The story
At Materia on Tigergasse 31 in Vienna's eighth district, Stefano Patelli and Francesca De Rossi do something quietly ambitious: they bring a young, modern Italian kitchen to Austria's capital without fanfare or pretension. The restaurant's own motto — einfach gut essen, simply good food — says it plainly, and the cooking delivers on that promise.
Stefano's cooking is shaped by two forces that might seem unlikely companions: the recipes of his grandmother (Nonna) and the impressions gathered during travels across Europe and Japan. Traditional Italian foundations are reinterpreted with restraint, each dish built from a small number of carefully chosen components. Nothing is there by accident. Francesca De Rossi completes the duo, and together they run an evening-only restaurant that feels personal in the way only owner-operated rooms can.
That sensibility has earned Materia recognition from Gambero Rosso, Italy's most authoritative food guide — a meaningful endorsement for a restaurant bringing Italian cooking to a foreign city.
The menu reflects Stefano's dual inheritance: Italian tradition filtered through a broader, more contemporary lens. Vegan menus are available on request, a sign that the kitchen is genuinely flexible rather than formulaic. The restaurant also hosts special events — such as the Clandestino seafood and wine evenings organized in collaboration with producers like Jolanda de Colò and Panarum — which give a sense of how seriously the team takes wine and provenance alongside the food itself.
Materia opens Tuesday through Saturday from 18:00, an evening-only address suited to unhurried dinners. Outdoor seating is available, and the space can accommodate private parties. The wine list is given its own dedicated attention, with pairing a natural part of the experience.
For guests with dietary requirements or those seeking a vegan menu, the team asks that you call ahead — a small detail that reflects the care taken with each table.
Recognition
Ambience
Location