Der Wiener Deewan is a staple of student culture and has been since it opened. To be honest, I was toying with the idea of writing this article at all… I have visited the Deewan on numerous occasions, and – call me elitist – the ‘pay-what-you-wish’ vibe doesn’t do much for me at all. I love cooking, so if I go out, I like to treat myself to an extravagant meal. Besides, the ninth district is stuffed full of excellent restaurants showcasing a mixture of culinary influences, not all of which have to break the wallet.
However, not mentioning such a competitively-priced place as this, in the middle of Vienna, and having put it off for so long, is tantamount to sacrilege. As I mentioned, this is a pay-as-you-wish venue serving curries that have Pakistani origins. It’s also an all-you-can-eat style buffet, which appeals to students and those travellers on tighter budgets. Usually there are four dishes to choose from, two being vegetarian, including rice and a nice, doughy desert mixed with milk and rice or grieß. It’s not gourmet but it does what it promises, and there’s even a take-away service (although marketed for a fixed price).
So, if you’re looking for a cheap meal, close to town (excellent links with the U2 and the 1, 71 and D trams) and which won’t leave you asking for more, go to the Deewan. You can even draw on the walls.
