Where a Two-Michelin-Starred Chef Eats and Drinks in Vienna
The couple behind one of Austria’s most celebrated restaurant reveal where they actually go for coffee, pastries, wine, and unforgettable meals.
Welcome to The Relisher’s Vienna edition! This week, I met with Chef-Patron Alain Weissgerber and his wife, Barbara Eselböck, maître d' of their two-Michelin-starred restaurant, Taubenkobel.
Chef Weissgerber trained under some of the world’s most celebrated culinary icons, including Joël Robuchon and Wolfgang Puck. He was named Chef of the Year 2024 by Gault Millau and distinguished during The Best Chef Awards 2024. Just as notable is Barbara, who received the Service Award in the MICHELIN Guide Austria 2025. Their restaurant was also recognized by Forbes as one of the “Coolest Places to Eat.”
Below, the pair share their Vienna favorites—coffee shops, restaurants, wineries, the places they take friends and visiting chefs, and much more. Note: a Google Map with all of the locations is provided at the end of the interview.
What I loved most about this edition is that it goes far beyond the classic Viennese spots (though you’ll find those here, with insights and backstories you likely won’t get anywhere else).
Alain and Barbara also share unexpected favorites—like the best natural wine winery in Austria, and a wine bar they rank among their top restaurants in the city—Vienna recommendations you won’t come across anywhere else.