6 Best Restaurants in Vienna Woods, Lake Neusiedler, and the Danube River, Austria

Tucked away inside the historic Kremsmünsterhaus, this elegant restaurant rocks a mod-retro look with cozy tables, muted lighting, and attractive stonework. The cuisine is Austrian with a touch of Asia, as evidenced by the selection of wok dishes and an excellent sushi bar. Main courses include mouthwatering variations of fish (the panfried tuna is a favorite) as well as meaty treats (the rib-eye steak is to die for). If the weather is nice, you can opt to sit outside in the inviting, enclosed courtyard. The bar is open late, often hosting famous DJs.

Consistently ranked as one of the top restaurants in Austria, the "Dovecote" is a rambling, elegantly restored 19th-century farmhouse located halfway between Eisenstadt and Rust in the village of Schützen. The seasonally changing seven-course menu has featured dishes such as saddle of lamb with mangold blossoms and asparagus in saffron sauce. A variety of packages pair multiple courses with wines; some also include an overnight stay in the connected hotel. The former stables and outbuildings have been converted to 12 luxurious, unique bedrooms with wooden beams and cathedral ceilings.

It may be some way out of town, but the exquisite food, intimate atmosphere, and gorgeous views at this fine dining restaurant make it worth a special trip. Passionate owner-chef Erich Lukas crafts clever, seasonal set menus that combine Austrian and Mediterannean influences to great effect. Unusually, it's also possible to order dishes from the menus individually. For budget conscious travelers, the neighboring Verdi Einkehr bistro shares the same kitchen but serves more standard Austrian fare. If you don't have a car, you'll need a taxi to get here as it's located close to Lichtenberg, about three kilometers (two miles) north of the town center.