“In Vienna, the schnitzel is simply part of the experience. The only question is: where does it actually taste as good as everyone claims?”; Meissl & Schadn
Vienna means schnitzel. Period.
When you think of Vienna, you think of beautiful architecture, traditional coffee houses, Sachertorte, and—of course—one of the most famous dishes in Austrian cuisine: the Wiener Schnitzel. There is hardly anyone in the world who hasn’t heard of it. Whether in Europe, the Americas, or on the other side of the globe, everyone knows the Wiener Schnitzel.
However, very few people know its true origins. Several legends surround the history of the Wiener Schnitzel. A particularly well-known tale suggests that Field Marshal Radetzky brought the recipe to Austria from Italy—though, historically speaking, this account is quite controversial. What is certain, however, is that the Wiener Schnitzel has long since become an integral part of our culinary identity.
And now, there’s one more thing we need to clear up.
An authentic Wiener Schnitzel is made from veal—not pork, not chicken, and not any other type of meat. Anyone who claims otherwise is simply lying. Sorry about that. Of course, you can certainly have schnitzel made from pork or chicken, but in that case, it’s referred to as „Viennese-style“ schnitzel. A subtle but important distinction. And when you live in a city that is world-famous for this dish, you really ought to take the time to enjoy it properly every now and then. That is precisely why my husband and I decided to visit Meissl & Schadn—a restaurant entirely dedicated to Viennese cuisine, and to the schnitzel in particular.
A Little Old Vienna Glamour
I love restaurants that have a distinct character of their own. Not every establishment needs to be modern, minimalist, or exceptionally extravagant in its decor. Sometimes, it’s precisely that classic look that instantly captivates me.
And that was exactly the case here. The restaurant is located in the heart of Vienna’s city center, inside The Leo Grand hotel—a spot that could hardly be more central, making it the perfect setting for a relaxed evening after a stroll through the city. Even from the outside, the restaurant catches the eye with its large glass windows. And the best part? You can watch the chefs at work.
Meat is pounded, breaded, and then pan-fried until golden brown—a little spectacle that’s enough to whet your appetite for a schnitzel just by walking past. I find open kitchens like this incredibly fascinating. Especially with a dish that seems so simple at first glance, it’s interesting to see just how much manual craft actually goes into it. Inside, a completely different atmosphere awaits.
Beautiful chandeliers, red leather furniture, and elegant, classic lamps lend the entire space a warm character. Everything feels a bit like it’s from another era, yet without ever seeming old-fashioned. It has the air of a traditional Viennese restaurant—the kind of place where you could easily imagine spending an elegant evening, even fifty years ago. And that is exactly what I love. At Meissl & Schadn, they don’t try to completely reinvent Viennese tradition; instead, they celebrate it. Personally, I find that far more charming than yet another restaurant that looks just like every other one you see on Instagram.
The Kind Of Place
In my opinion, anyone planning a visit to Meissl & Schadn should definitely make a reservation in advance. Especially on weekends or public holidays, it might otherwise be difficult to get a table on the spur of the moment.
Personally, I prefer to book ahead these days anyway; there’s nothing worse than looking forward to a particular restaurant only to arrive and find it completely full.
Classic Viennese Service
Let’s move on to a point about which I have mixed feelings: The service. The staff were generally friendly and possessed that typical Viennese charm—not overly effusive or forced, but rather direct and classic. So far, so good.
However, the service wasn’t exactly the fastest. We visited on a public holiday, and the restaurant was quite busy, so I don’t want to be too harsh; perhaps the staff were simply a bit overwhelmed that day. On top of that, there was a large group of pensioners sitting right next to us. And let me tell you, watching them was, at times, genuinely amusing.
Every time our waiter even remotely approached our direction, he was intercepted by the group. First a question, then an order, and then someone else wanted something else entirely. The poor man barely had a chance to actually reach our table. Eventually, my husband and I just decided to take it with a sense of humor—what else could we do?
Still, I have to say that at a restaurant like Meissl & Schadn, I would have expected a bit more attentive service. Especially when you’re sitting in a lovely setting, hoping to enjoy a relaxed evening, a certain level of attentiveness is, to me, simply part of the experience. That doesn’t mean someone needs to be hovering at the table constantly—quite the opposite, in fact. But you shouldn’t feel as though you have to fight to get the waiter’s attention.
Perhaps we just happened to visit on an off day.
Starting Lunch With
Before we turned our attention to the true star of the evening, there was, of course, an appetizer. My husband opted for a classic: beef soup with sliced crêpe strips (*Frittaten*). Typically Austrian, uncomplicated, and always a good choice. I, however, was in the mood for something different. Since we were in the middle of autumn, I wanted something hearty—something fitting for the season, with a bit more character than an ordinary soup.
So, I ordered a pâté. And my goodness, was it good! At Meissl & Schadn, this appetizer was a truly pleasant surprise. The pâté was incredibly flavorful, wonderfully savory, and exactly what I was craving that day. I was particularly taken with the bread served alongside it. It had been pan-fried in a little lard, making it wonderfully crispy and aromatic. Certainly not the right choice for anyone currently counting calories!
But honestly?
Who goes to a traditional Viennese restaurant, orders a pâté with bread and lard, and then starts worrying about calories? Not me. In any case, it was one of those appetizers that makes you wonder, after the very last bite, whether you shouldn’t just order another portion. Though I have to admit, I was actually quite full by then. And that, of course, was a bit inconvenient. After all, the real highlight of the evening was still waiting for us.
The Main Character
Let’s finally get to the reason why we were here in the first place: The Wiener Schnitzel. Naturally, we both ordered one—what else would we do? In my opinion, if you go to Meissl & Schadn and don’t order a schnitzel, you’ve clearly misunderstood something.
My husband opted for the classic version, served with potato salad, lingonberries, and an extra crispy side. I, on the other hand, wanted to keep things a bit simpler and ordered my schnitzel with nothing but potato salad. And, of course, my husband couldn’t resist making a comment: “You can really tell you weren’t born and raised in Vienna.” Excuse me?
Just because I don’t eat lingonberries with my schnitzel?
I know, I know. For many a Viennese, lingonberries are simply an essential part of the dish. For some, this combination of savory meat and a sweet-and-sour accompaniment is likely just as much a given as potato salad. But I have to confess: I’m just not a fan. I really don’t care for that tart, acidic element alongside my schnitzel. Give me ketchup instead—yes, I know, that’ll probably earn me a few dirty looks from some locals! But then again, tastes differ.
The schnitzel itself, however, was truly excellent. Pounded nice and thin, fried to a perfect golden brown, and featuring the kind of crispy breading you’d expect from a proper Wiener Schnitzel. Exactly as it should be.
What I particularly like about Meissl & Schadn is that you can watch the schnitzel being prepared before you even sit down to eat. Once the plate is in front of you, you appreciate all the effort that went into it that much more. The potato salad was a great accompaniment, too—classic, straightforward, and exactly what I look for in a side dish. That said, I did run into one small problem. I was still incredibly full from my appetizer. And as much as I would have loved to finish the entire schnitzel, at a certain point, I just couldn’t eat another bite. Perhaps I should have shared the pâté with my husband after all. But then again, as the saying goes, hindsight is always 20/20.
my summary
For me, Meissl & Schadn is a restaurant that combines classic Viennese cuisine with a beautiful, traditional atmosphere.
The decor was exactly to my taste, the food was truly good, and the chance to watch the schnitzel being prepared made the visit especially memorable. However, the service could have been a bit more attentive. All in all, it was a lovely evening with my husband, featuring good food and a gentle reminder of why the Wiener Schnitzel remains one of our city’s most iconic dishes to this day. Is it the best schnitzel in Vienna? I wouldn’t go that far after just one visit.
But it is definitely one worth trying at least once. And who knows? Perhaps Meissl & Schadn will get a second chance someday to truly win me over. Until then, I look forward to my next culinary discoveries in my favorite city.
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