VIENNA, Austria: L’Arte Ristorante Café and Bar

After a day of touring and wandering around Austria’s capital city, we headed out of the busy Altstadt and back toward our hotel on the Danube River.

Wanting something different than the take-away stands of the old town or the predictable fare at our hotel, we decided to get off the U-Bahn at some random stop and see what a local neighborhood might have to offer.

The first one we chose didn’t have much near the station, so we continued in the direction of our hotel. Since the stop beyond ours was at a marina on the river, I reasoned there must be a restaurant or two close by, and I was right.

L’Arte, a smaller Italian restaurant, looked very inviting, so in we went.

Entrance and outside dining area

In the mood for a lighter dinner, we chose Italian beers on draft, a Caprese salad for me and a Caesar salad with a grilled chicken breast for my wife.

The entrees took a little longer than expected but when my wife cut into her chicken breast, it was obvious why that was the case. Clearly, the chicken had been grilled to order and not hot-held. It was fresh, piping hot, and juicy. My Caprese salad of mozzarella, very fresh tomatoes and Balsamic vinegar topped with pine nuts and fresh basil was equally delightful.

Caprese salad with pine nuts and fresh basil

We were so impressed that we made a repeat visit the following evening. It was a little earlier so we indulged in a pizza which we shared. L’Arte has a number of creative pizzas to choose from, or diners can create their own. Whichever you choose is then cooked in a traditional Sicilian brick pizza oven. With temperatures typically around 800 degrees Fahrenheit on the deck, the pies are done in a matter of a few minutes.

L’Arte also has pasta, salads, fish and beef along with a good selection of beer, wine and spirits. It’s open for lunch and dinner seven days a week from 11:00 to 23:00 (11 p.m.).

With two visits in as many days, it’s safe to say we’ll be back the next time we’re in Vienna.

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Photos by Carl Dombek
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