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plachutta restaurant in vienna

I was about to make a reservation here based on some older reviews here. I found many reviews complaining on terrible service and rude waiters. Has anyone eaten here recently?? thanks sue

Posted by
2280 posts

The most well known place of Plachutta is that in Wollzeile street. It is inundated by tourists and that has significantly contributed to some of the negative reviews.

Better is to go there, near Schönbrunn palace: https://www.plachutta-hietzing.at/en

Posted by
1650 posts

I also went to the one by the palace. The service was good, and I tipped extra.

Posted by
1742 posts

Well, the waiter was on the surly side and added a large tip to the credit card bill (not so frequent on this side of the Atlantic), but the food is still a fond memory. Wollzeile, late 2021.

Posted by
7 posts

Plachutta Hietzing - top class. Wollzeile is nice but a tourist hotspot. Greets from Vienna :-)

Posted by
1650 posts

The waiter at the Schönbrunn location did brazenly ask me to tip more. I am guessing that he knew we came from the US.

Posted by
5513 posts

I've eaten at Plachutta on Wollzeile on numerous occasions, including recently. I think that opinions on service in general in Vienna are relative. Tourists from the US and other parts of the world tend to expect overly enthusiastic service, which you will not find in Vienna. I have always had polite servers at Plachutta - they even kindly serve you Tafelspitz tableside. It is really a fantastic and iconic restaurant. I would go in a heartbeat.

Posted by
2280 posts

Tourists from the US and other parts of the world tend to expect overly enthusiastic service, ...

Exactly. Other countries, other customs.

  1. Locals detest the typical American permanent-grin style ("I am Mandy and I will serve you ... yadda yadda"). Waiters are employees and get a fixed payment, i.e., they don't make their living from tips. Nevertheless you should tip 5-10% if the service was good.
  2. The menu will not presented to you 5 seconds after you have been seated.
  3. There is no ice water on the table. Ordering tap water is disliked.
  4. Bread and rolls are not for free, except there is a cover charge.
  5. You are given time to study the menu before you are asked to order. Drinks are usually ordered first.
  6. The bill will not presented to you automatically when you have swallowed the last bite of your dessert. Should this happen, it is kind of an offense. You have to ask (sometimes to beg) for the bill.
  7. Take your time. Most restaurants are understaffed, and the waiters do their best to cope with this. (Austria would need about 30% more staff in restaurants, but less people want to work there. A lot of restaurants had to reduce their opening hours.)
Posted by
165 posts

I had dinner at plachutta near the opera house the other evening. I sat outside in a lovely courtyard feeling area in front of the restaurant. The waiters were very nice and the food was great. I believe the custom in Vienna is to tip for dinner. I have been doing so by adding 10-15% to my credit card charge and everyone has been appreciative and the service has been great.

Posted by
5513 posts

You ate at the Plachuttas Gasthaus zur Oper, not the original famous location on Wollzeile known for Tafelspitz. Not a big deal, I’m just clarifying for future readers.

Posted by
5513 posts

I’m sure it’s the same Tafelspitz, just not from the classic location.

Posted by
5513 posts

Yes, very good. I’m only pointing out that there are multiple locations of Plachutta and the classic one is on Wollzeile.

Posted by
2280 posts

...there are multiple locations of Plachutta and the classic one is on Wollzeile.

Most people are not aware of that the very first Plachutta restaurant (the Stammhaus) is the one in Hietzing, near Schloss Schönbrunn.

Posted by
5513 posts

Yes, and there are a few other branches too! All are good, but for Tafelspitz, I recommend the Wollzeile.

Posted by
2280 posts

... but for Tafelspitz, I recommend the Wollzeile.

Did you really notice a difference between Wollzeile and Hietzing regarding Tafelspitz?
I couldn't.

Posted by
139 posts

I just ate at the branch near the Opera. The waiters really are surly. I rounded up the tip as Rick suggests and they still weren't happy. We were seated near a serving station and a hallway--not your most pleasant dining experience. I'd go elsewhere if I were you.