Meissl & Schadn

Meissl & Schadn is a restaurant in Vienna dedicated to the art of the Wiener Schnitzel. Located in the city center, near the Ringstraße, this elegant eatery revives the tradition of classic Viennese cuisine, with a focus on perfectly prepared, golden-brown schnitzels. The restaurant’s open kitchen allows guests to watch their schnitzel being pounded and fried to crispy perfection, ensuring an authentic and interactive dining experience. Beyond schnitzel, the menu includes other Austrian specialties.

If you’re in Vienna and want to experience schnitzel the way it was meant to be, Meissl & Schadn is the place to go. The restaurant takes its schnitzel seriously—so seriously, in fact, that they have an entire “Schnitzel Show” where you can watch as the meat is expertly pounded, breaded, and fried to golden perfection.

The moment the schnitzel arrives at your table, you’ll notice its impressive size. True to tradition, the veal is thin, light, and incredibly crispy, with that perfect puffed-up texture. The dish comes with sides like potato salad or Viennese cucumber salad, adding a refreshing contrast to the rich, buttery schnitzel. If you go for the classical Wiener Schnitzel, you’ll be asked to pick between three different types of frying oil:

• Clarified butter (Butterschmalz) – The richest and most traditional choice, giving the schnitzel a deep, buttery flavor.
• Pork lard (Schweineschmalz) – A more old-school approach, adding an extra level of crispiness and a slightly heartier taste.
• Vegetable oil (Pflanzenöl) – A lighter option that still achieves the signature golden-brown crust.

One unique touch at Meissl & Schadn is their “Zweig, Freud und Schnitzler” concept, which lets you enjoy your schnitzel the way some of Vienna’s most famous historical figures—like Sigmund Freud, Arthur Schnitzler and Stefan Zweig—would have eaten it in their time.

Beyond the schnitzel, the Tafelspitz—a dish of tender boiled beef, famously favored by Emperor Franz Joseph—is another highlight. Served with all the classic accompaniments, including horseradish, apple sauce, and creamy spinach, it offers a true taste of Viennese culinary heritage. And if you have a sweet tooth, you’re in for a treat—Meissl & Schadn has an extensive dessert menu featuring all the Austrian classics.

While Vienna has no shortage of places serving schnitzel, Meissl & Schadn stands out for its commitment to tradition and quality.