The restaurant
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Food & Drinks
"Of all the holes - of which there is no shortage in the city of Vienna - Ofenloch is by far my favourite."
Friedrich Torberg
The "Ofenloch" is located in the centre of the inner city. It provides access to another world and time: the historic old Vienna of the late imperial era comes to life here - both architecturally and in terms of cuisine.
The building forms an ensemble with the restaurant "Ofenloch", which has been located here since 1704. With its vaults, panelling, niches, bull's-eye windows and, above all, the collection of caricatures and graphics, it is almost a monument - and yet completely relaxed.
The wine list with selected Austrian and Viennese wines is also a speciality and perfectly matches the "Ofenloch" cuisine with its refined classics of Viennese cuisine.
Taproom
The oldest room at Ofenloch is always an inviting place to visit, whether for a good glass of wine or a dignified dinner. Here you can sit at the centre of all our rooms and let your mind wander a little into the past on a historic floor.
(approx. 22 seats)
Wine arbour
The design of our arbour allows you to feel like you are in the vineyard or outside at any time of the year. The paintings on the walls and the vines on the borders of the room make our Viennese wines taste twice as good.
(approx. 10 seats)
Extra room
Between dignified panelling and in the light of one of our three ‘Lustermandl’ (an old wodden chandelier) you can even enjoy a private atmosphere with groups. Furthermore our extensive collection of hand-carved stubble figures is also worth a visit.
(approx. 24 seats)
Cabinet
Although this room was added with the last enlargement of the restaurant, its restored panelling, lighting and wall decorations make it look like an old knight's chamber. Our oldest memorial piece is also located here - a brick from the time of the Roman legions from the 1st century.
(approx. 16 seats)
Small room
Right next to the kitchen and therefore at the heart of Ofenloch, you can enjoy our collection of historical postcards, which are integrated into the panelling. The historic lamps and the beautiful bull's-eye windows add a very special flair.
(approx. 15 seats)
Outside area
From April to November there is a ‘Schanigarten’ right outside the door. In pleasant and quiet surroundings in one of the oldest alleys in the inner city, we spoil you outdoor with culinary delights in the warm breeze and sunshine - it couldn't be nicer!
(approx. 35 seats)
Wine cellar
During your stay, visit our historic vaulted cellar in the depths of our listed building. During a cellar tour you will immerse yourself in the world of Viennese wine and will also learn interesting facts about one of Vienna's oldest restaurants.
Historical information
The "Bierhaus Ofenloch" was first mentioned in documents in 1704, but there was already a Jewish cookshop here many decades before that.
The ground itself is even more steeped in history - in the 1st century AD, the Vindobona military camp of the XIIIth Roman legion was located here, followed by the Xth legion in the year 114.
In the 12th century, the Babenberg castle was built in the immediate vicinity and the Jewish ghetto was established. In 1288 the chronicles report a Jewish bathhouse ‘Zu den Röhren’ and in 1398 a ‘Judenzeche’.
The illustrious clientele also changed: back then it was all kinds of rowdy drunks, scarlet women and light-shy rabble, but this changed over the centuries. Moritz von Schwind, Eduard von Bauernfeld and Franz Schubert frequented the place, as did the immortal Count of St. Germain.
Meanwhile, times turned bad and in 1934 the last landlord of the ‘Ofenloch’ - Anton Koch - had to close the doors until this baroque jewel was carefully revitalised in 1973 and thus kissed awake.
In 1976, the ‘Ofenloch’ was reopened in new splendour and the restaurant developed from an originally small taproom into five cosy parlours. It is a popular meeting place that still attracts many celebrities.
Names such as Leonard Bernstein, Herbert von Karajan, Oskar Werner, Helmut Qualtinger, José Carreras, Klaus Maria Brandauer and many others adorn the guest book.
