Gluten-Free Vienna: A Travel Guide for Celiacs

If you’re a gluten-free traveler or traveling with someone who is, you’re probably well versed in how difficult it can be to find good gluten-free restaurants in foreign countries. We here at Happy Celiac understand the struggle, which is why we have carefully curated the ultimate guide to eating gluten-free in Vienna. We have done all the research for you and compiled this guide filled with restaurants, grocery stores, and local tips that will service all your gluten-free needs while on holiday in Austria. 

Table of Contents

• Tips for Eating Gluten-Free in Vienna
• Best Gluten-Free Restaurants and Bakeries in Vienna
• Best Hotels in Vienna for Celiacs
• Best Supermarkets in Vienna for Celiacs
• Must-Know German Words and Phrases for Celiacs
• Everything Else You Need to Know Before Traveling to Vienna
  • Best Time to Visit Vienna
  • How to Get Around Vienna
  • Best Things to Do in Vienna
  • Best Day Trips From Vienna

Tips for Eating Gluten-Free in Vienna

While we do list a number of restaurants, bakeries, and grocers that carry fantastic gluten-free foods and beverages, there are a few other tips and tricks that can help make a gluten-free Vienna trip that much easier.

Get a German Gluten-Free Restaurant Card

One of the biggest issues as a gluten-free traveler is the language barrier. It can be difficult to explain your allergy to a waitress or business owner if they don’t understand the translation. That’s where a German gluten-free restaurant card comes in. With a gluten-free card, all of the most important information regarding a gluten allergy is translated into German and printed into a pocket-sized card. This way, you can simply show the card to a server and they’ll have an explanation of your allergy, a list of foods you cannot consume, and a list of foods that are okay for you to eat. Our German gluten-free card is available for download here!

Double Check Beer Labeled Gluten-Free

Gluten-free beers have become very popular over the last decade and many European brewers have started to brew them. However, not all gluten-free beers are made the same. Several European beers that are labeled gluten-free are actually gluten-removed, not gluten-free, which, depending on who you ask, may not be safe for celiacs to consume. Ultimately, it’s up to you whether you want to sample these beers, so use your best judgment. Some of the most popular Austrian breweries that offer gluten-removed beers are Stiegl, Gusswerk, and Die Weisse.

Check Out the Austrian Celiac Association

A great resource to have on hand is the Austrian Celiac Association’s (ACA) official website. Here, you’ll find information about celiac disease, local tips, recipes, and more. If you want to learn more about how products gain the EU gluten-free symbol, the ACA has a fantastic section on what the requirements are for companies. The ACA website is all in German, however, most modern browsers should be able to translate them into English.

Best Gluten-Free Restaurants and Bakeries in Vienna

Below, we have listed the best gluten-free restaurants in Vienna so that you can enjoy a worry-free and gluten-free meal while on vacation. If you’re an avid traveler or someone who is tired of researching gluten-free restaurants in every new city they visit, then consider downloading our ebook “100% Dedicated Gluten-Free Restaurants Around the World,” which features over 1000 restaurants and bakeries worldwide that are verified gluten-free. This way you’ll have the best gluten-free restaurants on hand no matter where your adventures or work takes you! 

Zum Wohl ★

If you’re looking for a gluten-free restaurant in Vienna that serves gluten-free local dishes like schnitzel, apple strudel, and goulash, then make your way to Zum Wohl. The restaurant focuses on selling gluten-free and lactose-free Austrian dishes, along with an assortment of vegan options.

Address: Stumpergasse 61, 1060 Wien • Visit Website

Pizzeria Scarabocchio

Whether you’re looking for a gluten-free pizza in Vienna to take away or to enjoy in a restaurant, Pizzeria Scarabocchio is the place to go. Pizzeria Scarabocchio features delicious gluten-free pizzas, which are made in a dedicated gluten-free area, plus they can do several other pasta dishes on their menu gluten-free or lactose-free. Vegan cheese options are also available.

Address: Florianigasse 3, 1080 Wien • Visit Website

Ausnahmsweise ★

Ausnahmsweise is a café dedicated to serving gluten-free and vegan baked goods. Here, you’ll find everything from gluten-free cakes and cookies to muffins and quiche, along with a great assortment of alternative milk options to go with their coffees.

Address: Hofmühlgasse 18/5, 1060 Wien • Visit Website

GlutenFreeX ★

Another amazing gluten-free bakery in Vienna to check out is GlutenFreeX, located across the road from Schubert’s Birthplace. GlutenFreeX specializes in baking gluten-free breads and treats like cinnamon rolls, baguettes, banana bread, and much more.

Address: Nußdorfer Straße 43, 1090 Wien • Visit Website

Allergikercafé ★ 

If you’re looking for a gluten-free café that serves up a fantastic breakfast and lunch, then check out Allergikercafé. The café features an outdoor patio along with an extensive list of treats like pies, tortes, cakes, and cookies. They also have a lovely lunch and breakfast menu for those with allergies to soy, nuts, gluten, and lactose.

Address: Wiedner Hauptstraße 35, 1040 Wien • Visit Website

Bröselei ★

This gluten-free and vegan restaurant is ideally located just down the road from the Strudlhofstiege. Bröselei serves up a great selection of healthy lunch alternatives as well as gluten-free cakes and baked goods.

Address: Strudlhofgasse 1, 1090 Wien • Visit Website

Café Grüner Salon ★

This adorable café is the perfect place to try Austrian treats that are gluten-free. Here, you can try gluten-free versions of Sachertorte and Linzertorte, along with several other gluten-free sweet treats. Café Grüner Salon also features some great breakfast dishes and vegan options.

Address: Hirschengasse 8, 1060 Wien • Visit Website

Gasthaus Nestroy

If you’re looking for a restaurant with a beer garden that serves gluten-free beers and gluten-free Austrian dishes, then this is the place for you. Gasthaus Nestroy offers a gluten-free menu with fantastic options like schnitzel, cordon bleu, Austrian pancakes, and more.

Address: Weintraubengasse 7, 1020 Wien • Visit Website

Gasthaus am Predigtstuhl

Gasthaus am Predigtstuhl is a great family-run restaurant to check out if you’re gluten-free, lactose-free, or vegan. The restaurant features live music and a homey feel while serving up gluten-free dishes like corn-battered fried chicken, soups, and schnitzels. There is also a great selection of gluten-free Austrian desserts, like apple strudel and Sachertorte.

Address: Oberwiedenstraße 34, 1170 Wien • Visit Website

Café Mozart

This stunning 18th-century Viennese coffee house is not only home to fantastic gluten-free options, but it also has an interesting history. The café was mentioned by name in the 1949 drama The Third Man, which was voted the best British film of all time in 1999. The film was Directed by Graham Greene with a screenplay written by Orson Welles, Carol Reed, and Greene, and all three men were regulars at the café. Today, you can visit the famous Café Mozart for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Address: Albertinaplatz 2, 1010 Wien • Visit Website

Das Vivet

Das Vivet is another restaurant serving up some delicious gluten-free options. You can try a range of gluten-free breakfast items from beef pancakes and acai bowls to a traditional Viennese breakfast and pastries. They also offer a selection of gluten-free lunch/dinner dishes and desserts.

Address: Westbahnstraße 21, 1070 Wien • Visit Website

Blueorange

Blueorange is a coffee and bagel café with two locations in the city. Here, you’ll find an outstanding selection of gluten-free and vegan bagels that can be stuffed with a range of toppings like cream cheese, omelets, hummus, and more. This is a great brunch spot as they also have a great variety of cocktails!

Address: Multiple locations • Visit Website

Café Schopenhauer

This cozy café near the Vienna Gallery is the ideal place for gluten-free travelers to enjoy a snack or meal, especially if they are bookworms. Café Schopenhauer is a mixture of a café and a bookstore where visitors can enjoy the classic ambiance of a Viennese coffee house while browsing for a new book. The café has a range of dishes that can be made gluten-free.

Address: Staudgasse 1, 1180 Wien • Visit Website

Permanently Closed Gluten-Free Restaurant

• Alla Salute
• Simply Raw Bakery

Best Hotels in Vienna for Celiacs

Travelers often try to book hotels and hostels that offer on-site meals like breakfast, lunch, and dinner for convenience’s sake. However, not all hotels offer a good gluten-free menu (or any at all). Below is a list of hotels that offer a wide range of gluten-free alternatives so that celiacs can enjoy the same convenience and perks from their hotel! 

• Hotel Kaiserhof
• Hotel Spiess & Spiess
• Hotel Harmonie
• Falkensteiner Hotel Am Schottenfeld
• Hotel City Rooms

Travelers can also opt to book an Airbnb with their own kitchen so they can cook their own meals with peace of mind. This is a great option seeing as there are several supermarkets in Vienna that stock gluten-free products. 

Best Supermarkets in Vienna for Celiacs

Austria has done an excellent job of raising awareness about celiac-friendly products, and tourists will find that almost all major supermarkets in Vienna carry gluten-free foods and beverages. Billa and Spar are two of the most popular supermarkets in the country and they carry a plethora of gluten-free products such as cookies, noodles, breads, and cereals. 

Other great alternatives include DM, a drugstore offering a range of gluten-free products, and Denns BioMarkt, an organic supermarket that carries several gluten-free products. 

Must-Know German Words and Phrases for Celiacs

When you’re visiting a country that speaks another language, it’s always a good idea to familiarize yourself with certain phrases and words, especially if you are celiac. These terms below will help you read ingredient labels faster and help you converse with locals about your allergy more easily.

• Gluten-free — Glutenfrei
• Flour — Mehl
• Wheat — Weizen
• Barley — Gerste
• Rye — Roggen
• Oats — Hafer
• Breadcrumbs — Semmelbrösel
• Semolina — Griess
• Wafer — Waffel
• Bread — Brot
• Bread roll — Semmel
• Breaded — Paniert
• May contain traces of gluten. — Kann Spuren von Gluten enthalten.

If you’re afraid your German won’t be up to par by the time you travel, then give yourself peace of mind and download our German gluten-free restaurant card. This way, you don’t have to speak the language as everything you need to say will be right on the card!

Everything Else You Need to Know Before Traveling to Vienna

Vienna is the home of several notable classical musicians and the famous psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud, which explains why it has the nicknames the “City of Music” and “City of Dreams”. With so many outstanding attractions and beautiful architecture, it’s no wonder why Vienna was named one of the most livable places in the world! Below you’ll find all of the information you need to explore Vienna while on vacation. 

Best Time to Visit Vienna

The best time to visit Vienna really depends on what you are looking for out of your holiday. If a perfect trip to Vienna means dodging the crowds for you, then consider visiting Austria during the shoulder season from April to May and September to October. This is not only a great time to visit because you’ll miss the summer and holiday season crowds, but also because the weather is still relatively warm.

Winter is also quite a magical time to explore Vienna, seeing as the city’s Christmas Market is one of the best Christmas markets in Europe.

How to Get Around Vienna

Exploring all the attractions of Vienna is an easy thing to do, whether it be on foot or by using public transit. There are four main types of public transit in Vienna: bus (Autobus), tram (Straßenbahn), subway (U-Bahn), and local train (Schnellbahn or S-Bahn). Vienna runs its public transit on an honesty system, so while you may not see any barriers or formal ticket check stations, you will still need to purchase a public transit ticket.

If you purchase a single-use transport ticket, you will need to validate it before using it either on board the tram or bus or at one of the blue machines located at the entrance of the subway stations. You can purchase a pre-validated, single-use ticket on board the trams or buses, but these tend to be more expensive. We recommend buying public transit passes instead of single-use tickets as it will cover all the main transportation without the need for you to re-purchase every time you need a ride.

You can find out more about how to use Vienna’s public transit, timetables, and ticket options on the City of Vienna’s official website.

Another great option for sightseeing in Vienna is to purchase a hop-on, hop-off bus pass. You can purchase bus passes from one to three days, which allows unlimited travel on the tour bus routes. This is a fantastic option as you will not only have all the main attractions in the city as bus stops, but you can also ride entire bus routes as a tour with an audio guide. 

Taxis and rideshare apps are also an option for those exploring Vienna. Rideshare apps currently available in Vienna include Uber, Lyft, FREE NOW, Bolt, Blacklane, and Talixo. 

Best Things to Do in Vienna

Below we have compiled the absolute must-see attractions while holidaying in Vienna.

Admire St. Stephen’s Cathedral

St. Stephen’s Cathedral, also known as Stephansdom, is an incredible medieval Roman Catholic church to visit in Vienna. Visitors can explore the church’s Treasury Museum, admire the ornate spire, or take a tour of the catacombs. The North Tower also boasts an elevator that will bring tourists to the top of the tower for unmatched views of the city and the Alps!

Geek Out at the Austrian National Library 

Calling all book lovers! This Vienna attraction is for you. The Austrian National Library is a breathtaking library that resembles that of the Beast’s library in Beauty and the Beast. There are over 600 years of history to be explored here, along with beautiful leather-bound books, ceiling frescoes, and marble statues. 

Explore Hofburg Palace

Easily one of the top things to do in the city is to explore the baroque interiors and imperial apartments that once belonged to the Habsburg family. Hofburg Palace is a massive complex with several attractions inside. Visitors can explore the dining halls of the imperial court at the Sisi Museum, see Lipizzaner stallions at the Spanish Riding School, tour the Imperial Treasury to see the city’s crown jewels, discover Hofburgkapelle‘s Gothic interior, or visit one of the many museums in the Neue Berg palace wing.

Catch a Show at the Vienna State Opera 

The Vienna State Opera is often regarded as one of the most incredible opera venues in the world. The venue holds a rich history and is known to be one of the most unforgettable venues for opera lovers. There are 350 ballet and opera shows scheduled throughout the year at the Vienna State Opera, so visitors will easily be able to catch a show!

Explore Schönbrunn Palace

This 1,450-room palace was once the summer home of the Habsburg family, but today, it’s one of the best Vienna attractions to visit. Tourists can explore the lush gardens and hedge maze on the grounds, take a guided or self-guided tour of the extravagant rococo ceremonial rooms, or learn more about what it would be like to be an imperial child at the Children’s Museum Schönbrunn Palace. The grounds are also home to the Imperial Carriage Museum Vienna, the 18th-century Schönbrunn Zoo, the Botanical Garden, and the Tirolerhof Schönbrunn heritage museum.

Visit the Leopold Museum in the MuseumsQuartier Wien

The MuseumsQuartier Wien is a large complex made up of several buildings that are home to some of the best museums in Vienna. If you only have time to explore one museum in the district, then head to the Leopold Museum. Here, you’ll find one of the most important collections of modern Austrian art housed in a gorgeous white sandstone building.

Hit the Rides at the Prater

Whether you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city streets or get a thrill on one of the amusement park rides, the Prater has you covered. This large green space is one of the largest city parks in the world, measuring in at a whopping 65 acres. There is plenty to do in the park, such as exploring one of the oldest amusement parks in the world (Wurstelprater), riding the Viennese Giant Ferris Wheel (Wiener Riesenrad), touring the park on the Prater Miniature Rail (Liliputbahn im Prater), or visiting Madame Tussauds Wien.

View the Masterpieces at Belvedere Palace

Belvedere Palace is home to several beloved masterpieces and is a must-see in Vienna for art lovers. The museum’s collection ranges from artworks from the Middle Ages to the present day, with highlights from notable artists like Gustav Klimt, Claude Monet, Auguste Rodin, and Vincent van Gogh. The museum is also set in a gorgeous Baroque-style palace that was once home to members of the Habsburg dynasty.

Visit a Viennese Coffee House 

Viennese coffee houses have played an important role in the city’s culture and history. Dating back to the 17th century, coffee houses in Vienna served as a place to meet with friends, catch up on the latest town gossip, or relax and work. They were also frequented by many musicians and writers. Think of the coffee houses as a kind of American Wild West saloon, except with a much more ambient atmosphere. Today, you can visit a traditional or modern Viennese coffee house. Perhaps one of the more famous in the city is Café Mozart, which we already established serves up gluten-free goodies!

Explore the Artworks at Kunsthistorisches Museum

The Kunsthistorisches Museum is another beautiful tourist attraction in Vienna to add to your itinerary. This incredible museum is set in a lavish 19th-century building with an iconic octagonal dome crown and is home to the most extensive collection of artworks by Peter Bruegel the Elder in the world. Visitors can opt to purchase a day pass for the Kunsthistorisches Museum or they can book a combo ticket, which includes the Kunsthistorisches Museum and the Imperial Treasury.

Best Day Trips from Vienna

Depending on how long you are staying in Vienna, you may be looking to escape the city for a day and explore all that Austria has to offer. If you have the time, we highly recommend taking the time to plan out one of these outstanding day trip destinations!

Salzburg

Known for its enchanting architecture and as the birthplace of Mozart, Salzburg is easily one of the best road trip destinations from Vienna. This beautiful town is located on the Austrian-German border, roughly a three-hour drive from Vienna or a two-and-a-half-hour train ride from Wien Westbahnhof station via the WESTbahn train. 

Salzburg isn’t just the birthplace of Mozart though, as several iconic scenes from The Sound of Music were also filmed in the area. Visitors have plenty of attractions and things to do in the area, like wandering through the Medieval and Baroque architecture of Old Town, exploring Fortress Hohensalzburg, visiting Mozart’s Birthplace, or learning about aviation at Redbull’s Hangar-7 technology museum. Alternatively, you could book this group day trip from Vienna to Salzburg, which includes transport to and from the city, a guided tour of Old Town and The Sound of Music filming locations, and a visit to Fortress Hohensalzburg.

Related: Gluten-Free Salzburg: A Travel Guide for Celiacs

Hallstatt

If you want to explore a small Austrian town with plenty of charm, then make your way to Hallstatt for a day. Hallstatt is located on the shores of Lake Hallstatt in the mountain region of Salzkammergut, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This quaint village takes about three hours and 45 minutes to reach by car or you can catch the direct train which takes around the same time. Alternatively, you can book this day tour from Vienna which includes transportation and visits to attractions in and around the town of Hallstatt and Traunkirchen. 

Once you arrive in Hallstatt, you’ll be blown away by the rich blue waters and scenic mountains of the town. You can opt to take a walk along the lake promenade and snap an iconic picture of the town at the Viewpoint Hallstatt or rent a pedal boat to explore the water. Other popular things to do in the area include walking up the Hallstatt Skywalk Welterbeblick Aussichtsplattform for an outstanding view of the mountains and lake, visiting Hallstatt’s ornate catholic church known as Pfarrkirche Mariä Himmelfahrt, exploring Dachstein Giant Ice Cave, and skiing or hiking at Dachstein Krippenstein. This is a great day trip destination from Vienna for those who want to explore the outdoors!

Budapest, Hungary

Seeing as Vienna is right near the border of Hungary and Slovakia, why not tick another country off your list and visit the Hungarian capital of Budapest? Budapest is ideally located only a two-hour and 20-minute train ride from Vienna or a roughly three-hour drive by car. 

Budapest is known for many unique attractions, including the world’s largest thermal cave system and the largest medicinal thermal bath in the world. However, the thermal baths aren’t the only activity in Budapest to try, visitors can also try beer baths, explore Buda Castle, see the mummified hand of the first King of Hungary at Saint Stephen’s Basilica, or visit Dohány Street Synagogue, Europe’s largest synagogue.

Bratislava, Slovakia

As we stated above, Vienna is pretty close to its neighboring countries. So if Budapest seems a bit too far, you can always head to the Slovakian capital of Bratislava. The city is much closer to Vienna than Budapest, with a travel time of an hour and 15 minutes by both train and car. You can also opt to book this day cruise down the Danube River from Vienna to Bratislava or this day trip to Bratislava, which includes bus transfers and a one-hour guided tour of the city. 

Bratislava boasts some pretty interesting attractions, like Bratislava Castle, a hilltop Baroque-style castle dating back to 907 A.D., Slavin, a hilltop war memorial dedicated to Soviet soldiers who died in WWII, and the Church of St. Elizabeth (also known as the Blue Church), a prominent art-nouveau church with a baby blue color. Since the city is known for its well-preserved architecture and monuments, we recommend taking a guided walking tour of the city so you can learn more about the artworks and historic buildings. Other great activities to do in Bratislava include exploring the ruins of Devin Castle, taking in the views from the Most SNP (UFO Tower), and visiting the Bratislava Transport Museum.

Wachau Valley

The Wachau Valley is a picturesque river valley boasting terraced vineyards, ancient monasteries, and lush forests. Wachau Valley is located on the Danube River, about an hour and 15 minute drive from Vienna or an hour by train. 

This beautiful region is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is particularly known for its grape and apricot farms, making it a great day trip destination for wine lovers. There are a few unique tours to consider when visiting vineyards, like this full-day biking tour of Wachau Valley and wineries or this full-day private kayak and wine tour. Another option is to book this full-day tour of Wachau Valley from Vienna, which includes wine tastings, a cruise on the Danube River, a visit to Durnstein, and a guided tour of Melk Abbey. If you want to explore the region on your own, we recommend starting your journey in Krems as it’s the easiest to get to by train. 

Well, there you are my gluten-free friends, a complete guide to visiting Vienna gluten-free. We hope you have enough time to try out all the fantastic foods the city has to offer and that you create wonderful memories while on your trip to Austria.