„Life’s too short to have boring dates. Let’s make this one unforgettable!“; Verde
unpaid / recomondation
Yesterday it was time for a proper date night again. Simply escape from everyday life, away from the laptop, and into Vienna’s city center. And when I say city center, I mean it: our destination was Verde, and it’s truly located in the heart of Vienna, just a few steps from the Graben. It couldn’t be more central.
We walked there quite leisurely – that’s what I love about Vienna. A short stroll, a few minutes hand in hand through the streets, past the brightly lit shop windows, and we were standing in front of the white facade with the discreet logo. Simple, understated, almost a bit mysterious on the outside. But as soon as the doors open, you enter a completely different world.
And that world is the new, freshly renovated Verde. After a six-month hiatus, the restaurant has finally reopened – and not just for fun, but with a real comeback stronger. Everything has been rethought, expanded, modernized. And above all: designed with attention to detail.
the design
Inside, Verde plays with materials, textures, and indirect lighting, giving the space a warm and elegant feel. And then there’s that wow moment as soon as you enter: a gigantic, backlit bar that almost looks like a work of art. I swear, it’s home to probably the largest spirits collection in all of Vienna. From gin to whiskey to fancy liqueurs—everything you can imagine.
We were immediately greeted and shown to our table, and that’s when I realized just how big Verde really is. From the outside, you think: wow, it’s not small. But inside? Inside, a dimension opens up that surprises you. Spacious, but not impersonal. Elegant, but not stiff. Exactly the balance you need for a date night setting.
A touch of nostalgia
When I learned that Verde was run by brothers Dominik & Philipp Ercin, I was immediately intrigued. And if you’re even a little familiar with the Viennese gastronomy scene, these names will certainly ring a bell. The two have run several well-known establishments – including the former Sansibar, the Café del Sol, and the legendary Medusa, which was known under their management as Johann Frank. And let’s be honest: Who among you remembers those days? Those nights when you first enjoyed a good meal and then lost yourself in the club’s music – pure nostalgia. I was immediately transported back to my youth.
For the true Viennese…
But that’s not all. The couple’s group also includes the popular it’s Amore on the Danube Island, which is currently undergoing renovations and will reopen next April as part of the new Pier 22. It’s Amore is, so to speak, the sister restaurant to Verde—or, to put it another way, Verde is the urban extension of it’s Amore. And if you know the signature style, you’ll immediately recognize it—the same attention to detail, the same passion for good food and drinks with character.
The Ercin brothers also run the Booteria – Boats & Drinks on the Danube Island, also at Pier 22 – a cocktail bar combined with a boat rental. They also have another boat rental on the upper Old Danube, where you can not only enjoy a leisurely cruise, but also party and indulge in culinary delights. A truly cool concept that demonstrates how versatile and creative the two are.
Now it all suddenly makes sense: Verde embodies exactly this signature style – the enjoyment, the love of design, and that very specific atmosphere you only find in restaurants that put their heart and soul into it.
Starters:
A start with stars
I started the evening with beef tartar. It sounds classic at first, but Verde adds a little twist: Amalfi lime mayonnaise, croutons, datterini gialli, arugula, and Parmesan. And that Parmesan on top immediately reminded me of a Caesar salad—you know, that’s my absolute comfort food. So, from the first bite, it was clear: This was my star of the evening.
My husband chose the Caprese all’amore. Buffalo mozzarella (his absolute favorite; he could eat it every day), basil pesto, tomatoes, and walnuts. Sounds simple, but tastes great when the quality is right—and it was. He, too, beamed.
Main courses:
Pasta & Pizza Love
I think my true vanivanity readers can already guess what I ordered at this point. Honestly, there are some things where I’m just predictable. And yes: it was the Linguine al Tartufo. Truffles are simply my great culinary love, and this time, I wasn’t disappointed. Plenty of truffles, no excessive fat, just a harmonious flavor that melts in your mouth. I know my best friend is reading this and rolling his eyes again (yes, I can practically hear you laughing), but sorry: they were divine!
My husband chose the Pizza Diavolo. And let me tell you: as soon as it was placed on the table, this spicy, hot aroma filled the air. It looked great, and tasted amazing – if you like spice. It wouldn’t be for me; I prefer the mild truffle, but for anyone who loves spicy food, this is definitely the right choice. And the best part: it wasn’t too greasy, just right.
Dessert: Sweet Ending
We shared the Kaiserschmarrn. And, man, it was a textbook Kaiserschmarrn. Fluffy, fresh, with that slight crunch around the edges, yet buttery soft in the middle. A dessert that makes you instantly happy. This is exactly how I imagine the perfect sweet ending to a date night.
Cocktails:
The big highlight
But let’s get to the real star of the evening: the cocktails. I’m telling you, the Verde is in a league of its own when it comes to drinks.
I started the classic way with a Pornstar Martini – safe, you know what you’re getting, and it was perfectly mixed. My husband had the „Akku Akku“ with Bacardi Carta Blanca, Peachtree, fresh lemon juice, sugar, and cucumber. Fresh, tangy, slightly acidic – a good start.
But then I dared to deviate from the familiar. And it was worth it. The work of art was called Sweet Peachy Aperol – Aperol, almond, fresh lemon juice, Peachtree, Martini Floraela, pineapple juice. And to top it all off: flambéed marshmallows on top. A visual wow moment, and even more so in terms of taste. I’ve truly never seen or drunk a cocktail like it.
My husband, an Old Fashioned connoisseur (sometimes I think he has Old Fashioned in his veins instead of blood), naturally ordered one too. And you know what he said? „Pretty smooth.“ That’s the highest praise in his world. So yes, here too: great cinema in a glass.
Ambience & atmosphere
…and absolute eye-catcher.
What I liked most was the perfect blend: Verde is modern, yet cozy. Elegant, but never intimidating. You immediately sense that the design was executed with great attention to detail – every material seems deliberately chosen, every lighting arrangement meticulously considered. The indirect light, in particular, gives the room a warmth that’s almost magical. It’s one of those places where you automatically speak more quietly, simply because the atmosphere is so inviting and harmonious.
And then, of course, the bar – an absolute eye-catcher. It dominates the space, but without being too intrusive. Instead, it draws you in, like a centerpiece that holds everything together. I think you could spend hours here, just sitting, watching, and enjoying drinks.
The atmosphere makes Verde a place you really want to stay. You immediately feel at home – whether you’re there for a romantic date night, stopping by with friends for a few cocktails, or planning a larger group evening. This restaurant has a special energy that makes every guest feel like they’re part of something special.
my summary
Verde is back – and how!
After a six-month hiatus, Verde is back with a bang: bigger, more beautiful, more modern. It’s not just a restaurant in Vienna’s city center—it’s an experience. Those who enter the doors leave the hustle and bustle behind and are immersed in a world of elegant design, refined details, and a bar that amazes at first glance. The ambiance is perfect for date nights. Romantic, but not kitschy. Elegant, yet relaxed. You feel welcome and at ease – and all this in the heart of Vienna, just a few steps from Graben.
The passion that went into the design and the cuisine is also evident in the team – yet there’s still room for improvement in the service. The good thing about it: These are the kind of things that are easy to get used to over time. And when that happens, I’m convinced that Verde will become the absolute top address in Vienna, not only in terms of cuisine but also in terms of service.
For me personally, it was an evening I won’t soon forget – not just because of the food and drinks, but also because of the atmosphere. This feeling of sitting together with my husband in the heart of the city, laughing, tasting, and enjoying – that’s exactly what a date night is all about for me. And that’s exactly why I know this won’t be my last visit to Verde. Quite the opposite – I’m already looking forward to the next time.
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