NENI am Naschmarkt — Restaurant in Vienna

The food at Neni was great, and the ambiance was lovely as well.

Unfortunately, the service was very casual and left much to be desired. Our dishes weren’t explained to us, and we had to ask four times for some tap water alongside our drinks. After the third time, our server told me to stop one of his colleagues myself and ask him instead.

We had been told in advance that the restaurant was cash only, but while dining, we realized we had lost our wallet. Before receiving the bill, I tried a few nearby ATMs without success. Meanwhile, my girlfriend asked the staff if they had any suggestions, and they directed us to a nearby supermarket.

When I returned with cash, I apologized for the wait and said I was ready to pay. The (what I think was the) manager then rudely told me to come to him. After I handed him the money, he asked if I wanted to leave a tip. I politely said no, after which he was confused and asked why and I explained I was a student. He pressed further, questioning why I didn’t want to tip and whether I didn’t think it was a nice gesture. I responded that I did, but unfortunately couldn’t afford to.

Given his already irritated tone, I didn’t mention that the service hadn’t been great. He then continued to pressure me, saying he had to wait “the whole time” which was a maximum of 20 minutes from when, with a half-full terrace. I told him we had lost our wallet, and then chose not to engage further. I thanked both him and the waiter and left but with a very bad aftertaste from the experience.

Usually if service is not great I don’t really mind it but rudely asking for a tip multiple times after what had been a stressful situation for us is what made me write...

Today, it was my first day in Vienna with my 4 years old daughter. Based on google reviews we decided to dine in there. For more than 30 min we were standing there, no chair for waiting even. After that i saw 2 chairs empty and I asked waiter if we can sit here and kid is in stroller. I dragged one chair to sit down. Suddenly, he apperaed with the words "Mam it is not possible". His behaviour was so rude and disrespectful, it was feeling like we were there for begging instead of paying our food. Even he was yelling at me in that way my daughter got scared and she was asking "Mama, is uncle going to hit us". That waiter was black man (I am not racist, only identifying, be careful with that guy, he has no respect to customers at all or even lady with kid). After my husband was going to leave from there but manager apologies on behalf of that guy but he himself didnt say sorry. I didnt have idea that my daughter took it so seriously and got scared. She was continously asking me "why this uncle was going to hit us". So horrible experience. I was a tourist and m not aware this restaurant only entertains reservations. Even if this is the case they should mention it or dont ask customer to wait. I cant explain how much me and my family was upset on this incident. That man ruined our day...

We did not eat here, so, if you don’t like reviews based on just service fell free to move over. It was Saturday late morning and my wife and I were aiming for brunch. The place had good reviews and was included in a magazine's short-list. The menu also intrigued us, with its Middle Eastern flavor. It was chilly but sunny, the place was not full and we asked the waiter permission to sit a semi-sunny table which was available. The waiter briskly told us they did not take cards, only cash. Which we did not ask. We assumed it was ok to sit, the table was empty. As we were sitting, the 2 patrons occupying the adjacent table, exactly the same size but totally in the sun, left and we switch tables. 5 minutes later the waiter came, not the one we asked to sit, and rather than taking our order asked us to move to another table because that was a 3-seat table. We pointed out that the size of the two tables were exactly the same and that there were plenty of empty tables but to no avail: we had to empty the (sunny) table. Well, I do not think well of places that allow waiters to behave like that and highly recommend patrons to indulge one of the many, much kindler, eateries nearby. I don’t expect red carpets, but I definitely won’t give my money to rude...