„Feed your soul with salat.“; Josefins Salatbar
Sometimes there are days when you just want something light. No greasy lunch, no burger, no „I’m so full afterward I need a nap“ feeling. It was just such a day when my husband and I ended up at Josefins Salatbar for lunch. I was invited to visit the small café in Vienna – and honestly, I had no idea what to expect. Salad bar? Sounds basic at first. But what Josefins is all about is anything but.
The restaurant is located in the heart of Vienna, truly central—perfectly accessible whether you’re in the city center or just taking a quick lunch break. Josefin’s Salad Bar is immediately recognizable from the outside: the vibrant orange awning catches the eye, creating a cheerful, slightly Parisian chic feel, yet with a down-to-earth Viennese feel.
Central, charming
and somehow French
The design is consistent throughout: dark wood, lots of glass – truly stylish on the outside. It’s as if you were actually in Paris and about to visit a small bistro. And as soon as you step inside, it becomes bright, friendly, and somehow cozy. Inside, everything is airy, with white walls and plenty of light. It’s small, but charmingly – so you immediately feel at home. You can tell they’ve made the most of the small space. There are also plenty of mirrors and modern touches, as well as the bar in the middle of the room.
You can tell that Josefins has a French touch, and that’s actually thanks to the restaurant’s founder. You can feel it somehow—in the attention to detail, the aesthetics, but also in the way the food is presented.
There are some really cute spots inside and out to enjoy the food and drinks. Inside, you’re right in the middle of the action—you can see the bar, hear the quiet chatter, and the clinking of glasses. Outside, under the orange awning, you can watch the hustle and bustle of Vienna and briefly feel like you’re somewhere in the South of France. The clientele was diverse—from business lunches to girlfriend dates. You can tell that Josefins is a place that appeals to everyone. Whether you’re vegan or just craving something fresh.
Counter, salads
and the agony of choice
It stands in the middle of the room – the large counter. And it’s the heart of Josefin’s. Here, various bowls of fresh, colorful salads are lined up next to each other, along with a few sweet surprises. Standing in front of it, you quickly realize: It’s not going to be easy here. Because everything looks good.
As the name suggests, Josefin’s Salad Bar is all about salads. Fresh, creative salads. They’re prepared fresh daily. Whether cold or hot. The selection is always changing and surprises with a variety of seasonal ingredients and flavors. There were eight different salads on display.
The salads are all vegan—something I haven’t seen very often in Vienna. Everything tastes fresh, balanced, yet still filling. And I swear, that’s not easy to achieve.
Our lunch
We then opted for a large salad—to share, as we both wanted something lighter. We chose a combination of a pasta salad and an artichoke salad. I can’t remember the exact names, but honestly, that’s secondary. The important thing is: it was really good.
This combination of hot and cold, creamy and crunchy—you can tell that Josefins uses high-quality ingredients. And most importantly, that vegan doesn’t automatically mean you only eat greens.
It was filling without being heavy—exactly what you’d imagine a perfect city lunch to be. My husband (who’s usually more of a „I need meat“ type) was pleasantly surprised. That says it all.
Sweet ending:
the Dubai date
In addition to the salads, Josefins offers a fairly large selection of barista drinks. And since I’m known to be a sucker for matcha (and yes, when I hear „Iced Matcha Latte“ I automatically hear Shirin David in my head), I naturally had to order one. I opted for the Iced Matcha Latte with Mango Mousse – and wow, that was something different. This combination of creamy, fruity, and slightly tart… so delicious! But there’s much more to choose from: classic coffees, hot chocolate, smoothies – everything you could want for a little midday mood boost.
What I found really cool, by the way, is that at the beginning there’s a tray with all the drinks and salads currently on offer – so you can take a look around before ordering. This makes the whole thing super uncomplicated and pleasant.
After the salad, we wanted something sweet, but nothing too special. So we opted for the „Dubai Date.“ I honestly had no idea what to expect—but it was recommended to me, and I’m glad we went with it. This date was sweet, creamy, almost dessert-like—simply perfect after a hearty lunch. There were also cookies and carrot cake, as far as I remember, but the date was perfectly fine for us.
my summary
Josefins did it
There are many restaurants in Vienna, but Josefin’s Salad Bar has something rare: a clearly thought-out concept that still feels easy. No fancy food, no „overdoing,“ just good food, beautifully presented, in an atmosphere that calms you down.
I think it’s fantastic that everything is vegan, without it being overly obvious. It’s just a given. And I think that’s the best way to showcase plant-based cuisine—without any labels.
If you’re craving something healthy but still want to enjoy yourself, Josefins is the perfect spot. Whether for a lunch date, after shopping, or for a quick energy boost between two appointments. And yes – I actually believe there’s nothing else comparable in Vienna. At least not with this combination of location, style, and ease.
Fresh. Stylish. Josefins.
I love that there are places like this in Vienna – small cafés created with heart, where you can tell someone really had a vision. And at Josefins, you can feel it.
So, next time you’re in the city center, treat yourself to a stop at Josefins Salatbar. Wander through the counter, sample the salads, drink a matcha, and maybe even eat a Dubai date afterward.
I promise you: this is the kind of place that makes you think – why didn’t I come here sooner?
my little tip
If you go, it’s better to arrive a little early. The place isn’t big, and it gets crowded quickly at lunchtime. Besides, the most popular salads are naturally the ones that sell out first.
And: definitely try the iced matcha latte with mango mousse. I swear, you’ll love it.
_____________________
RELATED POSTS
_____________________
FIND ME ON INSTAGRAM
