Austria does not have an ocean. This much we know is true. It used to, my better half likes to mumble, most often when playing Risk on winter nights and having to put up with my repeated prodding about the fact that the borders of his guitar-shaped country are nowhere to be seen.

Yet places like the Alte Donau in summer certainly help make up for Vienna’s lack of a beach with salty shores.  This stretch of river bed is one of my favorite destinations to head to when the weather gets warm. There are ample opportunities to swim, lay out, paddle board and of course, EAT!  I’ve been exploring this area the past few months and have found a new restaurant to visit for its delicious menu and killer views.

Wien’s answer to ‘oceanfront dining’, the Ufertaverne is a lovely restaurant offering a dining experience quite different from most in town. There aren’t many places to enjoy a meal in Vienna with sailboat masts gliding by in the distance.

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I found myself there on a recent Sunday evening, husband and pup in tow. We’d been swimming and lounging all afternoon and not quite ready to say goodbye to the weekend, this restaurant let us bid farewell slowly. Lucky to get a table on the terrace, situated so diners view west, we enjoyed our meal as the sun slowly sank, illuminating everything in orange. We both agreed it felt like being on vacation, far away from the demands of Monday.

And the food? Fresh and tasty. Beautifully served. Seasonally chosen. Lecker.

My husband had multicolored ‘schupf’ noodles with rucola pesto, avocado, tomatoes, and vegetables.

Summer spritzers, the perfect complement.

I had the Salmon Ciabatta with Frischkäse and Red Onions.

Fall is coming and summer evenings are limited in number. Catch them when you can.

Ufertaverne
An der Oberen Alten Donau 186
1220 Vienna
http://www.ufertaverne.at/

Pictures #3 and 7 from restaurant website.