Figlmüller

...walk from the Stefansdom), as Figlmüller is known throughout the world for its Wiener Schnitzel (breaded escalope of pork), mainly for the size of the schnitzel that is served.

Arriving at 8pm on a Friday night, there was a queue of fifteen to twenty people but this soon went, as the turnaround rate on tables is extraordinary. I would reckon that between five and eight people eat at the same place in the restaurant each night, between ...
...the reason for coming to Figlmüller is to have a Schnitzel, although for those of you who want it with “Pommes” aka chips, you will be disappointed, as they are no chips served here. However the rosti – a mash made from roast potatoes is a very good substitute for chips or otherwise the salads are well worth having. Apart from Schnitzel there are a few dishes, although if you have not come here for a Schnitzel, it would be like ... more

would have been Gracie Field's song about Figlmüller, had she ever visited. I had anticipated that it might be a scrum getting a table at Figlmüller, a small restaurant, tucked off in an arcade just off the Wollzeile in Vienna (making it about two minutes walk from the Stefansdom), as Figlmüller is known throughout the world for its Wiener Schnitzel (breaded escalope of pork), mainly for the size of the schnitzel that is served.

Arriving at 8pm on a Friday night, there was a queue of fifteen to twenty people but this soon went, as the turnaround rate on tables is extraordinary. I would reckon that between five and eight people eat at the same place in the restaurant each night, between 4:30 and 10:30 (although people are generally not served after 9:45pm), and most will invariably have a Schnitzel. Even though there are only 100 seats at the restaurant, the place must be absolutely coining it in, as a Schnitzel will set you back ATS215 a go (£10). You will often be put on a table with other people, to help the queue subside quicker, and this is common. I sat on a table with another couple of Brits, called Howard and Hilda, who were on a caravanning tour of Europe, and who had matching knitwear. Thrilling.

For a place that is clearly most interested in bums on seats, it is not surprising that the service is very quick, albeit it with the bolshiness that is part and parcel of Vienna. The waiter gives you the menu and expects you to have decided in 10 seconds flat, otherwise he will move on to the next table. Obviously the reason for coming to Figlmüller is to have a Schnitzel, although for those of you who want it with “Pommes” aka chips, you will be disappointed, as they are no chips served here. However the rosti – a mash made from roast potatoes is a very good substitute for chips or otherwise the salads are well worth having. Apart from Schnitzel there are a few dishes, although if you have not come here for a Schnitzel, it would be like going to the Royal Garden Party without wanting to see the Queen. Similarly for those seeking a beer to wash down the schnitzel, they too will be disappointed, with wine being the drink here, and beer not being served. For those who don’t want a wine, you’d be recommended to go for an Obi g’spritzt (apple juice and mineral water).

So, now comes the pièce de resistance - the schnitzel. The schnitzel is as big as your dinner plate, and probably will overhang the plate. It is crispy, the meat is tender, and this will defeat most people. Indeed it is not uncommon, nor is it seen as rude, to share a giant schnitzel between two. At a recent Schnitzel eating contest between myself and another schnitzel worshipping Brit, he had to admit defeat, whilst I felt very full after finishing the whole schnitzel and didn’t get a Little Chef lollypop for doing so! (Please don’t e-mail me to point out that I wasn’t eating at a Little Chef!)

This is strictly a restaurant for tourists, although from time to time a local will venture in there too. All in all it is worth going to although the Schnitzels are a bit overpriced, and the service is somewhat akin to an angry Rottweiler. For more relaxed schnitzel experiences in Vienna, go elsewhere, although if you want to eat one meal a day only, you can’t go wrong at Figlmüller. 

...less