Cafe Vienna - SAINT PETERSBURG

I spent nine years living in Germany and have German family members who frequently cook traditional meals. Cafe Vienna offers the most authentic German cuisine I've experienced in the United States. If you're in search of genuine German or Austrian dishes, this is the place to go. I tried the Wiener Schnitzel, and it was absolutely perfect. The veal was tender and flavorful, with a beautifully applied breading that stayed intact—unlike many other places where the breading falls off. The spaetzle and potatoes were excellent as well! For those who enjoy a bit of spice, I recommend adding their Zigeuner sauce for an added kick.

Each meal comes with an intriguing salad topped with beets, beans, cabbage, and a sour cream dressing—truly delicious and unique. For my main course, I ordered the pork schnitzel for $17.90, with a side of Jaeger sauce recommended by our attentive server—thank you! It was served alongside Lyonnaise potatoes and mixed vegetables. The schnitzel was perfectly cooked, crisp, yet not overdone or tough. The potatoes were also fantastic; I’m not sure what magic they use to prepare them, but they were outstanding! My friend had the Jaeger schnitzel with spaetzle, which was equally impressive at $17.90. The spaetzle paired perfectly with the Jaeger sauce. The decor of the restaurant is quite old-fashioned, reminiscent of the 80s with its mauve and green hues, but it is very clean and well-maintained. Dining here felt like eating at my German grandmother's house—minus the shouting! Overall, the service was impeccable, the owners were incredibly friendly, and I would be more than happy to return to this establishment in the future!

I had a wonderful lunch today! I ordered the Yeager Braten, which is a pike roast that was so tender I could cut it with a fork. It came with a mushroom sauce, homemade spaetzle, and braised red cabbage. Everything was absolutely delicious and reminded me why this is one of my favorite restaurants.

From the attentive staff to the quick service and high-quality food, everything was on point. My husband ordered the Wiener schnitzel, and I opted for the zigeunerbraten, which was perfectly tender. I should mention that their portion sizes are generous—the schnitzel was enormous, about the size of a head! With the sides, you're guaranteed to have leftovers for your next meal. And wow, was it delicious! The zigeuner sauce had a delightful kick, and my husband even ordered a side of it for his schnitzel. I chose their potato salad as a side while my husband had the roasted potatoes, and we both got a side of spaetzle. The wine was reasonably priced, and they offered a good selection of beers, plus they have happy hours and an early bird special! I'm disappointed it took me so long to visit, but I will definitely come back often when we're craving a taste of Germany and Austria!

We started with the Breaded Fried Swiss Cheese ($7.90), which consisted of two reasonably sized triangles of Swiss cheese, breaded and deep-fried to a golden brown. While the texture was crisp and not greasy, the flavor was lacking; a nuttier Swiss cheese could have enhanced the taste. The accompanying dipping sauce, labeled as homemade tartar sauce, didn’t add much to the dish either. For the main course, my husband ordered the Sauerbraten ($18.90), which is beef loin marinated for five days in red wine, red wine vinegar, and spices, served with bread dumpling, spaetzle, and red cabbage. This dish was truly impressive; everything met the standards of what I grew up with. The marinade was flavorful, the beef was tender, and the bread dumplings and spaetzle had a wonderful texture. The red cabbage provided a delightful contrast. I chose the Beef Stroganoff ($19.90), which comprised filet tips cooked in a classic red wine sauce with finely chopped dill pickles, Dijon mustard, and a touch of sour cream, served with spaetzle. Unfortunately, this dish was less successful; the beef was a bit tough, and the sauce was dominated by the heavy flavor of red wine, overshadowing the dill pickle and mustard. One option with the entrees was a cucumber salad, advertised as cucumber, sour cream, and dill, which I was familiar with. However, what we received was simply sliced cucumber topped with sour cream and a dash of dill. Honestly, it resembled the homemade tartar sauce served with the fried cheese. On a positive note, the staff was warm and friendly, and the restaurant itself had a charming atmosphere. We learned that the owner was retiring and another German family would be taking over the business. The new owner was even present that night, observing the kitchen operations. Overall, the meal was good but not exceptional; I hope the new management can elevate it to the next level.