vienna :: tian bistro

16 November 2014

A while ago, I saw Caroline's post about the Tian in Vienna, which looked like a pretty special vegetarian restaurant and deserving of its 1 Michelin star. I was very interested in trying it, but unfortunately they were closed on the day I could go. But their Tian Bistro, a more casual dining place that is also vegetarian, was open for business so my sister, my friend K and I went along to see what it was like.

I'm not sure if I've ever tried a vegetarian restaurant before - I probably have, but nowhere particularly memorable. So this intrigued me - it's certainly not somewhere E would be excited to go to, being a hardcore carnivore, so I was happy to be accompanied by willing companions!
Located in the Kunsthaus, the building and the interior are quirky, arty and quite original. Although it does attract a tourist-heavy crowd, it was quite peaceful and cosy, perfect for a Monday lunch.

We all chose the gratins - mine was a wholewheat pasta gratin with mountain cheese and vegan chorizo. The chorizo was surprisingly good - I think I would have known without being told that it wasn't meat, but it was a good alternative! The portions were ideal for lunch, especially as we had dessert in mind...










Behold, the prettiest little cake ever. Passionfruit cheesecake - it tasted as good as it looked. I definitely need to try making a passionfruit cheesecake of some kind at home, the combination just works. My sister's pumpkin seed cake was amazing too, and K enjoyed her apple strudel (such a good classic).

It was so nice to catch up with K, a friend from my years studying in Salzburg, and we had a great afternoon walking and shopping and chatting away.







I'm curious - have you been to any good vegetarian or vegan restaurants?

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13 comments:

  1. I remember Caroline's review, it all looks awesome here. I've wracked my brains but I can't think of a time that we've been to a completely vegetarian restaurant. I want to go here though!
    Lots of love,
    Angie
    SilverSpoon London

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  2. your food looks amazing and, since i'm a vegetarian, this is right up my alley :)

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  3. Ahh yum, I'm veggie and I would love to eat there! <3 x

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  4. Ohmygosssssh PASSION FRUIT CHEESECAKE. I'm such a cheesecake fiend right now it really isn't funny (majorly worried for myself if I ever have babies - the pregnancy cravings are going to be really weird...) So pretty, I love the chocolate work on the sides! What was the vegan chorizo made of - quorn? It looks super delicious despite being vegetarian - I'd really like to try out some of London's high-end veggie restaurants sometime, like Bruno Loubet's Grain Store - just to see how they measure up to the carnivore competition :) To be honest, I tend to eat mainly vegetarian/pescetarian meals when at home, so when I go to restaurants I mainly order meat dishes. Hummus Bros on Wardour Street is supposed to be good for a veggie lunch though! xx

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  5. Ugh that gratin looks divine as does the cheesecake. Also that black and white checkered building is SO pretty! I have been to some really good vegetarian restaurants before but I am more like E...I don't feel like it's a full meal without a little meat haha.

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  6. This place looks fantastic, and your photos even more!I am not vegetarian, but I just love going to vegetarian and vegan places, to try new things!
    www.mygenerouslife.blogspot.com

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  7. i LOVE the exterior & interior of this place! and that is the prettiest cake ever. i once did get at a vegetarian restaurant. it was actually run by a buddhist temple and the dishes were delicious!

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  8. what whimsical setting! couldn't think of a nicer place for a leisurely lunch!

    Mildreds in Soho is a fab vegetarian restaurant- really delicious food. Totally recommend it if you're ever that way!

    The Awkward Blog

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  9. Mmm, another of your posts that is making me hungry after dinner ;) I might as well say that about all your posts!! I love the sneak peeks of the Kunsthaus too - Hundertwasser, isn't it? Correct me if I'm wrong! I'm such a fan of the kooky architecture mixed in with Vienna's rather more grandiose buildings. xx

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  10. Oh wow, the shoot of the outside building of the place is fabulous! I just love the mix of stone, nature and colors! that pasta pot looks sooo good! I'm very keen on eating and trying vegetarian foods (although my boyfriend is very opposed to it!) The cheese cake did look beautiful!

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  11. This looks familiar, I haven't been in that restaurant but my friend took me to the recycling plant that has been designed by the same artist. Hope u saw it, it is one of the most interesting things I saw in Vienna. I m not gonna comment the food, I highly believe in ur taste ,-)

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  12. There are a lot of good vegetarian restaurants around here (Seattle or Portland, in the Pacific NW/US). Even before I became pescetarian, I loved going to vegetarian restaurants because they are so good at cooking vegetables (whereas vegetable quality varied a lot more at non-veg restaurants).

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