If you’re strolling through the Ninth District at lunchtime and see a line of students, businesspeople, and punks waiting patiently in front of a glass facade, then you’ve arrived at the Wiener Deewan. It’s one of those places that make Vienna so awesome: Here, worlds collide while you go back for your third helping of lamb curry. The concept is simple: There’s an all-you-can-eat buffet, you eat until you’re stuffed, and at the end, you pay exactly what you think the food and service were worth.
Eat until you drop without a set price
The centerpiece at Deewan is the buffet, located on the ground floor. There are usually five different curries to choose from—always two with meat (often chicken or lamb) and three vegetarian or vegan options such as lentils (dal) or potatoes with cauliflower. These are served with rice, fresh naan bread straight from the oven, and a handful of sauces ranging from mild to “pretty spicy.”
The restaurant spans three levels, with the basement—featuring lounging areas and cozy nooks—being the perfect spot to unwind a bit after your meal. It’s loud, it’s bustling, and it’s wonderfully unpretentious.
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An experiment that’s been working since 2005
Deewan was founded by Afzaal and Natalie Deewan. What began as a daring social experiment is now an institution. The“pay as you wish” concept works so well because the quality is top-notch. The ingredients are fresh, the spices are spot-on, and you can tell they don’t skimp just because there’s no fixed price on the menu.
The restaurant is open Monday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. The kitchen is closed on Sundays. It’s often packed, especially during peak hours between 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m., but the staff is quick, and a table usually opens up pretty fast if you’re willing to wait a bit.
What many people don’t know
Although the food at the buffet is “free” (or open-priced), there’s one small exception: drinks and desserts ( be sure to try the suji halwa, a sweet semolina pudding) have fixed prices. This helps the team keep their costs stable. Another insider fact: Deewan was one of the first restaurants in Vienna to consistently do without Wi-Fi to encourage people to talk to each other again instead of just staring at their phones.
📍 Location: Deewan Vienna, Liechtensteinstraße 10, 1090 Vienna
📅 Hours: Monday through Saturday: 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM // Sundays and holidays: Closed
💶 Prices: You pay what you think it’s worth
