meal where everyone orders something different, you try things, compare, and comment. The Esterhazykeller is perfect for that. You sit comfortably, speak louder, laugh more, and linger longer. No one rushes you, no one gives you disapproving looks if you take your time.
The atmosphere perfectly complements this sense of togetherness. The vaulted cellars absorb sound, it never gets uncomfortably loud, and yet it still feels vibrant. At the Esterhazykeller, lunch can easily last a little longer – and that’s exactly what we took advantage of.
my summary
– a place that lasts
Some restaurants are quickly forgotten. Others stay with you—not because they’re spectacular, but because they feel right. For me, the Esterhazykeller definitely belongs to the second category. This spontaneous family lunch reminded me how wonderful it is to enjoy Viennese classics in an authentic setting.
The Esterhazykeller isn’t a place for rushing, not a place for trends. It’s a piece of Vienna underground, full of history, flavor, and coziness. So, the next time you’re strolling through the city center and wondering where to find good, honest food: go down the stairs, let yourself be guided through the corridors, and take your time. That’s exactly what the Esterhazykeller is for.
_____________________
RELATED POSTS
_____________________
FIND ME ON INSTAGRAM
