When I visited, Seven North had just been voted the best new restaurant opening in Austria for 2020, and its popularity with locals certainly showed - book at least a week in advance if you want to eat there and soak up the party atmosphere in the evening. The food is sharing-style with a Middle Eastern lean; carnivores should go for the beef and lamb options - from ‘kebab schnitzel’ (€18 [£16]) and lamb shawarma (€25 [£22]) to Entrecôte salad (€40 [£35]) - all of which smelled and looked superb from my vantage point on a counter stool at the open kitchen.
The menu (which in a slightly bizarre exception to the hotel's otherwise flawless attention to design detail is printed in Comic Sans; maybe it's ironic?!) would benefit from a better variety of fish or white meat options; only whole sea bass was available (€36 [£31]) when I visited. Veg options are plentiful however, and include nouveau classics such as whole roasted cauliflower (€12 [£10.50]), and a perfectly charred aubergine and tahini mix (€10 [£8]; great with the herby freekeh for €12 [£10.50]). Beware some of the menu translations if ordering in English; ‘cabbage cake’ is comprised quite literally of layers of cabbage and nothing else (€14 [£12]).
The fruit-based desserts (a daily tart and deconstructed apple strudel) are quite heavy and ‘beige’; lighter choices include the malabi in mouth wateringly sharp blood orange (all €8 [£7]). The bar does great cocktails (try the off-menu subtly orange espresso martini, topped with grated chocolate) plus craft beers (all €4 or €7 [£3.50 or £6]. There's a great selection of biodynamic wines, including plenty of Austrian options, available by the glass. Try the Kracher sparkling rosé (€9 [£8]) as an aperitif. Alcohol is generally cheaper in Vienna than London; a glass of Laurent Perrier is just €12 (£10.50).
Breakfast is also served here; a standard cold buffet of freshly baked bread, croissants, spreads and preserves, cereals, fruit, meats, cheeses and hard-boiled eggs. Coffee, a good selection of teas and fresh juices are also self-service. Brunch is also served at weekends.
